Sheriff Allred re-elected! – The Gila Herald

Graham County Sheriff P.J. Allred has won his re-election bid

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Graham County Sheriff P.J. Allred has won his bid for re-election.

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

SAFFORD – The votes are in and in the only countywide contested race, Graham County Sheriff P.J. Allred defeated challenger Michael Bodine to win re-election to his fifth term as Sheriff.

The vote was decided in the Primary on the Republican ballot on Tuesday as there are no Democratic challengers in the upcoming General Election.

”I am grateful to the citizens of Graham County,” Sheriff Allred said. “I’m grateful of their confidence in our Sheriff’s. Office. They are a great crew. We live in a great community, and I appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve as your sheriff.”

The initial upload of votes from Graham County’s 23 precincts showed Allred with nearly 79 percent of the vote. Out of 4,171 total Republican votes cast shown in the first upload, 3,283 voted for Allred and 885 voted for Bodine.

In local municipality races:

Safford

Safford had its interim Mayor Richard Ortega vie to keep the seat against former Mayor Jason Kouts’ widow, Maria Kouts.

Safford also had three available council seats, with incumbents Brad Hemphill and appointee Dusti Brantner seeking election as well as newcomers Brenda Chacon, Luke Chavez, Alma Flores, and Corina Pino-Reyes. 

Thatcher

Thatcher Mayor Randy Bryce is ran for re-election to the Thatcher Town Council, as well as incumbents Eddy Carlton and Mark Vining. They vied for four open seats against former town council member Ryan Rapier, former Thatcher Police Chief Shaffen Woods, and newcomers Bryce Carter and Brandon Homer. 

Pima

Three seats were available on the Pima Town Council, with incumbents Lucas Hoopes and Sherrill Teeter hoping to be re-elected and newcomers Cade Bryce and Georgia Luster looking to break onto the board.