Mark Lamb Favored in Arizona's 5th District as LDS Voters Draw Focus
Former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb is the Republican nominee in Arizona's 5th Congressional District, running with President Donald Trump's endorsement against Democrat Elizabeth Lee, a nurse and political newcomer. NPR reported Lamb is favored to win, but weak support among Mormon voters could make the race closer than expected.
The seat is open. Rep. Andy Biggs is not seeking reelection in the district and is running for Arizona governor. The 5th covers the eastern Phoenix suburbs in Maricopa County as well as Pinal County. Trump won the district by roughly 20 points in the last presidential election. Think of that kind of margin as starting with a large lead built in.
Lamb faces accusations of sexual misconduct and racist remarks from his time as Pinal County sheriff. The Arizona Republic reported in a multipart investigation that Lamb had multiple affairs and sent sexually explicit messages to a woman outside his marriage, then threatened to send law enforcement after her if she spoke publicly. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reviewed accusations of sexual impropriety against Lamb, a step first reported before the primary and noted again in October coverage.
He denies the accusations. Lamb spokesman Ed Morabito said they were "lies and slanderous and come from long-discredited individuals," according to The New York Times. Lamb himself called the accusations of sexual impropriety and other misconduct "lies" during a June campaign event. A June 10 report found Lamb benefited from "a different standard of review" over sexual misconduct and other accusations as sheriff. Campaign ads in May attacked Lamb over the misconduct accusations in the congressional race.
Lamb won the Republican primary 59-41 percent over Daniel Keenan, according to Inside Elections. Keenan is a home builder. Republicans have held the seat by wide margins, and attention has since turned to turnout and margins among specific groups.
Lamb says he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His campaign slogan is "God, Family, Freedom." Two of Arizona's six LDS temples are located within the 5th District. On Oct. 4, 2026, NPR published an article headlined 'Democrats see opportunity as controversial candidates run ...' about the Arizona House race involving Lamb and the LDS Church. The report described LDS voters as a bloc to watch in a district where Republicans usually win by wide margins.
Lamb entered statewide politics before this House run. He filed federal paperwork to run for the U.S. Senate in Arizona on April 10, 2023, according to AP. He was the first Republican to enter that Senate race. At one point he was the only major Republican candidate for the seat while Kari Lake was considering a run.
That Senate bid drew national fact-checks. The Associated Press published a fact-check finding that Senate candidate Lamb spread false statements about government aid to migrants. In a separate check, the AP reported Lamb falsely said in a video that migrants receive $5,000 in addition to other aid.
The broader context here is candidate quality in a safe seat. A 20-point presidential margin gives Republicans a large cushion. Strategists in both parties still track underperformance in that kind of district because it can signal weakness with college-educated suburban voters and with LDS voters, who are organized and turn out at high rates in Mesa and Gilbert. For Democrats, Lee does not need to flip the district to make the race useful. A narrower margin would let the party test messages on character and accountability that could carry to more competitive Arizona races.
