Arizona Primaries: GOP Candidates Vie to Challenge Progressive Leadership and Maintain Corporate Power
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Arizona voters are set to decide which Republican will attempt to unseat Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs and which candidates will represent both parties in several crucial House races. The GOP field is led by former Rep. Andy Biggs, a Trump loyalist, as the party seeks to reclaim power from Democrats who currently hold the governor’s office and both Senate seats.
On Tuesday, Arizona voters will participate in primary elections that will determine which Republican will challenge Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs and shape the landscape in several U.S. House districts. Despite the state’s progress under Democratic leadership—evidenced by both U.S. senators and the governor being Democrats—Republicans still control six of nine House seats, highlighting the ongoing struggle against entrenched conservative power.
The governor’s race features four Republicans, with Rep. Andy Biggs and Rep. David Schweikert leading the pack. Biggs, notorious for his far-right positions and unwavering support from President Donald Trump, currently leads in early polls. Experts from Arizona State University warn that a Biggs-Hobbs contest could be close, especially as right-wing attacks have eroded public trust in the state’s election system.
In the 1st Congressional District, Schweikert, a former Tea Party figure known for his anti-worker policies, is seeking the GOP nomination after barely holding onto his seat in 2024. The district remains a toss-up, with Republicans like former state Rep. Joseph Chaplik and ex-NFL kicker Jay Feely vying for the nomination, while Democrats put forward strong candidates such as Amish Shah and Marlene Galán-Woods, both committed to defending democracy and expanding access to healthcare.
The 5th District, a Republican stronghold, is open after Biggs’s gubernatorial ambitions. Trump-endorsed former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb leads the GOP primary despite facing serious allegations of personal misconduct—allegations his campaign denies. Construction entrepreneur Daniel Keenan, who has self-financed his campaign, is also in the race and leads in a recent poll, raising concerns about the influence of wealth in politics.
The results of these primaries will set the stage for November’s general elections, where the fight to protect progressive gains and resist reactionary forces will be front and center in both the governor’s race and several key House contests.