Profile of Republican Representative Hamadeh from Arizona District 8

Abe Hamadeh is a freshman Congressman who rose to national prominence after the closest election in Arizona history—his 2022 Attorney General race, which he lost by just 280 votes. That loss became the catalyst for his congressional run, positioning him as a leading voice for election integrity. He represents Arizona’s 8th District, a conservative stronghold in the West Valley of the Phoenix metro area. It includes the massive retirement communities of Sun City and Sun City West, as well as Luke Air Force Base, the world’s largest F-35 training center. A U.S. Army Reserve Captain and former intelligence officer, Hamadeh served a 14-month deployment to Saudi Arabia. This military background secured his spot on the powerful House Armed Services Committee, a critical assignment for protecting the district’s defense economy. The son of Syrian immigrants (a Druze mother and Muslim father), he often cites his family’s journey to America as the foundation of his "America First" philosophy, arguing that borders and the rule of law are what make the American Dream possible. "He lost the closest race in state history, but he refused to leave the arena. Abe Hamadeh is the intelligence officer turned congressman who turned a 280-vote defeat into a mandate for the West Valley." Abe Hamadeh: The Fighter from the West Valley In November 2022, Abraham "Abe" Hamadeh found himself in the center of a political hurricane. Running for Arizona Attorney General, he finished election night in a dead heat. After weeks of recounting and litigation, he was certified as having lost by a microscopic margin—280 votes out of 2.5 million cast. For many, that would have been a career-ending heartbreak. For Hamadeh, it was rocket fuel. He spent the next two years litigating the results and becoming a fixture on conservative media as a crusader for "Election Integrity." In 2024, when Debbie Lesko announced her retirement, Hamadeh leveraged that high-profile battle to win the seat for Arizona’s 8th District. Hamadeh’s backstory is a classic immigrant success narrative with a twist. Born to Syrian parents who fled oppressive regimes, he grew up in Phoenix in a mixed-faith household. He became a lawyer and a prosecutor for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, but his career path shifted dramatically when he joined the U.S. Army Reserve. As an Intelligence Officer (Captain), he deployed to Saudi Arabia in 2020 following the terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola, tasked with vetting foreign military trainees. In Congress, Hamadeh is strategically positioned to serve his specific constituency. He sits on the House Armed Services Committee, which is arguably the most important committee for his district. AZ-08 is home to Luke Air Force Base, a massive economic engine that trains 75% of the world’s F-35 pilots. Hamadeh views himself as the base's guardian in Washington. He also sits on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, a crucial role given that his district has one of the highest concentrations of veterans and retirees in the country (thanks to the Sun City communities). District Context: Arizona 8th (U.S. Census Data) The "West Valley": This district covers the northwestern suburbs of Phoenix. It includes Peoria, Glendale, Surprise, and the famous master-planned retirement communities of Sun City and Sun City West. Population: ~815,000 (Rapidly growing). The "Golf Cart Capital": Sun City was the first 55+ active adult community in the country. The district has a massive senior population, influencing its high voter turnout and focus on Social Security/Medicare. Economic Drivers: Defense: Luke Air Force Base supports over 10,000 jobs and contributes billions to the local economy. Healthcare: Banner Health and Arrowhead Hospital are major employers servicing the retiree population. Sports & Tourism: The...