The race for Arizona’s 5th Congressional District has turned out to be one of the more tightly contested in Tuesday’s primary. As of Wednesday morning, former GoDaddy executive Christine Jones led state Senate President Andy Biggs by more than 875 votes, according to the Secretary of State website, in a race that's still too close to call.
Addressing her supporters at her headquarters in Gilbert, Jones claimed victory, touting her outsider status and saying voters sent a clear message. “We want a new way of thinking, we want people who think like us, who have a proven track record of getting things done to go to Washington and actually do something,” she said.
Jones attempted to set herself apart by casting her opponents as career politicians. On Tuesday she acknowledged a hard fought campaign by Biggs, former County Supervisor Don Stapley and State Representative Justin Olson.
“It’s not that they’re bad people— they’re not, They’re good hearted, community-minded, civic oriented people, this was just a cycle where we needed to send people [in] that didn't have a career in politics," she said.
Biggs has not conceded. His campaign released a statement saying they believe provisional and mail-in ballots should be counted before a conclusion can be reached.
If she wins, Jones' victor would be a blow to outgoing Representative Matt Salmon, a member of the Congressional Freedom Caucus who chose Biggs as his replacement. Meanwhile, Talia Fuentes won the Democratic Primary for CD-5, with 64 percent of the vote.
But the winner of the GOP primary is almost assured a general election victory in the heavily Republican district that spans the East Valley, from south Chandler to eastern Mesa.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.