The 2020 primary election Aug. 4 included candidates for the office of Apache Junction mayor and three council seats, and Proposition 442, the city’s General Plan.

Apache Junction Vice Mayor Chip Wilson and Councilmember Robin Barker received more votes for mayor out of the five candidates on the ballot on Aug. 4. However, since no candidates received the required number of votes as determined by state law, the top two candidates advance to the Nov. 3 general election.

Also, unofficial returns of Tuesday’s election indicate three new councilmembers will be seated in 2021 --- Tess Nesser, Kelly Gremmel and Braden Biggs. According to the unofficial count, they received enough votes over the threshold to be elected outright once the balloting is confirmed.

All election returns are unofficial until the official canvass of ballots by Pinal and Maricopa counties later this month.

Votes cast for council according to unofficial results posted at 5:29 p.m. Aug. 7 in Pinal County and at 4:53 p.m. Aug. 7 in Maricopa County, are:

• Braden Biggs, 3,113 --- 3,071 in Pinal County, 42 in Maricopa County.
• Darryl Cross, 2,782 --- 2,745 in Pinal County, 37 in Maricopa County.
• Kelly Gremmel, 3,020 --- 2,983 in Pinal County, 37 in Maricopa County.
• Tess Nesser, 3,210 --- 3,176 in Pinal County, 34 in Maricopa County.
• Jeff Struble, 2,507 --- 2,474 in Pinal County, 33 in Maricopa County.

Votes cast for mayor according to unofficial results posted at 5:29 p.m. Aug. 7 in Pinal County and at 4:53 p.m. Aug. 7 in Maricopa County, are:

• Charles Austin, 594 --- 579 in Pinal County, 15 in Maricopa County.
• Robin Barker, 1,979 --- 1,944 in Pinal County, 35 in Maricopa County.
• Jeff Barlett, a write-in candidate, is not listed.
• John Insalaco, 1,189 --- 1,182 in Pinal County, 7 in Maricopa County.
• Chip Wilson, 2,435 --- 2,409 in Pinal County, 26 in Maricopa County.

Candidate responses

All 10 candidates were contacted by Independent Newsmedia to comment on the results and, for those not winning or moving to a run-off election, what’s next for them and do they plan to run again in two years for mayor or council?

“To the voters --- I would like thank Apache Junction for their support, confidence and vote. I look forward to serving as one of your councilmembers and helping to bring Apache Junction into the future,” Mr. Biggs said.

“First off I would like to say to the voters of Apache Junction I thank them for the support and voting for me in this Primary Election. I now will continue on to the general election this coming November,” Mr. Wilson said.

“I do enjoy working for the citizens of Apache Junction and would like their continuing support so I can be elected as their mayor. So again I will be asking for their continuing support this coming November. Again thanks for the votes and support and look forward to continuing to represent everyone in our community,” he said.

“I would like to thank the citizens of Apache junction for the opportunity to serve them as their City Council member for the last four years. It has truly been an honor and a pleasure,” Mr. Struble said.

“We have seen the community move forward in many ways. The future is bright. I give God all the honor and glory for what He has done and will be doing in my life. I will continue to serve the citizens through my Rhino ReCreation Center and the other nonprofits that I work with in the community. My future is full with my family and businesses. Apache Junction and our citizens are truly the best there is and we are a shining example of what a community is supposed to be for others to emulate,” he said.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our new Councilmembers Braden Biggs, Kelly Gremmel and Tess Nesser and to congratulate the residents of our community for passing a new General Plan,” Ms. Barker said.

"Thank you to everyone who supported me in the primary election. I hope to have your continued support in the November general election. I would also like to congratulate Mr. Chip Wilson; I’m proud to call him a friend,” she said. “It has been an honor to serve our community, and I hope to continue to do so as your mayor.”

General Plan passes

According to unofficial results posted at 5:29 p.m. Aug. 7 in Pinal County and at 4:53 p.m. Aug. 7 in Maricopa County, the General Plan is passing 4,650-1,569 --- 66-23 in Maricopa County and 4,584-1,546 in Pinal County.

“Apache Junction is building a forward-thinking future. The passing of the General Plan on Aug. 4th is another step forward. Thank you to all of the voters for helping us build our future together,” Mr. Struble said.

Mr. Wilson thanked voters for approving the General Plan.

“I would also express our thanks for their support. This plan was put together after several meetings and interviews during city events as to what the general public wants our city to look like in the next ten years. This will be the prime guide as we move forward in the future. Again thanks for the guiding support for the city,” he said.

“I’d also like to thank the voters for passing Proposition 442,” Mr. Biggs said. “It is a great step toward the future.”

"While the plan acknowledges the new growth that the future will bring, it also makes room for the open spaces we all want,” Ms. Barker said.

The city is required to update and adopt its General Plan for the community every 10 years. Over the last 18 months, city staff has received input from citizens, community leaders and elected officials to develop “Legendary Landscapes and Lifestyles,” an updated General Plan, which acts as a guide in planning for the city’s future.

More information on the General Plan, including a fact sheet and the document itself, are available at ajcity.net/gp2020.