Arizona’s primary election on July 21 drew national attention, as voters headed to the polls to decide which candidates would represent their parties for governor, attorney general, and multiple congressional seats in the November general election.
Most of the notable races were called within a few hours of polls closing at 7 p.m. and others called within the following day.
So, who won?
Governor
Running unopposed, incumbent Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs secured the party’s nomination and will advance to November’s general election.
“I’ve never lost an election, but I’ve also never won one alone. This will be a close race, but I’m excited to be in this fight with all of you to keep Arizona moving forward,” Hobbs said in a post on X on July 21.
US Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Gilbert) had an early night, with the Associated Press (AP) calling the governor’s race shortly after the first ballot drop, at approximately 8:03 p.m.
Biggs won by a wide margin against fellow US Rep. David Schweikert (R-Scottsdale), who put his hat in the ring in late September after colleagues privately urged him to run, along with two other Republican candidates, Ken Miceli and Scott Neely. Biggs had the backing of both President Donald Trump and Turning Point USA, a conservative advocacy group.
“I am deeply honored to be chosen by Arizona Republicans as their nominee to defeat Katie Hobbs in November,” Biggs wrote in a post on X July 21.
Attorney General
Running uncontested, Democratic incumbent Attorney General Kris Mayes (D-Arizona) won the party’s nomination.
“Arizona, thank you. From day one, I’ve stayed focused on the work at hand — protecting Arizona families from drug smugglers and scammers, holding greedy corporations accountable, defending our water, and keeping our communities safe,” Mayes wrote on X that night. “That work isn’t done. Now we’re heading into the general election ready to win and keep delivering results for every Arizonan.”
At 11:58 p.m., the AP called the Republican race for Senate President Warren Petersen (R-Arizona), who defeated Republican Rodney Glassman. Petersen, a far-right Republican, has echoed Trump’s unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in the 2020 elections. Recent reporting by the Arizona Mirror found that Petersen was bankrolled by industries Mayes has been aggressively fighting and regulating, too.
Mayes and Petersen will face off in the November general election.
“It is time to restore order and common sense. As your next attorney general I will fight crime, defend the laws and the Constitution and root out fraud, waste and corruption,” Petersen said July 21 in a post on X.
Secretary of State
Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (D-Arizona) secured his party’s nomination, running for a second term as the state’s top election official.
“Thank you, Arizona! On to November,” Fontes wrote on X that night.
Fontes will face Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R-Scottsdale), a far-right state lawmaker and election-denier, in the November general election. Kolodin, backed by Turning Point USA, beat former Arizona Republican Party chairwoman Gina Swoboda for the nomination.
“Arizona voters spoke up decisively tonight for lawful, transparent, honest, and fair elections,” Kolodin wrote on X July 21. “Whether you supported me or my opponent, whether you’re a McCain Independent, a Trump Republican, or a Goldwater Democrat, I want you to know that our campaign is about protecting every vote, regardless of Party.”
Congressional District 1
After US Rep. David Schweikert (R-Scottsdale) announced he would be leaving the seat he’s held for more than 15 years for a failed run at governor, candidates quickly jumped into the race to take hold of the longtime battleground district Democrats have been eyeing.
Democrat Amish Shah, former state lawmaker and physician, fended off attacks from national Democrats who put their support behind his opponent, former broadcast journalist and former Republican Marlene Galan-Woods, and won the nomination when the AP called the race July 22. Shah previously won the nomination in 2024 against Galan-Woods, but went on to lose the general election to Schweikert.
“Our victory in this primary was a grassroots victory where Arizona voters made their voices heard,” Shah said in a written statement Wednesday night. “Now, it’s my job to earn the support of every voter in this district—including Democrats who voted for another candidate, Independents frustrated with our political system, and Republicans disappointed with the state of the country.”
On the Republican side, Republican Jay Feely, a former NFL kicker with Trump’s backing, defeated state Rep. Joe Chaplik (R-Scottsdale) in securing the nomination.
“I am truly humbled by this massive outpouring of support,” Feely wrote on X July 21. “It is time for Republicans to unite, we have a lot of work to do between now and November to ensure we keep this crucial seat RED!”
Shah, who was formerly a team physician for NYJets when Feely played there, will face Feely in the November general election.
Congressional District 2
Arizona’s Congressional district 2 leans Republican, but national Democrats are eyeing the seat, believing it to be flippable. The district covers 60% of Arizona, and tribal land makes up most of the land.
US Rep. Eli Crane (R-Flagstaff), who has faced criticism for living outside the district, won the Republican nomination after running unopposed. He is seeking his third term.
“On to November,” Crane wrote in a July 21 post on X. “Let’s finish strong.”
On the Democratic side, Democrat Jonathan Nez, the former president of the Navajo Nation and backed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), ran unopposed and won the nomination.
“Proud to announce I am the official Democratic nominee for Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District! Phefelia and I thank you, Arizona, for voting in the primary election today,” Nez said in a post on X that night. “Tomorrow the general election begins and I hope we are all ready to Warrior Up as we push toward November!”
The two will face off in November.
Congressional District 4
US Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Tempe), who faced a progressive primary challenge from activist Kai Newkirk, fended off the attack and won with roughly two-thirds of the vote.
“I’m deeply grateful to the people of Arizona’s Fourth District for trusting me to keep fighting for them in Congress,” Stanton said in a post on X Tuesday.
Newkirk ran on a platform of opposing data centers and foreign money like AIPAC. A first-time congressional candidate, Newkirk lost local support after a 2019 blog post, which Newkirk has since called defamatory, accused him of “grooming.” Stanton received support from Protect Progress, a pro-cryptocurrency group, and Think Big, an AI industry group. The groups spent more than a quarter-million dollars supporting Stanton in July.
“Although tonight’s outcome is painful for me and all of us who worked so hard in this campaign, I am proud of the grassroots campaign we built so quickly and the voice we gave to thousands of Arizonans who are hungry for a different kind of leadership and an end to a corrupt status quo that has failed us,” Newkirk wrote in a post on X Tuesday.
Stanton will face Republican Zuhdi Jasser, a doctor, in the general election this November. The district is considered safely Democratic.
Congressional District 5
The district, represented by Biggs (R-Gilbert) until he launched his bid for governor, is deeply Republican. Former Sheriff Republican Mark Lamb, who has faced allegations that he sent explicit messages and images to multiple women, and used his position as sheriff to keep them quiet—claims he has since denied—won against Republican construction business owner Daniel Keenan. Lamb won with the support of Trump and Turning Point.
“Thank you Arizona,” Lamb wrote in a post on X Tuesday. “I am truly humbled by your support. I will never let you down.”
Elizabeth Lee, a nurse, won the Democratic nomination.
“This victory belongs to every volunteer, supporter, donor, and voter who believed in what is possible,” Lee said in a post on Instagram Tuesday. “Together, we built something different.”
Lee and Lamb will face off in the general election this November.
Congressional District 6
US Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Tucson), seeking his third term, ran unopposed and won the Republican nomination July 21.
“Let’s unite and win,” Ciscomani wrote on X that night.
Also running unopposed is Democratic challenger JoAnna Mendoza, a first-time congressional candidate and former US Marine who is backed by the DCCC. The battleground district has long been a target for Democrats who believe it can be flipped blue.
“Now more than ever, our families deserve servant leadership in Congress, and I’m honored to be the nominee our district is counting on to address the issues that matter most,” Mendoza said in a July 21 statement.
Ciscomani and Mendoza will face off in November.
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Superintendent Tom Horne (R-Arizona) faced a primary challenge from State Treasurer Kimberly Yee (R-Arizona).
Yee positioned herself as the candidate best equipped to root out fraud in the program, arguing Horne had let disallowed purchases go unchecked. Horne, a longtime defender of the voucher program, has also been an outspoken critic of “critical race theory” in schools and pushed a legal challenge to curb schools’ ability to teach English Language Learner students in their native language.
On July 22, the AP called the Republican race for Yee, ousting Horne.
“This victory belongs to the thousands of dedicated supporters and volunteers who worked tirelessly across the state.” Yee said in a post on X Wednesday. “Your belief in our vision for Arizona’s children made all the difference.”
On the Democratic side, Democrat Teresa Leyba Ruiz, a former Glendale Community College president, won the Democratic nomination against educator Brett Newby.
Yee and Ruiz will face off in the November election.
