Incumbents Consuelo Hernandez and Stephanie Stahl Hamilton are leading the Democratic primary election for Arizona House of Representatives District 21 in early returns.
Hernandez is in the lead, taking 43% of the votes counted so far according to Arizona Election Results.
Stahl Hamilton is following with 29% of votes, and Briana Ortega is running third with 28%. Two of the three candidates will move forward to the general election in November.
97% of precincts have reported. Read full candidates profiles here.
Stahl Hamilton, born and raised in Flagstaff, is seeking her third term in the Legislature. Her campaign has been focused on education funding and creating policy that supports public schools and their employees. She's received the endorsement of Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, Councilman Kevin Dahl, Councilmember Lane Santa Cruz, and others, as well as endorsements from unions and education organizations.
Hernandez currently serves as a representative of District 21 alongside Stahl Hamilton. She has dedicated her career to mentoring at-risk youths and advocating for education equity in Tucson. Hernandez has received the endorsement of the Bisbee Mayor Ken Budge, Santa Cruz County Supervisor-Rudy Molera, state Sen. Andrea Dalessandro, and state Rep. Daniel Hernandez Jr.
Ortega is a lifelong Southern Arizonan, an attorney, and a small business owner. Her campaign website says she has developed two core values she's revolved her campaign around: hard work and the importance of supporting your community.
The primary election lets voters pick party nominees for federal, state and county offices. The two winners of this race will face Christopher Kibbey in November, who is running unopposed in the Republican primary. You must register by Oct. 7 to vote in the November election.
