Arizona officials certify 2024 general election results
Secretary of State Adrian Fontes shares final vote totals for the presidential race as well as voter turnout numbers during the certification of the Nov. 5 general election on Nov. 25, 2024, in Phoenix.
Top Arizona Democrats are unifying behind state party chair Yolanda Bejarano for a second term, despite across-the-board losses in the November election.
Leading the support is Gov. Katie Hobbs, who two years ago was almost alone in her support for a different candidate. In a statement issued by her office, Hobbs on Tuesday said she looks forward to standing “shoulder to shoulder” with Bejarano as Democrats approach the 2026 election with an eye on victory.
“I’m excited to support her re-election bid and to continue working with her to grow our Party in this critical moment,” Hobbs said.
Party members in January 2023 elected Bejarano with 70% support over contender Steve Gallardo, a member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
Gallardo on Tuesday said he had no interest in another run and argued it would be unfair to oust Bejarano after just one term.
Other elected Democrats felt that way, too. Backers ranged from U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly and Senator-elect Ruben Gallego to Democratic leaders of the effort to flip control of the state Legislature — an effort that ended with GOP gains.
“Championship teams are not built in one season,” said Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, who advocated for Bejarano two years ago. “Yolanda Bejarano has established a strong base for our party, and I’m thrilled to help her build into a successful 2026.”
None of the glowing endorsements referenced the losses the Democrats suffered last month, losses that one political consultant called a “wipeout.” Instead, the focus was on countering the incoming Trump administration and the 2026 elections. All statewide offices, from governor to state mine inspector, are on the ballot in two years.
“We need a fighter with the vision and strength to lead our party as we push back against the extreme policies of a Trump administration and work to re-elect Democrats who are delivering for our state,” Kelly said in the joint statement.
There has been little talk of a challenge to Bejarano, a union steward for Communications Workers of America and a native of Roll, in southwestern Arizona.
Steve Slugocki, a former Maricopa County Democratic Party chairman, said he had been approached about a run for state chair.
“I know a lot of people who are unhappy,” he said. But, he added, he has no such plans and is focused on getting Fontes re-elected as secretary of state.
“We need to learn from our losses,” he said.
Democrats credited Bejarano for building up the party, even as it saw its registration numbers drop.
They touted the fact that the party ran legislative candidates in each of the state’s 30 districts for the first time, invested $500,000 in county parties to mobilize voters and outpaced the Arizona GOP in fundraising.
Despite those efforts, Democrats lost two seats in the Arizona House and one in the state Senate. Its candidates failed in two competitive congressional districts. Trump bested Kamala Harris by 5.5 percentage points, making Arizona the swing state with the widest win margin for Trump.
The bright spot was Gallego’s election to the U.S. Senate, where he defeated Republican Kari Lake.
Democrats will meet Jan. 18 for their annual state party meeting.
Republicans will have a similar meeting next month. GOP chair Gina Swoboda several weeks ago said she was uncertain what her next move would be. She did not return a call seeking updated comments on her plans.
Reach the reporter at [email protected] or at 602-228-7566 and follow her on Threads as well as on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @maryjpitzl.
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Publish date : 2024-12-03 23:04:00
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