KJZZ News

Heather Carter (left) and Nancy Barto.

Arizona state Sen. Heather Carter has conceded defeat to Nancy Barto in a bitter Republican primary.

Barto took a calculated risk running against Carter. 

She abandoned her safe seat in the state House, betting that Republicans in her north Phoenix Legislative District 15 preferred her brand of conservatism over Carter’s.

To Barto, Carter’s record as a senator wasn’t conservative enough.

It appears Republicans in the district agreed.

With no Democrat to run against in November, Barto’s victory assures her a seat in the Senate.