Michael Juel

Susan Bitter Smith, candidate for the Republican nomination in the 5th Congressional District, is holding onto hope that she can best David Schweikert, who won the primary based on unofficial results from the Maricopa County Recorder's office.

On her website, Bitter Smith is pointing to an estimated 43,000 mail-in, provisional and walked-in ballots left uncounted that could close the narrow gap between her and Schweikert, who currently leads by a 750-vote margin.

Michael Juel, spokesman for the Schweikert campaign, had "no comment" on Bitter Smith's continued candidacy, but did confirm that the other Republicans in the field had called to congratulate Schweikert on his preliminary win.

An updated count is expected Thursday afternoon, and the results should be finalized by Friday, according to Deputy Secretary of State Kevin Tyne.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 24, 2008 Recognizing that Liberal Congressman Harry Mitchell has a legislative history of supporting tax increases and energy reductions that directly devastate consumers, the DCCC has decided that an intentional pattern of falsehoods about Congressional Candidate David Schweikert’s proven fiscally conservative positions on energy and taxes will save their vulnerable out-of-touch ally in Congress.

The David Schweikert campaign has confirmed to PolitickerAZ.com that some Schweikert supporters have received "push poll" calls aimed at Schweikert and fellow 5th Congressional District Republican candidate Susan Bitter Smith. The Bitter Smith campaign reported the calls Tuesday. Yet neither campaign can say exactly what was asked.

"A bunch of our supporters have gotten the same call Susan’s have," said Michael Juel, Schweikert's finance director who was acting as spokesperson for the campaign. He also said most of the questions asked were directed at Schweikert.

Juel initially agreed that, from what those who heard the call told him, he would characterize it as a push poll, but then qualified his statement.

Last week David Schweikert became the first candidate in CD5 to give a glimpse of his fundraising totals. He has since given PolitickerAZ the official tally, putting him well ahead of the other contenders, outraising his nearest competitor in the quarter, Mark Anderson, by a three-to-one margin.