Arizona’s 8th District Congressional Candidates Clash in Tense Debate

Sparks flew between Arizona’s 8th Congressional District candidates at the PBS-hosted a debate with candidates from Tuesday, a week ago. The event featured intense discussions among participants vying to represent the voters of the longtime Republican stronghold, including frontrunners Abe Hamadeh and Blake Masters. Also in attendance were State Speaker of the House Ben Toma (R-27); State Senator Anthony Kern (R-27); and former Representative Trent Franks (R-AZ-8), who previously held this seat for almost 15 years.

Trent Franks

Franks served as representative  from 2003 to 2017. His previous tenure in Congress ended amid controversy over discussions of surrogacy with female staffers. The decision to leave congress was the same week former Senator Al Franken (D-MN) and Representative John Conyers (R-MI-13) were accused of sexual misconduct. Rebecca Heinrich, a former policy advisor to Franks told Fox News that “uncomfortable” conversation should not be lumped in with sexual abuse charges.  Further she said it was a “tragedy” that he was forced out.  Franks made news during the debate when he acknowledged his actions were inappropriate given his supervisory role over the employee. He has rarely spoken about the controversy but during the debate said that he has since reconciled and made amends with the staffer involved as detailed by Western Journal.

During the debate, Franks, known for his staunch conservative stance, emphasized his consistent ranking as “one of the most conservative” members of Congress. A fervent pro-life advocate, Franks highlighted his sponsorship of significant legislation aimed at protecting life, underscoring that his public service has always been dedicated to safeguarding innocent lives. He also noted his contributions to appointing conservative Supreme Court Justices and authorizing school choice legislation that has withstood numerous Supreme Court challenges.

Franks told The Arizona Sun Times, “Returning to Congress with 15 years of experience and already accrued Congressional Seniority gives me an immediate and profound advantage over what I would have as a freshman to help save this country in the desperate moment in which we all find ourselves.”  He also said that “The federal government’s first responsibility is national security, and this was my primary focus in Congress, including serving seven terms on the Strategic [Nuclear] Forces Subcommittee. Yet issues of national security were almost entirely ignored in the debate.”

Abraham Hamadeh

Hamadeh, is a former prosecutor and U.S. Army Reserve intelligence officer. He narrowly lost a bid for Arizona Attorney General in 2022 by a margin of just 280 votes. At the debate he said that he has been fighting in the courts and it’s unacceptable what happened during the last election. His campaign focus is on fighting corruption and inefficiency within the government and judiciary, aiming to restore integrity and conservative values. During the debate he highlighted that he grew up in Peoria where his family started a small business and achieved the American Dream. He declared that America is under attack and that’s why we need to send a warrior to Congress.

Hamadeh said that he would not touch social security at all, if anything they need an increase. He stated that abortion should be handled at the state level. Hamadeh told The Sun Times that, as the chosen candidate endorsed by President Donald J. Trump, he “proved his mettle” as the only true advocate for the America First agenda, securing a “resounding victory” during the debate and showcasing why he has earned the unwavering support of the nation’s 45th and soon to be 47th President.

Anthony Kern 

Kern is an Arizona State Senator, having previously served as a State Representative for District 20 from 2015 to 2021. His legislative priorities focus on secure elections, individual liberties, and support for law enforcement. Kern is known for his staunch advocacy for election integrity, often emphasizing the need for a voting process that is easy for citizens but secure against fraud.

Throughout his political career, Kern has actively worked to reduce taxes and government spending, he is also well-known for his support of pro-family policies, such as increasing teacher pay and promoting school choice. During the debate, Kern emphasized his deep roots in the district, where he has lived for over 35 years and held various party positions. He voiced his frustration with Toma for advancing abortion legislation to a first and second read. Kern said his focus will be on “America First” policies.

Ben Toma

Toma was appointed to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2017. He was elected to the same position in 2018, and in 2023, he became the Speaker of the Arizona House. During the debate, he made the claim that he was the only person on the stage who has “gotten things done for the people of Arizona.”

Toma claimed that his record speaks loud and clear on what he will accomplish in Congress. He said that he has made a significant impact through his legislative work, particularly known for his role in passing major tax and education reforms in Arizona. As a staunch conservative, Toma spearheaded the introduction of a flat tax system, which marked the largest tax cut in Arizona’s history, providing substantial economic relief to families and small businesses. He also played a pivotal role in the expansion of the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs).

Toma’s campaign manager Chad Williams told The Arizona Sun:

During the recent CD8 debate, Speaker Ben Toma once again demonstrated he is the only serious candidate for Congress in this race. While Ben discussed his proven conservative record of cutting taxes, promoting school choice, and border security, the other candidates were stuck in petty fights, ignorance of the legislative process, and pathetic attempts to rewrite their scandalous history. Ben Toma is the only candidate in this race with a proven track record of actually getting things done for the people of CD8. As a bonus, he actually lives in the district.

Blake Masters

Masters is a businessman with a background in the technology sector, focusing on software development and investment strategies. Masters’ business acumen includes a deep understanding of startup dynamics and innovation ecosystems.

He ran for the U.S. Senate in 2022 but did not win, he was significantly outspent by his opponents, attributing this to the “Democratic machine.” His political views are strongly influenced by former President Donald Trump, with a focus on robust economic policies and stringent immigration controls. Masters emphasized that “freedom is on the ballot,” signaling the high stakes of the political climate.

During the debate, Masters strongly advocated for implementing a 15-week federal abortion law, highlighting illegal immigration as a “cancer” that needs urgent attention. He expressed a commitment to halting wasteful government spending, promoting energy independence, and safeguarding entitlement programs. Additionally, Masters said that we need to reelect Trump because it is essential for the country’s prosperity and security.

Hamadeh and Masters Exchange Jabs

In closing remarks during the debate, Masters sharply critiqued Hamadeh, highlighting the ongoing intense exchanges that have characterized their interactions for months. The Sun Times asked both candidates to comment on this exchange:

Hamadeh said, “Like countless patriots who’ve served our nation in uniform, I’ve made profound sacrifices. Blake Masters’ attack on my commitment to America, simply because I’ve chosen service over personal life, exposes his true character a stark contrast to the values we veterans hold dear. I am utterly disgusted by his attacks, which undermine the sacrifices made by all who have served. His comments are not just an attack on me, but on every service member who has put on the uniform to help preserve our nation’s freedom. The brave veterans of CD8 know the weight of such choices and won’t tolerate someone who’s never worn the uniform questioning the dedication of one of their own.”

Masters doubled-down on his closing remarks, “During our debate I focused on the number one issue facing our state and our country: stopping illegal immigration. Abe is compromised on illegal immigration because he benefited from it; his parents were here illegally when he was born, so he got birthright citizenship. He’s glad his parents didn’t get deported and were instead given a path to citizenship, right? So who can believe that Abe is actually willing to deport millions of illegals? Especially given that he’s supported amnesty in the past? It’s hard to trust him on anything when he’s so dishonest about his relationship with this key issue.”

In December, an internal poll showed Hamadeh leading the race. By February, Hamadeh and Masters were neck and neck in the polls. The most recent poll now place Masters ahead at 26.2%, with Hamadeh trailing at 15.8%, and a significant 37.4% of voters remain undecided.

Watch the full debate:

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Christy Kelly is a reporter at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Christy on Twitter / X. Email tips to [email protected].
Image “Arizona 8th Congressional District Debate” by KVIE / PBS.