The races we’re watching in Arizona’s primary

Summary of The races we’re watching in Arizona’s primary

by NPR

22m•July 20, 2026
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Overview of The races we’re watching in Arizona’s primary

This NPR Politics Podcast episode breaks down Arizona’s primary elections, where 2020 election denial, Trump loyalty, and control over election rules remain central themes. The discussion focuses on the governor’s race, secretary of state, attorney general, and two competitive House districts that could shape Arizona’s political direction heading into November.

Arizona’s statewide races

Governor: Katie Hobbs vs. a Trump-aligned Republican

  • Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs is running for re-election.
  • The Republican primary is mainly a two-person contest between:
    • Andy Biggs, a far-right MAGA-aligned congressman
    • David Schweikert, another GOP congressman pitching himself as more electable
  • Biggs appears to be the clear frontrunner, helped by:
    • Trump’s endorsement
    • Strong support from the party’s hard-core primary voters
  • Schweikert’s strategy of appealing to general-election voters has not gained much traction.

Why it matters:
Hobbs has become a major brake on Arizona Republicans in the legislature, vetoing more than 500 bills in four years — especially on culture-war issues and election-related changes. A Republican governor could sign many of those bills into law.

Secretary of State: a race over election rules

  • The GOP primary pits:
    • Gina Swoboda, a former election official and former Arizona GOP chair
    • Alexander Kolodin, a state lawmaker and attorney who challenged the 2020 election results
  • Kolodin is more closely aligned with the MAGA wing and pushes major changes to Arizona’s election system.
  • Swoboda is trying to present herself as more practical and electorally viable.

Why it matters:
This office has direct influence over election administration, and in a close state like Arizona, the person in this seat could face pressure over how elections are run and certified.

Attorney General: election denial still present

  • The Republican primary includes:
    • Warren Petersen, the state Senate president, who helped oversee the post-2020 election audit
    • Rodney Glassman, a former Democrat who now says the 2020 election was stolen
  • Both candidates are tied, in different ways, to post-2020 election controversy.

Why it matters:
The attorney general can shape the state’s response to election disputes and legal challenges, making this another office with real consequences beyond the campaign rhetoric.

Congressional races to watch

CD1: Open seat becomes a battleground

  • David Schweikert’s decision to run for governor leaves Arizona’s 1st District open.
  • On the Democratic side, two candidates are competing:
    • Ami Shah, a former state lawmaker and broadcaster
    • Marlene Galán-Woods, a former Republican and widow of ex-Attorney General Grant Woods
  • Both are presenting themselves as the most electable option in a district described as:
    • Affluent
    • Slightly Republican-leaning
    • Heavy on independents and fiscally cautious voters

On the GOP side:

  • Jay Feely, former NFL kicker and television analyst, has the Trump endorsement
  • Joseph Chaplik, a state lawmaker and MAGA loyalist, is attacking Feely as a carpetbagger

Bottom line:
This is one of Arizona’s most competitive seats, and both parties are trying to nominate the candidate best suited for a tough general election.

CD6: General-election issues may matter more than primary drama

  • In Arizona’s 6th District (southern Arizona, including parts of Tucson), Democrats want to unseat Republican Juan Ciscomani.
  • Unlike CD1, there is not much primary drama here.
  • The key general-election issue may be the GOP-backed “big, beautiful bill” and its impact on:
    • Medicaid
    • SNAP / food assistance
    • Rural hospitals

Bottom line:
This district may be more about kitchen-table consequences than election rhetoric, especially if hospital closures or benefit cuts hit voters directly.

Major themes from the episode

Trump is still the “golden ticket” in GOP primaries

  • Trump’s endorsement is treated as the most valuable asset in the race.
  • Candidates are largely aligning themselves with him, even in purple-state contests where that could hurt them later.
  • The episode emphasizes a growing split:
    • What wins a Republican primary
    • What can win a general election

Election denial remains a live political force in Arizona

  • Candidates in multiple races continue to build campaigns around claims about the 2020 election.
  • The hosts and guest note that this issue is highly motivating for Republican primary voters but much less persuasive for swing voters in November.

Turning Point USA remains influential

  • The Arizona-based conservative group still plays a kingmaker role.
  • Its endorsements have helped boost candidates like Biggs, Feely, and Kolodin.
  • But its ability to translate primary influence into general-election success remains unproven.

Key takeaways

  • Andy Biggs looks likely to win the GOP governor primary, making Arizona’s November governor race a major test of MAGA politics.
  • Election administration is a central issue in the secretary of state and attorney general races.
  • Arizona’s most competitive House districts — especially CD1 — are drawing candidates who are trying to look broadly electable, not ideologically extreme.
  • Trump’s influence still dominates GOP primaries, but the episode suggests that strategy may not hold up well in a statewide general election.

Bottom line

Arizona’s primaries are less about local policy debates and more about who best embodies the Trump-aligned Republican movement — and whether that candidate can still appeal to the broader electorate in November.