The Race for Arizona's CD8: An Intensifying GOP Battle

Arizona's 8th Congressional District is witnessing a political melee as two prominent GOP members from the state's legislature have thrown their hats into the ring for Rep. Debbie Lesko's soon-to-be-vacant seat. With Lesko’s recent announcement of not seeking reelection in 2024, the field is wide open, and competition is fierce.

State House Speaker Ben Toma and Sen. Anthony Kern, both serving the 27th Legislative District – largely overlapping with CD8 – are gearing up for the contest. While Toma has yet to officially announce, his recent filing of a statement of interest and revamped website signal clear intentions. Kern, on the other hand, took to social media to declare his candidacy, accompanied by a newly updated campaign website.

This intense GOP primary field also sees Abe Hamadeh and Blake Masters, who both faced electoral defeats in 2022. Notably, while residency within the state is a requisite for U.S. House members, both Hamadeh and Masters are from outside the CD8 area.

On the other side of the aisle, Democrats Gregory Whitten and Bernadette Greene Placentia, along with independent Jeremy Spreitzer, have entered the race, signaling an intense battle ahead. With ten other candidates expressing interest, the journey to January 2025 promises a gripping political showdown in the heart of Arizona.