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Republican voters in Arizona nominated a series of candidates endorsed by President Donald Trump in competitive primary races on Tuesday, underlining his influence over the GOP and setting up general-election contests that could shape control of the U.S. House.
Representative Andy Biggs, a fierce Trump ally, overwhelmingly defeated Representative David Schweikert in the Republican primary for governor. Biggs is set to face Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs in November, in what could be one of the closest governor races.
The former NFL player Jay Feely won the Republican primary to replace Schweikert in the highly competitive 1st Congressional District. Feely’s win gives Republicans a Trump-backed nominee in a competitive open-seat race that may help determine which party controls the House.
Former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, whom Trump also endorsed, won the primary for the conservative 5th Congressional District that Biggs is vacating. Lamb came under scrutiny for alleged sexual misconduct and abuse of power. However, the county attorney cleared him of criminal wrongdoing, and the president reiterated his endorsement this month. Lamb dismissed the allegations as “slander and lies.”
Meanwhile, Republican Representative Juan Ciscomani, who is seeking a third term representing Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, won the GOP nomination after running unopposed with Trump’s endorsement. The seat is competitive in general elections and is a top target for Democrats in November.
Trump’s Endorsement Is Double-Edged Sword
Biggs, who formerly chaired the conservative House Freedom Caucus, had helped Trump’s failed attempt to block certification of his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden.
However, by choosing him, Republican voters risk nominating a conservative warrior who excites the party base but fails to win a general election by turning off independents in the battleground state.
No Republican has lost a statewide primary in Arizona with Trump’s backing. But since 2018, only one—then-Governor Doug Ducey—has managed to win a statewide general election. In 2022, Kari Lake, who also supported Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election, won the Republican nomination for governor with the president’s backing but lost to Hobbs in a close race.
During the campaign, Schweikert had argued that choosing Biggs would continue Republican losses in the state. Biggs, meanwhile, has said he can unite Republicans going into the general election.
“Our goal has always been to unite the Republican Party and we’ve done that as much as any nominee in recent memory,” Biggs said in a statement posted on X after his victory.
“As we advance to the General Election, I want to make sure every Arizonan knows this: no matter what your political party is or your background, you deserve a better leader than Katie Hobbs. I’m going to work day and night to earn your vote, finding the areas of agreement we have and making sure you know I’ll be a Governor for you and your family and your community.”
Biggs’ Chances of Defeating Hobbs
Hobbs held a lead over Biggs in the latest polls of the gubernatorial race, though data suggests it will still be close.
A Noble Predictive Insights poll showed her leading Biggs 41 percent to 37 percent. Hobbs’ net favorability stood at +9 points compared to Biggs’ +5 points. More Arizonans were also unsure of their feelings toward Biggs: 37 percent said they had no opinion or never heard of him, compared to 14 percent for Hobbs.
The poll surveyed 996 registered voters from May 5 to 7 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
A TIPP Insights poll, which was conducted from April 20 to 24 among 1,159 likely voters, showed Hobbs up by double digits. She received 48 percent support to Biggs’ 38 percent in that poll.
An earlier Emerson College poll pointed to a much closer race, with Hobbs and Biggs each receiving 43 percent support. That survey was conducted among 850 registered voters from November 8 to 10. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Matthew Robinson and Shakeema Edwards.
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