So far, candidates competing for seats this year in the Arizona Legislature spent more than $3 million. Outside groups spent another half a million dollars.

The Democratic primary in Arizona’s 9th Congressional District was one of the most high-profile races in the state, but it was Republicans who turned out en masse to cast their ballots.

Rep. John Fillmore, an Apache Junction legislator with Tea Party leanings, has conceded defeat in his race against Sen. Rich Crandall, a low-key but influential member of the “mainstream” wing of the GOP caucus.

The tally has yet to be completed, but Fillmore said he doesn’t think he can catch up.

An incumbent lost his House seat and a former lawmaker is a step closer to returning to the Legislature as the result of Tuesday’s Legislative District 15 House Republican primary.

Darin Mitchell, a Litchfield Park political newcomer has unseated Rep. Russ Jones of Yuma in the Aug. 28 Republican House primary election for Legislative District 13. Mitchell teamed with Rep. Steve Montenegro, also of Litchfield Park, in the three-way race.

Incumbents are carrying the night in Scottsdale’s Legislative District 23 House race, with staunchly conservative Reps. Michelle Ugenti and John Kavanagh beating back a challenge from a more moderate Republican, former Scottsdale School Board president Jennifer Petersen.

Congressman David Schweikert took an early lead in his battle with fellow incumbent Congressman Ben Quayle.

Schweikert had about 54 percent of the vote in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, according to early ballot results from Maricopa County. Quayle trailed with 46 percent.

U.S. Justice Department monitors will be in Maricopa County to observe Tuesday’s primary election.

Aside from a handful of key votes, U.S. Reps. Ben Quayle and David Schweikert sought to define themselves - without drawing stark contrasts with each other - in a debate Monday between the two up-and-coming Republican freshmen.

A primary matchup is brewing between Sen. John Nelson of Litchfield Park and Sen. Don Shooter of Yuma.