LD20

The Chandler Police Department will recommend state Sen. John Huppenthal (R-Chandler) be charged with two misdemeanors, theft and tampering with a political sign, related to an incident at a polling place in Chandler on Election Day.

Det. Dave Ramer, a public information officer with the Chandler police, told PolitickerAZ.com that the recommendation would be submitted to the city attorney's office "sometime before the end of the week."

The charges stem from accusations that Huppenthal tore down a sign he claims contained "lies" about his record without asking permission from the property owner. There are conflicting reports as to whether or not Huppenthal did obtain permission first.

About 89,000 ballots cast in Maricopa County are being counted by hand as some were marred by stray marks. Some ballots had been filled out with pens that bled through the paper and onto the other side making it hard for machines to read them. Those ballots, along with provisional will determine the third ACC race along with Proposition 101. Two house seats, LD20 and LD23 also have races that are to close to call before all the ballots are counted.

Political observers on both sides of the isle seem to agree, this year's legislative races will be interesting to watch. On the surface, it looks like there will not be much change, but then again anything could happen this year. Voters are angry, but the question that remains to be unanswered is will they take that anger out on the Republican held legislature or the Democratic Governor?

One Election Day reversal is finalized as State Representative John McComish has now fended off Frank Schmuck in LD20.  After last Tuesday it was reported Schmuck had won, but after all of the ballots were counted McComish had indeed won the second seat.  The winner will join Jeff Dial on the ballot for Republicans.

The LD26 Republican race shows a possible reversal that would lead to Marilyn Zerull and not Trent Humphries as joining Vic Williams as the Republican House candidate.  On Tuesday it had appeared Humphries had squeaked out a win but now results show Zerull with a 50 vote lead.  A loss would be a major disappointment to Humphries who seemed to be running one of the more active house campaigns in the state. 

UPDATE, 10:30 p.m.: 

Republicans Jerry Weiers and Steve Montenegro have survived the LD12 Republican primary in the House and will move on to the general election.  Robert Blendu came in a close third. 

Thayer Verschoor has held off a late charge by Eddie Farnsworth in the LD22 senate race and will hold onto his seat and will likely have the inside edge to become the next senate president. 

Incumbent Barbara McGuire survived her House primary in LD23 and will be joined in the general election by Ernest Bustamante.  Both defeated Dorian Bond,Krista Pacion and Emily Verdugo-Aldrichin the primary.