Legislative preview, House districts 26-30

Legislative preview, House districts 26-30

LD26
It wasn't that long ago that LD26 tended to send Republicans to Phoenix. Just a few years ago Democrats even had a hard time fielding a slate of candidates. How times have changed. Republican Peter Hershberger and Democrat Lena Saradnik were elected to the seats in 2006. Saradnik resigned because of health reasons and was replaced by Nancy Young Wright. Hershberger tried to move on to the senate where he was defeated in the primary and now Wright is joined by Donald Jorgensen on the Democratic side and Republicans have fielded a team of Vic Williams and Marily Zerull. Wright is favored by most in the area to retain her seat and the battle becomes between Jorgensen and the two Republicans for the final seat. Republicans hold a slight registration advantage in LD26, but the Republicans here tend to be more moderate. Zerull has been running a mainstream campaign is obviously targeting the more moderate Republicans and independent voters. Williams has picked up support from the business community and is running a more traditional conservative Republican campaign. All four candidates are running strong and active campaigns and there is no outcome here that would surprise us.

LD27
Both sitting Democrats, Phil Lopes and Olivia Cajero Bedford are running for re-election. We will not be waiting up late for results as both should cruise to another term against Republican Duke Schechter.

LD28
Democratic candidates David Bradley and Steve Farley are uncontested.

LD29
Good news for Republicans is both incumbents are not running again this year although former state Senator Daniel Paterson is running for one of the seats and is joined by Matt Heinz. The Democratc voting edge in LD29 should propell them both to victory against Republicans Pat Kilburn and Juan Ciscomani.

LD30
LD30 is another seat where the faces will change this year. Republicans are running military man Frank Antenori and David Gowan while the Democrats are relying on Andrea Dalessandro. Democrats are in love with Dalessandro. She is incredibly hard working and good on the stump. They believe will a good infusion of last minute money from the state party they may able to push Dalessandro into one of the seats as a single-shot candidate. But Republicans have such a strong advantage here it will be tough. One reason Democrats are excited is because in 2006 they came within 5% (5400 votes) of Rep. Jonathan Patton. The main reason they ran that strong was because of the weak campaign Patton waged. Look for Democrats to target Gowan hard in the last week, but while Dalessandro may put a good scare into the Republican team it will be tough to knock one of them off.