Republican Mark Lamb is projected to win Arizona's 5th Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ, giving the GOP a fresh face in a reliably conservative area southeast of Phoenix. With 93% of the vote counted Friday morning, Lamb led Democrat Elizabeth Lee by roughly 51% to 48%.
Lamb, the former Pinal County sheriff, will succeed Rep. Andy Biggs, who vacated the seat to run for governor against Democrat Katie Hobbs. The district—covering Mesa, Chandler, and Gilbert—backed President Trump by about 20 points in 2024, and Trump endorsed Lamb's candidacy.
Lamb's path to the general election went through a July primary victory over businessman Daniel Keenan. The win marks a political comeback for Lamb, who lost the 2024 GOP Senate primary to Kari Lake.
Throughout the campaign, Lamb leaned heavily on his law enforcement background, emphasizing border security, immigration enforcement, and support for police. His outspoken loyalty to Trump helped him build a national profile and rally conservative voters in the district.
His victory arrives as Republicans fight to hold their narrow House majority amid a challenging political climate. Democrats had hoped to capitalize on dissatisfaction with Trump's second-term agenda, but Lamb's performance suggests the GOP's message resonated in this conservative stronghold.
Still, Lamb's campaign 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 spoke out. Lamb's campaign and legal team dismissed the claims as false and misleading, and no formal charges were filed.
With Decision Desk HQ rating the seat as "likely Republican" before Election Day, Lamb's win was not a surprise, but it underscores the GOP's ability to hold its base in the Southwest. The result also provides a boost for House Republican leadership as they navigate internal divisions and prepare for the next Congress.
Democrats, meanwhile, will look to other races to offset losses like this one. The party's hopes now rest on flipping seats in other regions, but Lamb's victory narrows their path to retaking the House.
