Former GOP Senate Candidate Blake Masters Announces Run for Congress
Blake Masters, a Republican who lost to Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) in the 2022 midterm elections, has declared his candidacy for a U.S. House of Representatives seat in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District. This district encompasses the suburbs north and west of Phoenix.
“I’m running for Congress, to fight for Arizona’s 8th,” Mr. Masters passionately stated in a tweet. “Biden has failed. We need Trump back. We need to stop inflation, Build the Wall, avoid WW3, and secure Arizona’s water future. We need to fight for our families.”
This announcement comes shortly after Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.) revealed her decision to retire at the end of her current term in order to prioritize spending time with her family.
Mr. Masters, a tech entrepreneur who received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, expressed his commitment to strengthening border security in the face of unprecedented levels of illegal immigration and combating the fentanyl crisis. He also pledged to make life more affordable for Arizonans and protect their freedom of expression.
“The Joe Biden economy has not been kind to Arizona families. People are struggling with increasing costs of living, high gas and grocery prices, soaring tuition, and unpredictable health care costs,” Mr. Masters emphasized.
“We are going to keep our promises and protect Social Security and Medicare,” he added. “We are going to fight the overregulation that fuels inflation. We are going to restore American energy dominance and bring back high-paying manufacturing jobs.”
On Oct. 27, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) endorsed Mr. Masters’ campaign in a tweet, stating that he believes Mr. Masters is “the conservative fighter we need in the House to combat the extreme liberal policies of Joe Biden and to put the GOP establishment in its place.”
“I can’t wait to team up with him when I’m in the House. Proud to have his trust and endorsement,” Mr. Masters responded.
For the majority of his adult life, Mr. Masters worked for tech mogul and GOP megadonor Peter Thiel, who contributed the majority of the $15.2 million in super PAC funds during Mr. Masters’ 2022 U.S. Senate campaign.
Mr. Masters’ decision to run for Congress puts an end to speculation that he would pursue another U.S. Senate bid for the seat currently held by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), who left the Democratic Party to become an independent in December and has not yet announced her intentions for another term.
Other GOP Candidates
Several Republicans have already thrown their hats into the ring, making the race for Arizona’s 8th Congressional District highly competitive. Notable contenders include Abe Hamadeh, a staunch supporter of President Trump, who announced his candidacy for Ms. Lesko’s seat on Oct. 17.
Arizona attorney general candidate Abe Hamadeh at the Cochise County Sheriffs Office in Sierra Vista, Ariz., on Nov. 4, 2022. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Mr. Hamadeh previously ran for Arizona attorney general in the general election, narrowly losing to current Attorney General Kris Mayes by less than 300 votes. He was the first candidate to announce his bid for Ms. Lesko’s position.
U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake, who officially announced her campaign for the seat currently held by Ms. Sinema earlier this month, quickly endorsed Mr. Hamadeh after he declared his candidacy.
Shortly after Mr. Masters announced his bid on Oct. 26, Mr. Hamadeh highlighted Ms. Lake’s endorsement in a tweet, taking a subtle jab at Mr. Masters by stating, “While others catered to the establishment and hid after the election, we continue to fight like hell for Arizona.”
Ms. Lake, Mr. Masters, and Mr. Hamadeh have a history of campaigning together, appearing side by side at various events during Ms. Lake’s Arizona governor’s race and Mr. Masters’ U.S. Senate race in 2022.
Republican candidate for state attorney general Abraham Hamadeh (L), Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Blake Masters wave to supporters at the conclusion of a campaign event on the eve of the primary at the Duce bar in Phoenix, Ariz., on Aug. 1, 2022. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Although the primary is still a year away, early polling data conducted by Data Orbital shows Mr. Masters leading with 33.2 percent, followed by Mr. Hamadeh at 18.4 percent. Over 30 percent of voters remain undecided.
The survey, which measured support for potential GOP candidates in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, was conducted from Oct. 19 to Oct. 21 among 450 likely 2024 Republican primary election voters in Arizona. It was published on Oct. 25, a day before Mr. Masters officially announced his candidacy for Ms. Lesko’s seat.
Other potential candidates mentioned in the survey include Arizona Speaker of the House Ben Toma at 6.8 percent and state Sen. Anthony Kern at 5.5 percent.
How does Blake Masters’ candidacy in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District impact the race and the potential for Republican success?
Rs’ decision to run for Congress in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District has stirred up excitement and anticipation among Republican supporters. After losing to Sen. Mark Kelly in the 2022 midterm elections, Masters is determined to make a comeback and bring about change in the district.
In a passionate tweet, Masters declared his candidacy, expressing his concerns and vision for Arizona’s future. He pointed out the failures of the Biden administration and emphasized the need for Donald Trump’s return. Masters aims to address critical issues such as inflation, border security, and water conservation, which are of utmost importance to the residents of Arizona.
This announcement comes on the heels of Rep. Debbie Lesko’s decision to retire at the end of her current term. Lesko, a fellow Republican, has chosen to prioritize spending time with her family, opening up an opportunity for new leadership in the district. Masters’ candidacy offers Republicans a chance to reclaim the seat and further their policy goals.
This race for Arizona’s 8th Congressional District is expected to be closely watched, as it represents a significant battleground for political parties. Both Democrats and Republicans will be looking to secure victories in this district to strengthen their positions in Congress.
Masters, with his experience as a former GOP Senate candidate, brings a unique perspective and understanding of the political landscape. His determination to fight for the interests of Arizona’s families and his commitment to conservative values make him a strong candidate for the Republican Party.
As the campaign unfolds, it will be interesting to see how Masters connects with voters and develops his policy platform. The Republican Party will be eagerly supporting his run, as they see this as an important opportunity to secure a seat in Congress and advance their agenda.
The announcement of Blake Masters’ candidacy has added another layer of excitement to the political landscape in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District. With his passionate vision for Arizona’s future and the backing of the Republican Party, Masters has set the stage for a highly contested race. Voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on the issues that matter most to them and choose the candidate they believe will best represent their interests in Congress.
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