Arizona GOP chair Swoboda runs for open House seat with Trump's backing
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Gina Swoboda is the first major candidate to seek the GOP nomination in the 1st Congressional District since incumbent David Schweikert launched his campaign for governor. Photo: Rebecca Noble/AFP via Getty Images
Arizona Republican Party chair Gina Swoboda is the first major GOP candidate to run for the now-open 1st Congressional District, and she launched her campaign with an endorsement from President Trump for the critical swing seat.
Why it matters: CD1, based in Scottsdale and northeast Phoenix, is highly competitive, and it's up for grabs as both parties vie for control of the U.S. House.
State of play: Swoboda in a press statement Monday said her campaign be centered on "commonsense conservative principles of economic growth and prosperity, strong and secure borders, and protecting taxpayers."
- She told Axios she's the "most viable candidate for the district," and her commitment to "low regulation, low taxes and equality of opportunity" make her an ideal fit for the district.
What they're saying: "Gina will be a tremendous champion for Arizona in Congress. She will never let you down!" Trump said in an endorsement that Swoboda posted on X.
Context: Incumbent U.S. Rep. David Schweikert announced last month that he'll seek the Republican nomination for governor — a move that was expected to open the floodgates for GOP candidates in his district.
- Numerous other Republicans have filed statements of interest to run, including several since Schweikert's Sept. 30 decision; but three weeks thereafter, Swoboda is the first big-name candidate in the CD1 race.
The intrigue: It remains to be seen if other Republicans will join the fray or if Trump's endorsement will help clear the field of serious competition for Swoboda.
- Several prospective candidates have been eying the race, including state Reps. Joseph Chaplik and Matt Gress, former Arizona State University football coach Todd Graham and former state Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita.
- Former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, who's been a rumored candidate, said on "The Charlie Kirk Show" earlier this month that she won't run.
Between the lines: Swoboda told Axios she won't step down as AZGOP chair until January, when the party's state committee can elect her successor.
- She said she's putting up a "firewall" for fundraising activities, which will be turned over to the party's treasurer.
- She has resigned her position as a policy adviser for the Arizona House Committee on Federalism, Military Affairs and Elections.
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.
Fun fact: This is the first time since 1992 that the race for Schweikert's seat has been open.
- He's been in office since beating Democratic incumbent Harry Mitchell in 2010.
- Mitchell in 2006 defeated 12-year GOP incumbent JD Hayworth, who'd held office since his 1994 win over Democratic U.S. Rep. Karan English, who won what was then a new district in 1994.
- Caveat: The districts held by Schweikert and his predecessors have changed a lot due to redistricting every decade.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with new details throughout.