Mark Lamb on Breaking Battlegrounds
Few Arizona politicians speak about the border from as much firsthand experience as Mark Lamb. The former Pinal County sheriff joined Breaking Battlegrounds to describe what cartel activity, human trafficking, and drug smuggling look like on the ground, and why he’s running for Congress.
This page collects Mark Lamb’s appearances on Breaking Battlegrounds as he heads into the November 3, 2026 general election in Arizona’s 5th Congressional District.
Who Is Mark Lamb?
Mark Lamb is the former sheriff of Pinal County, Arizona’s third-most populous county, first elected in 2016. He became nationally known as the “American Sheriff” during his 2024 run for U.S. Senate, when he lost the Republican primary to Kari Lake.
In 2025, Lamb launched a campaign for Arizona’s 5th Congressional District, the seat held by Rep. Andy Biggs, who is running for governor. The district covers much of the East Valley, including parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction, Queen Creek, and San Tan Valley. President Trump endorsed him soon after he entered the race and reaffirmed that endorsement in July 2026.
During the primary, the Arizona Republic published reporting on allegations of personal misconduct, which the Lamb campaign denied. Lamb won the July 21, 2026 Republican primary, defeating businessman Daniel Keenan, and faces Democratic nominee Elizabeth Lee in November. Cook Political Report rates the district solid Republican, and Trump won it by about 20 points in 2024.
Mark Lamb's Appearances on Breaking Battlegrounds
Podcast 303: The Border From the Front Lines (May 2026)
Lamb joined Sam Stone and Chuck Warren to talk about border security from his firsthand experience as sheriff. He shared stories about cartel activity, human trafficking, and drug smuggling, and described the heavy strain illegal immigration has put on local law enforcement. He also laid out his priorities for Congress: border security, election integrity, constitutional rights, and restoring accountability in Washington.
Also in this episode: constitutional scholar Ilya Shapiro on the Supreme Court and school choice advocate Corey DeAngelis.
→ Read the full episode notes · Watch the cartel extortion clip on Substack · Watch on YouTube
What Mark Lamb Focuses On: Key Themes
- Border security from experience. As sheriff of a county on a major smuggling corridor, Lamb grounds his border policy in what local deputies deal with every day.
- Cartels and human trafficking. He argues that cartel operations, including extortion and trafficking, reach far beyond the border itself.
- Support for law enforcement. Backing police and sheriffs is central to his campaign and his endorsements.
- Election integrity and constitutional rights. Both are on his list of priorities for Congress.
Related Arizona Episodes and Explainers
- Arizona 2026 Election Guide
- Jay Feely on Breaking Battlegrounds, who also ran in AZ-05 before switching districts
- Abe Hamadeh on Breaking Battlegrounds
- Congressman Andy Biggs on Immigration and Border Security, the 5th District’s outgoing congressman
- Mollie Hemingway on Alito, Andy Biggs for Governor & Bob McClure on Election Reform
- Asylum vs. Refugee: What’s the Difference?
Follow Mark Lamb
- Campaign website: marklamb.us
- X: @sherifflamb1
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mark Lamb?
The former sheriff of Pinal County, Arizona, and the 2026 Republican nominee for Arizona’s 5th Congressional District.
Who is Mark Lamb running against?
Democratic nominee Elizabeth Lee, in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Did Mark Lamb run for Senate?
Yes. He ran in the 2024 Republican Senate primary and lost to Kari Lake.
What did Mark Lamb discuss on Breaking Battlegrounds?
Cartel activity, human trafficking, drug smuggling, and the strain on local law enforcement, in Podcast 303.
