Allister Adel improves lead in Maricopa County Attorney race
Nov 6, 2020, 10:05 AM
Democrat Julie Gunnigle, left, is challenging Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel, right, for the job. (Campaign Photos)
(Campaign Photos)
PHOENIX – Incumbent Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel expanded her lead in the race for her job after the latest vote count was released Friday morning.
Adel was leading challenger Julie Gunnigle 890,885 to 870,224, up 20,661, according to the Maricopa County Elections Department website. That was a big jump from late Thursday’s lead of 4,186 votes.
The Arizona Secretary of State’s Office reported 137,000 ballots remained to be counted in the county.
Adel, who underwent emergency surgery Tuesday night for bleeding in her brain, trailed Gunnigle by around 61,000 votes in the first results from Election Day.
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The winner would be the first woman elected as the county’s top prosecutor.
Adel was appointed to the post in late 2019 to fill the vacancy created when Bill Montgomery was named to the Arizona Supreme Court.
Both Adel and Gunnigle pushed for systemic reform in the office, the third-largest in the country, during campaigning.
