The 2010 Arizona state elections were held on November 2, 2010, with primaries on August 24, 2010. These include state-level offices and both chambers of Congress. A special election was also on May 18 for Proposition 100.

U.S. Senate

John McCain announced his plans to run again for Senate on November 25, 2008, just 21 days after losing the 2008 presidential race. McCain faced a primary challenge from former representative J.D. Hayworth, and Jim Deakin. The Democratic candidates were Rodney Glassman, Rudy Garcia, and John Dougherty.

In the general election, the candidates were incumbent John McCain (R), Rodney Glassman (D), Jerry Joslyn (G), and David Nolan (L).

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections were held for all Arizona's congressional districts, with elections in the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 8th congressional districts being among the more heavily contended.

Republican John Shadegg, the incumbent in the 3rd district, announced that he would not seek re-election on January 14, 2010. On the Republican side, Ben Quayle, son of former vice-president Dan Quayle, announced his on February 12, 2010, despite never voting in a local election. Other notable Republicans in the race include former state representative Sam Crump, former state senators Pamela Gorman and Jim Waring, and former Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker. The only Democrat in that race is Jon Hulburd.

Both the 5th and 8th districts' Democratic incumbents, Harry Mitchell and Gabby Giffords, respectively, are seeking reelection. Mitchell faces a Republican challenge from former Maricopa County Treasurer David Schweikert, Jeffrey W. Smith, Jim Ward while Giffords' biggest Republican challengers include former State Senator Jonathan Paton and construction manager Jesse Kelly.

Governor

On January 20, 2009, Janet Napolitano was confirmed as United States Secretary of Homeland Security by Barack Obama and resigned as governor the next day. Since Arizona does not have a lieutenant governor, Secretary of State Jan Brewer took over office. Brewer announced her intentions to run for full term in November 2009. The other Republican candidates were state treasurer Dean Martin, Owen "Buz" Mills, former Arizona Board of Regents president John Munger, Matthew Jette, and Tom Gordon. At one point, Sheriff Joe Arpaio was considering a run for governor, but eventually declined. On June 2, 2010, John Munger dropped out of the race.

The only Democratic challenger was Attorney General Terry Goddard. The Libertarian Party had Ronald Cavanaugh, Bruce Olsen, Alvin Ray Yount, and Barry Hess facing off while Larry Gist was on the ballot for the Green Party.

Jan Brewer won the Republican primary with approximately 80% of the vote while Democrat Terry Goddard moved on with no opposition. Barry Hess won the Libertarian primary and Larry Gist won the Green primary. Incumbent Jan Brewer won the election with 54.3% of the vote.

Secretary of State

When Jan Brewer succeeded Janet Napolitano as governor, she appointed Republican Ken Bennett to replace her as Secretary of State. Bennett later went on to seek a full term.

Republican primary

Candidates

Primary results

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanKen Bennett (incumbent)474,650100
Total votes474,650100

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Chris Deschene, state representative.
  • Sam Wercinski, former Arizona Real Estate Commissioner.

Primary results

Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticChris Deschene174,31462.79
DemocraticSam Wercinski103,28637.21
Total votes277,600100

Third party candidates

  • Michelle Lochmann (Green) (write-in, withdrawn)

General election

Debate

2010 Arizona Secretary of State election debate
No.DateHostModeratorLinkRepublicanDemocratic
Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn
Ken BennettChris Deschene
1September 22, 2010KAETTed SimonsPP

Endorsements

Organizations

Newspapers

U.S. Representatives

Organizations

Labor unions

Newspapers

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s) administeredSample sizeMargin of errorKen Bennett (R)Chris Deschene (D)NeitherUndecided
Moore InformationOctober 12–13, 2010500 (LV)± 4%46%28%2%23%

Results

2010 Arizona Secretary of State election
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanKen Bennett (incumbent)966,93458.21
DemocraticChris Deschene694,13141.79
Total votes1,661,065100
Republican hold

Attorney General

Incumbent Democrat Terry Goddard ran for governor. The three Democrats who ran to fill the vacancy were Arizona's House minority leader David Lujan as well as Felecia Rotellini and Vince Rabago both former assistant attorney general. The Republican race was between superintendent of public instruction Tom Horne and former Maricopa County attorney Andrew Thomas.

In the Republican primary, Tom Horne declared victory on August 28, with an 853-vote lead. However, his opponent, Andrew Thomas, did not concede the race until August 31.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Primary results

Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticFelecia Rotellini120,36441.49
DemocraticDavid Lujan117,93740.65
DemocraticVince Rabago51,81317.86
Total votes290,114100

Republican primary

Candidates

Primary results

Primary results by county: Horne 50–60% Thomas 50–60%
Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanTom Horne276,76150.08
RepublicanAndrew Thomas275,86249.92
Total votes552,623100

General election

Debate

2010 Arizona Attorney General election debate
No.DateHostModeratorLinkRepublicanDemocratic
Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn
Tom HorneFelecia Rotellini
1September 8, 2010KAETTed SimonsPP

Endorsements

State executive officials

County executive officials

Organizations

  • Can-Do Conservatives of America
  • Phoenix Law Enforcement Association
  • Southern Arizona Home Builders Association

State executive officials

State legislative officials

Labor unions

Organizations

Newspapers

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s) administeredSample sizeMargin of errorTom Horne (R)Felecia Rotellini (D)NeitherUndecided
Moore InformationOctober 12–13, 2010500 (LV)± 4%46%37%3%14%
Wilson Research StrategiesOctober 5–6, 2010400 (LV)± 4.9%53%35%–12%
Behavior Research CenterOctober 1–10, 2010450 (LV)± 4.7%40%36%–24%
555 (RV)± 4.2%34%34%–32%

Results

2010 Arizona Attorney General election
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanTom Horne870,48351.89
DemocraticFelecia Rotellini807,18548.11
Total votes1,677,668100
Republican gain from Democratic

Treasurer

As incumbent Republican Treasurer Dean Martin decided to unsuccessfully run for Governor of Arizona, the position was an open seat. CEO of Cold Stone Creamery and former investor Doug Ducey successfully ran for the Republican nomination. Andrei Cherny, an advisor to Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, and John Kerry, won the Democratic nomination.

Republican primary

Candidates

Primary results

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanDoug Ducey211,49341.36
RepublicanBarbara Leff119,89123.44
RepublicanThayer Verschoor112,97522.09
RepublicanTed Carpenter67,02613.11
Total votes511,385100

Democratic primary

Candidates

Primary results

Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticAndrei Cherny262,467100
Total votes262,467100

Third party candidates

General election

Debate

2010 Arizona State Treasurer election debate
No.DateHostModeratorLinkRepublicanDemocraticLibertarianGreen
Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn
Doug DuceyAndrei ChernyThane EichenauerThomas Meadows
1September 29, 2010KAETTed SimonsPPPA

Endorsements

Organizations

Newspapers

Organizations

Labor unions

Newspapers

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s) administeredSample sizeMargin of errorDoug Ducey (R)Andrei Cherny (D)Thomas Meadows (G)Thane Eichenauer (L)NoneUndecided
Moore InformationOctober 12–13, 2010500 (LV)± 4%38%24%5%4%2%28%

Results

2010 Arizona State Treasurer election
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanDoug Ducey859,67251.86
DemocraticAndrei Cherny685,86541.37
LibertarianThane Eichenauer66,1663.99
GreenThomas Meadows46,1152.78
Total votes1,657,818100
Republican hold

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Incumbent Republican Tom Horne was term-limited and successfully ran for Attorney General. State senator John Huppenthal and educator Penny Kotterman won the Republican and Democratic primaries respectively.

Republican primary

Candidates

  • John Huppenthal, state senator.
  • Margaret Dugan, deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction.
  • Beth Price, educator.

Primary results

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanJohn Huppenthal304,60558.74
RepublicanMargaret Dugan145,96228.15
RepublicanBeth Price67,96913.11
Total votes518,536100

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Penny Kotterman, educator and former Arizona Education Association president.
  • Jason Williams, educator and Democratic nominee in 2006.

Primary results

Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticPenny Kotterman190,70166.40
DemocraticJason Williams96,51933.60
Total votes287,220100

General election

Debate

2010 Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction election debate
No.DateHostModeratorLinkRepublicanDemocratic
Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn
John HuppenthalPenny Kotterman
1September 15, 2010KAETTed SimonsPP

Endorsements

Organizations

Organizations

Newspapers

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s) administeredSample sizeMargin of errorJohn Huppenthal (R)Penny Kotterman (D)NoneUndecided
Moore InformationOctober 12–13, 2010500 (LV)± 4%46%33%2%20%

Results

2010 Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction election
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanJohn Huppenthal917,76055.33
DemocraticPenny Kotterman740,99344.67
Total votes1,658,753100
Republican hold

Mine Inspector

Incumbent Republican Joe Hart ran for a second term and was challenged by Democrat Manuel Cruz. Arizona is the only state that fills this position through direct election.

Republican primary

Candidates

Primary results

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanJoe Hart (incumbent)459,844100
Total votes459,844100

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Manuel Cruz, blasting engineer.

Primary results

Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticManuel Cruz261,339100
Total votes261,339100

General election

Debate

2010 Arizona State Mine Inspector election debate
No.DateHostModeratorLinkRepublicanDemocratic
Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn
Joe HartManuel Cruz
1October 6, 2010KAETTed SimonsPP

Endorsements

Organizations

Labor unions

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s) administeredSample sizeMargin of errorJoe Hart (R)Manuel Cruz (D)NoneUndecided
Moore InformationOctober 12–13, 2010500 (LV)± 4%38%29%3%30%

Results

2010 Arizona State Mine Inspector election
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanJoe Hart (incumbent)916,04657.13
DemocraticManuel Cruz687,31042.87
Total votes1,603,356100
Republican hold

Corporation Commission

Two seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission were up for election. Incumbent commissioner Gary Pierce ran for re-election while Kris Mayes was term limited. Brenda Burns became the second Republican to secure nomination. They were challenged by Democrats David Bradley and Jorge Luis Garcia. Garcia died on October 15 but his name remained on the ballot.

Republican primary

Candidates

Primary results

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanGary Pierce (incumbent)323,75139.72
RepublicanBrenda Burns300,69836.90
RepublicanBarry Wong190,57623.38
Total votes815,025100

Democratic primary

Candidates

Primary results

Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticDavid Bradley142,85934.44
DemocraticJorge Luis Garcia139,19133.57
DemocraticRenz Jennings132,63831.99
Total votes414,688100

Third party candidates

  • Rick Fowlkes (Libertarian)
  • Theodore Gomez (Green)
  • Benjamin Pearcy (Green) (withdrew, remained on the ballot)

General election

Debate

2010 Arizona Corporation Commission election debate
DateHostModerator
October 4, 2010Arizona PBSTed Simons
Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn
RepublicanDemocraticLibertarianGreen
Gary PierceBrenda BurnsDavid BradleyJorge Luis GarciaRick FowlkesTheodore GomezBenjamin Pearcy
PPPPPAA
Link:

Endorsements

Organizations

Organizations

Organizations

Newspapers

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s) administeredSample sizeMargin of errorGary Pierce (R)Brenda Burns (R)David Bradley (D)Jorge Luis Garcia (D)Theodore Gomez (G)Rick Fowlkes (L)NoneUndecided
Moore InformationOctober 12–13, 2010500 (LV)± 4%28%28%18%17%4%4%3%33%

Results

2010 Arizona Corporation Commission election
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanBrenda Burns862,54629.09
RepublicanGary Pierce (incumbent)833,54128.11
DemocraticDavid Bradley563,64519.01
DemocraticJorge Luis Garcia519,92617.53
LibertarianRick Fowlkes95,7713.23
GreenBenjamin Pearcy (withdrawn)47,1211.59
GreenTheodore Gomez42,6451.44
Total votes2,965,195100
Republican hold
Republican hold

State Legislature

All 30 members of the Arizona Senate and all 60 members of the Arizona House of Representatives were up for election. Republicans flipped multiple seats in both chambers.

PartyBeforeAfterChange
State Senate Party Before After Change Republican 18 21 3 Democratic 12 9 3 Total 30 30House of Representatives Party Before After Change Republican 35 40 5 Democratic 25 20 5 Total 60 60
Republican18213
Democratic1293
Total3030
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican35405
Democratic25205
Total6060

Supreme Court

Results by county Yes: 60–70%70–80%80–90%

One justice on the Arizona Supreme Court was up for retention in 2010. Justice Rebecca White Berch was appointed to the Supreme Court by Governor Jane Dee Hull in 2002 and became Chief Justice in 2009.

Justice Berch retention, 2010
ChoiceVotes%
For901,33375.20
Against297,28824.80
Total1,198,621100.00
Source: Arizona Secretary of State

Ballot propositions

Arizona had eleven statewide propositions on the ballot in 2010 - one special election in May and ten in the November general ballot.

May special election

Results by county Yes: 70–80%60–70%50–60% No: 50–60%

On May 18, 2010, a special election was held for an amendment seeking a temporary sales tax increase. It was passed by an almost two-thirds margin.

Proposition 100
ChoiceVotes%
For750,85064.32
Against416,57135.68
Total1,167,421100.00
Source: Arizona Secretary of State

November general election

2010 Arizona ballot propositions (November)
No.DescriptionVotesType
Yes%No%
106Prohibits mandating participation in any health care system and also prohibits fines for not participating.892,69355.28722,30044.72Legislatively referred constitutional amendment
107Prohibits preferential treatment to or discrimination against any person/group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in employment.952,08659.51647,71340.49
109Provides a constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife in Arizona.714,14443.52926,99156.48
110Authorizes the sale or lease of state lands without public auction in order to protect military operations.792,39449.71801,67050.29
111Renames the position of Secretary of State to Lieutenant Governor.655,25240.77951,82059.23
112Changes the initiative filing deadline from four months to six months before the general election.792,69749.99792,82550.01
113Provides the right to vote on a secret ballot in regard to employee representation.978,10960.46639,69239.54
203Protects terminally or seriously ill patients from state prosecution for using limited amounts of marijuana on doctor's recommendation.841,34850.13837,00849.87Citizen-initiated state statute
301Transfers remaining money from a land-conservation fund to the general fund.416,32325.991,185,46174.01Legislatively referred state statute
302Terminates the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board and associated programs.492,06030.101,142,74469.90
Source: Arizona Secretary of State
Proposition 106 results by county Yes: 60–70%50–60%No: 50–60%

Notes

External links