Arizona GOP Looks to 2026 State-Wide Races

REPORTED BY SBINSIDER NEWS\OPINION| January 12th, 2025

While it might seem just yesterday the US held it elections, jockeying is already underway for the upcoming 2026 elections for all state-wide offices. Republicans were trounced in 2022 by Democrats in the big three positions, Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Ticket splitters kept GOP State Treasurer Kimberly Yee in her position and replaced with old war hose Tom Horne for State Superintendent of Schools. This remarkable outcome was hotly disputed by the losers, most notably by Kari Lake who then went on to lose her 2024 race for US Senate to Rueben Gallegos. Lake has landed a position with the Trump administration as the Director of Voice of America.

The loser of the Attorney General race, Abraham Hamadeh, did mange to win a seat in Congress taking the spot of retiring Debbie Lesko. He now represents the 8th Congressional District.

Governor

Kari Lake defeated Karrin Taylor Robson in the 2022 primary for Governor. Lake was helped crucially in that race, by Donald Trump’s endorsement. Taylor has not officially announced but Trump has already endorsed her, very publicly, before XMAS at the Turning Point three day confab in Phoenix. So, unless somebody else has a billionaire spouse and Trump’s endorsement, any primary is a foregone conclusion.

Karrin Taylor Robson

Lt. Governor

The intriguing change to Arizona government is the voter’s approval of adding a Lieutenant Governor to the roster of state-wide elected officials. Arizona was one of the few states lacking a Lt. Gov. and it created the situation where the Secretary of State moved up in the event of a Governor leaving or dying. Governors Jannette Napolitano and Raul Castro both let office early and the then Secretary of State moved up. The most recent was Governor Jan Brewer, the only professional hair dresser to get the job.

The thinking is that Robson will pick her Lt. Gov. early and if she is smart, she will pick an experienced legislator, male, family man with credentials out side of being a politician. Pinal County has a state legislator who might be perfect for the spot. Neal Carter represents LD-15 in the House and has a law degree.

Attorney General

Kris Mayes won the race for Attorney General in 2022 by a whisker-a race so close that it was sent to a recount and Mayes won by less than 1K votes. Mayes has filed many lawsuits based on political bias-most prominently against the former GOP state chairwomen Kelli Ward and all the rest of the alternative electors from 2022. She also files many “virtue signaling” lawsuits that she has to know are going nowhere but garners favorable headlines from the progressive left. The man she defeated , Abe Hamadeh, now a member of Congress is not going to take her on again. Her likely opponent is Rodney Glassman who has run for several offices without success, but this time maybe the charm.

Rodney Glassman

State Treasurer

Republican Kimberly Lee was re-elected in 2022 after a short attempt of going for the Governor’s office. She is completing her second term, so the field for her job will be open on both sides.

School Superintendent of Schools

Tom Horne, who is pushing 80 years of age, will likely run again and if he does, has the resources to win a primary and then the general election. Democrats covet this seat and will definitely put up a well funded candidate with the correct credentials.

Tom Horne

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Jeff Luft
Jeff
28 days ago

Neal Carter LD 8?

Jeff Luft
Jeff
28 days ago
Reply to  Douglas Wolf

Thanks, Dougas.