Trump Endorses 2 Candidates in Competitive Arizona Republican Primary
Former President Donald Trump made headlines this weekend by endorsing two candidates in the highly competitive Republican primary for Arizona’s 8th Congressional District. In a post on Truth Social Saturday night, Trump expressed his support for both Blake Masters and Abe Hamadeh, marking a significant shift in his endorsements just days before the crucial primary election.
Trump's post highlighted the importance of the upcoming election, stating, “We have a very important Republican Primary Election on Tuesday for Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, with two spectacular America First Candidates.” This dual endorsement is particularly noteworthy as it comes after Trump had previously backed only Hamadeh, an ardent election denier, in his campaign.
Blake Masters, who previously ran for the U.S. Senate in 2022 and lost to incumbent Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, received Trump’s endorsement after a period of uncertainty. Until this weekend, Trump had not publicly supported Masters in the current congressional race, focusing solely on Hamadeh. This change in strategy aligns Trump with his former running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, who had endorsed Masters back in October.
During a campaign rally in June, Trump praised Hamadeh, claiming he was “doing a really terrific job” and reiterated his belief that Hamadeh’s previous election loss was due to “rigged” circumstances, echoing unsubstantiated claims of election fraud. This rhetoric has been a hallmark of Trump’s post-presidency narrative, particularly in relation to candidates who align with his views on election integrity.
The timing of Trump’s endorsements is critical, as the primary election is set for July 30. The winner is expected to have a strong advantage in the general election, likely facing Democrat Gregory Whitten, who is running unopposed in the Democratic primary. Arizona’s 8th Congressional District has been a Republican stronghold since redistricting in 2013, making this primary a pivotal moment for both candidates.
Masters expressed his excitement over the endorsement, stating, “Thrilled to be ENDORSED in my House race by our next Vice President, J.D. Vance!” This sentiment was echoed by Hamadeh’s campaign, which responded to Masters’ post with a simple “welp,” reminding followers of Trump’s earlier endorsement of Hamadeh.
As the primary approaches, the dynamics between these two candidates and their endorsements from Trump and Vance will undoubtedly shape the narrative of the race, making it one to watch in the lead-up to the general election.