The 2024 primary election will take place on Tuesday, July 30, and candidates in Yavapai County have reported on their latest fundraising totals as of July 19. Much of the fundraising and spending has involved the Democratic primary for Yavapai County Supervisor District 3.
Incumbent Donna Michaels has raised $84,393 this election cycle and spent $67,156, while her challenger Nikki Check has raised $45,031 and spent $38,557.
“I think it’s highly possible I won’t be the candidate that raises the most money,” Check said in a prior interview. “But one of the more beautiful things about elections is that dollars don’t always translate into votes. And I have a really solid campaign committee and campaign plan.”
The winner of the Democratic primary will go on to face unchallenged Republican Lori Drake in the general election in November, who has raised $3,187 and spent $1,571.
Only Republicans are running in the following races and face no Democratic challengers in November:
- The primary race between Steve King and Kara Woods for county school superintendent will decide current Superintendent Tim Carter’s successor. King raised $25,760 and spent $23,183, compared to Woods’ $12,026 and $12,014, respectively. Carter contributed $960.60 to King, whom he also endorsed, and the Mingus Mountain Republican Club donated another $1,000 to King.
- Incumbent Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane raised $140,036 and spent $132,907 in his reelection bid against David Stringer, who is self-funding his campaign through personal loans and has spent $174,781.
- Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes raised $81,975 for his first reelection Campaign and spent $60,957, while his primary challenger, Douglas Eckenrod, raised $6,314 and spent $5,904.
- Yavapai County District 2 Supervisor James Gregory raised $4,500 and spent $1,410.65 in his attempt to head off primary challenger Wiley Cline, who spent $6,599.71 during his self-financed campaign.
2024 Primary Election Update
The primary election was held Tuesday, July 30.
- Check crushed Michaels by 2,125 votes, 3,475 votes to 1,184 votes, or 72.02% to 27.98%. Democrat Check will face Republican Drake in November.
- Gregory defeated Cline 4,604 to 2,856, making Gregory the de facto winner of the general election because no Democrat is running in November.
- King defeated Woods by 23,155 votes to 20,794 in the Republican race for Yavapai County School Superintendent, making King the de facto winner of the general election because no Democrat is running in November.
- Incumbent Republican Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane beat challenger David Stringer by 32,659 to 14,235, making McGrane the de facto winner of the general election because no Democrat is running in November.
- Incumbent Republican Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes beat challenger Douglas Eckenrod by 35,663 to 10,781, making Rhodes the de facto winner of the general election because no Democrat is running in November.
