Breaking Election News 2014: Primaries Today in Arizona, Florida Determine Jan Brewer Succession, Crist Candidacy
Primary elections will be held in Arizona, Florida, Oklahoma and Vermont on Tuesday.
Arizona
The race to replace Arizona Republican Governor Jan Brewer, who is term-limited, is a messy one. Competing are State Treasurer Doug Ducey (R), former GoDaddy chief legal counsel Christine Jones (R) and former Mesa Mayor Scott Smith. The Koch brothers have ties to backers of the tentative frontrunner, Ducey, Jones has company support from GoDaddy's CEO, and Brewer endorsed Smith. The winner of the Republican primary will face Fred DuVal (D), a former state University Regent in November.
Three Republicans are competing against Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D).
Four Democrats are jockeying to replace Latino congressman Ed Pastor (D) who is retiring after two decades in Washington. Whoever wins the primary is like to win the general election. State Rep. Ruben Gallego (D) and former Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox (D) lead the pack.
"Both have tapped into the Latino community for support in a district where more than six in 10 residents are Hispanic," according to Fusion. And "both denounce Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, public enemy number one for Arizona Latinos."
Both candidates support education, health care and immigration reform, but their district had the lowest turnout in the country in 2012, and numbers of Latino voters were even lower.
Florida
In Florida, former Gov. Charlie Crist (D) is likely to win the Democratic primary, eight years after he won the Republican primary. He has campaigned heavily at black churches and voting sites. His primary rival is Nan Rich -- a lifelong Democrat who supports abortion rights, gay rights and tighter gun laws. If Crist wins the primary, he will face Republican Governor Rick Scott in what is anticipated to be tight race in November.
Republicans have a crowded primary in the 18th District to see who will face Rep. Patrick Murphy (D). The GOP's big chance at winning a House seat in Florida, in the 26th District, is Miami Dade School Board Member Carlos Curbelo (R), who's running against Rep. Joe Garcia (D). Curbelo has to get by three other Republicans in Tuesday's primary.
Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, voters only have to weigh in on one Congressional runoff after the June 24 primary. That's the race to replace Rep. James Lankford (R), who won a Senate primary back in June. State Corporation Commissioner Patrice Douglas (R) and former state Sen. Steve Russell (R) are duking it out; the winner is likely to face state Sen. Al McAffrey (D) in November.
Vermont
And in Vermont, three Republicans are competing to lose to Rep. Peter Welch (D) in November, and three little-known Republicans are trying to knock off Gov. Peter Shumlin (D).
Navajo Nation
Seventeen candidates are running for president of the Navajo Nation -- the largest American Indian reservation. More than 114,000 Navajos are registered to vote.
"Their platforms include securing water rights, enticing business to the area with a more than 50 percent unemployment rate, involving Navajos in decision on government structure, and promoting tribal cultural and traditions," according to The Associated Press.
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