Democrats took an early lead in every Pima County race, with 99% of precincts reporting results as of 3 a.m.

In the most contentious race of the season, Democratic Sheriff Chris Nanos was leading his Republican challenger Heather Lappin with 53% of the vote.

Nanos told KVOA he was excited, but cautiously optimistic, saying that there are a lot of votes left to count.

Lappin told Tucson Spotlight shortly before 11 p.m. that she was still hopeful.

“Historically, this is not a bad position to be in,” she said. “Either way, I’m proud of the campaign I’ve run.”

In the race for treasurer, Democrat Brian Johnson was leading Republican Chris Ackerley with 57% of the vote. Ackerely was appointed to the position in April following the retirement of longtime Pima County Treasurer Beth Ford.

First-term Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cãzares-Kelly had 61% of the vote over Republican challenger Dominic Campbell-Gonzalez, and Pima County Attorney Laura Conover had a hefty lead over Green party challenger Howard Druan, with 78% of the vote.

In the Pima County Supervisor races lone Republican Steve Christy, representing District 4, was trailing Democratic challenger Vanessa Bechtol with 49% of the vote. Christy is the longest-serving supervisor, having been elected in 2016.

Bechtol told a crowd of supporters at a watch party at Hotel Congress that she was cautiously optimistic about her lead.

“I jumped into this race nine months ago because I was disappointed and frustrated with the lack of leadership that we have from our incumbent,” she said. “From the beginning, our campaign has been about working collaboratively to make our community a better place for the benefit of residents, neighborhoods and businesses.” 

In the three-way race for the District 3 seat, which was up for grabs following the retirement of longtime Supervisor Sharon Bronson, Democrat Jen Allen was ahead with 55% of the vote.

“My job moving forward is really to center Pima County’s future and that also means working with all of Pima County’s communities — urban, rural, indigenous, borders — regardless of party affiliation,” Allen said.

Democratic incumbents were also faring well in the other three districts, with Rex Scott, Matt Heinz and Adelita Grijalva all holding steady leads.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero celebrated the supervisors’ shift to a party breakdown that mirrors the all-Democratic Tucson City Council.

Hundreds of Tucsonans gathered at watch parties for the Democratic and Republican parties, with Hotel Congress staying busy late into the night, as Democrats from Pima County celebrated local results and tried to stay hopeful while electoral votes continued to drop.

The iconic venue was filled with an electric atmosphere as nearly 600 attendees watched the results roll in, while also enjoying a DJ and a sense of hope and camaraderie.

Many attendees reflected on the significance of the night and what it could mean for local and national issues.

Laurie Soloff, a longtime Democratic Party volunteer, talked about her experiences canvassing and connecting with voters who had made surprising shifts.

“A number of people said, ‘I’ve been a Republican my whole life, and this year I voted Democrat. I voted blue the whole ticket,’” Soloff said. “I heard that from people in their 60s and 70s — lifelong Republicans.”

The night also gave candidates a platform to discuss critical issues impacting Arizona. Joshua Polacheck, a candidate for the Arizona Corporation Commission, stressed his commitment to affordable, reliable utilities across the state. 

“We’re running on a family-first, pro-working-families agenda,” he said. “We want a future where [Arizona families] can raise their children and know this state will be there not just for them but for their grandchildren.”

Polacheck criticized the current majority on the Corporation Commission, noting frequent rate hikes that he said “turn the people of Arizona into a ‘giant piggy bank’ for out-of-state investors.”

For John Dickerson, the night showed a desire for leadership rooted in integrity and accountability.

“I’m grateful to the voters who have decided that a group of candidates — from the top of the ticket on down — promising to uphold the Constitution and make things better for all Americans, is the better path forward,” he said, emphasizing his belief in a vision that puts all Arizonans first, regardless of background or location.

The event also drew volunteers from outside Arizona, including Joel Wallace from Washington, D.C., who has been campaigning in Tucson for six weeks.

“For me, it’s about upholding democracy.” said Wallace, reflecting on the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. “Climate change is something we cannot ignore … We need to do more to stop the damage.”

A former high school science teacher, Wallace said this year’s election is the culmination of a lot of hard work.

“It’s wonderful to feel a real sense of community, to celebrate our victories, and to think about what’s next," he said.

Local Republicans gathered to celebrate their party's resilience at the Viscount Hotel, with many saying they hoped to restore what they described as America’s foundational principles. 

The event, hosted by the Pima County Republican Party, drew community members from across the region, including prominent local voices who emphasized the importance of preserving freedom, economic stability, and trust in the political process.

“We need somebody like (Trump) to do for this country what he does for his business,” said David Bertoldo, a long-time supporter. “For four years, we were awesome.” 

Bertoldo voiced support not only for the former president but also for local figures aligned with his vision, such as Kari Lake, adding that he firmly believes in putting “America first.”

Volunteer Corey Stevens said she was concerned about the state of the nation.

“We are at a crossroads where we have to choose — do we let things continue as they are, or do we demand a change for our families’ sake?” she asked.

Stevens called for election integrity, specifically voicing opposition to rank-choice voting, which has become a divisive issue among the electorate.

Dave Smith, chairman of the Pima County Republican Party, applauded the turnout, which he said speaks to a growing commitment among local residents to engage in the political process and support conservative values.

“It’s not just about supporting a party — it’s about supporting a way of life and protecting the freedoms that define us,” Smith said.

According to Smith, the party has seen increased support from various demographics, particularly Hispanic voters, which he attributed to shared values of family, work ethic, and community.

“More and more Hispanic voters are looking at our programs and platforms, and I think a lot of them are going to vote Republican,” he said, noting that voters are increasingly concerned with local issues that directly impact their daily lives, such as the rising cost of food and gas. “People want security. When the family sits down, and everything’s more expensive, it’s clear that change is needed.”

Smith believes that local politics have a powerful role to play in shaping communities.

“Our goal isn’t just about winning seats. It’s about rebuilding trust in the process, in each other, and in what America stands for,” he said. “We’re seeing folks from all backgrounds coming together. Tonight is a celebration and a thank you for everyone who believes in the future we’re building together.”

Tucson Spotlight staffers Isabela Gamez, Olivia Krupp, Angelina Maynes, Susan Barnett and Caitlin Schmidt contributed to this story.

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