Arizona's 8th Congressional District election, 2026 (August 4 Democratic primary)

← 2024
Arizona's 8th Congressional District
Democratic primary Republican primary General election
Election details
Filing deadline: April 6, 2026
Primary: August 4, 2026 General: November 3, 2026
How to vote
Poll times: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voting in Arizona
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Republican DDHQ and The Hill: Pending Inside Elections: Solid Republican Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Republican
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
See also
Arizona's 8th Congressional District 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th • 6th • 7th • 8th • 9th Arizona elections, 2026 U.S. Congress elections, 2026 U.S. Senate elections, 2026 U.S. House elections, 2026 Alabama U.S. House racesAlaska U.S. House raceArizona U.S. House racesArkansas U.S. House racesCalifornia U.S. House racesColorado U.S. House racesConnecticut U.S. House racesDelaware U.S. House raceFlorida U.S. House racesGeorgia U.S. House racesHawaii U.S. House racesIdaho U.S. House racesIllinois U.S. House racesIndiana U.S. House racesIowa U.S. House racesKansas U.S. House racesKentucky U.S. House racesLouisiana U.S. House racesMaine U.S. House racesMaryland U.S. House racesMassachusetts U.S. House racesMichigan U.S. House racesMinnesota U.S. House racesMississippi U.S. House racesMissouri U.S. House racesMontana U.S. House racesNebraska U.S. House racesNevada U.S. House racesNew Hampshire U.S. House racesNew Jersey U.S. House racesNew Mexico U.S. House racesNew York U.S. House racesNorth Carolina U.S. House racesNorth Dakota U.S. House raceOhio U.S. House racesOklahoma U.S. House racesOregon U.S. House racesPennsylvania U.S. House racesRhode Island U.S. House racesSouth Carolina U.S. House racesSouth Dakota U.S. House raceTennessee U.S. House racesTexas U.S. House racesUtah U.S. House racesVermont U.S. House raceVirginia U.S. House racesWashington U.S. House racesWest Virginia U.S. House racesWisconsin U.S. House racesWyoming U.S. House raceSubmit

A Democratic Party primary takes place on August 4, 2026, in Arizona's 8th Congressional District to determine which Democratic candidate will run in the district's general election on November 3, 2026.

Candidate filing deadline	Primary election	General election
April 6, 2026	August 4, 2026	November 3, 2026

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Arizona utilizes a semi-closed primary system. Unaffiliated voters may choose which party's primary they will vote in, but voters registered with a party can only vote in that party's primary.

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

This page focuses on Arizona's 8th Congressional District Democratic primary. For more in-depth information on the district's Republican primary and the general election, see the following pages:

• Arizona's 8th Congressional District election, 2026 (August 4 Republican primary)
• Arizona's 8th Congressional District election, 2026

Candidates and election results

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

• Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
• Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies
  

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Arizona District 8

Jillian Barfield, Maria Flores, Bernadette Greene Placentia, and Jessie Martines are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Arizona District 8 on August 4, 2026.

		Candidate
		Jillian Barfield
		Maria Flores
		Bernadette Greene Placentia
	Submit photo	Jessie Martines

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Jillian Barfield

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "I'm not a career Politician. I'm a working American with over 20 years of business experience and I'm ready to challenge the status-quo. It's time to rebuild the middle class and close the gap between the ultra-wealthy and everyone else. Nobody working full time should struggle to afford the basics! With over 20 years of business experience, I am firmly dedicated to bringing practical, people-first solutions to Arizona’s 8th district. During my career, I've worked for IBM in North Carolina, Mastercard in St. Louis and Waste Management right here in District 8. I've worn many hats in business, most of which involved complex technologies in one way or another. I am a single long time resident of District 8. I produce music in my spare time and I'm a songwriter and lead guitarist. I have two grown children and I reside in North Glendale. I live in the district that I hope to represent, unlike my opponent who lives in a big house in Scottsdale - and also unlike my opponent, I am dedicated to serving Arizona’s 8th district with practical solutions that prioritize the needs of her constituents, NOT the billionaires."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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I'm running a people-powered campaign that refuses to take a dime from Corporate Super Pacs or Lobbyists. In Congress I won't play political games. I'll listen to ALL of the residents of District 8. The current "representative" . . . To date, Abe Hamadeh refuses to hold a single town hall to meet with his constituents and he doesn't even live in the district he supposedly represents! Arizona's District 8 deserves better!

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There are issues that are unique to Arizona that I will take on as US Representative for Arizona District 8. To date, Abe Hamadeh has done nothing to address these issues, although he did play a strong role in gerrymandering our district! Affordable Child Care. A livable wage. Affordable housing. Intelligent water conservation. Women's Right-to-Choose Gerrymandered District 8 Homelessness The Fentanyl Crisis Teacher Equity and more...

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Intimidation and Corruption are becoming the norm in all three branches of government. From Congressional Insider Trading, Billionaires and Corporations giving unlimited sums to politicians through dark money and Super PACs and Supreme Court Justices accepting extravagant gifts and travel from billionaires whose cases are before the court. Peaceful protest is met with threats and intimidation by the current administration. Peaceful protest is one of the bedrocks of America and I will protect the First Amendment Right to protest. This is what Abe Hamadeh considers making America great? I will not only work on issues directly affecting Arizona, I will be a strong advocate for ending intimidation and corruption in Washington.

Maria Flores

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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When Healthcare is unaffordable and unattainable for americans, how are we the people supposed to have a life of Liberty and the pursuit of happiness without being able to afford to survive? Doctors visits, ER trips, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation and prescriptions all add up. I plan to address the fact that our government allows corporations to make life and death decisions for Americans every single day, literally costing people their lives. It shouldn't cost over $1,000.00 for an ambulance ride, nor should ot cost upwards to $40,000.00 to have a child. While you are fighting for your life and battling cancer, or standing by your child's side as they battle cancer, the cost to survive is too corporated. It must end.

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the United States is currently 27th in the world for education, and this is definitely nothing to brag about. Since the last trump administration, they have been dismantling every portion of our vital education systems from the inside out. The sciences have been attacked, the arts have been terrorized, basic grammar has gone the way of decency in this country. These children don't understand their history, nor their geography. If we are not willing to put our heads to work with Republicans to do what we can to save our future and education, we will lose any kind of resemblance of intelligence in this world. We need to take the bull by the horns, and address directly the lack of accountability of this administration.

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I grew up in a lower middle class environment. As proud as I am to have made it this far in life without being a statistic, it hasn't been an easy path financially. Prices started increasing over 6 years ago, and everything has gotten even more expensive as time persists. As we have seen this past year, prices continue to increase and more and more people are able to keep groceries in the house. It's the same with electricity here in arizona, price increases every single year without accountability. We need to be able to live, and to be able to live they need to be able to afford to live. One of my main focuses is to work with other Democrats and Republicans to help Americans comfortably afford life in this country once again.

Bernadette Greene Placentia

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "I’m a former long-haul truck driver & small fleet/small business owner with over 27 years and 3.5 million miles experience and I bring a different perspective to Congress. After Bidenomics ended my trucking career, I worked as a Campaign Mgr for multiple candidates, responsible for all aspects of their campaigns. I believe in bringing back Representative Democracy, and I am tired of the professional politicians and elitists of both Parties making irresponsible decisions & implementing useless legislation while they enrich themselves & amass power. My career gave me the opportunity to spend time in every part of America and to meet every American, so I understand the issues, concerns and worries affecting the majority of us and will therefore introduce common-sense, implementable solutions that will actually solve problems and improve the lives of everyday Americans. I hold my Democratic ideals close but my allegiance will always be to the People, not to a Party. I’m a pro-choice, pro-union, pro-Ukraine, life-long gun owner & Conservative Democrat. I support strengthening our borders & protecting American jobs while respecting the Rights of others. I’ll fight to protect SS, Women’s healthcare rights, secure our water resources & support public schools and will work to ensure every American has the opportunity & resources to achieve their dreams. I believe in supporting our Veterans, & will fight to protect the most vulnerable amongst us, like our children and the elderly."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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I am one of you. I’m not a professional politician, I’m a no bullshit, tell it like it is, working class candidate that won’t waste time fighting culture wars but will instead focus on solving problems for regular Americans.

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I will fight to protect Social Security, expand Medicare and Medicaid, support our public schools, our Veterans and I want to increase support for Law Enforcement via better pay, better training, better equipment and better access to mental health care while eliminating those that have no business carrying a badge. We need to secure our border, but recognize the need for legal workers. We need to reengage with our Allies to fight Chinese & Russian aggression, and reclaim America’s position as a global leader.

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I strongly believe in Representative Democracy; 25% of the Senate and 67% of the Supreme Court went to schools just .04% of Americans can get into. Over 60% of Congresspeople are multimillionaires before they get to Congress, and nearly 100% of them have doubled their net worth within 4 years of taking office. We have Representatives that have never lived outside of an area with mass transit, and most do not know the price of eggs, or gas. What chance does a high school graduate have of ever buying a home? We need to offer more opportunities for training and affordable educational opportunities for everyone; the tax breaks for billionaires needs to end, and we need to start paying down our debt without cutting essential social services.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Arizona

Election information in Arizona: Aug. 4, 2026, election.

What is the voter registration deadline?

• In-person: July 6, 2026
• By mail: Postmarked by July 6, 2026
• Online: July 6, 2026

Is absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

N/A

What is the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

• In-person: July 24, 2026
• By mail: Received by July 24, 2026
• Online: July 24, 2026

What is the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

• In-person: Aug. 4, 2026
• By mail: Received by Aug. 4, 2026

Is early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What are the early voting start and end dates?

July 8, 2026 to July 31, 2026

Are all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, is a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When are polls open on Election Day?

6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (MT)

Campaign finance

Name	Party	Receipts*	Disbursements**	Cash on hand	Date
Jillian Barfield	Democratic Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Maria Flores	Democratic Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Bernadette Greene Placentia	Democratic Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Jessie Martines	Democratic Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Joseph Ramsey	Democratic Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). * According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." ** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election. *** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

District analysis

Click the tabs below to view information about voter composition, past elections, and demographics in both the district and the state.

• District map - A map of the district in place for the election.
• Competitiveness - Information about the competitiveness of 2026 U.S. House elections in the state.
• Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the district and the state.
• State party control - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.

• District map
• Competitiveness
• Presidential elections
• State party control

Below is the district map in place for this election. Click the map below to enlarge it.

See also: Primary election competitiveness in state and federal government, 2026

Information about competitiveness will be added here as it becomes available.

Partisan Voter Index

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is R+8. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 8 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Arizona's 8th the 155th most Republican district nationally.

2020 presidential election results

The table below shows what the vote in the 2024 presidential election was in this district. The presidential election data was compiled by The Downballot.

2024 presidential results in Arizona's 8th Congressional District

Kamala Harris	Donald Trump
41.0%	58.0%

Presidential voting history

See also: Presidential election in Arizona, 2024

Arizona presidential election results (1900-2024)

• 9 Democratic wins
• 20 Republican wins

Year	1900	1904	1908	1912	1916	1920	1924	1928	1932	1936	1940	1944	1948	1952	1956	1960	1964	1968	1972	1976	1980	1984	1988	1992	1996	2000	2004	2008	2012	2016	2020	2024
Winning Party	N/A	N/A	N/A	D	D	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	R	R	R	R	R	D	R

See also: Party control of Arizona state government

Congressional delegation

The table below displays the partisan composition of Arizona's congressional delegation as of October 2025.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Arizona
Party	U.S. Senate	U.S. House	Total
Democratic	2	2	4
Republican	0	6	6
Independent	0	0	0
Vacancies	0	1	1
Total	2	9	11

State executive

The table below displays the officeholders in Arizona's top three state executive offices as of October 2025.

State executive officials in Arizona, October 2025

Office	Officeholder
Governor	Katie Hobbs
Secretary of State	Adrian Fontes
Attorney General	Kris Mayes

State legislature

Arizona State Senate

Party		As of October 2025
	Democratic Party	13
	Republican Party	17
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total		30

Arizona House of Representatives

Party		As of October 2025
	Democratic Party	27
	Republican Party	33
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total		60

Trifecta control

Arizona Party Control: 1992-2025
No Democratic trifectas  •  Twenty-two years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25
Governor	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D
Senate	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	S	S	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
House	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R

Ballot access

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Arizona in the 2026 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Arizona, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2026
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Filing fee	Filing deadline	Source
Arizona	U.S. House	Democrat	1/2 of 1% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026	N/A	4/6/2026	Source
Arizona	U.S. House	Republican	1/2 of 1% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026	N/A	4/6/2026	Source
Arizona	U.S. House	Libertarian	1/2 of 1% of the total qualified signers in the state as of January 2, 2026	N/A	4/6/2026	Source
Arizona	U.S. House	Unaffiliated	3% of the total registered voters who are not members of a political party that is qualified for representation as of January 2, 2026	N/A	4/6/2026	Source

See also

• Arizona's 8th Congressional District election, 2026 (August 4 Republican primary)
• Arizona's 8th Congressional District election, 2026
• United States House elections in Arizona, 2026 (August 4 Democratic primaries)
• United States House elections in Arizona, 2026 (August 4 Republican primaries)
• United States House Democratic Party primaries, 2026
• United States House Republican Party primaries, 2026
• United States House of Representatives elections, 2026
• U.S. House battlegrounds, 2026

External links

Suggest a link

• Search Google News for this topic

Footnotes

[show]

Arizona's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Ruben Gallego (D)

Mark Kelly (D)

Representatives

District 1

David Schweikert (R)

District 2

Eli Crane (R)

District 3

Yassamin Ansari (D)

District 4

Greg Stanton (D)

District 5

Andy Biggs (R)

District 6

Juan Ciscomani (R)

District 7

Adelita Grijalva (D)

District 8

Abraham Hamadeh (R)

District 9

Paul Gosar (R)

Republican Party (6)

Democratic Party (5)

2025-2026 Elections to the United States Congress

Senate by State

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House by State

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Election information

Ballot access for major and minor party candidates • List of candidates running for election • List of congressional challengers • Retiring senators • Retiring representatives

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Super PACs/Organizations

American Bridge 21st Century • American Crossroads • American Unity PAC • Campaign for Primary Accountability • Club for Growth Action • Congressional Leadership Fund • Cooperative of American Physicians IE Committee• Crossroads Generation • Ending Spending Action Fund • Endorse Liberty • Fair Share Action • FreedomWorks for America • Government Integrity Fund • House Majority PAC • Independence USA Fund • League of Conservation Voters • Liberty for All PAC • Majority PAC • National Association of Realtors • NEA Advocacy Fund • Now or Never PAC • Planned Parenthood Votes • Ready for Hillary • Republicans for a Prosperous America • Restore America's Voice PAC • SEIU Pea-Federal • Women Vote!

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