With Andy Biggs running for governor, there is no incumbent in Congressional District 5.
The right-leaning district covers the East Valley cities of Gilbert, Queen Creek, Apache Junction, eastern Mesa and eastern and southern parts of Chandler, including the unincorporated community of Sun Lakes.
Two Republicans are running in the primary for the party’s nomination to replace Biggs: Mark Lamb and Daniel Keenan.
Three Democrats are running for their nomination: Brian Hualde, Chris James and Elizabeth Lee.
Independent Newsmedia invited the candidates to answer a questionnaire on their positions. Lamb and the three Democrats did not respond. Here are Keenan’s responses.
Daniel Keenan
Primary: Congressional District 5 Republican Party.
Hometown: Gilbert
Occupation: CEO of DK Builders
Community involvement: I am a member of the NFIB, BHACA, GOA, and a precinct committeeman for the LD 13 Republican Party.
Why did you choose to run?
I’m running to be a strong ally to President Donald Trump and maintain Congressman Andy Biggs’ record by championing America First priorities. As a builder, employer and father, I’ll bring a results-driven approach that secures the border, strengthens public safety, and grows the economy for working families. I’ll cut red tape, rein in waste and defend constitutional freedoms.
What do you see as the biggest issue facing your district heading into the next congressional session?
The biggest issue facing our nation is our broken election systems. If we do not have a functioning election system it sows doubt in the outcome of every election no matter the outcome. As long as mass mail-in voting remains in place, cases of election fraud will persist.
What do you plan to do to address this issue in Washington?
I will continue the work of Andy Biggs and seek passage of the SAVE Act, and whatever provisions we can implement to secure our federal elections.
Why do you think you are the best candidate for the position?
I have been consistent and resolute in my beliefs. I stood with President Trump while weak RINOs betrayed him in 2020, like my opponent Mark Lamb. Mark stated his full confidence in the election systems and has refused to indicate whether he would have voted like Biggs on his certification of the 2020 election. This district deserves a fighter that will stand for their beliefs like Andy Biggs, not someone who will compromise their values for when it becomes politically advantageous.
What are issues you believe could be common ground between the political parties during the next session?
Working toward the health of Americans is a bipartisan issue we can tackle together. I will work within the Congress with Democrats and Republicans including groups like Make America Healthy Again in order to pursue those ends.
We would like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Tom Blodgett can be reached by email at tblodgett@iniusa.org or follow him @sp_blodgett on X.
Meet Tom Tom Blodgett joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2022, when the company acquired Community Impact Newspaper's Phoenix-area properties. Raised in Arizona, he has spent more than 35 years in journalism in the state.
Community: He has served as an instructional professional in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2005, and is editorial adviser to The State Press, the university's independent student media outlet. He also is director of operations for an 18U girls fastpitch softball team from Gilbert.
Education: Arizona State University with a BS in Journalism.
Random Fact: He lived in Belgium during his freshman year of high school.
Hobbies: Tweeting enthusiastically about ASU softball (season-ticket holder) and grumpily about other local sports (pessimistic fan).
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