Arizona Midterm Primary Elections: Republicans Choose Nominees to Challenge Governor Hobbs

Arizona Republicans are heading to the polls Tuesday to select their nominees for key races, including the crucial challenge against Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs. The primary elections will also determine the general election matchups for several competitive U.S. House seats and a range of state and local offices.

The Arizona governorship is seen as a significant takeover opportunity for Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections. Historically, voters tend to punish the party holding the White House during midterms. The eventual Republican nominee for governor, along with their statewide political organization, could play a vital role in the 2028 presidential campaign, given Arizona's status as a perennial battleground state.

In the race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, the field includes two incumbent U.S. Representatives: five-term Congressman Andy Biggs, former chair of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, and eight-term Congressman David Schweikert, who is vacating his swing district seat. Two businessmen with backgrounds in the construction industry, Ken Miceli and Scott Neely, are also vying for the nomination. Notably, Biggs has secured an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, the race to replace Schweikert in the 1st Congressional District features a competitive Republican field. State Representative Joseph Chaplik, sportscaster and former Arizona Cardinals placekicker Jay Feely, and technology executive John Trobough are competing. Feely, who previously considered running in another district, received an endorsement from Trump for this race.

The Democratic primary for the 1st Congressional District includes two candidates who ran in the 2024 primary for the same seat: former state Representative Amish Shah and former local news anchor Marlene Galán-Woods. Shah won the nomination two years ago and narrowly lost to Schweikert in the general election.