Martyn leads early returns in District 2 supervisor’s race

Bryan Martyn had a clear lead in the early returns for supervisor of the pivotal District 2 Board of Supervisors race in northeastern Pinal County. Martyn was leading Todd House and Danielle Tomerlin in the Republican race for a place in the Nov. 4 general election, which will be more work, he said.

"You'll see more of the same (campaigning)," Martyn said. "You always run scared. I am not taking for granted either of the candidates for a second."

Mary Shope was uncontested among Democrats and will proceed to the general election. Elliott Fisher also qualified for the November ballot as an independent.

House could not be reached for comment mid-Tuesday evening. Tomerlin, meanwhile, said that her low-key campaign, which didn't seek out the support of Pinal County's political power players, still garnered some impressive results.

"Considering I wasn't backed by any big names and not having any of that support, I think I did very well," she said.

The race for supervisor in District 2 is considered the most volatile going into the general election, in part because of changing demographics in the area. A Republican has never held a seat on the board.

Republicans have made gains in registering their voters across the county. However, Democrats still outnumber Republicans countywide.

Since the last election four years ago of retiring Supervisor Sandie Smith, a Democrat, the county's electoral makeup has changed.

Republicans have gained the advantage and now record 22,762 registered voters in the district.

There are 17,135 registered Democrats.

More than 30 percent of registered voters in the district list themselves as independents or members of smaller parties or have not declared a party.

District 2 is an important spot on the board because of the explosive growth it has experienced in the last decade. Even with a slumping housing market, the area is still poised to be one of the fastest-growing in Arizona and the nation, according to the most recent census data.

Martyn had a healthy financial advantage in the primary, amassing $39,888. That outpaced the $9,982 House raised. Tomerlin raised less than $500.

Two other supervisors' positions are up for grabs in southern Pinal County.