2 Dem write-ins seek votes in Dist. 11 primary

A rematch is set in the legislative District 11 Senate race, while two write-in candidates are hoping Tuesday to qualify for the November ballot.

In the Senate race, Republican Barbara Leff, who has been in the Legislature since 1996, will seek her fourth term against the same Democratic opponent from two years ago, Ann Wallack. Two years ago, Leff defeated Wallack 55 percent to 45 percent, or by more than 6,000 votes. The vote between the two candidates will be in November.

The House race includes only one incumbent, Republican Adam Driggs, because Democrat Mark DeSimone withdrew from the race following his arrest in a domestic violence case. A second Republican, Jon Altmann, also is on the ballot.

DeSimone's withdrawal caused the district Democratic leaders to recruit write-in candidate Eric Meyer, who also is running in November for re-election to the Scottsdale Unified School District governing board. Phoenix attorney Jon Hulburd also has filed to run as a Democrat write-in candidate.

While there is not a competitive primary, the write-in candidates must receive 301 votes to qualify for the November ballot.

If neither write-in candidate qualifies, Driggs and Altmann will have no competition in the Nov. 4 election.

Meyer said he feels good about qualifying.

"I have spent a lot of time campaigning, knocking on doors, talking both in person and on the phone," he said. "I think I can get 301 votes, but you never know until Election Day."

Meyer said he worked as an emergency medicine physician in Oregon before moving to Arizona 12 years ago. Meyer has since stayed home with his two children, while his wife has continued to practice as a physician. He has been on the Scottsdale school board since 2004 and is seeking a second term.

Meyer said he has qualified for Clean Elections funding if he wins the write-in vote. Hulburd cannot spend more than $500 on the race.

In the 2006 House contest, Driggs was the top vote-getter in a very close three-way race for two seats. Driggs finished with 29,505 votes, followed closely behind by DeSimone with 28,470 and Republican Don Hesselbrock with 27,353.

District 11 includes east Phoenix and Paradise Valley.

Barbara Leff

State Senate incumbent

Age: 61

Political party: Republican

Marital status: Married

Occupation: State senator (2002-present); state representative (1996-2002)

Prior community service and/or offices held: Phoenix Rotary 100, Maricopa County Medical Society, Paradise Republican Women's Club

Funding: Traditional

Campaign Web site: barbaraleff.com

Ann Wallack

State Senate challenger

Age: 54

Political party: Democrat

Marital status: Married

Occupation: Runner's Den owner; former owner of RacePlace events

Prior community service and/or offices held: Scottsdale Parent Council, Fiesta Bowl board member, Valley Citizens League

Funding: Clean Elections

Campaign Web site: annwallack.com

Jon Altmann

State House challenger

Age: 53

Political party: Republican

Marital status: Married

Occupation: Owner, Public Safety Research Group

Prior community service and/or offices held: Phoenix Planning and Zoning village planning committee member (current); former Phoenix City Council candidate; retired Navy senior chief intelligence specialist

Funding: Clean Elections

Campaign Web site: jonaltmann.com

Adam Driggs

State House incumbent

Age: 43

Political party: Republican

Marital status: Married

Occupation: State representative (2006-present); lawyer

Prior community service and/or offices held: Boy Scout leader

Funding: Clean Elections

Campaign Web site: adamdriggs.com

Eric Meyer

State Housewrite-in

Age: 47

Political party: Democrat

Marital status: Married

Occupation: Former emergency medicine physician

Prior community service and/or offices held: Scottsdale Unified School District governing board member (2004-present); Scottsdale Parent Council, PTA president, Children's Museum of Phoenix board member

Funding: Clean Elections

Campaign Web site: www.ericforaz.com

Jon Hulburd

State House write-in

Political party: Democrat

Funding: $500 threshold