From the left, Jacob D. Martinez, Lorena Austin and Kiana Sears celebrated wins late last week as they remained ahead while the last Arizona Legislative District 9 votes were being counted.
All of the Arizona Secretary of State’s releases of new batches of reported votes in the Nov. 3 election showed the same three candidates ahead in Legislative District 9 races.
In the lone LD9 Senate race, incumbent Democrat Kiana Sears leads Republican challenger Bridget Fitzgibbons by more than 21 points, as of the evening of Nov. 9.
Sears has 36,779 votes, or 60.52%, while Republican challenger Bridget Fitzgibbons had only 23,941 votes, or 39.39%.
Sears led by as much as 24 points in initial reporting the night of Nov. 3 after polls closed.
House Rep. Lorena Austin is seeking reelection. She and newcomer Democrat candidate Jacob D. Martinez are being challenged by Republican Bradley Bettencourt for the two House LD9 seats.
As of Nov. 9, Austin has 34,132 votes, or 36.91%. Martinez has 34,052 votes, or 36.83%.
Bettencourt has 23,898 votes, or 25.84%. He trails the Democrats by slightly less than he did in Nov. 3 election night reporting.
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.
Sears offered some celebration and thank-yous late last week on social media as it became apparent Democrats had insurmountable leads.
“We did it,” Sears wrote. “I am so excited and so proud to continue to serve in the Arizona State Legislature. ... I am grateful!”
Austin offered similar sentiments, along with pointing out that Democrats had flipped the Arizona House to their majority.
“Gente (People), we did it! We flipped AZ blue!” Austin wrote. “We believed in our community, and our community has proven time and time again that they want elected officials who will serve everyone in our community — not corporations or oligarchs. This win is yours.”
On Friday, Nov. 6, Austin posted a group photo of House Democrats at the Capitol with the caption “New Majority, who dis?”
Martinez posted as well, pointing out that he and two other young winners this cycle will be among the first “Gen Z” elected state lawmakers in Arizona.
“Together, we made history,” Martinez wrote. “We won our race and in doing so, helped flip the Arizona State House for the first time in over 60 years. That’s what happens when you put your community first.”
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.
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