Arizona primaries set races for governor and key House seats
Voters are choosing nominees in contests that could shape the governor’s race and several competitive congressional battles.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
4 min read
Arizona voters are selecting party nominees Tuesday in races that could influence control of the U.S. House and set up a high-profile fight for governor. Al Jazeera and The Associated Press reported that the state remains a top battleground after backing Joe Biden in 2020 and Donald Trump in 2024.
Polls opened at 6 a.m. local time and most close at 7 p.m., with voters still in line at closing allowed to cast ballots. Results cannot be released until 8 p.m. local time, according to Al Jazeera and AP.
Registered Democrats and Republicans may vote only in their party’s primary. Independent and unaffiliated voters may choose either a Democratic or Republican ballot. Arizona has about 4.3 million registered voters, including roughly 1.5 million Republicans, 1.2 million Democrats and 1.5 million independents or voters not aligned with either major party, Al Jazeera and AP reported.
Governor’s race draws national attention
The Republican primary for governor is the marquee statewide contest. Four Republicans are seeking the nomination to challenge Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, who is running for a second term.
Al Jazeera and AP reported that the race has centered on two members of Congress: Andy Biggs and David Schweikert. Biggs, a former chair of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, is closely tied to Trump and has campaigned on the president’s agenda. He was among the Republicans who tried to stop Congress from certifying Biden’s 2020 victory, according to Al Jazeera and AP.
Trump endorsed Biggs after an earlier endorsed candidate left the race. Schweikert has supported many Trump priorities in Congress but presents himself as a more practical conservative. He has argued that Arizona Republicans have hurt themselves by nominating candidates voters viewed as too extreme, Al Jazeera and AP reported.
Hobbs is one of two Democratic governors seeking re-election this year in states Trump carried in 2024, according to Al Jazeera and AP.
Open House seat could affect control of Congress
The 1st Congressional District is open because Schweikert is running for governor. The district, which includes Scottsdale and northeastern Phoenix, is expected to be competitive in the general election and could matter in the fight for the House majority, Al Jazeera and AP reported.
Republican voters are choosing among state Rep. Joseph Chaplik, former NFL kicker and sportscaster Jay Feely, and technology executive John Trobough. Feely has Trump’s endorsement, according to Al Jazeera and AP.
On the Democratic side, physician and former state Rep. Amish Shah is running after narrowly losing to Schweikert in 2024. His opponents include former news anchor Marlene Galan-Woods, publisher Rick McCartney and entrepreneur Jonathan Treble. Galan-Woods, a registered Republican until 2018, is the widow of former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods, a Republican who later became a Trump critic, Al Jazeera and AP reported.
Another closely watched contest is already set for November. In the 6th Congressional District, Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani and Democrat JoAnna Mendoza, a Marine Corps veteran, are both unopposed in their primaries. Al Jazeera and AP reported that Democrats view the district as one of their stronger chances to flip a Republican-held seat.
Gaza war divides some Democratic races
Al Jazeera and AP reported that disputes over Israel’s war in Gaza are visible in Democratic congressional primaries. In the 4th District, Democratic Rep. Greg Stanton faces progressive challenger Kai Newkirk, who has criticized Stanton’s support for Israel.
Stanton, endorsed by AIPAC, recently opposed a measure to limit U.S. military aid to Israel. Track AIPAC, an advocacy group monitoring pro-Israel political spending, says Stanton has received about $322,000 in donations tied to AIPAC and other pro-Israel groups.
In the 3rd District, Democratic Rep. Yassamin Ansari has shifted her position since her first congressional campaign, according to Al Jazeera and AP. Ansari received support from Democratic Majority for Israel in her 2024 primary but has since criticized Israel’s war in Gaza and said she will no longer accept support from that group or AIPAC.
More than 755,000 ballots had been cast before election day, Al Jazeera and AP reported. Because Arizona relies heavily on mail and early voting, counties often release a large batch of results soon after polls close, though tight races may take longer.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.