Seven candidates could see their election campaigns end prematurely next week as lawyers challenge the validity of their nominating signatures.
Former Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett and teacher Edna San Miguel, both Republicans, are facing legal challenges in congressional races. Bennett is one of seven candidates running in Congressional District 1 while San Miguel is the only GOP candidate in the Congressional District 3 race.
In the U.S. Senate race, the sole Libertarian candidate, Frank Tamburri, is also facing a legal challenge over his signatures.
Two more challenges face those vying for seats on the Pima County Board of Supervisors. Jeff Farrell — one of the Democrats running in District 1 — and Richard Hernandez, an independent running in District 2, are facing challenges.
Additionally, Justice of the Peace Maria Felix and Constable Steven St. Clair are facing challenges.
The common thread among the challenges is whether the signatures collected on their nominating petitions to qualify each candidate for the ballot are legal.
Pima County officials are reviewing the signatures and will issue reports in the next few days on whether they are valid.
The exact number of required signatures needed vary by race and by party registration, but in terms of the congressional races, candidates collect several thousand signatures — usually well over the required amount in case of a signature challenge.
Chris Roads, the chief deputy recorder in the Pima County Recorder’s Office, said the cases must be heard — and decided — Tuesday so his office can meet a printing deadline for election material.
The primary election is Aug. 30.
