Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 16
Keenan Leads Lamb 42%-40% in Arizona GOP Primary as Sex-Scandal Attacks Test Trump Endorsement
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 16

Keenan Leads Lamb 42%-40% in Arizona GOP Primary as Sex-Scandal Attacks Test Trump Endorsement

1 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 16

Summary

  • A Keenan campaign poll shows Daniel Keenan ahead of Trump-backed Mark Lamb 42% to 40% in Arizona’s 5th District, a reversal from late June when the same poll had Lamb up 43% to 35%.
  • More than $1.6 million in Keenan self-funding and over $1.8 million in TV ads have driven attacks on Lamb over alleged sexual misconduct and abuse of power detailed by the Arizona Republic; Lamb denies the allegations.
  • Lamb has not aired TV ads, but allies are responding: Club for Growth has spent $250,000 backing him, and Trump reaffirmed his endorsement in a Sunday social-media post.
  • The race is becoming a test of whether scandal can outweigh Trump’s influence in a deep-red district, where Lamb’s supporters cite his strong local standing and legal findings that brought no criminal charges.
  • Early and mail voting are already underway after Arizona moved the primary to late July, compressing the window for Keenan to overcome Lamb’s name-recognition advantage.

Insights

Can a candidate's alleged private life outweigh their public promises in a community focused on faith and values?