Republican State Representative Joseph Chaplik (R-3) announced Monday, December 15, 2025,  that he is entering the race for Arizona’s First Congressional District, setting up a direct Republican primary fight with Arizona Republican Party Chair Gina Swoboda. Chaplik, a three-term lawmaker, enters the race early with endorsements from conservative and grassroots leaders and a legislative record he says positions him to compete aggressively in both the primary and 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 his announcement. “I’ve done that at the State Capitol, and I’m ready to take that fight to Congress for our constituents in Arizona.”

Chaplik currently serves in the Arizona House of Representatives, where he has focused on fiscal conservatism, border security, crime reduction, and parental rights. He has served as Chairman of the House Ethics Committee and the House Regulatory Oversight Committee and previously as Vice-Chair of the Appropriations Committee, playing a key role in budget negotiations and oversight of state agencies.

“As a businessman and a conservative, I know what it takes to balance a budget, fight for families and small businesses, and defend the freedoms that make Arizona and America great,” Chaplik said. “I look forward to continuing President Trump’s America First policy fight in Congress. Our freedoms and liberties are at stake.”

Chaplik’s entry places him head-to-head with AZGOP Chair Gina Swoboda, whose candidacy has faced challenges from within the party to secure the GOP nomination. Her tenure as Chair is marked by ongoing disputes with conservative factions within the party, including members of the Arizona Freedom Caucus and Turning Point Action.

The CD1 primary contest is expected to highlight the candidates’ competing visions for the Republican Party. Chaplik is running on his legislative record and conservative policy scores, while Swoboda emphasizes her party leadership and organizational control.

Arizona’s First Congressional District, which includes parts of Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix area, is expected to produce one of the most competitive Republican primaries in the state. National political organizations are closely watching the race as Republicans try to maintain control of the district in the 2026 general election.

Chaplik points to his conservative credentials as part of his appeal to voters. He holds a 100-percent voting record with the Club for Growth Foundation, CPAC, and the Center for Arizona Policy, an “A+” rating from the NRA, and a 98 percent lifetime rating from Turning Point Action.

Chaplik emphasizes his legislative focus on fiscal conservatism, but also touts his stances on border security, crime reduction, and parental rights. He has served as Chairman of the House Ethics Committee and the House Regulatory Oversight Committee and previously as Vice Chairman of Appropriations, playing a significant role in budget negotiations and oversight of state agencies. He also points to his conservative record as part of his appeal to voters. He currently holds a “100-percent” voting record with the Club for Growth Foundation, CPAC, and the Center for Arizona Policy, an “A+” rating from the NRA, and a 98-percent lifetime rating from Turning Point Action.

“As a businessman and a conservative, I know what it takes to balance a budget, fight for families and small businesses, and defend the freedoms that make Arizona and America great,” Chaplik said. “I look forward to continuing President Trump’s America First policy fight in Congress. Our freedoms and liberties are at stake.”

Chaplik’s entry represents a deeper philosophical battle between political ideologies, with Chaplik touting his legislative record and conservative policy scores, while Swoboda emphasizes her party leadership and organizational control. Swoboda, who has been actively fighting to secure the nomination, faces scrutiny over her tenure as Arizona GOP chair due to ongoing disputes with the party’s conservative factions, including members of the Arizona Freedom Caucus and Turning Point Action.

Arizona’s First Congressional District, which includes parts of Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix area, is expected to be one of the most competitive Republican primaries in the state. National political organizations are closely watching the race as Republicans face an uphill battle to maintain control of the district in the 2026 general election.