Arizona Capitol Times Election Coverage Your Inside Track to Arizona Elections

Republicans regained a seat in Legislative District 20. Jeff Dial, on his third attempt to get elected, finished slightly ahead of fellow Republican Bob Robson.

Eleven write-in candidates won the Green Party nomination in August, including a handful of “street people” who exploited a little-known loophole that allowed them to win the primary with only one vote. Now, some of those candidates, whom Democrats allege were recruited by Republicans, threaten to take votes from Democrats in key races.

While most politicians have to battle their way to the Capitol, a small group of House and Senate candidates only need one vote each to win this November.

Swing districts will play prominently in a handful of House races this year. And in most, Democrats will be on defense while Republicans will be trying to regain seats they traditionally held and lost in recent years.

A slate of Green Party write-in candidates, whom the Arizona Democratic Party accuses of being Republican plants, could siphon off Democratic votes and resources in some of the state’s most competitive legislative races.

The Arizona Chapter of Associated General Contractors unveiled their list of 41 endorsements for the 2010 legislative election July 27.

The Arizona Association of Realtors endorsed 78 statewide and legislative candidates the group says promote issues important to homeowners, Realtors and the real estate industry.

The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce released its list of Arizona House and Senate candidate endorsements on July 6.

More than half of the candidates whose petition signatures were challenged this election cycle either were kicked off the ballot by a judge or withdrew voluntarily in the face of a likely courtroom defeat.

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry on June 22 released its candidate endorsements for the state House and Senate. The business group endorsed 52 candidates - 17 Senate and 35 House candidates - who they said share the Chamber's "pro-business, free-market agenda."