In a significant win for the Republican Party, Abe Hamadeh has emerged victorious in the crowded primary race for Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, securing the backing of former President Donald Trump. This race has gained notable attention due to the intense competition and political dynamics within the party.
Hamadeh garnered 29.8% of the votes, surpassing his closest competitor, venture capitalist Blake Masters, who received 25.3%. Despite ongoing vote counting, Hamadeh is currently favored to clinch the GOP-leaning district in the upcoming November elections, succeeding retiring Republican Rep. Debbie Lesko.
However, Hamadeh’s path to victory was fraught with challenges, particularly after Trump’s dual endorsement just before the election weekend. The former president first endorsed Hamadeh, who had narrowly lost a race for Arizona attorney general in 2022 and has been a proponent of controversial election fraud theories. Simultaneously, Trump extended a last-minute endorsement to Masters, complicating the race further.
On social media, Trump noted that voters in the West Valley suburbs had “two spectacular America First Candidates” to choose from, highlighting the fierce competition between Hamadeh and Masters.
This primary race is part of a broader narrative in Arizona, a critical battleground state in upcoming elections. The region has seen heightened political attention since President Biden’s victory in 2020, followed by Democratic successes in various statewide races. Currently, Republicans hold a substantial advantage with nearly 260,000 more registered voters compared to Democrats, fueling their ambitions to reclaim the state for Trump.
Trump’s Influence in Arizona Politics
Trump’s endorsement has also played a pivotal role in Kari Lake’s campaign, who has been leading the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate since her entry into the race with Trump’s backing last fall. Lake, who previously lost her bid for governor, secured 55% of the votes in this latest primary.
Lake is set to face Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, who ran unopposed for his party’s Senate nomination. In another key race, the heated Democratic primary for Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District remains uncalled, with former Arizona state Sen. Raquel Terán competing against former Phoenix City councilmember Yassamin Ansari.
In Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, incumbent Republican Rep. David Schweikert easily triumphed over his GOP rivals, although the contest for his Democratic opponent has not yet concluded. Meanwhile, in southern Arizona, first-term Rep. Juan Ciscomani decisively won the GOP primary in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, positioning himself for a rematch against Democrat Kirsten Engel in a tossup district.
