An energetic Republican crowd gathered inside the Hyatt hotel in downtown Phoenix Tuesday night to celebrate Gov. Jan Brewer’s win over Democratic opponent Terry Goddard.
Brewer took the podium as the crowd repeatedly chanted her name, and she reassured Arizonans they made the right choice.
At the time of publication, Brewer led Goddard by nearly 14 percent of the vote with 89 percent of the precincts accounted for, according to unofficial results provided by the Secretary of State’s office.
In her victory speech, she invited every Arizonan to stand behind her, whether they voted for her or not.
“Wherever you are tonight, however you voted, whether you are happy or sad, this is a cause you can join,” Brewer said.
In an interview with The State Press last Saturday, Goddard chose not to comment on what his plans would be if he were to lose the election.
Brewer wasn’t the only successful Republican this Election Day. At the time of publication, five of Arizona’s eight U.S. House of Representative seats were confirmed as Republican victories. At least two of the five victories contributed to a shift toward GOP control of the House.
“Tonight we foreclosed on a house,” Brewer said. “One that used to be run by Nancy Pelosi.”
In the U.S. Senate race, Republican John McCain was re-elected for his fifth term in office as he soundly defeated his Democratic opponent Rodney Glassman by more than 24 percent of the vote.
Downtown College Republican President Zachary Ziebarth called the election a huge success for the party.
“This is a big step forward, but the step [Republicans] take next is what is going to be most important,” Ziebarth said. “The big question is, are they going to follow through with their promises they made leading up to elections, like cutting spending?”
The results from Election Day show that constituents from around the state really do care greatly about securing the borders, said Ziebarth, a journalism freshman.
“It’s a personal salute and thanks to Gov. Brewer for the work she has done in office these past few years,” he said.
Brewer accepted the victory but also mentioned it’s just the beginning of what has to be accomplished in the state.
“Arizona will soon celebrate its 100th birthday, and we are a young state, and really just getting started,” she said. “There is much to be done.”
Reach the reporter at cottens@asu.edu
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