Legislative preview, House districts 16-20

LD16
LD16 is solid district for Democratic candidates and current Representatives Ben Miranda and Cloves Campbell are popular within the district. Both work hard to keep their name out there and should have little problem defending their seats against Republican Raymond Williams.

LD17
A Democratic internal poll shows incumbent Democrats Ed Ableser and David Schapira leading Republicans Mark Thompson and Wes Waddle. Thompson has been running an aggressive campaign attacking Ableser and Schapira at every turn and could make this race close. While this district leans Democratic, it has been known to send Republicans to Phoenix and usually produces close races. Thompson will face a tough uphill battle if the Democrats and Barack Obama turn out the students at ASU to the degree they plan on doing.

LD18
While popular Republican Representatives Mark Anderson is moving on and Russell Pearce is running for the Senate seat, both seats will most likely go the the two Republican candidates. Cecil Ash and Steve Court survived their primary campaigns and will likely defeat Tammie Pursley in November.

LD19
Republicans Kirk Adams and Rich Crandall both won their seats in 2006 by at least 5,900 votes and should face little challenge from Democrat Kathy Romano.

LD20
LD20 will be a race to watch on election night. While Republicans have considered this a strong hold, Democrats are looking to pick up a seat here and will be throwing money at the seat. Republican Majority Whip John McComish just held on in the primary to have a chance to run for his seat again and Jeff Dial, while still relatively an unknown has been campaigning hard and has more signs in front yards than any other candidate. Democratic candidate Rae Waters will be looking to knock off one of the Republicans. Dial is an easy target as he does not have the incumbent powers of McComish, yet he has been running a much stronger campaign. McComish on the other hand is well known, but has not had much of a presense in the district recently. Republicans have to be favored for both seats, but keep this one on your upset watch list.