Gilbert voters will elect a new mayor, but whether that happens on Tuesday depends on if one of the four candidates snags enough votes to avoid a runoff in November.

Brigette Peterson had a slight lead over Lynne King Smith and Matt Nielsen, according to early results released by the Maricopa County Elections Department on Tuesday night. 

It’s the first-time mayoral run for all four candidates, as Mayor Jenn Daniels is not seeking reelection.

Peterson and King Smith both said they were excited with the early results but that it was too soon to know the outcome.  

Peterson — who watched results come in with her husband at home and on Zoom with friends — said she was “really excited” about the initial results but “very cautious” because she knows there are many more votes to be counted.  

“It’s really too soon to know,” Peterson said. “I’m hoping that the lead remains. If we can win this outright, that would be even better, but if we go on to the general, I’m ready for that.”  

King Smith said she was “ecstatic” with the early returns, excited both about the voter turnout and the “solid returns” for her campaign.  

“Right now it’s too close to call, obviously,” she said. “Nothing is final at this point.”  

King Smith said she did not know what to expect with Tuesday’s results and, if anything, expected Peterson would have a higher count than she did.  

King Smith said her family was popping champagne and ready to go to November if that’s how the numbers shake out.  

If no one mayor candidate gets more than 50% of the vote in the Aug. 4 primary election, the top two vote-getters will square off in the general election on Nov. 3. 

Three town council seats also were on the ballot.  

Four candidates competed for two council seats with the usual four-year terms. Kathy Tilque and Scott Anderson are leading, followed by Tyler Hudgins and Busola Obayomi, initial returns show.

If no one gets more than 25% of the votes, all four will go on the November ballot. If one candidate gets enough votes, the next two top vote-getters will face off in November. 

Laurin Hendrix and Bill Spence were practically tied for a council seat that carries a two-year term, according to early ballot returns.

If no one gets more than 50% of the votes, the top two vote-getters will go to a November runoff. 

The initial results include nearly all ballots cast before election day and mail-in ballots, apart from those dropped off at the polls on Tuesday.

Early results show the town’s new General Plan has a large margin of voter approval.

Voting got underway in early July and wrapped up Tuesday at vote centers throughout metro Phoenix. 

ELECTION RESULTS:See who won in Arizona’s August primary election

More on the mayoral candidates

King Smith, who handily outraised the other mayoral candidates, is the founder of a ticketing software company and co-working space in Gilbert.

She campaigned on providing strong leadership as Gilbert approaches build-out, supporting businesses and building a “Gilbert for all.” 

King Smith hosted a Zoom watch party with friends, family and supporters as results came in Tuesday evening.

Nielsen, a charter school management executive, is a political newcomer, as is King Smith.

Nielsen is focused on returning government to a more limited role and campaigned on conservative values. He said he wants to maximize individual liberty and minimize government interference. 

Peterson resigned from her Town Council seat, as the law requires, to run for mayor. She has said she would bring the necessary experience to the mayoral seat. Her priorities are job growth, public safety and responsible growth. She’s an advocate for transportation and planning improvements.

Joshua Lipscomb, the write-in candidate, wants to invest in south Gilbert, diversify the town, expand two-lane roads, protect farmers and increase public safety, according to his campaign on Instagram.

Competitive council races

The candidates in the race for two Town Council seats with full, four-year terms are:

• Anderson, who was first elected in 2016 and previously worked as Gilbert’s planning director.  
• Hudgins, who runs a small website and social media consulting business in Gilbert.  
• Obayomi, who is a program manager for a technology company.  
• Tilque, who is the recently retired president and CEO of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce.

Tilque, who led the pack in initial results, said she was excited, but waiting eagerly for more of the vote count to roll in.  

“We have a lot more votes coming in, so we’re hoping that we’re going to be able to maintain that lead and kind of wrap this up for the primary,” she said.  

Tilque said she was confident going into the primary, but didn’t know what to expect given how unique campaigning was during the pandemic. She expressed gratitude for her opponents’ behavior during the race.  

“In my particular race, I felt that everybody was running a really honest race, talking about their credentials and the qualities that they bring, and there wasn’t that negative politicking going on. I was really thankful for that.” 

Anderson, also in the lead, said he was pleased with the early results and hopes the race will be decided at the primary, without a November runoff. 

The candidates vying for the council seat with a two-year term are: 

• Hendrix, who spent two years as a Republican state representative and now serves on the board of the Maricopa County Community College District.  
• Spence, who was appointed to the council in March to fill Cook’s vacancy. Spence is a retired Naval lieutenant commander.
• Write-in candidates Garrett Glover and Ronaldo Ruiz.

Have election thoughts from Gilbert? Reach the reporter at [email protected] or at 602-444-4282. Follow her on Twitter @alisteinbach.

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