Arizona’s state primaries are set to play a critical role in the upcoming White House race and could determine control of the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and state legislature. One of the key races is the Republican primary for the Senate seat currently held by Kyrsten Sinema, who is not seeking reelection. Republican ex-gubernatorial nominee Kari Lake is facing off against Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb and neuroscientist Elizabeth Reye in the primary. Sinema’s decision not to run has led to a competitive race, with U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego launching a bid for the Democratic nomination.
In the U.S. House races, Democrats are hoping to unseat vulnerable Arizona Republican incumbents in districts that narrowly went to Biden in 2020. In the 1st Congressional District, seven-term Rep. David Schweikert is facing a primary against businessman Robert Backie and ex-FBI agent Kim George. The Democratic primary in the same district includes prominent figures like ex-state party chair Andrei Cherny and ex-news anchor Marlene Galán-Woods. Schweikert has led in fundraising, while Cherny has gained momentum with key endorsements.
In the 6th Congressional District, Rep. Juan Ciscomani is facing challenges in both the Republican primary and potential rematch with Democratic candidate Kirsten Engel. The rest of Arizona’s congressional districts have notable primary matchups as well. In the state legislature, Republicans hold narrow majorities in both chambers, and Democrats are aiming to gain control for the first time in decades. Tuesday’s primaries were rescheduled to allow counties more time to tally votes.
Arizona’s state primary will feature contested races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, state Senate, state House, and some local offices. Registered party members can only vote in their own party’s primary, while independent voters can choose to participate in either primary. Maricopa County is a crucial battleground in Arizona elections, contributing over 60% of the vote in the 2022 governor’s race. The process for determining winners in close races and recount procedures are outlined for transparency.
As of April, Arizona had nearly 4.1 million registered voters, with a higher percentage of Republicans compared to Democrats. Early voting has been popular in past primaries, with a significant portion of voters casting their ballots before the primary day. Turnout and advance voting numbers are monitored closely, and the AP follows a thorough process for reporting results and declaring winners. The countdown to the November general election is underway, with 98 days left as of Tuesday’s state primaries.
