Candidates for Districts 23 and 25 react to midterm election

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Candidates running for State Representative and State Senator for District 23, as well as candidates running for State Representative and State Senator for District 25, are sharing their reaction to the midterm elections.

For the State Senate race for District 23. State Sen. Brian Fernandez (D-District 23) is leading by 62% of the votes.

Over in the State Representative race for District 23, State Rep. Mariana Sandoval (D-District 23) and Emilia Cortez are both leading by 31% of the vote respectively.

From the beginning of her campaign to election night, Cortez couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"It is so surreal. I was watching it, but I couldn't believe it. Like, literally, I was watching the ballots. Numbers getting updated in their fragmented time. And I just couldn't believe it," Cortez said.

Getting emotional, Cortez says the voters showed they wanted change in this legislative office and is grateful to be part of that change.

"It brought tears to my eyes. The people actually want change. The working class showed up and really voted for the community members that are wanting to see change," Cortez said.

Meanwhile, State Sen. Tim Dunn (R-District 25) is leading in the State Senate race for District 25 by 56% of the vote.

State Sen. Dunn aims to continue to work with the people of Arizona.

"I'm just thankful for the votes. And once we get elected, we know that we represent everybody in the district. Whether you voted, whether you voted for me or didn't, I want to continue to govern and continue to be a voice of reason down at the state senate and make sure that people know they can come to me, and we're going to work on good policies for all of Arizona," Dunn said.

At the same time, State Reps. Michael Carbone (R-District 25) and Nick Kupper (R-District 25) are leading in the State Representative race for District 25 by 35% and 33% respectively.

State Rep. Carbone said he and his running mate, State Rep. Kupper, worked hard leading up to election night.

"I know Dunn, myself and Kupper sat there, we worked hard and put the narratives that create the message to get the vote out. We had a massive get out the vote in our District 25," Carbone said.