Trump-Backed Hardliners Dominate Arizona GOP Primaries as Democratic Establishment Stifles Progressive Momentum
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Candidates endorsed by Donald Trump, representing the far-right agenda, swept Arizona’s Republican primaries, while centrist Democrats managed to suppress a progressive challenge in the 4th District.
On Tuesday, Arizona’s Republican primaries were overtaken by candidates handpicked by Donald Trump, signaling the party’s continued shift toward authoritarianism and extremism. Rep. Andy Biggs, notorious for his anti-democratic rhetoric and Trump’s loyalist, crushed Rep. David Schweikert and other GOP hopefuls by over 50 points, securing the gubernatorial nomination for the far-right. Trump’s influence extended further as former NFL kicker Jay Feely, another hardliner, clinched victory in the 1st Congressional District, while ex-Pinal County sheriff Mark Lamb, known for his reactionary stances, won the nomination in the 5th District. Juan Ciscomani, running unopposed in the 6th District, represents yet another cog in the Trumpist machine.
Biggs is set to challenge Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, who faced no opposition within her party, in November’s general election. In the 1st District, Feely will likely confront former state Rep. Amish Shah, who currently leads the Democratic primary. Lamb’s win positions another hard-right figure to replace Biggs in Congress, with his campaign built on regressive slogans like “God, family, freedom” and a draconian anti-immigrant platform.
Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, the party establishment managed to fend off a grassroots progressive surge. Rep. Greg Stanton, a centrist, narrowly retained the nomination in the 4th District, defeating progressive challenger Kai Newkirk and blocking the possibility of meaningful change in a key battleground district.