David Schweikert wants to talk economy; challenger Jevin Hodge wants to talk ethics

The economy is a major issue in the newly created 1st Congressional District, the majority of which used to be the 6th Congressional District. The area, which includes Scottsdale, Cave Creek and Paradise Valley, is one of Arizona's wealthiest districts.

Republican incumbent Rep. David Schweikert is opposed by Democrat Jevin Hodge.

Schweikert, who said he values a balanced budget, says that inflation is in large part a result of excessive federal expenditures. He supports the tax cuts passed under the Republican Congress during the Trump administration, which Democrats criticize as disproportionally benefitting the nation's most affluent.

Schweikert said in a written response to The Arizona Republic's candidate questionnaire:

"The Biden administration’s reckless and irresponsible economic policies have harmed Arizona more than almost any state. As it stands today, we are facing double-digit inflation that is costing Arizonans dearly. Congress needs to reduce the size and cost of government and balance the federal budget. Our failure to do so will only lead to more inflation, higher borrowing costs, and a weak and stagnant economy."

Schweikert holds a seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, which has authority over taxation and other federal entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare.

Hodge, who leads Arizona's oldest Head Start program, lost a close race for a seat on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in 2020.

Hodge said he wants to update the tax code and will advocate for small businesses in Washington. He also supports capping the costs on prescription drugs, which Schweikert voted against in the Inflation Reduction Act passed earlier this year.

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In the candidate questionnaire, Hodge told The Republic:

"Right now, Arizona’s small businesses don’t have an advocate in Washington. David Schweikert only cares about the special interests that fund his campaign," he said in a written response. "He doesn’t want your prescription drugs to be cheaper because he’s taken over $160,000 from the pharmaceutical industry to keep their profits high."

"When I’m in Congress, I will work with both parties to modernize our tax system and put more money back in your pocket, find common-sense solutions to cut energy prices, and support our small businesses," Hodge said.

Schweikert's six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives have been shadowed by ethics investigations. They have culminated in 11 violations and $175,000 in fines to the House Ethics Committee and the Federal Election Commission for failing to comply with House and campaign finance rules.

Fundraising update

The candidates appear to be neck and neck in fundraising.

Between April 1 and July 13, Hodge had approximately $1.03 million in total receipts. In a fundraising update Oct. 4 on Twitter, Hodge said he had raised more than $900,000 in individual contributions.

Between Jan. 1 and Sept. 28, Schweikert had about $1.3 million in total receipts, with just under $900,000 raised in contributions.

What political analysts say

On Sept. 21, The Cook Political Report reclassified the race between Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., and Democratic challenger Jevin Hodge changed to "toss up." Its prior status was “lean Republican.”

According to Chuck Coughlin, president and CEO of the Phoenix-based consulting firm HighGround Inc., the race was reclassified because of Hodge's fundraising success as well as the June ruling on Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health Organization that gave back the right to regulate abortion to the states.

These factors, Coughlin said, "make what ought to be a fairly safe seat for Schweikert a more competitive race. And, you know, I still feel strongly Schweikert will win that race."

Just how competitive the district is up for debate. While the Cook Report has the race at "toss-up," the polling website Fivethirtyeight has Schweikert as "clearly favored" for a victorious outcome. The website gives the sitting Congressman a 91 in 100 chance of winning the election as of Oct. 16, with Hodge at a 9 in 100 chance of coming out on top.

While the 1st District has a Republican advantage, the Independent Redistricting Commission, the body charged with creating the new districts, describes the area as "highly competitive." Data from Fivethirtyeight indicates this region of Arizona votes Republican 7 percentage points more than the entire country.

Coughlin said the Republican political makeup of the district will likely result in a GOP win unless Hodge has a "significant fundraising advantage" and a "narrative change."

He said he believes the political balance of the area will eventually change. "I'm pretty sure that district, over time will become more Democratic. But not in this cycle," Coughlin said.

Emphasis on corruption vs. abortion

Coughlin said Hodge has been emphasizing Schweikert's ethics issues, which are not new, and he does not believe this a winning argument. Coughlin said Hodge should instead stress abortion rights.

"If I were him, I'd be focused on abortion and try and turn out Republican women on that issue," Coughlin said.

Elijah Norton, a businessman and one of Schweikert's Republican primary challengers, also unsuccessfully made Schweikert's ethics issues a centerpiece of his campaign, going as far as issuing a comic book style political mailer on them. Norton finished in second place despite having a fundraising advantage.

Tara Kavaler is a politics reporter at The Arizona Republic. She can be reached by email at tara.kavaler@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @kavalertara.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: David Schweikert, Jevin Hodge compete in wealthy Republican District 1