Arizona Rep. Debbie Lesko won't seek reelection in 2024
PHOENIX - Republican Congresswoman Debbie Lesko, who represents Arizona's 8th Congressional District, says she will not seek reelection in 2024.
At least two people have thrown their hats in the race for her seat – including a former attorney general candidate who lost in the 2022 election.
"It has been a great honor to serve the people of Arizona’s 8th Congressional District in Congress, however, I have decided not to run for reelection in 2024. I want to spend more time with my husband, my 94-year-old mother, my three children, and my five grandchildren," she said in a news release on Oct. 17.
Member of the House Republican leadership Representative Debbie Lesko speaks at a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, June 6, 2023. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
She says spending at least three weeks a month away from family for travels has been difficult. Lesko goes on to say "Washington, D.C. is broken" and that it makes it hard to get anything done.
During the remainder of her time, she says she will continue her efforts to improve Congress and help her constituents.
Lesko's district includes neighborhoods north and west of Phoenix. The lawmaker's term ends in January 2025.
An ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump, Lesko received an endorsement from him during her last election. However, she had no serious challengers in the GOP primary.
A former school board member and state lawmaker, Lesko won a House seat in a special election in 2018.
In 2020, the Arizona Republic reported Lesko had legal and financial problems in her past. The newspaper found several bankruptcies, lawsuits over unpaid bills and an arrest warrant in the 1980s and '90s.
Lesko said in response that her first husband was abusive and a "con man." She even created a website linking details of her ex-husband's criminal past and a video of her daughter recounting abuse she saw and suffered in childhood.
The race begins for Lesko's seat
Hours after her announcement, former GOP Arizona Attorney General candidate, Abe Hamadeh, announced his run for the seat.
"Our country is in desperate need of courageous fighters, and that’s why I’m proud to announce I’m running for Congress in Arizona’s 8th District. President Trump is under attack.vHe needs back up — and I’m ready to help him Make America Great Again," Hamadeh said in an X post.
Hamadeh lost the 2022 election to now AG Kris Mayes. The race margin was just hundreds of votes.
On the Democrat side, a third-generation Arizonan, Greg Whitten, announced his run in September.
After Lesko's announcement, the Glendale resident posted to social media, saying, "Debbie Lesko has chosen not to seek re-election. This is our chance to replace her with a strong advocate for your interests. I encourage you to consider getting involved and contributing to my campaign."
He's a biosecurity expert who served for years at the Pentagon and has also worked on pandemic preparedness.
The AP contributed to this report.