Abe Hamadeh in September 2022. Photo by Gage Skidmore (modified) | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0
Former candidate for Arizona Attorney General Abe Hamadeh is the victor in a packed race for the Republican nomination for the state’s 8th Congressional District.
As of Wednesday afternoon, when The Associated Press called the race for Hamadeh, he had garnered nearly 30% of votes, compared to the runner-up, venture capitalist Blake Masters, who came away with 25%.
Hamadeh was endorsed early by former President Donald Trump. But just two days before the primary, Trump threw a political wrench into the race by backing Masters as well.
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Both candidates had previously earned Trump’s endorsement during the 2022 midterms, when Masters hoped to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly. Both lost, though Hamadeh has repeatedly — and unsuccessfully — asked the courts to overturn his 280-vote loss to Kris Mayes.
In a post on the social media site X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday evening, Masters congratulated Hamadeh on his win.
“It’s time to unite behind him and all of our nominees, up and down the ballot, so that we can win in November,” Masters wrote. “Congratulations also to all my other competitors and colleagues on a well-fought race. I’ll be praying for the success and safety of each of you in the days months (sic) and years ahead.”
Masters added that he planned to help in whatever way he could to help Trump retake the presidency in November.
Longtime state legislator and Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives Ben Toma lagged behind Hamadeh and Masters with 21% of votes, with former Congressman Trent Franks at 16.5%, far-right State Sen. Anthony Kern at almost 5% and Patrick Briody at 2%.
National Republican Campaign Committee Spokesperson Ben Petersen congratulated Hamadeh on his win in a Wednesday evening statement.
“The West Valley made clear they want a conservative warrior to stop extreme San Francisco radical Kamala Harris’ open borders and inflation assault, and Abe Hamadeh will do just that.” Petersen said.
Congressional District 8, which spans the northwest part of Phoenix and most of the northwest suburbs, is widely regarded as a GOP stronghold, and the winner of the Republican primary is virtually guaranteed a win in November.
That’s the reason the race to replace the district’s current U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko, after her announcement in October 2023 that she wouldn’t seek reelection, was so crowded.
Toma ran on his legislative track record, which has been defined by culture-war issues and hostile immigration proposals. He also championed sweeping income tax cuts and universal private school vouchers.
“While I’m certainly disappointed in the outcome, I am forever grateful and humbled by the level of support shown from so many who opened their arms, their homes, and their wallets to support our campaign,” Toma posted on the social media site X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday. “It was an honor and a privilege to be endorsed and supported by so many great leaders of our state and to run a positive campaign centered on my record of accomplishments. I wish all the candidates who ran alongside me the very best.”
Franks resigned from Congress in 2017 following a public scandal when he reportedly offered to pay a staffer $5 million to become pregnant with his child. Lesko was appointed to replace Franks and went on to represent the district for nearly a decade.
In November, Hamadeh will face Democratic candidate Gregory Whitten, who was unopposed in the primary.
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