Arizona primary elections: Key races to watch and why they matter

Arizona voters head to the polls on Tuesday, July 21, to choose party nominees in several key races that could shape the balance of power in the US House of Representatives and decide whether Republicans can capture one of the most competitive Democratic governorships in the country.

Once considered reliably Republican, Arizona has swung between the two parties in recent election cycles. Democrat Joe Biden narrowly won the state in 2020, while Donald Trump reclaimed it in the 2024 presidential election.

The most watched contest is the Republican primary for governor, where four candidates are vying to challenge incumbent Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs in November. Hobbs, seeking a second term, is one of only two Democratic governors running for re-election this year in states that Trump carried in 2024.

While four Republicans are on the ballot, the race has largely narrowed to a showdown between Andy Biggs and David Schweikert, two longtime congressmen with competing visions for the Arizona Republican Party. Biggs, a former chair of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, is closely aligned with Trump and has built his campaign around the president's agenda. Schweikert, while supporting many of Trump's priorities, has positioned himself as a more pragmatic conservative.

The primary will also determine nominees for Arizona's open 1st Congressional District, left vacant after Schweikert decided to run for governor. Covering Scottsdale and northeastern Phoenix, it is expected to be one of the state's most competitive races in November and could affect which party controls the House. On the Republican side, state Representative Joseph Chaplik, former NFL kicker Jay Feely (endorsed by Trump), and technology executive John Trobough are competing. Democrats are choosing between doctor Amish Shah (who narrowly lost to Schweikert in 2024), former news anchor Marlene Galan-Woods, publisher Rick McCartney, and entrepreneur Jonathan Treble.

Another closely watched House race is in Arizona's 6th Congressional District, where Republican Representative Juan Ciscomani is seeking a third term against Democrat JoAnna Mendoza, a Marine Corps veteran. Both are unopposed in Tuesday's primaries and will face off in November.

Divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel's war in Gaza are visible in some congressional primaries. In the 4th District, Representative Greg Stanton faces a primary challenge from progressive Kai Newkirk, who has made US support for Israel a central issue. In the 3rd District, Representative Yassamin Ansari has dramatically shifted her position since first running, becoming a sharp critic of the war and rejecting support from pro-Israel groups.

Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. local time. Registered Democrats and Republicans can vote only in their own party's primary, while independent voters may choose either party. Arizona has about 4.3 million registered voters. Because most voting is done by mail or early voting, initial results are expected shortly after polls close. More than 755,000 ballots had already been cast before Election Day.