Incumbent Joe Ferguson is losing the race for constable in Precinct 9 while incumbent Bennett Bernal is ahead in Precinct 6, preliminary results show.Β
Challenger George Camacho was ahead with 5,141 of the votes, or 65%, compared to Ferguson's 2,713 or 34% of the votes.
Bernal had 6,008, or 57% of the votes compared opponent Roberto Ponti's 4,394 votes, or 42 percent.
Constables work as peace officers for the county and its judges to serve civil and criminal papers, including eviction notices.
TheΒ constable seats for Precinct 6 and Precinct 9 are decided by this race unless write-in candidates emerge for the November general election; no Republicans are running for the seats.Β
The post pays a capped salary of $67,000 per year.
The serving and enforcement of eviction notices is an issue in Pima County constable races, as high unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic has left landlords grappling with unpaid rent and tenants struggling to pay it.
Precinct 9 is bounded by Grant Road to the north, Country Club Road to the east, Continental Road to the west and Pima Mine Road to the south.Β Precinct 6 is bounded by Linda Vista Boulevard to the north, Interstate 10 to the west, Sixth Street to the south and Country Club Road to the east.
Ferguson has been constable since January after being appointed by the countyβs Board of Supervisors to replace Colette Philip, who retired. Ferguson worked as a reporter at the Arizona Daily Star for nearly seven years before taking the post.
Camacho worked for the constablesβ office for 18 years, 16 as a deputy constable, before he was placed on paid administrative leave in January while being investigated on five allegations of bullying a female colleague. The county substantiated two of the five claims, and informal discipline and mediation was recommended in a report released March 13.
Camacho remained on leave until April 6, when he announced his candidacy for Precinct 9. He was fired on April 22 by the presiding constable, Kristen Randall.Β
Bernal has worked for nine years in Precinct 6 while Ponti is self-employed as a process server and private investigator.Β Β
Photos: 2020 Primary Election in Pima and Maricopa counties
Primary Election in Pima County
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An elections worker looks over a few of the early primary ballots at one of the scanning stations during counting at the Pima County Elections Center, Tucson, Ariz., August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
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A pair of elections workers look over an early primary ballot as part of the counting process at the Pima County Elections Center, Tucson, Ariz., August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
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Elections workers feed primary ballots in to scanners at the Pima County Elections Center, Tucson, Ariz., August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
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A poll worker waits inside the Pima County voting site at Morris K. Udall Recreational Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
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Brad Nelson, left, Pima County elections director, helps Lisa Matthews, Pima County election marshal, put up a βWelcome Votersβ sign after it was blown down outside of the Pima County voting site at Morris K. Udall Recreational Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
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After voting, a voter walks back to their car at the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
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A voter walks by a polling sign outside the Armory Park Center located at 220 S 5th Avenue during primary election day, on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
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Voters enter the Tucson Estates Multi-Purpose Hall located at 5900 W Western Way Circle, on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
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Gilbert Silva walks through the parking lot of the Valencia Library located at 202 W Valencia Road to cast his vote during primary election day, on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
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A poll worker (right) takes a completed ballot from a voter at the Valencia Library located at 202 W Valencia Road during primary election day, on Aug. 4, 2020.
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After placing their vote, a voter starts to place their "I Voted" sticker on their shirt as they leave the Pima County voting site at Temple Emanu-El, 225 N. Country Club Rd., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
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A poll worker wearing a face shield, mask and gloves walks outside to check if anyone needs assistance at the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
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A voters arrives at the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in Tucson, Ariz to drop off their voting ballot on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
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A voter leaves the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020. Photo by Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Primary Election in Maricopa County
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A portrait of Ashlee King after she voted, August 4, 2020, at the El Tianguis Mercado polling place, 9201 S. Avenida Del Yaqui, Guadalupe.
Primary Election in Maricopa County
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Anita Cota-Soto washes her hands before voting, August 4, 2020, at the El Tianguis Mercado, 9201 S. Avenida Del Yaqui, Guadalupe. Cota-Soto is a Town of Guadalupe councilmember running for re-election.
Primary Election in Maricopa County
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Voting marshal Gerry Lamanski checks his watch before announcing the polls are open, August 4, 2020, at the Tempe History Museum, 809 E. Southern Ave., Tempe.
Primary Election in Maricopa County
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People vote on Election Day at Nueva Vida Church in Scottsdale on Aug. 4, 2020.
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Voters walk to a polling station to cast votes for GOP and Democratic candidates for the primary election Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Primary Election in Maricopa County
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Voters walk to a polling station to cast votes for GOP and Democratic primary candidates Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Primary Election in Maricopa County
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A voter wearing a face covering exits a polling station to cast votes for GOP and Democratic primary candidates, as a polling station workers opens the door for voters Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
