Daniel Herrera Carbajal
ICT
PHOENIX – Tuesday’s primary Election Day in Arizona boasts 27 Native candidates up and down the ballot, topped by Chris James who is hoping to earn the Democratic party nomination in the state’s 5th Congressional District – and bring a strong voice for Indian Country to Washington.
“Running for Congress is important [because] I can actually represent not only the people of Arizona Five, but I can be an advocate for for Indian Country in Congress, making sure that … we get a seat at the table, making sure that we always have the seat at the table,” said James, a descendant of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and chief executive officer of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.
James has two opponents in the contest: Army veteran Brian Hualde; and nurse and healthcare advocate Elizabeth Lee. Lee has raised the most money in the race according to the most recent mandatory filings; $153,000 to James’ $135,000. Hualde trails his opponents by a wide margin in fundraising.
Two Republicans are vying to make it to the November general election ballot: agricultural worker and construction executive Daniel Keenan; and former Pinal County, Arizona, Sheriff Mark Lamb who has secured the endorsement of President Donald Trump.
Incumbent GOP Rep. Andy Biggs is not running for re-election in the solidly Republican district. He is seeking his party’s nomination for governor.
With in-person voting set to take place Tuesday, James said he is taking a platform focused on people’s concerns to Washington.
“I feel really strong going into the primary, my team and I have given it our all, we’ve really been out in the district listening to people’s concerns and we are taking a platform to Washington really focused on the economy, making sure that that the concerns from our district are heard and that we have representation in Washington,” James told ICT. “I feel really good going into the primary and I hope to be successful, as well as be successful in November.”
James has experience working in Washington in the Obama administration where he worked in the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Small Business Administration. He says that background, and his decade as an economic development leader in Indian Country, makes him a candidate who can be effective for Native Americans.
“Making sure again that we’re having a voice and making sure that we are always a focus at various agencies and departments – because that’s the way it should be. And that would be my message to all of Indian Country,” James told ICT. “I would hope everyone in any country would see me as an asset. And I look forward to being in Congress and supporting our communities as I’ve done for my whole career.”
In Arizona’s Second Congressional District, former Navajo Nation Chairman Jonathan Nez is unopposed in the Democratic primary and will advance to the November general election where he will face U.S. Navy veteran and incumbent Eli Crane. Nez lost to Crane in 2024.
Other Native candidates in Arizona primaries
There are more than two dozen races happening in Arizona with Native candidates that ICT will be watching, according to the ICT and Advance Native Political Leadership database.
- Samceita Begay, Diné, running for Apache County Clerk of the Superior Court
- Jay Yellowhorse, Diné, running for Apache County Justice of the Peace, Northstar Precinct 3
- Clara Pratte, Diné, running for Arizona Corporation Commission
- Brian Garcia, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, running for Arizona House of Representatives District 8
- Sally Ann Gonzales, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, running for Arizona House of Representatives District 20
- Claudia Kline, Yavapai Apache, running for Arizona House of Representatives District 8
- Angela Maloney, Diné, running for Arizona House of Representatives District 6
- Naomi Miguel, Tohono O’odham, running for Arizona House of Representatives District 23
- Mae Peshlakai, Diné, running for Arizona House of Representatives District 6
- Ian Teller, Diné, running for Arizona House of Representatives District 6
- Mike Montiel, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, running for Arizona State Senate District 7
- Jamescita Peshlakai, Diné, running for Arizona State Senate District 6
- Myron Tsosie, Diné, running for Arizona State Senate District 6
- Wallace James Jr. Diné, running for Ganado Unified School District Governing Board
- Esteban Fuerte, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, running for Guadalupe Town Council
- Joan Gray, Diné, running for Kayenta Unified School District Governing Board
- Royd Lee, Diné, running for Kayenta Unified School District Governing Board
- Deborah Ann Begay, Diné, running for Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct
- Jennifer Jermaine, White Earth Nation, running for Maricopa County Justice of the Peace San Marcos precinct
- Susie Nelson, Diné, running for Navajo County Justice of the Peace Kayenta Precinct 4
- Michael Mazzocco, Delaware Nation, running for Phoenix City Council District 4
- Ceyshe Napa, Diné, running for Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board
- Victoria Steele, Seneca Nation of Indians, running for Pima County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
- Sara Mae Williams, Tohono O’odham, running for Pima County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
- Bessie Allen, Diné, running for Pinoñ Unified School District Governing Board
- Candy Lupe, White Mountain Apache, running for Pinoñ Unified School District Governing Board
Four Native candidates will not be on the primary ballot due to withdrawing from the race, the race being canceled, or being disqualified. Those candidates are: Deydrek “Dey” Scott, Theresa Hathalie, Roberta “Birdie” Cano, and Eric Descheenie.
Arizona’s primaries date changed
Arizona permanently moved up its state primary election date from the first Tuesday in August to the second-to-last Tuesday in July under new legislation signed into law by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs on Feb 9.
The bill was passed with bipartisan support.
The new date gives election officials more time to prepare for general elections and to resolve scheduling conflicts with federal laws.
