Former Maricopa County Sheriff and Fountain Hills resident Joe Arpaio has submitted his nominating petitions to make the ballot as a Republican candidate for the United States Senate.

Arpaio submitted more than 10,000 signatures to the Arizona Secretary of State’s office to qualify as a Republican candidate for the United States Senate for the primary ballot in August.

Arpaio entered the race for the United States Senate in mid-January and said he quickly earned the support of over 10,000 Republican voters who signed his nomination petition.

“I’m deeply honored and humbled by the outpouring of support for this campaign,” Arpaio said in a statement. “My heartfelt gratitude goes to all those who signed my petition, nearly double the amount needed, and for all the hard work of our volunteers who made this happen.”

Arpaio, Congresswoman Martha McSally and Dr. Kelli Ward are on the ballot to seek the Republican nomination for the seat being vacated by the retirement of Senator Jeff Flake.

Another Fountain Hills resident, Congressman David Schweikert, is unchallenged for the Republican nomination to run for re-election to represent Arizona Congressional District 6.

However, there are three Democrats qualified for the primary ballot wanting the right to challenge Schweikert in November. They include marketing entrepreneur Anita Malik, attorney Garrick McFadden and healthcare professional Dr. Heather Ross.

In Arizona Legislative District 23 there is potential for changes. State Senator John Kavanagh of Fountain Hills will not be seeking re-election to his Senate seat. He is instead on the ballot to go back to the House of Representatives. Kavanagh and incumbent Representative Jay Lawrence are seeking the Republican nominations for the two available seats.

Democrat Eric Kurland, an educator, is on the ballot for his party’s nomination for the District 23 House seat.

Representative Michelle Ugenti-Rita leads the list of Republicans seeking to fill Kavanagh’s seat in the senate. Other Republicans include business executive Tim Jeffries, educator and business owner Kristina Kelly, and Gavan Searles.

Daria Lohman, a cyber security professional, is on the ballot running for the senate seat as a Democrat.

Ugenti-Rita has reached her term limit for her House seat and therefore is seeking the Senate chair. Kavanagh said he has no preference as to which chamber of the legislature he serves and was willing to let the Senate seat open for others seeking the opportunity.

The primary election will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 28, as the lead-in to the General Election in November.