TUCSON, Ariz. — One of Arizona's closest primary races has ended in the incumbent getting voted out.
Republican Vince Leach has been called by the Associated Press as the projected winner of Legislative District 17 over state Sen. Justine Wadsack. Leach, a former lawmaker, defeated Wadsack by about 1,000 votes in Tuesday's primary.
Leach is now expected to run against Democrat John McLean in November's general election. LD17 currently has about 17,000 more registered Republicans than Democrats and about 55,000 independent voters.
Wadsack was elected in 2022 to represent the district encompassing parts of northern Pima County and southern Pinal County.
Shortly before Tuesday's election, Wadsack came under scrutiny over how she responded to getting a speeding ticket from a Tucson police officer. The issue resulted in Wadsack losing the endorsement of a police organization.
Wadsack is not the only Republican incumbent to lose their primary. State Sen. Ken Bennett of District 1 lost to Mark Finchem by more than 5,000 votes. Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer lost the Republican primary to Brad Miller. Maricopa County Supervisor Jack Sellers was unseated by Mark Stewart in District 1.
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