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The Prickly brief: A look ahead at the most consequential legislative and Maricopa County races

Welcome to the fifth episode of Prickly, a podcast from KJZZ’s Politics Desk. Subscribe here or wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Prickly newsletter.

The Arizona Secretary of State officially certified the results of July's primary elections, meaning Arizonans now know the candidates who will be running in the handful of competitive legislative races that will determine which party controls the Arizona House and Senate next year.

After years of Republican control, Democrats believe they are poised to take over one or both chambers. But that is easier said than done and. Reporters Camryn Sanchez and Wayne Schutsky analyze each competitive race, break down each party's chances at success and discuss what could happen if no party earns a majority.

Sanchez and Schutsky also take a look at Maricopa County, where some surprising primary results could foreshadow a significant shakeup in the offices in charge of the county's elections.

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Wayne Schutsky is a senior field correspondent covering Arizona politics on KJZZ. He has over a decade of experience as a journalist reporting on local communities in Arizona and the state Capitol.