Full Breakdown
Arizona Primaries Set Stage for Governor’s Race and Open House Seats
7/22/2026, 6:00:25 AM
Core Event
Voters in Arizona will head to the polls on Tuesday to select party nominees for the 2026 general election. Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs is unopposed for the Democratic nomination, while the Republican field for governor includes Rep. Andy Biggs, a five-term representative from the 5th District, and Rep. David Schweikert of the 1st District. Biggs has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
In the 5th District, Biggs’ congressional seat will be open; former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb and construction entrepreneur Daniel Keenan are the leading Republican contenders. In the 1st District, Schweikert’s seat is a potential Democratic pickup, with Amish Shah and former broadcast journalist Marlene Galán-Woods vying for the Democratic nomination. Former NFL kicker Jay Feely, also backed by Trump, is the Republican frontrunner in the 1st District.
Background & Context
Arizona, traditionally Republican, now has a Democratic governor and two Democratic U.S. senators. The state voted for President Joe Biden in 2020 and for Donald Trump in 2024. After the 2020 election, Trump promoted unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in Arizona, a narrative that continues to shape campaign rhetoric. In 2022, Hobbs narrowly defeated Trump-aligned former state senator Kari Lake, who was later nominated by Trump to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media, though the Senate has not confirmed her appointment.
Official Statements & Responses
- Francisco Pedraza, head of the ASU research center, said the lingering election-fraud narrative is likely to be a central theme in the governor’s race.
- Marlene Galán-Woods told the Arizona Republic that the Republican Party has been “driven off a cliff” by Trump and by incumbent Rep. David Schweikert.
- Mark Lamb’s campaign has denied the sexual-misconduct allegations reported by the *Arizona Republic*, calling them a “smear campaign.”
- Andy Biggs has avoided recent public comments on his earlier statements questioning the 2020 election outcome, focusing instead on policy issues.
Criticism & Opposition
- The *Arizona Republic* investigation into Lamb alleges years of sexual misconduct, explicit messaging, and abuse of power, raising concerns among voters.
- Critics, including Pedraza, argue that repeated assertions of election fraud by elected officials have eroded public confidence in ballot integrity.
- Democratic observers contend that a Trump-aligned gubernatorial candidate such as Biggs would face challenges in a state where voter confidence is waning.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- While the *Arizona Republic* investigation details allegations against Lamb, his campaign’s outright denial creates a factual dispute pending further inquiry.
- No definitive polling data is available for the governor’s primary beyond early indications that Biggs leads; the extent of Hobbs’ advantage in the general election remains uncertain.
What’s Next
The Republican nominees for governor and the open House seats will face Democratic challengers in the November 2026 general election. The winner of the gubernatorial primary will contend with incumbent Governor Hobbs, while the 5th and 1st District races will determine whether Republicans retain their current congressional dominance. Polling and campaign-financing trends will continue to shape the competitive landscape.
