Arizona Republicans vote for a candidate to take on Gov. Katie Hobbs, and more races to watch today

Arizona Republicans Hold Primaries to Choose Challenger for Gov. Katie Hobbs

Arizona voters cast ballots Tuesday in primaries to select the Republican nominee for governor against Democratic incumbent Katie Hobbs and to fill nominations in several U.S. House districts. The state has nine congressional seats, six currently held by Republicans. It elected a Democratic governor in 2022 and Democratic U.S. senators, while supporting Joe Biden in 2020 and Donald Trump in 2024.

The Republican primary for governor features four candidates, with Representatives Andy Biggs and David Schweikert viewed as the strongest contenders. Biggs received an endorsement from President Trump. Early polling showed Biggs ahead. Arizona State University researcher Francisco Pedraza noted that a Biggs-Hobbs general election matchup could be competitive.

Hobbs won the 2022 governor’s race by a narrow margin against Republican Kari Lake. Lake was later nominated by President Trump to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media; Senate confirmation remains pending.

Biggs has represented Arizona’s 5th District since 2017 and previously chaired the House Freedom Caucus. He was subpoenaed by the House January 6 select committee regarding communications about events on January 6, 2021, and contacts with state officials concerning the 2020 election results. His name appeared in the committee’s final report.

Election administration has remained a recurring topic in Arizona since 2020. The state Senate authorized a forensic audit of Maricopa County ballots in 2021, conducted by the firm Cyber Ninjas. The audit examined voter rolls and ballot images and identified discrepancies in some records while confirming the certified outcome. Federal authorities later issued grand jury subpoenas for additional election materials in 2026 as part of ongoing reviews.

Pedraza stated that questions about mail-in ballot procedures continue to influence voter sentiment. Hobbs’ campaign has emphasized housing costs and education funding, including limits on school voucher expansion.

Schweikert, first elected in 2010, represents the Scottsdale-based 1st District. He announced interest in the governor’s race after expressing frustration with congressional procedures on appropriations. He won reelection in 2024 by 3.8 percentage points against Democrat Amish Shah. The district is rated a toss-up by the University of Virginia Center for Politics.

Republicans seeking the nomination include former state Representative Joseph Chaplik, former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely, and businessman John Trobough. President Trump endorsed Feely. On the Democratic side, Shah and former broadcast journalist Marlene Galán-Woods are among the candidates. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is supporting Galán-Woods. Galán-Woods has described changes in Republican positions since 2018.

Biggs’ decision to run for governor leaves the 5th District seat open. The district is rated Safe Republican. President Trump endorsed former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb. Lamb has described his campaign priorities as faith and family. An Arizona Republic investigation published in May detailed allegations of past misconduct and an internal church review. Lamb’s campaign denied the claims, and his wife attributed the reports to a smear effort. Trump reaffirmed support for Lamb last week. Challenger Daniel Keenan, a construction company owner, has spent $1.6 million of personal funds. A recent poll commissioned by Keenan’s campaign showed him narrowly ahead.

The Republican primary winner is expected to be favored in November. Three Democrats are competing for their party’s nomination in the district.

Arizona’s political environment reflects both its recent partisan shifts and sustained attention to election procedures following the 2020 contest and subsequent reviews.