Republican Primary Showdown: Choosing Between Center and Right for LD7

The upcoming Republican primary for Arizona’s Legislative District 7 will see voters choosing between two distinctly different candidates: Sen. Wendy Rogers of Flagstaff and Rep. David Cook of Globe.

Legislative District 7 spans Gila, Pinal, Coconino, and Navajo counties. Rogers, a controversial figure since joining the Senate in 2021, is known nationally for her stance on election denialism post-2020. Conversely, Cook, a rancher and chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, represents a more traditional Republican approach.

Rogers has not been without controversy during her tenure. She chairs the Senate Elections Committee, often spotlighted for entertaining conspiracy theories and pushing bills that would disrupt established election processes. Notably, Rogers declined to participate in a Clean Elections debate on July 1, leaving Cook to address questions solo.

The far-right Oath Keepers member, Rogers, has faced multiple controversies, including an ethics complaint for mistreating a staffer and her censuring by the Senate in 2022. Among her contentious actions, she filed—and later had dismissed—a restraining order against a reporter investigating her residency status.

Cook has also drawn criticism from within his party for occasionally aligning with Democrats. He argued against enforcing an 1864 total abortion ban and has been open about the need for bipartisanship to pass meaningful legislation. His decision to run for Senate was spurred by Rogers’ contentious behavior, culminating in her retweeting explicit images of Hunter Biden.

During a recent debate, Cook dismissed claims that the 2020 and 2022 elections were stolen. He highlighted the inconsistency in alleging rigged races, noting Republican wins in other state offices.

On the same day as the debate, Rogers posted on social media, praising far-right French politician Marine Le Pen and emphasizing a divisive cultural stance. This action, among others, continues to fuel the fire of contention between the two candidates.