AZ Political Podcast: Daniel Keenan says he’s the scandal-free GOP alternative to Mark Lamb

For Republicans, Daniel Keenan is the “Mark Lamb alternative” in Arizona’s 5th Congressional District. But Keenan, a Valley homebuilder (and my guest on the AZ Political Podcast), is more than that. And, often, that’s because Keenan doesn’t view the issues in an alternative way to Lamb.

The main thing that sets Keenan apart from Lamb — and the reason he’s getting a second look by many Republicans — is that Keenan’s not accused of sexting and the other unsavory things that Lamb is. An investigation by the Arizona Republic claims Lamb engaged in sexual impropriety while a member of the LDS Church priesthood and sent explicit photos, sexually-charged messages and racist jokes from his phone.

But, there are plenty of similarities between Keenan and Lamb.

Even though Lamb is the CD5 candidate with President Trump’s endorsement, Keenan and Lamb see eye-to-eye on advancing Trump’s agenda. They both support President Trump on tariffs; on attacking Iran; on the need for more border security; and on immigration. Although Keenan says he wants to see “the best and the brightest” from other countries have the ability to immigrate to the U.S. — if they “do it the right way.”

However, Keenan says Lamb’s stated belief that Trump lost the 2020 election (said while Lamb was running for the Senate in 2022) is something that sets them apart and makes Keenan more loyal than Lamb. Keenan believes Trump didn’t lose but was, instead, defrauded of the 2020 election.

Of course, I have to ask Keenan about the allegations against Lamb and the ads that Keenan’s campaign is running highlighting those allegations. Keenan says it’s a mixture of self-funding and “individual contributions.” He says he’s not beholden to any special interests. But he does say it’s harder to ask people for money for a political campaign than it is to ask investors for money to build homes.

And, in case you’re wondering, the assertion that seems to trouble Keenan the most is the one where Lamb reportedly sent a nude picture of his wife to a friend on Christmas Day — a day that’s sacred to Christians.

I don’t know if Keenan has a prayer to win CD5’s GOP Primary, but if you’re thinking of giving him a look, may I suggest you take a look at the latest AZ Political Podcast?

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