Arizona’s 5th Congressional District: Who’s running?
Arizona’s primary election is just around the corner, falling on Aug. 2, 2022.
Arizona’s 5th Congressional District covers parts of Maricopa and Pinal Counties, including parts of Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek and Apache Junction.
The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission’s final map allows the area to keep the same number as the current 5th district with slightly different district boundaries.
As the district incumbent, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., is seeking a fourth U.S. House term. In the House, members have no term limits and can run for reelection every two years.
Here are the major candidates running for Arizona’s new 5th Congressional District:
Democrats: Javier Ramos
Gila River Attorney, Javier Ramos, is aiming to win Arizona’s 5th Congressional District in the upcoming election.
Stated on his campaign website, Ramos is “dedicated to protecting voting rights.” Other campaign issues include protecting and securing the Colorado River, Ramos states that as a congressman, he will ensure Arizona citizens will have “a 100 years of water supply.”
To fully fund infrastructure in the East valley, Ramos’ states he will seek a seat on the appropriations committee. Other campaign issues featured on his campaign website include, assisting the homeless population, equality, and mental health assistance for youth.
Ramos has yet to file paperwork with the FEC. He stated in a phone call, that he has not reached the $5,000 threshold required for candidates to file with the FEC, sharing his opposition of candidates accepting campaign donations.
Republicans:
Andy Biggs
Andy Biggs was elected to represent Arizona’s 5th Congressional District in 2016. Biggs has served in political office since his 2002 election to the Arizona House of Representatives, where he served for eight years. Biggs spent six years in the Arizona Senate, where he rose to the leadership role of state Senate president.
Biggs’ campaign website lists his priorities, which include bills that he introduced, some of which were signed into law, such as the Ashlynne Mike Amber Alert in Indian County Act and the Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan MeLinn and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act, which allows terminally ill people to take medication that has passed Food and Drug Administration safety testing but is awaiting FDA approval.
Biggs’ campaign issues also include immigration and border security and repealing the Affordable Care Act.
As a supporter of former President Donald Trump, Biggs called for a forensic audit following the 2020 election. He has been criticized in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot because of his objection to the election’s results and his promotion of baseless electionfraud conspiracies.
Independents:
Clint Smith
Clint Smith, an independent candidate who has spent 35 years running an independent law practice, is aiming to bring “integrity, respect and common sense back to Congress.”
Smith’s campaign issues, as listed on his campaign website, include promoting economic growth by ensuring a free market, free enterprise, and the freedom to pursue individual goals without “unnecessary regulations.” Smith states he will advocate for border control and law enforcement to ensure they have the proper resources.
With education as another campaign issue, Smith aims to better public education by providing educators with better resources, while calling for more school counselors and special needs educators. Concerned with Arizona’s “persistently growing water disaster,” Smith states that actions needs to be taken to ensure water demand does not exceed water supply and environmental protection efforts do not disrupt businesses.
Other Candidates:
Democrats:
Ben Larivee is a first-time candidate who has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission and has a campaign Twitter account. Larivee shares on his Twitter he is running on issues such as health care access and reforming the justice system.
Republicans:
Lara Hodge has filed a statement of interest with Arizona’s Secretary of State office, but has not filed with the FEC. Hodge says on her campaign website that her “original ideas to persistent problems” include addressing gun violence by teaching a basic introduction to firearms in schools and addressing wage issues by abolishing minimumwage laws and enforcing a maximum pay ration for companies to ensure they reinvest capital into their workers.
Previous Candidates:
Travis J. Lindberg ran for Arizona’s 5th Congressional District as an independent. Filing paperwork with the FEC in July of 2021, Lindberg has since withdrawn from the race.