Trump endorses Republican rivals in swing state Arizona congressional primary
GLENDALE, Arizona — Former President Donald Trump has endorsed his Republican rivals in a closely watched congressional race in Arizona, a rare and surprising move ahead of Tuesday’s primary.
In a post on Truth Social over the weekend, Trump endorsed candidates Abraham Hamadeh and Blake Masters — former political allies turned bitter rivals — to represent the 8th Congressional District.
“THEY WILL NOT LEAVE YOU!” Trump posted.
Arizona, a important swing state that often fuels national debates on abortion and immigration, plays an outsized role in determining control of Congress and the White House. Some political observers see the 8th District, northwest of Phoenix, as the epicenter of efforts by Trump allies to sow doubt about the validity of election results.
Whoever wins has a good chance of success Republican U.S. Representative Debbie Lesko because the district is conservative. Greg Whitten, a biosecurity worker, is running unopposed in the Democratic primary.
All six GOP candidates largely agree on curbing illegal immigration, inflation and what many in the party describe as “weaponizing” the federal government against Trump. Former U.S. Rep. Trent Franks, Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma, Rep. Anthony Kern and political newcomer Patrick Briody round out the field.
Franks served eight terms in Congress before resigning in 2017 after his aides said he offered them money to bear his childHe has apologized extensively and has drawn on his experience in Congress during his campaign.
Toma is a key figure in the field of immigration and abortion issues in the state legislature. He was an advocate of a voting measure to ask voters to give law enforcement the authority to arrest migrants who illegally cross the Arizona-Mexico border.
Kern is one of the 18 people charged for their role in an effort to overturn Trump’s loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 election.
Briody advocates term limits in Congress.
Hamadeh, a former Arizona attorney general candidate who unsuccessfully contested his loss, first won Trump’s endorsement in December. Until Saturday, he had promoted himself as the only Trump-backed candidate in the race for the 8th District.
While dual endorsements are rare, this isn’t the first time Trump has done so.
Trump also endorsed three Republican candidates in Missouri’s gubernatorial primary on Saturday. Trump endorsed “ERIC” in the final days of Missouri’s 2022 Republican primary for U.S. Senate, apparently referring to three candidates with the first name Eric who are running for the chair.
Masters now stands out as a candidate with the support of both Trump and his vice presidential pick, Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio.
“He (Trump) made a different decision last December, but I would say he was impressed with the campaign that I ran,” Masters told The Associated Press.
The late approval may not affect the voter’s decision in the race, as the majority of Arizonans vote early.
Hamadeh, Masters and Kari Lake, who is now running for U.S. Senate, campaigned together in separate races in 2022. But Hamadeh and Masters’ friendship soured after they lost.
Both have adopted Trump’s name-calling tactics, with Hamadeh describing his opponent as “The Snake” and Masters calling Hamadeh “The Dishonest Abe.”
Masters’ attack ads have focused on Hamadeh’s religious and cultural background, accusing Hamadeh of trying to hide his beliefs. Hamadeh’s spokesperson Erica Knight has described Hamadeh as coming from “a diverse, mixed-faith household and embodies the same Judeo-Christian values upon which our nation was founded.”
Masters has also criticized Hamadeh for not being married and not having children, echoing comments from Vance, who said: “childless cat ladies” are leading the Democratic Party and are against the family.
Hamadeh has brushed aside the criticism and has praised what he calls the “unwavering support for patriots at the local level,” along with the support of Lake and Trump, Knight said.
“While Blake ‘the Snake’ Masters ran a despicable campaign attacking an Army veteran, Abe focused on the issues facing ordinary Arizonans,” Knight said.
Retired dentist Randall Letellier, 72, of Sun City, said he planned to vote for Hamadeh based on Trump’s initial endorsement but is now confused by the double endorsement.
“Why would that come out the week before the election?” Letellier said. “It doesn’t make any sense. I just don’t believe it.”
Doug Talbot, 52, who lives in Glendale, said Trump’s nod for Masters pushed him further in that direction. But he said he would continue to research candidates before casting his vote.
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Gabriel Sandoval is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-reported issues.