Politics in Arizona is a bit of a fever dream lately. If you’ve looked at a television or scrolled through a social feed in the last few months, you’ve probably seen the ads starting to ramp up. It’s 2026, and the state is yet again the center of the political universe. Basically, the entire executive branch is up for grabs, along with every single seat in the U.S. House.
Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of.
You’ve got incumbents trying to hold onto power by their fingernails and a wave of challengers who think the current leadership has lost the plot. Whether you’re in Maricopa, Pima, or out in the rural stretches of Yavapai, the names on your ballot are going to determine everything from your grocery taxes to how your local schools are funded.
The Race for the Ninth Floor: Who Wants to be Governor?
The biggest question on everyone’s mind is the governor’s race. Incumbent Democrat Katie Hobbs is running for a second term, and she’s essentially the sun that the rest of the Democratic ticket rotates around. She hasn’t faced a serious primary challenge, but the Republican side of the aisle is a different story. It’s crowded. It’s loud. And it’s very competitive.
Three big names have dominated the GOP primary conversations. First, you’ve got Andy Biggs. He’s leaving his safe seat in Congress to try and take the top job in Phoenix. He’s got the hardcore MAGA base locked down. Then there’s Karrin Taylor Robson. You might remember her from 2022; she’s a wealthy developer who has stayed very active in state politics. This time around, she’s actually carrying a co-endorsement from Donald Trump, which has caused a massive amount of drama within the party since Biggs is also a staunch Trump ally.
Rounding out the "Big Three" is David Schweikert. He’s a bit of a wildcard here. He represents a swing district in the Phoenix suburbs and is betting that Republican voters want someone with a deep policy background rather than just a firebrand.
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Beyond the household names, a few others have filed paperwork, though they’re fighting for oxygen. Keep an eye on names like Scott Neely and Donald Mucheck. They are the long shots, but in Arizona politics, "long shot" doesn't always mean "out of the running" until the final tally is in.
Holding the Keys: Secretary of State and Attorney General
Most people ignore the down-ballot races until they realize these are the people who actually run the elections and sue the federal government.
Adrian Fontes, the current Secretary of State, is seeking reelection. He’s become a national face for election security. On the Republican side, Alexander Kolodin has emerged as a primary contender. Kolodin is a state representative known for his work on election law, and he’s positioning himself as the polar opposite of Fontes. It’s a classic Arizona matchup: a Democrat focused on "defending democracy" versus a Republican focused on "election integrity."
Then there’s the Attorney General race. Kris Mayes won by a measly 280 votes last time. To say she’s a target is an understatement. She’s running again, of course.
The Republican primary for AG is a dogfight:
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- Warren Petersen: The current State Senate President. He’s got high name recognition and a long track record of battling the Hobbs administration from the legislature.
- Rodney Glassman: A perennial candidate who has run for everything from Senate to AG before. He’s a prolific fundraiser and shouldn't be dismissed.
- Greg Roeberg: An attorney who is positioning himself as the more "traditional" legal expert in the race.
The Fight for the U.S. House
Every one of Arizona’s nine congressional districts is on the ballot. This is where the national balance of power is decided. Some districts are boring—safe seats where the incumbent will sleepwalk to victory. Others? They’re absolute bloodbaths.
District 1 (The Northeast Valley)
This is David Schweikert’s old seat. Since he’s running for Governor, this is a wide-open "open seat" race. It’s one of the most competitive in the country. On the GOP side, Gina Swoboda (the State GOP Chair) and Joseph Chaplik are frontrunners. For the Democrats, it’s a massive field including Amish Shah, Marlene Galán-Woods, and Jonathan Treble. Expect to see millions of dollars in TV ads here.
District 2 (Northeastern Arizona)
Eli Crane is the Republican incumbent here. He’s being challenged by Jonathan Nez, the former President of the Navajo Nation. This race is fascinating because it pits a very conservative incumbent against a high-profile Indigenous leader in a district with a massive Native American voting bloc.
District 6 (Southeast Arizona)
Juan Ciscomani is trying to hold this seat for the Republicans. He’s a moderate-leaning Republican in a district that includes Tucson and Pima County. His likely opponent is JoAnna Mendoza, a Marine veteran who has picked up big endorsements from the state’s Democratic heavyweights.
What Else is on the Ballot?
It’s not just people. We also vote on ideas. Arizona is famous (or infamous) for its ballot initiatives. This year, there are three big ones that have already qualified, and a few more that might make it.
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One major proposition, Proposition 418/419, is specific to Tucson and Pima County residents regarding transportation taxes. On a statewide level, you’ll likely see a measure to Designate Drug Cartels as Terrorist Organizations. This is a legislative referral aimed at giving state law enforcement more power to seize assets.
There is also a significant push for a constitutional amendment to Prohibit Taxes on Miles Traveled. This is a preemptive strike against the idea of a "road usage fee" that some transit advocates have proposed.
Navigating the Primary vs. General
The timeline matters. Arizona has a semi-closed primary system.
The primary election is set for August 4, 2026. That’s when the parties pick their champions. If you’re registered as an Independent, you can actually pick which party’s ballot you want to vote on (unless it’s for a presidential primary, but that’s not happening this year).
The winners of those August races then move on to the General Election on November 3, 2026.
Actionable Next Steps for Arizona Voters
Don't wait until the week before the election to realize your registration is messed up. Arizona is strict about deadlines.
- Check your registration status: Go to the Arizona Secretary of State’s website (Arizona.Vote) to make sure your address is current. If you've moved since 2024, you must update this.
- Join the AEVL: If you hate going to polls, sign up for the Active Early Voting List. They’ll mail your ballot automatically. It’s the easiest way to ensure you actually vote.
- Research the Judges: At the bottom of your ballot, you’ll see "Judicial Retention" questions. Most people skip these. Don’t. Look up the performance reviews of the judges on the Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Reports website before you head out.
- Mark your calendar: August 4th is the primary. November 3rd is the big day. Set reminders on your phone now.
The 2026 cycle is going to be loud and expensive. Knowing exactly who is on the ballot in Arizona is the only way to cut through the noise and actually make a choice that reflects what you want for the state's future.