There's a mad dash to replace former congressman Trent Franks in light of his resignation.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey posted the dates for the special election Monday, with the primary just 78 days away. It signaled a green light for Republican candidates to rush into the race.
Franks resigned Friday amid allegations he offered a staffer $5 million to have his baby.
A half-dozen candidates have announced they're running, with more to come. In a packed field, President Donald Trump's endorsement could decide who wins.
Over the next nine months, voters in the West Valley's eighth Congressional district will go to the polls four times.
Feb. 27, 2018 will see a special primary. The special election is scheduled for April 24, and the winner will be the new member of the U.S. Congress.
But he or she will have to run in a regular primary four months later, on Aug. 28, ahead of the Nov. 6, 2018 general election.
The eighth district covers much of the West Valley: Anthem and New River in the north, along with Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, El Mirage, Peoria, Glendale and Litchfield Park.
It's an older, heavily Republican district. Voters rewarded Franks, a Christian conservative, with eight terms in office. Trump won the district by more than 20 points over Hillary Clinton, and his voice could loom large over the race to succeed Franks.
An endorsement from Trump or former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, who lives in the district, or a nod from former sheriff Joe Arpaio could decide who wins the Republican primary.
The list of Republican candidates is growing, including conservative activist Jon Ritzheimer, who organized a Phoenix mosque protest two years ago.
He joins the following candidates:
State Sen. Steve Montenegro (endorsed by Franks and Arpaio)
Former state power regulator Bob Stump
Former state legislator Phil Lovas
On the Democratic side, the candidates are emergency room doctor Hiral Tiperneni and Brianna Westbrook, believed to be the first transgender candidate for Congress in Arizona.