David Garcia was announced winner in the Democratic primary gubernatorial race. Tucson Unified School District Boardmember Kristel Ann Foster spoke on his behalf at the Pima County Democrats election party.

She said he thanks his two opponents, Steve Farley and Kelly Fryer, for

raising important issues and making him a better candidate.

“And we can’t do this without them, and we can’t do this without you,” she said. "Arizona has declared that it's ready for vision over division."

Ann Kirkpatrick is in the lead for Congressional District 2, beating out six other candidates. She took the stage at the Pima County Democrats election event to say she's ready for the general.

"We won this campaign because we were out there talking to people about a Washington D.C. that has completely gone off the rails."

She said she credits her hundreds of volunteers and great team for her pending win.

"We had energy from so many groups, especially women who met monthly, marched and made phone calls," she said. "We also had 35 young student volunteers. Two of them couldn’t even vote.”

Tucson Weekly intern Daniel Young-Miller contributed to this post.

Victoria Steele was declared the winner of the LD 9 Senate race, winning over her opponent Jim Love with over 82 percent of the vote.

She said the last time she was in this room, at Brother John's where the Pima County Democrats are holding their election party, she lost. And since that experience, she was not going to take this race for granted.

"I'm going to work my heart out for the people of LD 9, whether they voted for me or not" she said.

Running unopposed in the general except for a possible write-in candidate, she said she'll work to protect women's reproductive health, pass an Equal Right Amendment and implement a water policy with a contingency plan.

She feels hopeful the Democrats will take back the state House for the first time in over four decades.

"I'm tired of playing defensive," she said. "We're going to lead." 

In the Democratic primary for governor, David Garcia has 48 percent of the vote in these early results, while state lawmaker Steve Farley of Tucson has 35 percent. Kelly Fryer is, at this point, a distant third with 17 percent.

On the GOP side, to no great surprise, Gov. Doug Ducey is crushing challenger Ken Bennett. Ducey has 70 percent of the vote.

In the hard-fought, seven-way Democratic primary in Southern Arizona’s Congressional District 2, former member of Congress Ann Kirkpatrick has taken an early lead in early ballots out of Cochise County. Kirkpatrick has 41 percent of the vote. Former state lawmaker Matt Heinz has 31 percent; former Pentagon official Mary Matiella has 9 percent; former state lawmaker Bruce Wheeler has 9 percent; political rookie Billy Kovacs has 6 percent; rancher Barbara Sherry has 3 percent; and the disgraced Yahya Yuksel has 1 percent.

On the Republican side, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce CEO Lea Marquez Peterson is in a close race against political newcomer Brandon Martin. Marquez Peterson has 33 percent, while Martin has 29 percent. Casey Welch has 23 percent and Danny DJ Morales has 15 percent.

An hour before the numbers started to come in for the governor's race, Steve Farley said he’s proud of all the work his volunteers did with his campaign, truly showing the voters who he is as a candidate. He says hundred of teachers joined his campaign after they saw him on the House floor, pushing for an increase to education funding during the Red for Ed teacher walkouts.

He said he’s shown he can win elections, with his numerous terms in the Arizona Legislature, and that experience has prepared him to be governor, and he can solve the problems caused by Doug Ducey’s governorship.

He took the stage at the Pima County Democratic Party’s election event and asked his opponent Kelly Fryer to join him the stage.

“Let’s go out and change this together, no matter who wins tonight,” he said

In the U.S. Senate Republican primary, Southern Arizona Congresswoman Martha McSally is cruising to an easy win over former state lawmaker Kelli Ward and former Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio. McSally has 51 percent of the vote, compared to Ward’s 29 percent and Arpaio’s 20 percent.

To no great surprise, in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Kyrsten Sinema is easily outpacing Deedra Abboud with 82 percent of the vote.

Sinema's primary victory statement:

For all Arizonans, this week has brought a mix of emotions. As I hear from Arizonans across our state, they tell me they want independent leaders who fight every day to make sure Arizona families can succeed. Arizonans are turning out in record numbers to make their voices heard. The energy we’ve seen from Yuma to Winslow and in between is exciting, and I’m so grateful.

Arizonans are also reflecting on Senator John McCain’s lifetime of service and the example he has set for us. It’s up to all of us to follow his lead of always putting country over party.

Tonight, we look ahead and continue fighting to uphold the values we all share: a fair shot at the American Dream and an unwavering commitment to the Arizona we love.

I’m grateful to everyone who voted today, and now, our work continues. We will spend these next ten weeks earning the vote of Arizonans across our state. Together, we can make sure that all Arizonans have an independent voice in the U.S. Senate.

The primaries have set up a battle of two of Arizona's most ambitious politicians in November.

Find more Claytoonz here.

The Royal Room, a wine bar that has been open on the corner of Sixth Ave. and Sixth Street for about a year now, was full to the brim Saturday night for a collaboration with local literary art non-profit Casa Libre. 

The audience squeezed into the warmly lit wine bar for three reasons, wine, Sophia Terazawa and Raquel Salas Rivera.

Terazawa opened the evening with a powerful and theatrical reading of soldier's testimonies from the Vietnam war, at points screaming while at other times holding a large knife to her throat. She captivated the audience, who didn't quite know what she was going to do next, and invited them to scream, cry or look into the eyes of her Hello Kitty stuffed animal for comfort.

After a brief intermission where attendees rushed, the best they could through the throngs of people, to the slate bar to refill their wine glasses, Salas Rivera took the podium.

Dressed casually in a t-shirt and jeans, Salas Rivera joked and laughed with the crowd before diving into the deeply political poetry.

Salas Rivera read each poem first in Spanish, earning snaps and hollers from those in the audience who understood. Salas Rivera then read in English, the words expressing love for Puerto Rico and anger at how it, and it's people, have been treated.

The first half of the reading included poems from Salas Rivera's books, including the most recent book, lo terciario/the tertiary. Salas Rivera is the author of four published books and six chapbooks. The poems from the newest book felt old, Salas Rivera joked, even though the book only came out in April.


Salas Rivera then read from new works, ever relevant as situation in Puerto Rico continues to evolve after the devastating hurricane that hit the island a little less than a year ago.

While some of the poetry left the audience speechless, a huge round of applause filled the Royal Room at the end of the performance.

Wine glasses clinked as friends, all somehow intertwined in Tucson's rich poetry community, mingled with the poets, Casa Libre hosts and friends after the reading.

Read Margaret Regan's full story that appeared in last week's issue of the Tucson Weekly previewing the event here.

After news broke of Senator John McCain's passing, reactions from around the state, country and international community started pouring in. Two days later, family, friends, co-workers and those impacted and inspired by the Senator continue to share their memories and condolences for McCain and his family.

The U.S. Navy, in which McCain served from 1954 to 1981, released multiple statements.

Statement from Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer

Today, the Navy and Marine Corps team lost a friend and one of our own when Senator John McCain passed.

From the Naval Academy to flight school and throughout his time as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, McCain displayed unfailing honor and duty to country. If that was the end of his service, he would still be renowned as a hero, but McCain’s desire to serve didn’t stop when his uniform came off. He continued to serve as a representative and senator from Arizona. Throughout his life, McCain never ceased serving our nation or fighting for what he believed.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the McCain family, their friends and loved ones. Everyone on the Navy and Marine Corps team shares this loss with all who had the fortune of knowing Sen. John McCain.

Statement by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson

The nation has lost a great patriot and warrior. Whenever we were in a tough spot, we knew Sen. McCain would be on our side with his characteristic toughness and integrity. The U.S. Navy mourns the loss of a true shipmate. Our prayers go with him and to his family, that they find consolation. May Sen. John McCain, who never flinched from a worthy fight, rest in a well-deserved peace.

Statement by USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) commanding officer Cmdr. Micah Murphy:

On behalf of the crew of USS John S. McCain, I offer our support and prayers to the McCain family, our gratitude to the senator for his years of service to our nation, and a heartfelt traditional Navy sendoff: 'Fair winds and following seas.' It is an honor to have our mighty warship carry on your name and continue your legacy.

DDG-56's name honors three generations of dedicated service to the Navy and nation. Sen. McCain's father, Adm. John S. McCain, Jr. served as U.S. Pacific Command commander. Sen. McCain's grandfather, Adm. John S. McCain was a distinguished World War II carrier task force commander.

Sen. McCain continued this proud legacy as a naval aviator during the Vietnam War. As a prisoner of war, he endured more than five years of captivity, representing America honorably and selflessly.

After retiring from the Navy, he continued national service in Congress, first as a representative and later as a senator from Arizona. Sen. McCain took an active interest in the destroyer and its crew, including a visit to the ship during a port visit to Cam Ranh International Port in Vietnam on June 2, 2017. The ship had visited ports in Vietnam several times before over the years in honor of the McCain legacy.

University of Arizona President Robert Robbins released this statement about McCain:

At the University of Arizona commencement ceremony in 2005, Sen. John McCain told Wildcat graduates that he believed "the true worth of a person is measured by how faithfully we serve a cause greater than our self-interest, that encompasses us but is not defined by our existence alone."

By that standard, Sen. McCain's value has been immeasurable. Through a higher standard of service rooted in honor, courage, and commitment, he inspires us to reach across national boundaries and philosophical differences to learn from and care for each other.

I was blessed to have met this unique and honorable American hero. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Cindy and his family.

Senator Jeff Flake appeared on NBC News' Meet the Press with Chuck Todd, and spoke about his fellow Arizona Senator:

“It was like having a big brother who nobody wanted to mess with. So, I very much enjoyed serving with John McCain in the Senate and being in the House when he was in the Senate as well.”

Arizona Democratic Representative Ruben Gallego released this statement:

John McCain is a national hero. From Vietnam to the halls of Congress, Senator McCain served our country his entire life. In the way he lived, he set an example of courage, honor, and love of country that will inspire young Americans for generations to come.

All of us, in Arizona and across our land, have lost a truly great public servant. My sincerest condolences to Senator McCain's family and his loved ones on their loss.

Tohono O'odham Nation Chairman Edward D. Manuel issued the following statement:

"The Tohono O’odham Nation was saddened to learn of the passing of U.S. Senator John McCain, who had represented Arizona in the halls of Congress for more than 30 years. A U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War who survived capture and torture in a P.O.W. camp, Sen. McCain dedicated his life to serving his country and fellow citizens. His example of service and sacrifice will continue to inspire future leaders across the United States.

The people of Arizona were especially fortunate to have been represented by such a tireless and devoted public servant for so many years. During his time in elected office, Sen. McCain worked closely with the Tohono O’odham Nation on many issues of importance to our communities. His leadership, experience, and insights will be greatly missed.

On behalf of the Tohono O’odham Nation, I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sen. McCain during this difficult time.”