Democrats ahead in early reporting of Arizona LD 9 results

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

The Arizona Secretary of State has released the first batch of counted votes after polls closed in the Nov. 3 election, and there are no significant surprises in early Legislative District 9 results.

In the lone LD9 Senate race, incumbent Democrat Kiana Sears leads Republican challenger Bridget Fitzgibbons by more than 24 points. Sears has 23,027 votes, or 62.47%; Fitzgibbons has 13,807 votes, or 37.46%.

House Rep. Lorena Austin is seeking reelection. She and newcomer Democrat candidate Jacob D. Martinez are being challenged only by Republican Bradley Bettencourt for the two House LD9 seats.

Austin has 21,709 votes, or 37.98%. Martinez has 21,513, or 37.63%.

Bettencourt has 13,731 votes, or 24.02% .

Neither the Arizona House or Senate primaries in Legislative District 9 were competitive this year, meaning each candidate intends to win a seat in the general election on Nov. 3.

District 9 encompasses parts of west Mesa and east Tempe, along with a section of the neighboring Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community — all within Maricopa County.

The district is currently represented in the legislature only by the Democratic Party. Sen. Eva Burch resigned in March 2025, and was replaced by the appointed Sears. Rep. Seth Blattman isn’t running for reelection this year.

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Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.