Bolick Poised for Victory in Heated LD2 GOP Senate Primary Showdown

Incumbent Shawnna Bolick is on track to secure a victory over challenger Josh Barnett in the Legislative District 2 Republican Senate primary, with early results indicating a lead for Bolick. As of Tuesday night at 8:40 p.m., Bolick had garnered 55.3% of the vote, compared to Barnett’s 44.7%, according to the Secretary of State’s office.

Bolick, previously a member of the House before her selection by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, is notable for her 2022 run for Secretary of State. Her campaign prominently featured election integrity. Despite her loss, her political career remains active, marking her as a significant figure in political discussions.

Throughout the 2024 legislative session, Bolick faced criticism from Democrats for her participation in a ballot measure that proposed eliminating judicial retention elections. Her familial connection to Arizona Supreme Court Justice Clint Bolick adds an intriguing dimension to her political profile.

While Bolick and Barnett share similar views on numerous campaign issues, Bolick’s stance on abortion has drawn particular attention. She voted alongside Democrat senators and Republican Senator T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, to repeal the state’s near-total abortion ban. This vote came shortly after signing a GOP-backed proclamation urging Arizonans to oppose a citizen initiative allowing abortions up to fetal viability, thereby creating ambiguity around her position on the issue.

In a poignant speech explaining her vote, Bolick recounted her personal experiences with three pregnancies, one of which was not viable and required a D&C procedure. “I know the chronicles of these pregnancies quite intimately because they’re all my own,” she stated.

Barnett, positioning himself as an “America-First” Republican, has criticized Bolick’s vote to repeal the abortion ban. He has focused much of his campaign on election denialism. Yet, Bolick’s history of signing a 2020 GOP-led proclamation calling for Congress to accept Arizona’s 11 alternate electors for Trump suggests little difference between the two on election issues. Barnett also supported a 2022 bill that would let the legislature pre-appoint Arizona’s electors for the 2024 presidential election, despite opposition from some Republicans.

Financially, Bolick has surpassed Barnett, entering the final phase of the primary with $164,386 in campaign funds, significantly more than Barnett’s $1,044. The winner of the Republican primary will face Rep. Judy Schwiebert, D-Phoenix, in a general election for a district leaning Republican by a slim margin of 3.8%.