Ariz. GOP Primary For Governor Won By Treasurer

Doug Ducey defeated former Mesa Mayor Scott Smith. Smith had the backing of Gov. Jan Brewer after supporting her Medicaid expansion proposal. Also, other Arizona Republicans who backed the Medicaid expansion there withstand challenges from more conservative candidates. Elsewhere, former GOP Florida Gov. Charlie Crist won a Democratic primary to challenge Republican Gov. Rick Scott.

The New York Times: Arizona Treasurer Wins G.O.P. Primary For Governor
With 83 percent of the precincts reporting, Mr. [Doug] Ducey was ahead with 37.3 percent of the vote, or about 59,000 more votes than his closest rival, Scott Smith, who had 22.4 percent. Mr. Smith, the former mayor of Mesa, was considered the most moderate among the Republicans running for governor. He focused his campaign less on border security, a prime theme for his opponents, and more on the economy, which is still suffering from the aftereffects of the recession. Gov. Jan Brewer, a Republican, lent him her endorsement and financial support, in part because he backed her decision to expand Medicaid coverage, a move opposed by most Republicans in the state because of its perceived connection to President Obama’s health care overhaul (Santos, 8/26).

The Wall Street Journal: Charlie Crist Wins Democratic Primary In Florida Governor's Race
Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist won his first race as a Democrat Tuesday night, securing the party's nomination to challenge current Republican Gov. Rick Scott in what will be one of the nation's premier gubernatorial contests this fall. … In Arizona, Republican Doug Ducey won his party's primary and will face Democrat Fred DuVal this fall in the race to succeed Republican Gov. Jan Brewer, who isn't seeking a third term. Mr. Ducey, Arizona's state treasurer, was endorsed by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who called his plan for addressing illegal immigration "the most serious and credible plan to address the border crisis." … The former CEO of ice-cream chain Cold Stone Creamery, Mr. Ducey has … pledged to rein in the costs of Medicaid expansion -- a law signed by Ms. Brewer that has proved controversial among Republican state legislators and has been a hallmark of her tenure. Ms. Brewer had endorsed another candidate, former Mesa, Ariz., Mayor Scott Smith, in the race (Ballhaus, 8/27).

Arizona Republic: Incumbents Withstand Pro-Medicaid Vote
The Legislature's vote in 2013 to expand Arizona's Medicaid program got a welcoming reception from voters Tuesday, as most of the Republican incumbents who supported it appeared to be withstanding challengers on their right. That issue, combined with a contentious decision to adopt Common Core standards for Arizona's schools, drew sharply defined battle lines in the Republican primaries. The policy moves also served as a referendum on Gov. Jan Brewer's legacy. She supported both initiatives and candidates who said they would defend the decisions (Pitzl and Lee, 8/27).