Trump-Backed Mark Lamb Faces Sex-Scandal Test in Arizona's 5th District GOP Primary
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 20
Trump-Backed Mark Lamb Faces Sex-Scandal Test in Arizona's 5th District GOP Primary
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 20
Summary
Arizona Republicans vote Tuesday in a closely watched 5th District primary where Mark Lamb remains the front-runner despite a scandal that has clouded what once looked like a straightforward race.
May allegations reported by The Arizona Republic accused the former Pinal County sheriff of sexting women outside his marriage, threatening one recipient with state law enforcement, and using a campaign social account to flirt.
The report also said Lamb facilitated an affair involving his wife and a campaign aide, made racist jokes by text, spent significant time at a Tennessee ranch 1,500 miles away, and drew scrutiny from the LDS Church.
The contest matters beyond one House seat because the reliably Republican district is open after Andy Biggs ran for governor, making the race a test of both Trump's endorsement power and scandal tolerance in a religious GOP electorate.