When Rep. David Schweikert (R) decided to end his congressional career earlier this year to run for governor of Arizona, the race was on to replace the 14-year veteran of the U.S. Congress, and with the White House focused on retaining the Republican majority in the House of Representatives, President Donald Trump is expected to influence the 'America First' GOP primary race in District 1,
Arizona Republican Party Chairwoman Gina Swoboda has announced her congressional campaign with the coveted Trump endorsement, but the endorsement may not clear the field of Republican congressional candidates as veteran Republican strategist and conservative activist Sean Noble is expected to announce his bid to replace Rep. Schweikert.
Cactus Politics learned of Noble's potential congressional run shortly after Rep. Schweikert's gubernatorial announcement, but refrained from announcing the potential run at the time.
Noble, who cut his political teeth in Arizona politics, appears to be touching all the necessary bases to run an effective 'America First' campaign, as several Arizona-based strategists, conservative activists, and donors tell Cactus Politics that they would be open to supporting Noble over Swoboda, who has butted heads with Turning Point USA.
Even with Trump appearing to back Swoboda, all bets appear to be off in the primary election.
"I will be running an America First campaign that focuses on advancing the exceptionalism of this great nation through less government intrusion, a lower tax burden on hard-working families, and greater freedom for all Americans," said Noble in a statement to Cactus Politics.
It's important to note that Swoboda has not announced or used the official Trump endorsement seal. Trump has also not officially endorsed Swoboda on his Truth Social account, which is seen as the key identifying tool of a Trump endorsement.
This is important.
According to the Trump reelection campaign website, the 'Seal of Approval' is only given to those individuals the President "endorses or otherwise supports."
President Donald J. Trump will grant the right to use his “Seal of Approval” to an exclusive group of candidates and committees that the President endorses or otherwise supports. The purpose of the Seal is to help President Trump’s donors distinguish between authorized uses of his name and likeness, and unauthorized uses including oftentimes outright scams. It is intended to protect the President’s donors and supporters from illegitimate organizations falsely claiming some affiliation with President Trump and his campaign.
President Trump’s endorsement power is the most powerful force in American politics. His influence is election defining. When President Trump posts an endorsement on Truth Social, or a candidate onstage before tens of thousands of voters, America First patriots rally behind President Trump’s choice and deliver a decisive victory.
Noble isn't in the race yet, but if he gets in, could President Trump stay out of the race?
Could Trump announced a duel endorsement like he did in the Republican gubernatorial race between Karrin Taylor Robson and Rep. Andy Biggs?
