As a newcomer, Justin Olson could have been happy with simply joining state House Speaker Kirk Adams as the Republican nominees in District 19.
In Tuesday’s primary election, Olson nearly got more votes than Adams.
With all 65 precincts reporting, Adams and Olson were tied with 35.58 percent of the vote. Adams edged Olson in total votes -- 6,274 tro 6,154. Scott Perkinson was third at 28.6 percent of the vote.
“I’m very pleased,” said Olson, who monitored returns while mingling with supporters at a Native New Yorker restaurant in Mesa. “It’s been a long campaign, and we worked very hard to be successful. We’re not going to assume anything until all the votes are counted, but it’s looking good.”
Olson has been endorsed by such conservative heavyweights as Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio and state Sen. Russell Pearce. Perkinson is backed by Adams.
“When you get those kind of (endorsements), it brings votes, no doubt,” Olson said. “But we had a broad base of support. I think that folks saw that I’m someone that shares their values, and that’s the biggest factor.”
Each House district has two representatives.
In other local state Legislature races:
• Rich Crandall, who vacated the second District 19 House seat to run for Senate in the district, defeated James Molina, 60.2 percent to 39.6 percent, in the GOP primary with all 65 precincts reporting.
• In a crowded Republican primary in House District 22 (where two of six candidates were chosen), incumbent Lauren Hendrix (19.2 percent) was third, behind former lawmaker Eddie Farnsworth (34.1 percent) and former Gilbert councilman Steve Urie (20.8 percent) with all 62 precincts reporting.
Farnsworth, president and executive director of Benjamin Frankin Charter Schools, served in the state House from 2001-08 and was the majority leader in 2003-04.
“When you’re in a campaign of six people vying for two seats, you never know,” Farnsworth said. “It can be unpredictable in many ways. No matter how many times I’ve been through this, it’s always humbling to know that people are trusting me to represent them in the government. I think it’s looking like I’ll have a job to do.”
• In an all-newcomer GOP House primary in District 21, where two candidates are chosen, Tom Forese (35.5 percent) and J.D. Mesnard (34.8) both pevailed. Higley Unified School district board member Venessa Whitener (29.5 percent) was third. All 79 precincts had reported.
• The Democratic primary for the District 18 Senate seat went down to the wire, as professional dog trainer Andrew Sherwood edged small business owner Robert McDonald, 49.9 percent to 48.3 percent, with all 51 precincts reporting. In the general election, Sherwood faces long odds against GOP incumbent Pearce, co-author of Senate Bill 1070.
jocanton posted at 6:00 pm on Thu, Aug 26, 2010.
Okay, so since they are not done counting all the votes I guess they can wait to update the article. Now Justin Olson is actually pulling out a victory even ahead of the current Speaker of the House Kirk Adams by a handful of votes!
jocanton posted at 11:23 am on Wed, Aug 25, 2010.
Congratulations Justin! Excellent victory. It is pretty amazing when you consider he would have been happy with simply a win, but he did very well. I have to make one more correction, Adams and Olson actually tied, to the vote! According to the unofficial results from Maricopa County Recorder's website with 100% of 65 precints reporting, Olson got 9,650 votes and Adams got 9,650 votes! Not too often you see a tie that exact, down to the vote! The numbers that the article quotes are mistakenly only the EV votes (I think that stands for early votes). Again, congratualtions to Justin and Arizona is lucky to have him, he will do a great job. Keep a watch on him as a rising star and leader.
Resident posted at 7:10 am on Wed, Aug 25, 2010.
This morning I read a nice article about Justin Olson. I do, however, have to clear up two mistakes. It was Justin who enjoyed an evening with his supporters at the Native New Yorker, not Adams. Later in the article another quote by Olson was attributed to Adams in error. Justin worked very hard and ran a very effective campaign. I enjoyed working for the principles he stands for and will continue to work harder in future elections.