Trump-Endorsed Mark Lamb Holds Lead as Arizona Primary Tests Scandal's Reach

Overview

• Voters cast ballots in the July 21 primary with Mark Lamb still portrayed as the GOP frontrunner despite a monthslong Arizona Republic investigation that published allegations of sexting, nude-photo sharing, threats and racist messages.
• Lamb has denied the accusations and his campaign called the reporting lies while President Trump publicly reiterated his endorsement and praise for Lamb's law-enforcement record.
• Daniel Keenan used personal funds and spent millions on ads and mailers that amplified The Arizona Republic's reporting to present himself as a scandal-free alternative to Lamb.
• Conservative outside groups including the Club for Growth and the God Family Freedom PAC made late television buys to boost Lamb's visibility days before the primary, shifting how Republican dollars were spent in the state.
• Local GOP leaders and members of the LDS community publicly questioned Lamb and urged explanation or withdrawal, raising concern that a scandal-tainted nominee could force costly Democratic focus on a normally safe Republican seat.