2024 Elections: Arizonans already declaring candidacies for House and Senate; here's what you should know

PHOENIX - The November 2024 election is over a year away, but already, some Arizonans are declaring their candidacies for various offices.

Here's what you should know about the election, as well as a list of those who have made an official announcement that they are running for a seat.

What are we voting on come November 2024?

Besides the presidential race, Arizona voters will also vote in U.S. House races, as members of the U.S. House of Representatives serve two-year terms.

In addition, Arizona voters will also vote in a Senate race. An election is set to take place for the seat currently held by Kyrsten Sinema. Sinema was elected to the post as a Democrat in 2018, but became an independent in late 2022.

Election for the Senate seat currently held by Mark Kelly is not set to take place until 2028. Kelly was re-elected to a full, six-year Senate term in 2022, after he defeated Martha McSally in 2020 for what was left of late Sen. John McCain's term. 

Other elections will also take place in November 2024, including elections for the various members of Arizona State Legislature. All State Senators and State Representatives serve two-year terms, as set forth in Arizona's constitution.

In Maricopa County, the County Sheriff seat will also be up for election. The last elected officeholder, Paul Penzone, defeated Joe Arpaio for the seat in 2016, and won re-election in 2020. He announced his decision to not seek reelection in 2023, and stepped down from the post in January 2024.

Who's running in 2024's U.S. Senate race in Arizona?

For the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sinema, two major politicians have announced their candidacies: Rep. Ruben Gallego and Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb.

Ruben Gallego

Rep. Gallego, who currently represents the state's 3rd Congressional District as a Democrat, announced his candidacy in January 2023 as a challenge against Sinema.

"I’m better for this job than Kyrsten Sinema because I haven’t forgotten where I came from," Gallego told The Associated Press. "I think she clearly has forgotten where she came from. Instead of meeting with the people that need help, she meets with the people that are already powerful."

Mark Lamb

On the Republican side, Lamb announced his candidacy on Apr. 11, 2023.

Lamb, who has built a profile in Arizona and beyond as a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump and an advocate for cracking down on illegal immigration and drug smuggling, pledged in a video announcing his candidacy to take on drug cartels, calling for the U.S. military to "wipe them out just like we did to ISIS."

Lamb was the second person to launch a campaign to run as the Republican Party's candidate for Senate in 2024. On Dec. 10, 2022, a man named George Nicholson announced his candidacy for the Senate seat.

Kari Lake

Also on the Republican side, Kari Lake announced in October 2023 that she will run for Senate.

Lake ran as a Republican in 2022 to be Arizona's next governor, but she was defeated by Democrat Katie Hobbs. Since the defeat, she has filed a number of election-related lawsuits.

Who's the incumbent for this Senate seat?

The incumbent, as mentioned above, is Kyrsten Sinema.

The former Democrat, who became an independent in December 2022, announced on Mar. 5, 2024 that she will leave the U.S. Senate at the end of the year, and not run for re-election.

What about the other U.S. Senate seat for Arizona? Is that up for election in 2024?

The Senate seat currently held by Mark Kelly is not up for re-election until 2028, since Kelly was elected in 2022 to serve a full six-year term.

In 2020, Kelly was elected to the same Senate seat to serve the remainder of late Sen. John McCain's term, which began in 2016.

Who's running for the 1st Congressional District in 2024?

This 1st Congressional District covers parts of Phoenix and Scottsdale, as well as parts of rural northeastern Maricopa County.

On the Democratic side, six people have announced their election campaigns.

Andrei Cherny

Cherny announced his congressional campaign on Apr. 6, 2023 with a post on social media.

"This is our moment to expand opportunity and fairness, fight the climate crisis, and defend democracy and our freedoms – including women's right to choose," read a portion of the tweet.

On his campaign website, Cherny states that he served in the military as a Navy reserve intelligence officer. That was followed by a stint as an Assistant Arizona Attorney General. He also states that he once served as the Arizona Democratic Party chair.

Dr. Andrew Horne

Dr. Horne launched his congressional campaign in early 2023.

"I was born in this district, I live in this district and we need real people in office who will put their focus on our children, our friends, our neighbors and community. I am committed to fighting for policies that improve the lives of all Arizonans with key messages on education, healthcare, and the economy.  As a real person who lives and works in the district I have the responsibility of making Arizona a better place for all its residents," according to a portion of a statement provided by Dr. Horne's campaign.

Conor O'Callaghan

On Aug. 1, 2023, Conor O' Callaghan announced a run for the seat.

In a statement, O'Callaghan calls himself a finance professional, and that he has experience that helps him understand economic issues, particularly financial regulation.

Dr. Amish Shah

Dr. Shah announced his campaign for the seat via a statement released on Apr. 3, 2023.

"I am running for Congress because I have seen the difference a single person can make within government to improve people’s lives. Serving in Congress is an opportunity to make an even greater positive impact on issues affecting Arizona," Dr. Shah wrote, in the statement.

Marlene Galen Woods

On May 24, 2023, the Associated Press reported that Marlene Galen Woods, the widow of former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods announced her candidacy as a Democrat for the seat.

The AP is reporting that Galen Woods is running on a platform favoring, among other things, stricter gun regulations and providing access to abortion.

"I’m concerned that our country is in a real tough spot right now, where this fork in the road can go any way, and I want to go and help fix it," Galen Woods said.

Kurt Kromer

The AP reported on May 24 that business executive Kurt Kromer is running for the Democratic nomination for this seat.

Who's representing this district now?

The incumbent for this district, Republican David Schweikert, has yet to make a statement on whether he will run for re-election or not.

Who's running for the 2nd Congressional District in 2024?

This district covers much of Northern Arizona, including the whole of Flagstaff, Prescott, and Show Low. It also covers a portion of Pinal County, including Maricopa and parts of Casa Grande.

The incumbent, Republican Elijah "Eli" Crane, has yet to announce his future plans, but there will be a competition for this seat in 2024, as former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez announced on Oct. 16, 2023 that he will run against Crane for the seat.

Who's running for the 3rd Congressional District in 2024?

This district covers portions of Phoenix and the West Valley, as well as the town of Guadalupe.

On the Democratic side, there are three candidates as of May 25.

Yassamin Ansari

Ansari, who is a Vice Mayor for the City of Phoenix, declared her candidacy on Apr. 4 in a post made to social media.

"I'm running for Congress because [Arizona's 3rd Congressional District] deserves a leader who understands the urgency of the moment and gets things done," read a portion of the post.

Raquel Terán

Terán, a former State Senator and a former chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, announced her candidacy on Apr 4. in a post made to social media.

"Our community deserves Medicare for All, a greener future, and bold solutions to the problems facing everyday Arizonans. I’m ready to be that fighter," read a portion of a tweet that is threaded to the tweet where she announced her candidacy.

Terán announced her resignation from the Arizona State Senate on April 13.

Candidates with suspended campaigns

We should also note that two candidates, both Democrats, have announced their decision to suspend their campaigns

Ylenia Aguilar

Aguilar announced on Aug. 11 that she has suspended her campaign due to "unexpected health developments." She initially announced her candidacy for the seat on May 25.

"I'm a single mom and school board member, and I've dedicated my career to giving struggling families a voice. Now, I'm running to be AZ’s first formerly undocumented Member of Congress," read a portion of a tweet made by Aguilar when she announced her candidacy.

Laura Pastor

Pastor, who is a member of the Phoenix City Council, announced her decision to suspend her congressional campaign on Aug. 18, due to health concerns that she states are not life-threatening.

The health concerns, according to Pastor, are "just enough for me to take stock and to prioritize my well-being," according to a statement she posted on X, a social media network formerly known as Twitter.

Pastor initially launched her campaign on May 31.

What about the Republicans?

On the Republican side, one person - Jeff Zink - has announced his candidacy for the seat.

Who's representing this district now?

The incumbent for this district, Democrat Ruben Gallego, is running for Senate, as mentioned above.

Who's running for the 4th Congressional District in 2024?

This district covers portions of Phoenix and the West Valley, as well as the town of Guadalupe.

The incumbent Congressman for this district, Democrat Greg Stanton, has not announced whether or not he intends to seek reelection.

On the Republican side, meanwhile, two people have announced their candidacies: Kelly Cooper and Dave Giles.

Who's running for the 5th Congressional District in 2024?

This district covers portions of the East Valley, as well as Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, and Apache Junction.

The incumbent Congressman for this district, Republican Andy Biggs, has yet to announce whether or not he intends to seek reelection.

We previously reported that there was a congressional campaign website for a man named Evan Olson, On Aug. 13, however, Olson announced he is running for a State Senate seat instead.

Who's running for the 6th Congressional District in 2024?

The district covers a portion of Casa Grande and parts of Southern Arizona, including parts of Green Valley, Sierra Vista and Tucson.

There is at least candidates on the Democratic side.

Kirsten Engel

On April 12, 2023, former State Senator Kirsten Engel announced her run for the seat.

This will mark Engel's second run for the seat. In 2022, she lost the race to Ciscomani, who won the seat with 50.8% of the vote.

Who's representing this district now?

Juan Ciscomani (R) currently represents this district.

According to a July 2023 article published by Tucson television station KOLD-TV, Ciscomani is running for re-election.

Who's running for the 7th Congressional District in 2024?

The district covers a portion of the West Valley, in addition to a big part of Southern Arizona, including all of Bisbee, Douglas, and Nogales, as well as parts of Tucson and Yuma.

The incumbent representative for this district is Raúl Grijalva, who has been collecting signatures to get on the ballot.

Who's running for the 8th Congressional District in 2024?

The district covers a portion of the West Valley, and extends north to the New river area.

At least two people have announced a campaign for the seat.

Steven Sawdy

A campaign website exists for Sawdy, and on the website, he listed money in politics as an issue for his campaign, and that he supports a constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United decision.

Jeremy Spreitzer

A campaign website exists for Spreitzer. On the website, it is stated that Spreitzer is gathering signatures in order to become a candidate for the 8th Congressional District.

According to a post made to Spreitzer's campaign account on Instagram, he was a write-in candidate fo the same seat in 2022.

Who's representing this district now?

The incumbent representative for the district, Republican Debbie Lesko, announced in October 2023 that she is not seeking reelection.

Who's running for the 9th Congressional District in 2024?

The district covers a portion of the West Valley and a big portion of Western Arizona, including Bullhead City, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, and a portion of Yuma.

There is at least one declared Democratic candidate for the seat.

Quacy Smith

On May 31, 2023, Smith announced a campaign for the seat on social media.

On his X page, Smith describes himself as a former police officer and an attorney.

Who's representing this district now?

The incumbent, Republican Paul Gosar, kicked off his 2024 re-election campaign on Mar. 13, according to his Facebook page.

The Associated Press (AP) contributed to this report. This story will be updated with new information as time progresses.

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