Liermann, LaFond advance to runoff after final count

Today’s final count of the Aug. 4 Primary Election places Nancy Smith and Bob Marsh on Maricopa City Council and moves Amber Liermann and Andre LaFond into a November runoff for the final seat.

Fifteen votes made the difference for LaFond in the unofficial count.

From the first batch of counted ballots, the election saw two clear favorites in Smith, the current vice mayor, and Marsh. The intrigue formed among the final four.

RELATED
— Liermann finds spot in city council runoff ‘exciting and exhilarating’
— For LaFond, concession then celebration after late surge

Incumbent Julia Gusse had the early lead in the battle for the third seat, with LaFond right behind her. By midweek, LaFond seemed to be out of the running as Liermann’s vote tally passed him and Gusse. But the weekend ballot counting saw LaFond and Gusse switch places.

Overall, Liermann finished third with 3,383 votes. LaFond had 3,286 to Gusse’s 3,271.

Liermann and LaFond will face off in the Nov. 3 General Election. The winner will be seated in December.