ARIZONA NEWS

Maricopa County supervisor candidates brace for recount in race with razor-thin margin

Nov 14, 2024, 7:46 AM | Updated: Nov 25, 2024, 10:50 am

The race between Daniel Valenzuela and Kate Brophy McGee for the District 3 seat on the Maricopa Co...

The race between Daniel Valenzuela and Kate Brophy McGee for the District 3 seat on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is heading to a recount. (Campaign Photos)

(Campaign Photos)

PHOENIX – Separated by a razor-thin margin, the candidates for the District 3 seat on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors are bracing for a recount.

With the number of uncounted ballots dwindling, Republican Kate Brophy McGee has been clinging to a narrow lead over Democratic Daniel Valenzuela for the only unsettled spot on the powerful Phoenix-area governing panel.

The margin was down to just 227 votes after Valenzuela trimmed more than 100 votes off Brophy McGee’s advantage on Wednesday, per the Maricopa County Election Department unofficial results page.

With the difference a mere 0.06 percentage points, far under the 0.5% margin for triggering an automatic recount under Arizona election law, the race won’t be done when the county is done with its initial tabulation.

“Right now, we hold the lead in this incredibly close race,” Brophy McGee said in a Wednesday post thanking her supporters on X. “While we are leading, the process isn’t over — Maricopa County is still counting ballots, and it’s likely we will proceed to a recount.”

Brophy McGee, a former state lawmaker, and Valenzuela, a former Phoenix councilman, are battling it out to succeed Republican Supervisor Bill Gates. Gates didn’t seek reelection in District 3, wich covers a swath of central and northern Phoenix as well as Cave Creek, Anthem, New River and Paradise Valley.

Republicans will maintain control of the five-member board regardless of the District 3 outcome, having clinched three of the four other seats.

What’s going on with the District 1 supervisor race

Only one other Maricopa County Board of Supervisors race couldn’t be called within a day of the election.

The District 1 contest essentially came to an end a week after Election Day, when Republican Mark Stewart declared victory after his lead over Democrat Joel Navarro on Monday. Stewart’s lead had been steadily expanding as counting progressed and had eclipsed 14,000 votes.

Stewart defeated incumbent Jack Sellers in the Republican primary for the East Valley district, but Sellers crossed the aisle to endorse Navarro in the general election.

How are the other Maricopa County Board of Supervisors races going?

The other three supervisor races in the state’s most populous county, which covers Phoenix and its surrounding suburbs, were wrapped up by the day after the Nov. 5 election.

The two incumbents who made it to the general election won their reelection: Thomas Galvin, a Republican, and Steve Gallardo, the board’s only current Democrat.

Galvin declared victory over challenger Julie Cieniawski in District 5 on Nov. 6.

Gallardo, meanwhile, was blowing out Republican Ann Niemann by more than 30 points.

In another uncompetitive contest, Republican U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko ran away with the race to succeed Supervisor Clint Hickman, who didn’t run again in District 4. Lesko, who didn’t seek reelection to Congress, declared victory over Democrat David Sandoval on Nov. 6.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is tasked with approving the budget, appointing a county manager, overseeing election operations and other major duties.

Since 2020, the board has been in the spotlight due to unfounded election conspiracies and some members even received death threats.

This is an updated version of a story originally published on Nov. 5, 2024.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(APS Electric Light Parade Photo)...

David Veenstra

Electric Light Parade returns to central Phoenix on Saturday

The 37th annual APS Electric Light Parade will make its way to central Phoenix on Saturday. The theme for this year is “Let Every Holiday Shine!”

30 minutes ago

FuelFest is scheduled to return to Arizona for a fourth year on Saturday. (FuelFest)...

David Veenstra

FuelFest returns to WestWorld of Scottsdale on Saturday

FuelFest is scheduled to return to WestWorld of Scottsdale on Saturday. The automotive event will feature car drifting, live music and more.

3 hours ago

Downtown Phoenix building...

Audrey Jensen/Phoenix Business Journal

Downtown Phoenix building trades hands in auction

The historic Heard Building in downtown Phoenix — notable for its Mexican grizzly bear mural — is in the hands of a new owner.

6 hours ago

WestWorld of Scottsdale hosts the Barrett-Jackson car auction. (Twitter Photo/Barrett-Jackson)...

Dave Neil

Study shows $163.6 million economic impact from WestWorld of Scottsdale

WestWorld of Scottsdale contributed $163.6 million to Arizona's gross domestic product, according to a recent economic impact study.

19 hours ago

The city of Avondale came in at seventh place for the highest year-to-year increase in median incom...

Roxanne De La Rosa

Avondale ranked among top-10 cities for highest increase in median household income

The city of Avondale came in at seventh place for the highest year-to-year increase in median income in 2023

22 hours ago

A man has died after he was struck by a motorcycle on Friday night while crossing the street near 5...

Roxanne De La Rosa

Man dead after being hit by motorcycle in Phoenix

A man has died after he was struck by a motorcycle on Friday night while crossing the street near 50th Street and McDowell Road

24 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to save money on retirement planning following 2024 election

PHOENIX -- With the 2024 election over, economic changes could impact how people plan for retirement as 2025 is on the horizon.

...

Schwartz Laser Eye Center

Don’t miss the action with this game-changing procedure

PHOENIX -- The clear lens exchange procedure has emerged as a popular alternative to LASIK eye surgery.

...

Morris Hall

West Hunsaker, through Morris Hall, supports Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona

KTAR’s Community Spotlight this month focuses on Morris Hall and its commitment to supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona.

Maricopa County supervisor candidates brace for recount in race with razor-thin margin