Trump-backed Arizona GOP chair announces House run

Arizona Republican Party Chair Gina Swoboda, touting an endorsement from President Trump, is running for Congress in the state’s 1st Congressional District.

“Over the last month, I have been overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of encouragement from supporters across this district to run for this seat and keep it in Republican hands.” Swoboda said Monday in a statement on the social platform X. 

In another post, Swoboda quoted Trump as saying she “has my complete and total endorsement.”

“Gina will be a tremendous champion for Arizona in Congress,” the president added. “She will never let you down!”

Republican Rep. David Schweikert, who has represented the district since 2023, announced last month he is running for governor. Schweikert has been in Congress for more than a decade, representing the 5th District from 2011-13 and the 6th District from 2013-23.

The 1st District, redrawn by the state’s redistricting commission in 2022, is majority-white and covers northeastern Maricopa County. It includes northeast Phoenix, Scottsdale and Fountain Hills. 

According to the Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey, the district’s median household income is more than $102,000, making it the second-wealthiest in the state behind the 5th District. 

Last November, Schweikert defeated Democrat Amish Shah by less than 4 percentage points. With just over a year before the 2026 midterms, the Cook Political Report rates the district as a “toss-up.” It is unclear whether Swoboda’s entry into the race will shift it. 

In her statement, Swoboda said her campaign “will be centered around the common-sense conservative principles of economic growth and prosperity, strong and secure borders, and protecting taxpayers.” Swoboda, the chair of the Arizona GOP since January 2024, resides in Scottsdale and graduated from Arizona State University.