Arizona Watcher
Arizona voters cast primary ballots to choose nominees for governor and multiple U.S. House seats in contests that could influence control of the U.S. House and the balance of power in this closely divided swing state.
The open 1st Congressional District in the Phoenix area was a top priority: Democrats targeted the seat as essential to the net pickups needed to win a House majority beginning in 2027.
The Republican 1st District primary featured Trump-backed former NFL kicker Jay Feely, far-right-aligned ex-legislator Joseph Chaplik, and John Trobough, who describes himself as a 'Reagan conservative'.
On the Democratic side, establishment-backed former Republican Marlene Galán-Woods faced ER physician Amish Shah; Galán-Woods won the Democratic nomination for the 1st District.
The Republican gubernatorial primary included Reps. David Schweikert and Andy Biggs among four contenders; analysts warned a Biggs nomination could be polarizing in the swing state.
Projected primary results showed Andy Biggs defeating David Schweikert for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, setting a November rematch with Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs; Jay Feely won the GOP primary in the 1st District. Alexander Kolodin and Mark Lamb also won key GOP primaries.
Ahead of the vote Arizona had about 4.3 million registered voters—roughly 1.5M Republicans, 1.2M Democrats and 1.5M unaffiliated. Under a new system, nominees have until early September to select running mates for the separately elected lieutenant governor post.
Arizona voters head to the polls Tuesday to decide GOP and Democratic nominees for governor and U.S. House seats in contests that could influence control of the House and the balance of power in a closely divided swing state. Democrats have zeroed in on an open Phoenix-area…