Republicans eye open CD1 primary after Schweikert switches to governor's race
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The Republican primary in Arizona's highly competitive 1st Congressional District is suddenly wide open due to incumbent David Schweikert's campaign for governor — and elected officials, party leaders and even a former ASU football coach are eyeing the race.
Why it matters: The GOP's razor-thin margin in the U.S. House could hinge on CD1 — a must-win district spanning northeast Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills and Paradise Valley.
State of play: Several GOP politicians are widely seen as potential contenders.
- Phoenix state Rep. Matt Gress, a former Gov. Doug Ducey aide, represents the competitive Legislative District 4.
- Scottsdale state Rep. Joseph Chaplik is a member of the Legislature's Arizona Freedom Caucus.
- And Gina Swoboda is the Arizona Republican Party chair.
The intrigue: Former Arizona State University football coach Todd Graham, who led the Sun Devils from 2012-2017, has "strong interest" as well, Jarred Brejcha, an Oklahoma political consultant and friend of Graham's, told us.
- Graham, who's on the coaching staff for Texas Christian University, maintains a residence in Arizona, Brejcha said.
- "Coach Graham is definitely interested in this race. He's an Arizonan by choice, absolutely loved his time coaching ASU and just has a passion for the country," he said.
What we're watching: Many political observers say it's likely that a wealthy candidate who hasn't previously run for office will jump into the race.
What they're saying: Gress didn't respond to messages from Axios, but posted on X Tuesday morning that GOP control of the House depends on Republicans holding CD1, and, "I will do everything I can to make sure that happens."
- Chaplik is considering a run and is "taking this opportunity very seriously," spokesperson Ross Trumble told Axios.
- Swoboda told Axios she's considering the race and noted her "primary focus is maintaining control of the House," regardless of whether she can best do that as a candidate or as AZGOP chair.
- Former state lawmaker Michelle Ugenti-Rita, who represented the Scottsdale area in the House and Senate, told Axios she's also considering a run.
Who's out: Phoenix City Council member Jim Waring told Axios he doesn't plan to run, and state treasurer candidate Elijah Norton and Maricopa County Board of Supervisors chair Thomas Galvin both posted on X they're not running.
The other side: A handful of Democrats are already in the race, including 2024 contenders Marlene Galán-Woods and Amish Shah, who lost to Schweikert in last year's general election, along with Mark Robert Gordon, Rick McCartney and Jonathan Treble.