District 20, 21 incumbents file, challengers in short supply

Today, June 14th, is the closing date for filing nomination petitions for candidates for state offices. All of the incumbents, Republicans, have met their finling deadlines.

In some cases, there are no challengers evident. In others, the challengers have declared, but not filed yet, which is concerning. Fortunately, LD-20 challenger Donna Gratehouse made the filing deadline!

More from this AZ Republic article today:

Based on the number of candidates with active campaign committees, representatives from District 21 could face a flurry of challenges.

And some will likely be unopposed, barring last-minute petitioning. District 21's Sen. Jay Tibshraeny of Chandler and District 20 representatives John McComish of Ahwatukee Foothills and Bob Robson of Chandler have no apparent opposition.

Petitions weren't in yet from some District 21 challengers, but former Chandler Councilwoman Donna Wallace has announced she will oppose incumbent representatives Warde Nichols of Gilbert and Steve Yarbrough of Chandler in the GOP primary.

City Parks and Recreation Board member Philip Hettmansperger, and newcomer Sharon Spane, both Chandler Democrats, formed committees to run in the District 21 House race.

Donna Gratehouse, a Democrat from Ahwatukee Foothills, filed nomination petitions to oppose District 20 Republican Sen. John Huppenthal of Chandler.

It's good that Gratehouse filed! Let's hope that the other challengers can get their petitions completed and submitted in time. Otherwise, their races are going to be over before they start.