Many Arizona county officials lack competition on the ballot

PHOENIX (AP) — Cochise County Assessor Philip Leiendecker was first elected in 1992. He hasn’t had an opponent since 1996. This year, he’s running for reelection unopposed — again.

There just isn’t much competition.

“No one ever grows up with the goal of being county assessor,” Leiendecker said.

In fact, there will be only a single candidate on the ballot for county assessor in at least nine of Arizona’s 15 counties. In eight of those, the incumbent is running unopposed.

For all the money, sweat and vitriol that will go into the races for president and U.S. Senate in Arizona, many local officials in this battleground state will skate to reelection.

Most of the state’s incumbent county attorneys, treasurers, recorders and school superintendents also are running for reelection without any challengers, according to an analysis of county election filings by The Arizona Republic.

Despite a surge of new candidates for seats in the Legislature and other offices in recent elections, relatively few new candidates are stepping forward to seek local posts.

Some local officials wield tremendous power over taxation, the criminal justice system and elections. And as officials directly elected by the public, county leaders often can operate with little oversight.

Initial county election filings show:

— Of 15 county attorneys, at least nine incumbents are running for reelection unopposed and there is only a single candidate in one race for an open seat;

— Twelve of the state’s incumbent county treasurers and school superintendents are running unopposed;

— Eight incumbent county recorders are running unopposed. There is a single candidate for one open seat, too.

Leiendecker almost faced an opponent in Cochise County this year.

Christine O’Hara, a Benson...