Arizonans are deciding key statewide races and high-stakes congressional seats that could determine the balance of power in Washington and the direction of the Grand Canyon State. Democrats are fighting to defend hard-won statewide seats in the battleground state, while Republicans seek to reclaim executive offices and expand their footprint in the US House.
Polls close at 7 p.m. local time (MST).
Here’s what Copper Courier is watching.
Arizona Governor: Katie Hobbs (D) vs. Andy Biggs (R)
Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs ran against US Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Gilbert). Hobbs narrowly won the governor’s mansion after defeating former broadcast journalist Kari Lake in the general election by less than a percentage point in 2022. Biggs, a former House Freedom Caucus chair endorsed by President Donald Trump, was backed by right-wing groups, including Turning Point USA, which spent more than $18 million in ads. Hobbs campaigned on her executive record and vetoes against hardline legislative measures, making the contest a central test of whether Democrats could defend the top executive post in a purple battleground state.
Arizona’s 1st Congressional District: Amish Shah (D) vs. Jay Feely (R)
In Arizona’s 1st Congressional District—spanning Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Cave Creek, and parts of Phoenix—Democrat Amish Shah and Republican Jay Feely competed for one of the most closely watched swing seats in the country. The district was held for years by Republican US Rep. David Schweikert (R-Scottsdale), but Democrats have targeted it aggressively as suburban Maricopa County has trended more competitive. Feely was backed by top GOP leaders, including President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Arizona’s 6th Congressional District: Juan Ciscomani (R) vs. JoAnna Mendoza (D)
Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, which spans Tucson, Douglas, and Eloy, is one of the most competitive districts in the Southwest. Republican incumbent Juan Ciscomani (R-Tucson) is facing Democratic challenger JoAnna Mendoza in a critical race for House control.
Arizona Attorney General: Kris Mayes (D) vs. Warren Petersen (R)
Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes, who won the office in 2022 by just 280 votes, sought reelection against Republican state Senate President Warren Petersen (R-Queen Creek). Mayes has used the office to protect reproductive freedom and consumer rights, while Petersen has the backing of Donald Trump and Turning Point Action.
Arizona Secretary of State: Adrian Fontes (D) vs. Alexander Kolodin (R)
Incumbent Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes was seeking a second term overseeing Arizona’s elections against Republican state Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R-Scottsdale), a far-right Republican and election denier who has made multiple efforts to hinder voting access in Arizona. Fontes has served as the chief defender of Arizona’s vote counts and election administration against recurrent claims of election fraud.
Superintendent of Public Instruction: Teresa Leyba Ruiz (D) vs. Kimberly Yee (R)
Democrat Teresa Leyba Ruiz and Republican state Treasurer Kimberly Yee faced off to lead Arizona’s public school system. Leyba Ruiz has campaigned on reining in Arizona’s universal private school voucher system, while Yee, who defeated incumbent Superintendent Tom Horne in the primary, has strong backing from school-choice groups and the Freedom Caucus. Yee, who backs the voucher program, had the support of Turning Point USA and the state legislature’s far-right Freedom Caucus.
Arizona Treasurer: Nick Mansour (D) vs. Elijah Norton (R)
Democrat Nick Mansour and Republican Elijah Norton are running for state treasurer, the constitutional office tasked with managing Arizona’s investment portfolio and state accounts.
Proposition 144: Mail-in Voter ID Requirements
Proposition 144 is a Republican-sponsored constitutional amendment that would impose new ID requirements on Arizona’s vote-by-mail system.
Proposition 320: School District Budget Mandates
Proposition 320 would require school districts in Pima, Maricopa, and Pinal counties, or those with at least 7,500 students, to dedicate at least 60% of their operating budgets to direct classroom instructional expenses. Education advocates warned it risked penalizing schools and could hurt teachers and students.
