A Republican state Representative is leading both her Democratic challengers in Legislative District 23 after preliminary voting results Tuesday night. 

Rep. Michelle Pena, R-Yuma, leads all candidates in the race at approximately 8:50 p.m. with 34.38% of votes going toward her. 

Incumbent Rep. Mariana Sandoval, D-Goodyear, is second in the race and would take the second House seat in the district if results stand. Sandoval has 33.70%  of votes while her running mate, Matias Rosales, has 31.92% of votes.

Legislative District 23 is considered by the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission to be outside of the competitive range with a near 17% swing for Democrat candidates. But Republicans picked up a House seat in 2022 with Pena’s win over Democrat Jesus Lugo Jr.

Pena ran as a single-shot candidate in the district in 2022 and is doing so again this election. She beat Lugo Jr. by nearly 4% of votes cast in the race.

Republican representation at the Legislature has held a presence in the district for several years. Before Pena was elected, former Republican state Rep. Joel John also served in parts of LD23 before the state was redistricted.

That seat was vital in Republican efforts to hold onto their 31-29 majority in the House. Democrats view Pena’s seat as a pick-up opportunity in their attempt for control of the chamber.

Sandoval and Pena are both first-term representatives seeking a second term in office. 

Rosales and Sandoval are running on the same slate in their southwest district that stretches from Goodyear to Yuma, and out east, south of Tucson. 

Rosales has served on the San Luis City Council for 12 years. A win for him would be his first term at the state legislature.