Brian Snyder/REUTERS
PHOENIX – Republican Abe Hamadeh came out victorious in the crowded Arizona Eighth Congressional District primary.
The Associated Press called the race on Wednesday night — a day after voters hit the polls to cast their ballots in the hotly contested election.
“They underestimated me because they underestimate the American people. We are stronger than they can ever even imagine,” Hamadeh tweeted on Wednesday evening. “Thank you Arizona, the grassroots, [Kari Lake], President Trump, and so many others who had my back.”
“The good guys still have a shot… let’s roll,” he added.
Arizona’s Eight Congressional District is deeply red, giving Hamadeh a clear advantage in his general election matchup against Democrat Gregory Whitten.
The primary blew wide open when Rep. Debbie Lesko decided that she would leave Congress and instead pursue a seat on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
Hamadeh beat out venture capitalist Blake Masters and Arizona House speaker Ben Toma. Masters conceded the race on Wednesday night, saying he “can’t cry over spilt milk.”
“Thank you to my dedicated team, all the volunteers who helped us, and all our voters! Obviously, this was not the result we wanted. But we fought hard under tough circumstances,” Masters said.
“Congratulations to Abe Hamadeh. It’s time to unite behind him and all of our nominees, up and down the ballot, so that we can win in November. Congratulations also to all my other competitors and colleagues on a well-fought race. I’ll be praying for the success and safety of each of you in the days months and years ahead,” he continued.
Hamadeh was the first candidate in the race to be backed by Donald Trump. But the former president endorsed both Hamadeh and Masters this weekend.
Masters had been supported by Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance.
Hamadeh and Masters were once considered political allies, as Masters was the US Senate nominee in 2022 – the same time Hamadeh was the Attorney General nominee.
The division largely came from the fact that Masters did not contest his 125,000 vote loss to incumbent Sen. Mark Kelly, whereas Hamadeh fought his 280 vote loss in court. Hamadeh won the backing of Republican US Senate nominee Kari Lake in the primary, who also fought her gubernatorial loss through the legal system.
The last-minute race shake-up did not appear to alter the state of the race.
Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma and former Congressman Trent Franks are trailing in third and fourth place, respectively, with state Sen. Anthony Kern and Patrick Briody in the single digits. Toma was backed by Lesko, but he conceded the race on Wednesday.
“The voters of Congressional District 8 made their choice clear last night as to who the Republican nominee will be in November,” Toma tweeted.
“While I’m certainly disappointed in the outcome, I am forever grateful and humbled by the level of support shown from so many who opened their arms, their homes, and their wallets to support our campaign. It was an honor and a privilege to be endorsed and supported by so many great leaders of our state and to run a positive campaign centered on my record of accomplishments. I wish all the candidates who ran alongside me the very best.”