Two days after the Arizona primary, the governor’s race is still too close to officially call, although Republican primary voters have Kari Lake with a slight lead over Karrin Taylor Robson. It’s the highest profile of the remaining races yet to be determined.
A big batch of vote results was scheduled to be released at 7 p.m. Thursday, according to the Maricopa County Elections Department.
Follow coverage of Arizona’s primary election by Republic reporters here.
Recap: Wednesday’s primary updates | Arizona primary election results 2022
11:45 a.m.: Pinal County removes election director
Following a problem-filled primary election, Pinal County has removed its Elections Director David Frisk and he “is no longer employed” by the county, officials announced in a statement released Thursday.
County Recorder Virginia Ross has resigned from that position and will take over as elections director, the county said.
“As a Board, we are deeply embarrassed and frustrated by the mistakes that have been made in this primary election, and as such, we are taking immediate steps to ensure the November election runs smoothly, as elections in Pinal County have historically done prior to this primary,” said Jeffrey McClure, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, said in the news release.
The Board of Supervisors will meet Friday morning to appoint a replacement for Ross, who was first elected recorder in 2012.
“Having been the recorder for Pinal County since 2013, this primary election has been a stinging experience for us all. I look forward to involving all stakeholders in Pinal County as we work together to finish this primary election, before immediately turning our attention to the November election,” Ross said in the news release.
— Wyatt Buchanan
9:45 a.m.: Masters to meet with parents about education issues
Senate candidate Blake Masters will reportedly talk with parents about public education in Arizona.
A roundtable was set for Thursday with “concerned Arizonans about parents rights and other issues in public education,” according to a news release.
The roundtable was slated for 1 p.m. Thursday at 3336 E. Chandler Heights Road, Suite 117, in Gilbert.
To attend, email michael@blakemasters.com by 11 a.m.
— Mike Cruz
8 a.m.: Arizona poised to elect 5th female governor
No matter who is the Republic nominee for governor, Arizonans in November are poised to elect their fifth female governor, more than any other state in the country.
If Kari Lake secures the GOP nomination, the sprint to November’s general election will pit one of the state’s loudest 2020 election deniers, Lake, and its chief defender, Democrat Katie Hobbs.
Though the Republican race was too close to officially call, Lake declared victory on Wednesday afternoon as ballots cast on election day were counted and pushed her ahead of opponent Karrin Taylor Robson’s advantage among early voters.
“We are so proud of the movement,” Lake said during a news conference Wednesday. “We are so proud of the victory we have, and we are going to lead this state to its brightest days ahead.”
A spokesman for Taylor Robson declined to comment about Lake declaring victory with the race yet to be called.
Arizona’s four previous women governors were Jan Brewer, Janet Napolitano, Jane Dee Hull and Rose Mofford.
— Stacey Barchenger
