Three incumbents are the top campaign fundraisers heading into Tuesday’s Queen Creek Town Council election.

The contest, which pits five candidates vying for three seats, is part of the July 21 Primary Election, where most of the action involves state offices and most of those involve intense Republican contests.

The Town Council field consists of incumbents Bryan McClure, Dawn Oliphant and Travis Padilla and newcomers Benjamin Harrison and Nick Masse.

While the Primary Election could resolve some or all of the council races, seats not filled by candidates who meet the required threshold for votes will move to the Nov. 3 General Election ballot.

Mayor Julia Wheatley is running unopposed for her second four-year term. 

No matter what happens in the primary, Nov. 3 will be a big day of other local elections. The four school districts operating within Queen Creek town limits – Queen Creek, Higley, Chandler and J.O. Combs – will all have school board races on the Nov. 3 ballot. School districts do not have primary governing board elections.

The abundance of political signs around town is a good indicator of campaign funds candidates were able to raise.

Two candidates seeking their second four-year terms led the way with Padilla bringing in $28,230 in donations and McClure, currently as vice mayor, garnering $24,234, according to the latest campaign finance statements filed last week. Oliphant, seeking her fifth term, brought in $8,680.

“I am super grateful for all the people who contributed to our campaign and share our vision,” said Padilla, the unofficial leader in most campaign signs. He said he raised about $53,000 in his first run for office four years ago.

Wheatley reported raising $12,855, spending $1,235 and having $13,621 in her overall campaign war chest.

Town Council seats pay $26,278 annually.

Heated GOP primaries

The July 21 primary also features several state races. While things are quiet in state Legislative District 15, which includes the Queen Creek area, there are several major contested statewide

Legislative District 15 Republican incumbents Sen. Jake Hoffman and Reps. Neal Carter and Michael Way have no primary opposition. Hoffman will face a November challenge from Democrat Jayme Accala.

In Congressional District 5: Daniel Keenan and former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb are running for the Republican nomination in an allegation-filled race while political newcomers Brian Hualde, Chris Hames and Rebecca Lee  are vying for the Democratic nod.

At the top of the ballot, four Republicans are battling for the gubernatorial nomination tot ake on Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, who has no opponent.

District 5 U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs is running against fellow Congressman David Schweikert as wells as Scott Neely and Ken Miceli while the No Labels party features a match-up between Teri Ann Houlihan and Hugh Lytle. Green Party candidate Risa Lombardo has no challenger.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne is fighting to survive a challenge from termed-out state Treasurer Kimberly in the Republican primary. Horne is battling for a second consecutive four-year term; he held that office from 2003 to 2011.

Yee has made an issue of Horne’s supervision of Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, or school vouchers, citing reports of improper spending by reipients on luruy items and vacations. 

A rare Democratic primary battle also is on the ballot for Superintendent of Public Instruction, with former community college president Dr. Teresa Leyba Ruiz vying for the nomination with Brett Newby.

For Secretary of State, a GOP battle pits state Rep. Alexander Kolodin against Gina Swooda. The winner will face unopposed incumbent Democrat Adrian Fontes in November.

For Attorney General, another acrimonious Republic contest pits Senate President Warren Petersen against Rodney Glassman for the chance to take on unopposed incumbent Democrat Kris Mayes. 

That race has been particularly nasty, with Glassman and Petersen accusing each other of having little to no experience in the courtroom.

For Yee’s current job, Republicans Elijah Norton and Katherine Haley are fighting to take on Democratic hopeful Nick Monsour this fall.

The Corporation Commission also has a contested Republican race where Dr. Ralph Heap is trying to unseat either of the two GOP incumbents, Kevin Thompson and Nicholas Myers. 

Casting your ballot

It’s too late to mail an early ballot, but they can be dropped off while people who prefer to vote in person also have a couple options in Queen Creek.

Arizona polling places are open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. on Tuesday.

For locations, Maricopa County voters can go to elections.maricopa.gov while Pinal County voters should go to pinal.gov/299/Election-Polling-Places.