Blake Masters' latest move in CD8 slugfest with Abe Hamadeh is insulting to voters

Things are getting downright brutal in the cage fight that is the hottest Republican primary in Arizona, with ads now featuring reptiles and Donald Trump.

You know, the standard stuff of high-minded congressional campaigns.

While Ben Toma and Trent Franks struggle to remind people that they are in the race for the coveted open seat in a heavily Republican West Valley district, fake elector Anthony Kern is out with an ad branding himself a “hometown hero.”

But the real battle features former running mates and fellow carpetbaggers Blake Masters and Abe Hamadeh.

Hamadeh – a Scottsdale resident who jumped into the race in November before the ink was even dry on Rep. Debbie Lesko’s retirement announcement – has called Masters a “snake.”

Masters – who was right behind him, running up from Tucson to declare his passion for the northwest Valley – has dubbed Hamadeh “dishonest Abe.”

Masters relentless in pounding away at Hamadeh

Hamadeh snagged the golden ticket, Donald Trump’s endorsement, which should have made him the hands-down favorite in the race. But never underestimate the power of a pair of brass knuckles, and Masters has wielded them well.

There was his insinuation that Hamadeh has no “skin in the game” because he’s unmarried and has no children.

There were the campaign signs, showing Hamadeh in traditional Muslim garb in Mecca, beneath the caption "America was founded on Islamic principles."

(Here is what Hamadeh actually said, in 2009 comments on an online forum: “You claim Islam is a religion of hate, and should be feared yet our own Constitution of the United States was based off of Abrahamic religions, Including Islam.")

There was that leaked text exchange with Masters from 2023, in which Hamadeh mocked “the crazies” who believe the election was stolen.

Masters' latest ad boasts endorsement by Trump

As if Hamadeh was the first politician to publicly bow at the altar of Trump while privately laughing his head off at the rubes who were buying the stolen election schtick.

Now comes Masters’ latest ad, a masterful work of art featuring Trump’s endorsement … of Masters?

“TRUMP ENDORSED MASTERS,” the ad says, in big block letters, and underneath, in smaller, thinner type: “IN SENATE CAMPAIGN."

“President Trump endorsed Blake Masters in his Senate campaign, calling him an America First fighter who will protect our border,” the ad says. "Blake Masters will stand with Trump. and stop the border invasion."

The ad ends with a photo of a smiling Trump, posing with Masters’ family.

Except Trump is backing Abe Hamadeh in this race

Technically, the ad is true. Trump did, indeed, endorse Masters … in his failed 2022 bid for the U.S. Senate.

He also endorsed Hamadeh that year in his failed bid for attorney general.

Nowhere in the ad does Masters mention that his idol, Trump, actually endorsed his opponent this year.

Hamadeh on Wednesday countered with his own 15-second blast, featuring a snake slithering through the desert.

"Blake the snake Masters is lying again, trying to trick voters," the ad says. "Abe Hamadeh is the only candidate endorsed by Donald Trump."

Technically, Masters' ad is factually correct. He was once endorsed by Trump.

It's also as sleazy as, well, a politician who would pay hush money to a porn star.

The route to Congress apparently isn't the high road

And it is an insult to the voters of CD8. Does Masters really think they're that dumb?

Wait ... don't answer that. State House Speaker Ben Toma, who actually lives in the district and has a sturdy record of conservative accomplishments, barely registers a blip in the polls.

Masters ad, meanwhile, is so blatantly deceiving that Politco reports the Trump campaign has asked Masters to pull or change the ad.

Of course, he won’t.

There is a race to win, after all, and the road to Washington?

It’s a low, low road.

Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @LaurieRoberts.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Blake Masters reaches a new low in his cage fight against Abe Hamadeh