By Jakob Thorington | Arizona Capitol Times
Despite incumbents largely dominating their primary election races, both the state House and Senate will see some turnover with several current lawmakers departing for various reasons.
With just a few competitive districts in the state, most primary winners will likely go on to win their general election races in heavy red and blue districts.
Only four incumbents or current members of the Legislature lost their primary races in a statewide primary election that saw less voter turnout than the 2022 and 2020 primary elections.
Sen. Ken Bennett, R-Prescott, lost to former state Rep. Mark Finchem, who himself lost his bid for secretary of state two years ago. Bennett was running for re-election in Legislative District 1.
Appointed Rep. Charles Lucking, D-Phoenix, also lost in the Legislative District 5 House Democratic primary to Aaron Marquez, a member of the Phoenix Union School Board. Marquez and Lucking both sought appointment to the district’s vacant House seats this session after former Reps. Jennifer Longdon and Amish Shah resigned.
Sen. Juan Mendez, D-Tempe, lost to his running mate, Brian Garcia, and Janeen Connolly in his attempted switch from the state Senate to the House in the Democratic controlled Legislative District 8. Mendez is termed out of the Senate after he completes his term.
