2020 election denier wins GOP primary for secretary of state in Arizona

Republican Daniel Keenan, a self-funded businessman backed by former President Donald Trump, is challenging former Sheriff Mark Lamb in Arizona’s 5th Congressional District amid a series of sex-related allegations against Lamb. The contest has intensified as Keenan spends over $1.6 million of his own money on campaigning, focusing heavily on the scandals involving Lamb, who is Trump’s endorsed candidate for the deeply conservative district. The allegations against Lamb stem from a multi-part investigative report by the Arizona Republic, which detailed a purported years-long pattern of behavior involving inappropriate exchanges of sexual content and encouragement of intimate relationships among Lamb, his wife, and others. One individual, Jillian Stannard, claimed Lamb pressured her husband to engage in extramarital affairs, including with Lamb’s wife. Stannard also alleged that Lamb threatened her after she brought concerns to church leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which both were members. Screenshots shared by the Republic show Lamb, while serving as county sheriff, threatening to use Arizona’s revenge porn laws against another woman, Tammy Peacock, who died in 2021. Mark Lamb’s spokesperson, Ed Morabito, dismissed the allegations as false, attributing them to discredited political opponents. Stannard confirmed the accuracy of the reports, while Peacock’s family could not be reached for comment. Lamb’s wife, Janel Lamb, defended her husband in a recent Facebook post, stating that a “massive smear campaign” would not deter them from their duties. Keenan has used these allegations extensively in his campaign, emphasizing that such conduct contradicts the values of “God, family, freedom” that Lamb publicly espouses. He reiterated these points during interviews and in campaign advertisements, suggesting that Lamb lacks moral integrity. Morabito countered that Keenan’s focus on attacking a fellow Republican rather than opposing Democrats indicates he is not a credible threat. He added that Lamb enjoys Trump’s endorsement and that Republican voters are likely to support him despite the controversy. The race highlights the influence of Trump’s backing in a district known for its strong Republican leanings. Earlier this year, GOP primary voters in Texas chose scandal-plagued Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Senator John Cornyn, indicating a trend of prioritizing Trump-aligned candidates over those with fewer controversies. Former Representative Matt Salmon, who previously represented the 5th District, described Trump’s endorsement as one of the strongest in Republican history, noting that many within the party prefer to avoid crossing him. Keenan’s campaign strategy includes heavy investment in television advertising, mailers, and town hall meetings aimed at informing voters about the allegations. According to AdImpact, Lamb’s campaign has not invested in any airtime advertising, potentially putting him at a disadvantage in reaching constituents. Additionally, Lamb has drawn criticism for spending considerable time at a ranch in Tennessee instead of being present in the district he seeks to represent. Another key point of contention involves Lamb’s stance on Trump’s claims regarding the 2020 election. Keenan accused Lamb of betraying Trump by testifying before Congress that there was no evidence of election fraud and that Trump had lost the election. This issue resonates strongly with Arizona Republicans, many of whom remain loyal to Trump’s narrative about the election. As the primary approaches, the outcome will serve as a barometer for how much weight Republican voters place on Trump’s endorsement versus personal conduct and policy positions. With Keenan’s aggressive campaign and Lamb’s reliance on Trump’s support, the race promises to be a pivotal moment in assessing the dynamics of GOP politics in Arizona.