Kimball withdraws from House race

 

Bridger Kimball is withdrawing from the legislative race.

The Maricopa resident had been campaigning for the state House of Representatives in District 11. He is a former Maricopa City Councilmember.

Kimball, a Republican, said a group in Saddlebrook challenged the validity of 73 signatures on his petition. The Pinal County Recorder’s Office went through the petitions and tossed about 61 signatures, according to Recorder Virginia Ross.

“I had collected 28 signatures over the minimum, so I ended up 32 short,” Kimball said.

Ross said signatures were invalidated because people signed who were not in the district, were in the wrong party or were not registered to vote. Though he could have challenged, Kimball said it would have required a court appearance and around $7,500 in legal costs.

“So, I decided to drop out,” he said. “I’m filing my withdrawal papers today.”

That leaves incumbent Mark Finchem of Oro Valley, Bret Roberts of Maricopa and Howell Jones of Maricopa on the GOP side and Democrats Hollace Lyon of Tucson, Barry McCain of Casa Grande and Marcela Quiroz of Maricopa in contention for two seats.

The Primary Election is Aug. 28. There will be a Town Hall forum with the candidates Aug. 4 at Maricopa High School’s Performing Arts Center.