Groe out of District 3 race; McLain, Goodale top GOP

Three Mohave Republican women seeking the office of state Representative for District 3, two of which will face Democrat Pamela Durbin in November — two incumbents and one newcomer — watched carefully Tuesday night as results of the 2008 Primary Election were tabulated.

With 100 percent of Mohave County precincts reporting, unofficial results showed incumbent Nancy McLain, of Bullhead City, with 5,936, or 37.25 percent; Doris Goodale, of Kingman, with 5,558 or 34.88 percent; and incumbent Trish Groe, of Lake Havasu City, with 4,406 or 27.65 percent.

Groe’s bid for reelection was shadowed by her 2007 arrest and subsequent plea agreement on a D.U.I. charge. Groe was arrested in Parker March 22, 2007, on suspicion of drunken driving.

The ensuing back-and-forth between La Paz County Attorney Martin Brannan, Yuma County prosecutors resulted in the appointment of a special prosecutor hired by La Paz County to prosecute the case.

Groe pleaded not guilty to charges on Oct. 1, 2007 and on Dec. 17, 2007, was sentenced to 210 days in jail and fined nearly $3,000 after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence.

“It’s been an awesome experience serving in the state Legislature,” Groe said Tuesday night. “I will now pass the torch.”

Groe said she hopes to continue to carry her message of “hope and light” to those suffering with drug and alcohol addiction.

“I wish Nancy (McLain) the best. She has worked hard for this district. I hope Doris (Goodale) continues as a conservative leader for our district,” Groe said. “I’ll just see what my Heavenly father wants me to do,” she said.

Doris Goodale said she plans to continue campaigning as hard as she did for the primary through until the general election.

“I am joining in the effort to keep Republicans in the House and maintain the House identity,” she said.

Goodale said there are still “great things to accomplish for District 3.” The budget, according to Goodale, is the most important task ahead for the Legislature. “We have to get a right-sized budget and get it balanced,” she said.

“I am very, very happy tonight,” District 3 incumbent Rep. Nancy McLain said Tuesday night. ”I wanted to serve another term. I think I have done a very, very good job,” she said.

She agreed the most important issue facing the Legislature is the state budget.

“We’ll tackle it again in January, just like we did this year.”

As for hitting the campaign trail in preparation for the general election Nov. 4, McLain said, “I’ll be out and about just like I have been in the primary, talking to folks and making sure they k now I care about District 3.”