In the 2024 presidential race, the spotlight is also on down-ballot races for the House and Senate in Arizona, with primaries taking place on Tuesday night that hold national implications.
Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake, known for her alliance with former President Donald Trump and her stance as one of the Republican Party’s leading election deniers, is anticipated to secure victory in her primary against Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb. The winner of the Republican primary will advance to the general election in November to face Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, who ran unopposed. This election could play a crucial role in determining control of the closely divided Senate, which is currently in the hands of the Democrats. The Senate seat was left vacant by independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who announced her retirement earlier this year.
Meanwhile, in the House, the race to succeed Republican Rep. Debbie Lesko and challenge Democratic candidate Greg Whitten in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District has attracted a number of notable GOP candidates. These include 2022 Senate Republican nominee Blake Masters, state House Speaker Ben Toma, 2022 attorney general nominee Abe Hamadeh, and former Rep. Trent Franks.
The primary race has taken a contentious turn, with Trump endorsing both Masters and Hamadeh. Masters has criticized Hamadeh as “dishonest Abe,” while Hamadeh has labeled Masters as a “snake.” Trump had previously endorsed Hamadeh for the seat last year, but his recent support for Masters comes just before Arizona’s primary elections on Tuesday. Ohio Sen. JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, has also endorsed Masters.
Polls for these races are scheduled to close in Arizona at 10:00 p.m. ET, with the outcomes poised to have significant implications for the political landscape in the state and beyond.
