Trump-endorsed Republicans Win Arizona Primary Nominations for Governor and Key House Seats
Republican primary voters in Arizona chose Trump-backed candidates for governor, secretary of state and two competitive congressional districts, setting up closely watched general-election contests.
Arizona voters selected Republican nominees for governor, secretary of state and two congressional districts in Tuesday's primary, signaling strong support among GOP voters for candidates aligned with President Donald Trump.
U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, a longtime Trump ally and former House Freedom Caucus leader, secured the GOP nomination for governor, defeating three rivals including Rep. David Schweikert, who was viewed as more moderate. Biggs previously refused to certify the 2020 election results, citing unsubstantiated claims of fraud.
For secretary of state, the Republican primary chose attorney Alexander Kolodin, who participated in lawsuits contesting the 2020 election outcome. The position oversees election administration in the battleground state.
In the 1st Congressional District, former NFL kicker Jay Feely won the Republican nomination over former state lawmaker Joseph Chaplik, a Trump-backed Freedom Caucus member. The Democratic field remains unsettled, with former broadcast journalist Marlene Galan-Woods and other candidates vying for the nomination.
The 6th District saw Rep. Juan Ciscomani win the GOP primary unopposed, while Democrat JoAnna Mendoza, a veteran of two Iraq tours, secured the Democratic nomination. Both districts are considered toss-ups by the Cook Political Report, with Trump having carried each by narrow margins in recent elections.
Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, who narrowly defeated Republican Kari Lake in 2022, now faces Biggs in the November contest. Analysts note that while Trump’s endorsement helped candidates win primaries, the general election may hinge on their appeal to independent and swing voters.