Enthusiasm was in the air Tuesday night, when Janet Napolitano and Matt Salmon were announced as the winners of the gubernatorial primaries, for the Democratic and Republican parties respectively.
"It's [the rest of the campaign] going to be an exciting time," said Lee Huff, the master of ceremonies at Matt Salmon's victory celebration.
At the time when 87.4 percent of the precincts had reported, Napolitano had 59 percent of the vote for the Democratic candidate.
Alfredo Gutierrez was the closest follower with 21.2 percent.
Salmon took the Republican nomination with 56.3 percent and Betsey Bayless was the closest follower with 30.2 percent of the vote.
Salmon and his campaign supporters celebrated as the results came in with cheers of, "Go Matt, Go!"
Just a few blocks away, Napolitano and her supporters cheered when they heard their news.
But the celebrating won't last for long.
Now, as Napolitano and Salmon go head to head for the seat of governor, the hard work of the final campaign push begins.
Both candidates, along with Independent candidate Richard Mahoney and Libertarian candidate Barry Hess, now have the task of gaining support for the crucial Nov. 5 gubernatorial election.
The new governor will have to tackle Arizona's budget crisis without cutting too much funding to services such as universities, thus affecting the tuition ASU students pay, as well as their choice of classes and professors.
"One year ago we started a journey, tonight we're one step closer to home," Salmon said. "There are many more steps ahead and no time to waste."
Reach the reporter at megan.rudebeck@asu.edu.
