Trump-backed Mark Lamb wins Arizona House seat

Republican Mark Lamb is projected to win Arizona’s 5th District, according to Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ).

Lamb defeated Democrat Elizabeth Lee, securing a victory that gives Republicans a new face in a reliably conservative district southeast of Phoenix. He notched about 51 percent of the vote while Lee secured about 48 percent, with 93 percent of the vote reported Friday morning.

The former Pinal County sheriff will succeed Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), who gave up his seat to challenge Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in the state’s high-stakes gubernatorial race .

President Trump, who endorsed the GOP candidate, carried the district — encompassing Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert — by roughly 20 percentage points in 2024.

Lamb entered the general election after defeating businessperson Daniel Keenan in July’s Republican primary. It marks a political comeback for the Republican hopeful, who unsuccessfully sought the GOP nomination for Senate in 2024, losing to Kari Lake.

The ex-sheriff built up a national profile through his outspoken support for Trump and tough-on-crime messaging. His campaign leaned heavily into his law enforcement background, emphasizing border security, immigration enforcement and support for police.

Lamb’s victory comes as Republicans fight to maintain their House majority amid a challenging national political environment for the GOP, with Democrats hoping to capitalize on dissatisfaction with Trump’s second-term agenda.

Despite his political momentum, his campaign also faced scrutiny over allegations of sexual misconduct. The Arizona Republic reported in May that Lamb sent explicit messages to multiple women and allegedly threatened retaliation if they disclosed the communications.

The Republican’s campaign and legal team disputed the claims, calling them false and misleading.

DDHQ rated the seat as “likely Republican” ahead of Election Day.