Republicans holding on in Legislative District 10

By Tom Blodgett
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If a blue wave is hitting the nation Tuesday night, it has not overtaken Arizona Legislative District 10 quite yet.

Republicans enjoy leads in the district, though narrow ones through the first results Tuesday.

Incumbent David Farnsworth leads Democrat Blair Moses, 30,160-27,966. By percentage, that is 50.03%-46.39%.

In the House, the races are closer still with incumbent Justin Olson at 29,220, or 25.78%, to lead the pack. Second is fellow Republican James Rogers, a newcomer, who is at 28,500, or 25.15%. The Democrats are Helen Hunter at 27,528, or 24.29%, and Brian Calaway at 26,108 votes, 23.04%. No Labels candidate David Scott has 1,955, or 1.72%.

Legislative District 10 voters selected candidates for one state Senate seat and two House seats in an election featuring incumbents, political newcomers and candidates from outside the two major parties.

The district covers much of Mesa and a small portion of Apache Junction, with voters choosing representatives to serve two-year terms beginning in January.

The Senate race featured incumbent Republican David Farnsworth, Democrat Blair Moses and independent Nick Fierro.

Farnsworth, a longtime Mesa-area lawmaker and real estate investor, has served multiple terms in the Arizona Senate. He returned to the chamber in 2023 after defeating former House Speaker Rusty Bowers in the 2022 Republican primary.

Moses, a retired attorney with three decades of experience in health care, entered the race emphasizing housing affordability and using her professional experience to shape state policy.

Fierro, a physical therapist, previously ran for the Legislature as an independent in 2020 and 2022. His campaign has emphasized alternatives to the two major parties and measures addressing housing costs, including those affecting retirement communities.

The House election featured five candidates seeking two seats: Republicans Justin Olson and James Rogers, Democrats Brian Calaway and Helen Hunter, and No Labels Party candidate David Scott.

Olson, the only incumbent seeking reelection to the House, previously served in the Legislature from 2011 to 2017 and on the Arizona Corporation Commission from 2017 to 2023. He returned to the House in 2025.

Rogers is a Mesa attorney with degrees from Harvard University and the University of Cambridge. He has worked for America First Legal and has campaigned on conservative policy priorities.

Calaway is a former science educator who operates after-school enrichment programs. His campaign has focused on economic opportunity, education and affordability.

Hunter, an assistant pastor and community activist involved with the East Valley NAACP, has previously sought legislative office. Her campaign has emphasized economic issues, civil rights and government accountability.

Scott, a banking executive involved with several East Valley business and nonprofit organizations, ran under the No Labels Party banner. His campaign has emphasized business development, economic policy and the financial challenges facing local governments.

The House election included an open seat because Republican Rep. Ralph Heap chose to run for the Arizona Corporation Commission rather than seek reelection.

Republicans have traditionally dominated District 10, but the presence of an independent Senate candidate and a No Labels House candidate gave voters alternatives beyond the usual Republican-Democratic contests.

The Legislature elected in November will confront state budget decisions, education funding, housing affordability, water policy and other issues affecting Mesa and the broader East Valley.

Tom Blodgett
Senior News Editor | Gilbert

tblodgett@iniusa.org

Meet Tom
Tom Blodgett joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2022, when the company acquired Community Impact Newspaper's Phoenix-area properties. Raised in Arizona, he has spent more than 35 years in journalism in the state.

Community: He has served as an instructional professional in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2005, and is editorial adviser to The State Press, the university's independent student media outlet. He also is director of operations for an 18U girls fastpitch softball team from Gilbert.

Education: Arizona State University with a BS in Journalism. 

Random Fact: He lived in Belgium during his freshman year of high school.  

Hobbies: Tweeting enthusiastically about ASU softball (season-ticket holder) and grumpily about other local sports (pessimistic fan).