GRAHAM COUNTY — One local municipal election this year has already been decided.
Monday was the deadline to turn in petitions with nominating signatures to run for the Town Councils in Pima and Thatcher and City Council in Safford.
There are two seats up for election in Pima and only two people submitted petitions to run — incumbent Mayor Brian Paull and incumbent Vice Mayor Teresa Bailey. The pair will now serve another four-year term, ending in December 2030.
In Thatcher, three seats are up for election and all three incumbents filed to seek re-election —Jenny Howard, Ryan Allen and Mike McEuen. In addition, two challengers filed — Brandon Homer and Erick Wright.
Safford also has three seats up for election, with incumbents Luke Arbizo, Arnold Lopez and Steve McGaughey all seeking re-election. Three challengers also submitted nominating petitions — Mary Bingham, Jacob Garcia and Monique Ungerman.
The candidates for Safford and Thatcher councils will appear on the July 21 Primary Election ballot. Any candidate who receives more than 50 percent of the vote will be elected.
If not enough council candidates receive more than 50 percent of the vote to fill all the seats that are up for election, the top two vote-getters for each seat not filled will advance to the November general election, where the candidates who receive the most votes will be declared the winners, regardless of percentage.
