Republicans face off for Arizona’s 8th Congressional District

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Republicans seeking their party’s nomination in Arizona’s 8th congressional district faced off for the last time Tuesday night before early voting begins in next month’s primary election.

The seat is currently held by Debbie Lesko, who is not running for re-election.

There is a lot on the line for the five candidates. Trent Franks, who resigned from it in 2017 after sexual harassment allegations, did not participate in the debate.

Candidates mostly agreed on policy, but there was a difference on the major issue of abortion. All candidates except Hamadeh agreed that Congress should step in and pass some sort of abortion ban. Hamadeh’s position is in line with Former President Donald Trump’s, who has said abortion should be left up to the states; it’s a position that has angered anti-abortion organizations.

“I applaud President Trump for what he did. … Appreciate it’s back at the state level, now it’s going to be up to each individual state,” Hamadeh said.

Abe Hamadeh lost the attorney general’s race and still has not conceded. Current state lawmaker Anthony Kern was recently indicted on felony charges for allegedly trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election that Donald Trump lost.

Also seeking to represent the West Valley is Blake Masters, who lost his run for the US Senate in 2022. House Speaker Ben Toma is the author of a tough immigration measure the legislature just sent to the November ballot. Political newcomer Patrick Briody bragged about not having an endorsement.

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