Arizona Republicans vote for a candidate to take on Gov. Katie Hobbs, and more races to watch today - CBS News

What the report says

CBS News reported that Arizona voters went to the polls Tuesday for primaries that will shape the race against Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs and several closely watched U.S. House contests. Hobbs is unopposed for the Democratic nomination, while four Republicans are seeking the chance to face her in November. The leading GOP contenders are U.S. Reps. Andy Biggs and David Schweikert, with former President Donald Trump backing Biggs.

The governor’s race is unfolding in a state with a shifting political profile. CBS noted that Arizona has long leaned Republican and currently has six Republican members among its nine U.S. House representatives, but it also has a Democratic governor and two Democratic U.S. senators. The state backed Joe Biden in 2020 before returning to Trump in 2024. CBS also pointed to the continued influence of Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election in Arizona politics, including Biggs’ role as a prominent supporter of those claims.

Two congressional primaries are also drawing attention. In the 1st District, Schweikert’s gubernatorial bid leaves Republicans competing for a seat rated a toss-up by Sabato’s Crystal Ball after Schweikert won narrowly in 2024. GOP candidates include former state Rep. Joseph Chaplik, former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely, endorsed by Trump, and businessman John Trobough. Democrats include Amish Shah and Marlene Galán-Woods, who has support from the party’s House campaign arm.

In the 5th District, Biggs’ open seat is considered safely Republican. Trump has endorsed former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, whose campaign has denied misconduct allegations reported by the Arizona Republic. He faces Daniel Keenan, who has self-funded heavily, along with Democratic candidates seeking the general-election matchup.