The Republican nominee for Arizona secretary of state, Steve Gaynor, has claimed victory.
That comes after the Associated Press called the race for Gaynor over Democrat Katie Hobbs on Tuesday night.
But several hundred thousand ballots had yet to be counted. Hobbs, in a statement, refused to concede and said she was still cautiously optimistic she would win.
Gaynor, who Gaynor spent nearly $2 million of his own money on his campaign, cited the AP in his acceptance speech.
“Not every vote has been counted, my opponent has not called me, but the AP is rarely wrong,” said Gaynor.
If the AP’s call stands, political newcomer and businessman Gaynor will have defeated Hobbs, the state Legislature’s former Senate minority leader.
Gaynor emphasized his business experience as the owner of a Los Angeles printing plant. Critics labeled him a wealthy donor who paid his way into the race.
He defeated current Secretary of State Michele Reagan in the August primary after saying her tenure was riddled with missteps.
The Secretary of State's Office handles voter registration and candidate filing. The secretary of state serves as acting governor when the governor leaves the state.
The secretary of state is also first in line to succeed the governor if the governor becomes incapacitated, leaves office or dies.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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