More concessions were issued by Republicans in key Arizona races on Thursday.
In the Congressional District 1 race, Republican candidate Jay Feely conceded to Democratic candidate Amish Shah.
“Our country is at a crossroads: do we continue to flourish, or devolve into socialism and the inevitable economic regression that follows? While this election may be over, that fight for our future has only just begun,” said Feely. “My love for this country and my belief in its future are stronger than ever; America’s best days are still ahead. God bless you, and God bless America.”
“Let’s end the political toxicity and work on lowering costs, expanding health care coverage, solving our water crisis, and growing our economy,” said Shah.
In the Congressional District 6 race, Republican incumbent Juan Ciscomani conceded to Democratic candidate JoAnna Mendoza. Ciscomani was elected to represent the district in 2022, and was the first naturalized citizen from Mexico elected to the House of Representatives in state history.
“As an immigrant and the son of a bus driver, I believe deeply in our country and the promise of the American Dream,” said Ciscomani. “My story is only possible in this great nation, and I’ll never stop fighting for the values that make the United States of America the best nation in the world.”
Serving the people of Arizona’s 6th Congressional District for the last four years has been the honor of my lifetime.
Laura and I are forever grateful for your support, your prayers, and the love you have shown our family.
Mendoza said in a statement that Ciscomani called her to concede the race and congratulate her.
“Elections are about choices. Governing is about service. While we may disagree on policy and politics, our shared responsibility is to the people of Southern Arizona,” said Mendoza. “Country over party. Service above self. Southern Arizona always.”
Congressional districts 1 and 6 represent two seats flipped in the state. As of this report, Democrats have flipped 41 seats in the House and 7 seats in the Senate.
Democratic Reps. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), and Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), along with Republican Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ-09), secured reelection handily.
Republican Reps. Eli Crane (AZ-02) and Abraham Hamadeh (AZ-08) each face a highly competitive challenge to their reelection bids. Crane maintains a lead of less than 4,000 votes with 93% of votes tabulated. Hamadeh maintains a lead of less than 8,000 votes with 88% of votes tabulated. Republican candidate Mark Lamb, who seeks to take over Republican Rep. Andy Biggs’ seat in Congressional District 5, maintains a lead of more than 7,000 votes with 89% of votes tabulated.
In the Arizona treasurer race, Republican candidate Elijah Norton conceded to Democratic candidate Nick Mansour. Norton called on the Arizona Republican Party to reflect on the many seats flipped in the state and reorganize.
“I will always believe that our message of low taxes, economic growth, and low regulation always work. We need to do a better job of communicating that and sticking to our commitments to Arizonans and Americans,” said Norton. “Clearly people felt all across the country we failed on our promises in 2024 — and they punished us in 2026 — as they have a right to do. Let us look forward on a better path to uniting this state and country so we can do better in 2028 and beyond.”
Similar to Shah and Mendoza, Mansour also promised bipartisanship in his administration of the treasurer’s office.
“From day one of this campaign, I promised to be a Treasurer who will keep politics out of the office, make every dollar work harder for Arizona families, and commit to funding education… and that is exactly what I’m going to do,” said Mansour.
Thank you to @NortonforAZ for running a spirited campaign. From day one of this campaign, I promised to be a Treasurer who will keep politics out of the office, make every dollar work harder for Arizona families, and commit to funding education… and that is exactly what I’m… pic.twitter.com/va2uK6JUjM
The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office announced on Wednesday that it completed signature verification for the 2026 election.
The recorder’s office completed the signature verification for all ballots dropped off on Election Day within 24 hours of polls closing. Office staff are currently working through the signature curing process: contacting those voters whose ballot signatures didn’t match their voter registration signatures.
The recorder’s office reminded the public that voters will have until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8 to cure their ballot.
Additionally, the recorder’s office reminded those who received a conditional provisional ballot at the polls to provide a valid ID at one of the county’s following ID Verification sites by 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8:
Maricopa County Tabulation and Elections Center in Phoenix: 510 S 3rd Ave, Phoenix
Mesa Elections Office: 222 E Javelina Ave, Mesa
Goodyear City Clerk: 1900 N Civic Square, Goodyear
Surprise City Clerk: 16000 N Civic Center Plaza, Surprise
The county elections website provides a list of acceptable forms of ID.
Those who received a regular provisional ballot do not have to provide their ID at an ID Verification site in order for their ballot to be tabulated.
Voters who were issued a provisional ballot may check the status of their ballot on the county elections website.
As of this report, voter turnout amounted to 53%. More than 1.3 million ballots were cast out of nearly 2.6 million registered voters. Out of 956 precincts, 940 were partially reported, 16 were not reported, and 0 were fully reported.
Democrats have mostly led in the federal and statewide races across Maricopa County, with the exception of Rep. Abe Hamadeh, a Republican incumbent who stood out in his race to maintain Congressional District 8. He pulled more than 132,500 votes, or about 51% with 185 out of 186 precincts reporting. Hamadeh is also leading statewide.
Amish Shah, Democrat for Congressional District 1, pulled more than 167,800 votes, or about 52% with 206 out of 210 precincts reporting. Shah is leading statewide.
Jonathan Nez for Congressional District 2 pulled nearly 300 votes, or about 82% with three out of six precincts reporting. Rep. Eli Crane, the Republican incumbent, is leading statewide.
Rep. Yassamin Ansari, a Democrat for reelection to Congressional District 3, pulled more than 107,000 votes, or about 86% with 129 out of 135 precincts reporting. Ansari is leading statewide.
Rep. Greg Stanton, a Democrat for reelection to Congressional District 4, pulled more than 140,000 votes, or about 62% with 149 out of 151 precincts reporting. Stanton is leading statewide.
Elizabeth Lee, a Democrat for Congressional District 5, pulled more than 113,800 votes, or about 50% with 127 out of 127 precincts reporting. Mark Lamb, Lee’s Republican opponent, is leading statewide.
Rep. Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat for reelection to Congressional District 7, pulled nearly 16,500 votes, or about 74% with 24 out of 24 precincts reporting. Grijalva is leading statewide.
Dani Sterbinsky, a Democrat for Congressional District 9, pulled about 78,000 votes, or about 50% with 117 out of 117 precincts reporting. Rep. Paul Gosar, the Republican incumbent, is leading statewide.
Gov. Katie Hobbs, Democratic incumbent, led in her reelection race in the county with more than 769,000 votes, or 57%. Hobbs is leading statewide.
Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Democratic incumbent, led in his reelection race with more than 757,800 votes, or 56%. Fontes is leading statewide.
Attorney General Kris Mayes, Democratic incumbent, led in her reelection race with more than 757,500 votes, or 57%. Mayes is leading statewide.
Nick Mansour, a Democrat for state treasurer, led with more than 726,700 votes, or 55%. Mansour is leading statewide.
Teresa Leyba Ruiz, a Democrat for superintendent of public instruction, led with more than 716,400 votes, or 54%. Leyba Ruiz is leading statewide.
Brian Matlock, a Democrat for state mine inspector, led with more than 697,500 votes, or 53%. Matlock is leading statewide.
Clara Pratte and Jonathan Hill, Democrats for corporation commissioner seats, led with more than 688,000 and 664,900 votes, or 27% and 26% respectively. Pratte and Hill are leading statewide.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) has ordered Tyler Brent Lyman, the former CEO of a Mesa-based solar roofing startup, to pay more than $2.4 million in restitution. An investigation found that Lyman misappropriated nearly $1 million in investor funds for personal expenses, including luxury travel, clothing, and entertainment.
The Commission ordered Lyman to pay $2,433,000 in restitution, along with a $50,000 administrative penalty, and permanently cease and desist from violating the Arizona Securities Act.
According to an 11-page complaint filed by the ACC’s Securities Division in February 2026, Lyman raised at least $2.43 million from at least 27 investors between June 2021 and January 2023 while serving as the founder, president, and CEO of a startup company developing solar-powered roofing tiles.
Investors were offered convertible notes, Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFE) contracts, and loan agreements, with representations that their investments would be used exclusively to support the company’s business operations.
According to the complaint, Lyman misappropriated at least $984,696 in investor funds for his personal benefit, despite agreements explicitly prohibiting the use of company investments for personal or household expenses.
The complaint detailed numerous personal expenditures, including international trips to Singapore, Bali, and Dubai, along with vacations to Cabo San Lucas and Pismo Beach.
Regulators also identified spending on luxury clothing, fine dining, entertainment, and family medical expenses.
In October 2022, Lyman transferred approximately $31,000 from the company’s business account into his personal bank account to finance trips to Singapore and Bali.
Investigators also found that Lyman opened a separate bank account in the company’s name without informing other company officers. He subsequently directed certain investors to deposit their investments into the undisclosed account, allowing him to divert portions of the funds before transferring the remaining money to the company.
In one instance, Lyman retained $30,000 from a $100,000 investment in April 2022. In another, he kept approximately $50,750 from two investments totaling $400,000 in October 2022.
The alleged misconduct came to light in February 2023 when company officers launched an internal investigation into accounting irregularities involving investor funds.
According to the complaint, Lyman acknowledged misappropriating the money when confronted by the company’s chief operating officer.
“I was just trying to live above my means,” Lyman stated, according to the complaint. He also indicated that he believed the company’s future success would eventually benefit investors despite his personal use of their money.
Following the company’s internal investigation, Lyman was removed from his leadership positions and entered into a settlement agreement with the company and its investors in April 2023, acknowledging that he had misappropriated between $771,000 and $984,696.
Under the private settlement agreement, Lyman agreed to repay $771,000 plus 12% annual interest through a structured repayment schedule. The agreement also offered a reduction of up to $250,000 in his repayment obligation if he made timely payments.
However, according to the ACC’s February 2026 complaint, Lyman had failed to make any payments toward the settlement as of January 27, 2026.
Unlike the 2023 private settlement, the ACC’s subsequent enforcement action addressed alleged violations of Arizona securities laws, and resulted in a restitution order totaling $2,433,000, equivalent to the full amount Lyman raised from investors.
The complaint also alleged that Lyman failed to disclose two outstanding civil judgments and a third lawsuit involving unpaid debts, which ultimately resulted in default judgments totaling more than $343,000.
Additionally, Lyman was never registered with the Commission as a securities salesman or dealer, and the securities he offered were not registered with the agency.
The Commission’s enforcement action follows its investigation into violations of Arizona securities laws involving unregistered securities transactions and fraudulent practices in connection with the sale of investments.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona voters approved four statewide ballot measures addressing girls’ sports, local taxes on groceries, drug cartels, and photo radar, while rejecting a proposal restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices in government, the Associated Press reported Wednesday morning. Three additional propositions remained uncalled at the time.
Propositions 316, 317, 318, and 319 passed, while Proposition 142 failed. Unofficial returns showed Proposition 141 leading narrowly, while Propositions 144 and 320 trailed.
The results reported as of 8:16 a.m. MST on November 4, with all 15 counties reporting, were:
Proposition
Yes
No
AP call
141 — Vehicle mileage taxes
50.70%
49.30%
Uncalled
142 — Government DEI restrictions
40.07%
59.93%
Rejected
144 — Election requirements
46.80%
53.20%
Uncalled
316 — Local grocery taxes
61.38%
38.62%
Approved
317 — Drug cartel designation
57.03%
42.97%
Approved
318 — Girls’ sports and athletic facilities
58.90%
41.10%
Approved
319 — Photo traffic enforcement
61.05%
38.95%
Approved
320 — School district spending
48.62%
51.38%
Uncalled
The figures reflect ballots reported at that time and remain unofficial.
Proposition 318, designated the “Protect Girls’ Sports in Arizona Act,” prohibits males from participating in female interscholastic and intramural sports, using biological sex recorded on an athlete’s original birth certificate.
The measure requires public and private schools and athletic associations sponsoring those activities to designate teams or sports by sex or as coeducational or mixed. It also establishes sex-based access requirements for restrooms, locker rooms, and showers integral to athletic participation at schools, higher education institutions, and athletic associations. The proposition expands who may bring lawsuits over alleged violations.
The measure broadens existing Arizona law, which applied athletic-team designation requirements to public schools and private schools competing against them. The Yes on 318 campaign named Christine Jones and former Arizona State Treasurer Jeff DeWit honorary co-chairs, with Warren Petersen, Andy Biggs, and Alex Kolodin also announcing support.
Proposition 316 limits local taxes on food and certain nonalcoholic beverages intended for home consumption. New taxes and increases require voter approval and are subject to a 2% ceiling.
Existing rates of 2% or more approved on or before January 1, 2025, cannot be increased under the measure. It also prohibits covered tax increases and new taxes during the period from June 30, 2025, through June 30, 2027.
Proposition 317 declares drug cartels to be terrorist organizations and directs the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to use all lawful means within its authority to address their threats. The measure defines cartels as associations engaging in human smuggling, drug trafficking for profit, or acts of terrorism. It also states that the designation does not support a claim for asylum under federal law.
Proposition 319 prohibits state agencies and local authorities from using photo enforcement for speeding or traffic-control violations unless they have an operating contract in place on or before December 31, 2026.
The vote follows scrutiny of Phoenix’s revived photo enforcement program. The Goldwater Institute recently questioned the program’s financial incentives, including payments to contractor Verra Mobility of $3,000 per camera monthly and $20 per paid ticket. Phoenix described the program as a cost-recovery operation supporting its Vision Zero road-safety plan. Under Proposition 319, qualifying existing local programs would face a public vote on continued operation.
Voters rejected Proposition 142, which proposed constitutional restrictions on preferential treatment, discrimination, and specified DEI practices across state and local government and public education.
Its provisions included prohibitions on requiring or soliciting certain race-based statements as conditions of employment, admission, contracting, or other opportunities. It also would have restricted public spending on specified offices, programs, and activities at public educational institutions, subject to exceptions outlined in the measure.
Among the uncalled measures, Proposition 141 would amend the Arizona Constitution to prohibit state and local governments from imposing taxes or fees based on miles traveled in a motor vehicle. It would also prohibit monitoring or limiting mileage without voluntary consent, with exceptions for government vehicles and certain interstate commercial vehicles.
Proposition 144 would establish constitutional election requirements beginning January 1, 2028. Those include government-issued proof of identity before voting, an option for Election Day tabulation at the voter’s voting location, and prohibitions on foreign nationals contributing or spending money to influence Arizona elections.
The proposal also reaffirms citizenship requirements and sets a standard for laws governing elections, including early and mail voting.
Maricopa County reported that 23,400 voters tabulated early ballots at vote centers on Election Day during the 2026 primary. County officials credited that option, along with ballot-processing improvements, with enabling the county to report 99% of results the following day. Proposition 144 would guarantee voters statewide an Election Day option to have their ballots tabulated at their voting locations.
Proposition 320 would require school districts with at least 7,500 students, or operating a school in a county with at least 500,000 residents, to direct at least 60% of operational spending toward direct instructional expenses.
Beginning in fiscal year 2027–2028, districts below that threshold would have to increase their instructional share annually until compliant. Districts failing to meet the requirements could face reductions in classroom site fund allocations, subject to a waiver. The auditor general would define the spending categories used to determine compliance.
An illegal alien detained in Maryland for the kidnapping and attempted murder of a teenage girl entered the country through the Arizona border under the Biden administration.
Abubakarr Barrie, 23, entered the U.S. illegally through the Arizona border in December 2023; Border Patrol initially arrested Barrie but then released him into the country.
On Oct. 22, Barrie allegedly kidnapped a 15-year-old girl and brought her to a basement apartment in Baltimore, Maryland, where he attempted to murder her.
Surveillance footage provided by the owner of the home — who was out of the country according to reporting by Fox45 News — showed Barrie parking a white car before walking into the basement of the home with the girl. According to the owner, Barrie rented an apartment in the living quarters within the basement.
Charging documents state that the girl alleged that Barrie offered her a ride outside her sister’s home to go to a take-out restaurant. The girl stated that she accepted the ride under the assumption that Barrie was operating as an unlicensed hack cab: a driver operating a rideshare service without the required legal permits.
Once inside the car, Barrie allegedly drove in the wrong direction and became “violent” when she pointed out that he had gone in the wrong direction. The girl alleged that Barrie forcibly restrained her as they drove to his rented room. The girl also claimed Barrie forced her into the basement, though surveillance footage shows her walking behind Barrie into the area.
The girl also claimed that Barrie stabbed her multiple times once they were in the basement, and that she managed to escape after finding a fire extinguisher and hitting him with it.
Investigators were able to identify and track down Barrie because he gave the victim his phone number to make a Cash App payment.
Authorities say there was at least one opportunity for law enforcement to catch and deport Barrie months before this incident.
Barrie was arrested by the New York Police Department in July of this year for third-degree possession of a forged instrument. ICE lodged a detainer for Barrie, but New York opted to ignore the detainer and released Barrie.
Fox45 News reported that Barrie also had an arrest about three months ago for prostitution in Baltimore County, Maryland.
The Department of Homeland Security issued a press release announcing this second detainer against Barrie, filed on Oct. 24. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the crime against the teen was preventable.
“This tragedy would never have happened were it not for the multiple failures of sanctuary policies. First, Biden’s open borders let this monster into our country, then sanctuary politicians in New York refused to hand him over to ICE and released him after a previous arrest three months before this horrific crime,” said Mullin. “DHS is urging Baltimore County authorities to learn from sanctuary New York’s mistakes, honor ICE’s detainer against this illegal alien, and prevent him from harming any more Americans.”
The 15-year-old girl was hospitalized for her injuries, which included five stab wounds and a collapsed lung. The girl is expected to survive.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
On Election Day, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would no longer provide aid to Israel.
Arizona’s representative for the Eighth Congressional District proposed the idea of ending aid months ago.
Rep. Abe Hamadeh praised the president’s decision. Rather than supplying military aid, as it has done for more than 60 years, the federal government will prioritize trade with the ally country going forward.
In a press release, Hamadeh stated that this diplomatic shift would restore the benefits the U.S. receives from its relationship with Israel, and set a healthier standard for foreign relations by ceasing the “blank check” approach that has been flagging the nation’s economy.
Hamadeh pointed out that he and fellow Rep. Marlin Stutzman, of Michigan, had delivered much of the same message to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this year.
Hamadeh and Stutzman proposed a congressional resolution to transition the U.S.-Israel alliance to a trade partnership and away from foreign aid. The two congressmen made the case that the U.S. should end its approximately $3.8 billion in annual military aid to Israel and instead encourage the country to buy American weapons and defense technology with its own money. Now, the U.S. will do just that.
“President Trump is right: the future of our relationship with Israel has to be trade, not aid,” said Hamadeh. “America First has never meant America alone. It means strong partners, not permanent dependents. Peace through strength. Commerce, not blank checks. That’s how we put the American people first.”
U.S. aid to Israel will cease at the end of the year. Trump made the announcement of the new deal with the U.S. ally in an interview on Fox News on Tuesday morning.
Technically speaking, the end to aid represents a premature cutoff; the U.S. and Israel had a memorandum of understanding that aid would last until 2028.
“Israel’s our number one. We give them more than anybody else, and they no longer need it. We’ve been doing it for years. I’ve been doing it,” said Trump. “I’m going to put it in any way you want to define it. You can consider it barter. You can consider military aid or cash. It’s what we give them — $4 billion of things and money, and they don’t need it.”
Trump said that Israel was “thriving” and no longer in need of U.S. aid, and indicated that it was Netanyahu’s idea to end the funding. According to the president, end to aid had been a topic of discussion between the two world leaders for years.
“I was approached by Bibi Netanyahu, and we’ve been talking about it for a couple of years because it’s a lot of money,” said Trump. “He brought it up. He said, ‘I think it would be appropriate if we do not receive aid.’”
Trump also indicated that the continued U.S. aid to Israel was hurting the Republican Party among voters, referencing Democratic contender Abdul El-Sayed in the hotly contested Senate race in Michigan.
“Why should we suffer the slings from lunatics like El-Sayed when they don’t need it?” said Trump. “It’s a bad talking point.”
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
