I know it's early, but the 2026 election cycle has already started

Note: Someone declaring that they are interested in running for a particular office does NOT mean that person will be a candidate on a ballot.  Also, it's early, so people may declare an interest in a particular office now but may ultimately run for another office.

From the statements of interest filed by potential candidates with the Secretary of State's office.

First to file one: 

Barby Ingle, Republican, interested in a state representative slot in LD7.  Filed on 12/4/2024.

Biggest name (so far):

Rodney Glassman, Republican, interested in running for state Attorney General.  Filed on 12/14 and 12/26.

Normally, I am loathe to make any predictions about R primaries, but here, I'll make one.  The only way Glassman is the R nominee is if the Rs have given up on winning the AG's race.

Note: Some sitting legislators, all Rs, have declared an interest in running again for a spot in the legislature.

Maricopa County primary candidates for 2024

Note: this is based only on signatures submitted and could (and probably will) be changed by legal challenges.

From Maricopa County's list of primary candidates -

Note2: The "Signatures Needed" column info is from Maricopa County here.

All countywide seats have challengers (which is a good thing for democracy) and only one race will be decided in the primary as all candidates for that office are from one party (County Treasurer with only two Republican candidates)

The 2026 election cycle has already started; some potential candidates have already filed statements of interest for offices up for election then.  Countywide offices up for election will be this year so the statements of interest for 2026 are only for constable and JP races.  So far.

Note3: Just because a candidate expresses "interest" in a particular race doesn't mean that they will be on a ballot.

The calendar may say 2024, but the 2026 election season has already started

And the first one out of the gate (the first serious candidate to form a committee) is....Dawn Grove.

She lost the race for the R nomination for AG in 2022.  She ended the race with $0 on hand.

She hasn't formed a committee for a run as yet, but Republican Karrin Taylor Robson may be running for governor again in 2026.  She was in the legislative chamber when Governor Hobbs gave her State of the State speech at the opening of the 2024 session of the state legislature.

While the panelists on channel 12's Sunday Square Off thought she was just making an appearance at an event where most politicians and wanna-bes show up.

Personally, I think she was reminding folks she has raised money for of her presence.