Independent voters are requesting ballots for the Aug. 2 primary election in big numbers, and the majority are pulling Republican ballots.

Why it matters: Only five of Arizona's 30 legislative districts are considered competitive, meaning about 75 of the state's 90 legislators will be selected in the primary.

By the numbers: Independent voters have so far requested about 105,000 ballots, according to the Maricopa County Elections Department.

• 58,000 of them have asked for Republican ballots, 42,000 want ballots for the Democratic primary and 5,000 have requested nonpartisan ballots for municipal races.
• Sam Almy, a Democratic operative who closely tracks early ballots, tells Axios Phoenix that about 4,200 of those independents have returned their ballots so far.

Context: Independents have already requested more ballots than they did in 2018, the last election cycle in which statewide offices were up for grabs.

Yes, but: Of the 150,000 independents who requested primary election ballots in 2020, only 106,486 actually voted, according to county records.

Between the lines: Independents could sway the outcome in close races, though it's not always easy to predict who they'll support.

What they're saying: "People vote like their neighbors, so if you're an independent out in rural Arizona, you're probably a little bit more conservative than the independent living in north Phoenix or something," Almy says.

What's next: If you're a registered independent in Maricopa County who wants to vote in the primary — or you're not on the Active Early Voter List — you can contact county election officials to request a ballot or go to an in-person polling place any time between now and the primary.

• If you're not registered, it's too late to do so for the primary, but you can get a head start on registering for the general election.

Full story.

A shuttered Target in Mesa that has evolved into a beloved Asian food court, supermarket and mini-mall is expanding.

What's happening: The owners of Mekong Plaza are adding 35,000 square feet and a dozen businesses, Drew Burtoni of Mekong Real Estate said at a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday.

Why it matters: Mekong Plaza's success gave rise to an entire Asian District around Main Street and Dobson Road.

• It's the only Asian district in the state, and it consists of more than 70 businesses in a 2-mile stretch.

What they're saying: "We're really proud to have this opportunity to work together with the small business community … to make it a true destination that it is now in the Valley and the whole state of Arizona," Mesa Councilmember Francisco Heredia said at the ceremony.

Worth your time: AZcentral's Andi Berlin tried every food stall at Mekong Plaza and wrote a menu guide.

Christian Lamar and Scott Podeyn, two candidates for the Arizona House of Representatives, have histories of domestic violence accusations.

What's happening: Lamar, a 37-year-old Republican running in north Phoenix-based Legislative District 2, was convicted in 2015 of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

• Lamar's then-fiancée told police that he hit her in the face, according to Maricopa County Superior Court records.
• Lamar tells Axios Phoenix he was wrongfully accused and will work to correct "the inequities of the criminal justice system" if elected.

What else is happening: Podeyn, a 59-year-old Democrat running in Legislative District 29 in the West Valley, was arrested in 2014 in New Mexico on suspicion of choking a 22-year-old relative during an argument, AZcentral reported. (subscription)

• He was charged with aggravated assault, but the case was dismissed after the relative decided not to press charges.
• Podeyn acknowledged to AZcentral that he'd choked his relative, attributing his actions to PTSD, which developed after his time in the Air Force.
• “I let go ... when my wife told me to, and went to sleep. However (the relative) had called the police,” he told AZcentral, saying he had "holes in his memory" of that night. Podeyn told the paper that the relative did not want to comment on the incident.

State of play: Lamar is in a three-way GOP primary for two House seats, while Podeyn is the lone Democrat in his primary race.

• Lamar has been endorsed by high-profile GOP candidates Kari Lake and Shawnna Bolick.

🗳 Gov. Doug Ducey endorsed Beau Lane in the four-way Republican primary for secretary of state. (AZcentral)

🧑‍⚖️ Avondale's former city manager has threatened to sue the city for breach of contract and defamation. (AZcentral🔒)

🎳 A Japanese bowling alley and entertainment center featuring trampolines, dodgeball and batting cages is coming to Arrowhead Towne Center in Glendale. (Phoenix Business Journal🔒)

🪜 One step at a time on our Local Job Board.

1. Marketing Project Manager at Empire.
2. Marketing Manager at Phoenix New Times.
3. Creative Marketing Director at Leslie’s Pool Supplies.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

It's Bastille Day — the anniversary of the French storming of the Bastille, a pivotal moment in the French Revolution.

🥐 Feeling festive? Pick up some croissants (our personal favorite French culinary contribution) at these metro Phoenix bakeries.

1. Proof Bread

This bakery makes all of its pastries (even the sweet ones!) with sourdough — and it's awesome.

Try the plain sourdough croissant plain or with butter and jam for a delightful breakfast treat. Or branch out with a pain au chocolat or almond croissant.

Locations: Visit their downtown Mesa storefront or catch them at several farmers markets.

Read more of our other bakery picks.

Welcome back to our occasional Thursday feature.

Why it matters: The first person to tell us the correct answer gets some free Axios swag!

So tell us: Jeremy is a hardcore Simpsons fan. Where is this Simpsons-themed mural?