Republican Chaplik announces campaign in competitive CD1 congressional race

Republican state lawmaker Joseph Chaplik announced he will run for federal office in one of Arizona’s two competitive congressional districts, which could impact which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2026 election.

Chaplik, a member of the Arizona legislature’s far-right Freedom Caucus, filed a statement of interest to run in Congressional District 1. Nearly two dozen Republicans and Democrats have expressed interest in the race incumbent after Republican Rep. David Schweikert announced his campaign for governor.

Chaplik, a Scottsdale Republican, is the second prominent Republican to enter the race, joining Arizona Republican Party Chair Gina Swoboda, who is engaged in a longstanding feud with the Freedom Caucus.

Democrats Amish Shah and Marlene Galan Woods have also entered the race. Both candidates sought the Democratic nomination in CD1 last year and Shah, who won the Democratic primary, ultimately lost to Schweikert in the general election.

“Arizona needs a strong conservative voice in Washington — someone who will stand tall in D.C. and has been battle tested to fight reckless spending and put the people ahead of special interests,” Chaplik said in a press release. “I’ve done that at the state Capitol, and I’m ready to take that fight to Congress for our constituents in Arizona.”