Get ready to vote in the U.S. Congressional District 1 GOP primary

• Voters who are on the Permanent Early Voter list (about 72 percent of Arizona voters) and those who requested an early ballot will got a ballot packet in the mail. Early voting begins August 3. You must send in your mail-in ballot by August 25. After that, it's best to drop it off at a polling place instead of mailing it.

• Primary election day is August 30. Find your polling place.

• Registered independents may vote in the primary. They can choose a party ballot at a polling place. Independents on the Permanent Early Voting list will get a postcard asking them which ballot they want. Independents who are not on the Permanent Early Voting List but who want a mail-in ballot may request one from the Pima County Recorder's Office.

Meet the candidate

Babeu, the Pinal County Sheriff, said it’s his years in the Army National Guard and law enforcement on the U.S.-Mexico border that set him apart. He has been dogged with criticism however, about a home video showing his support for the use of extreme disciplinary methods at a Massachusetts boarding school where he was headmaster and FBI questions about his office’s expenditure of seized criminal money.

Babeu shot back, saying that despite his oversight role, he was not named in any allegations in a state investigation of the school and that such money expenditures always receive higher fiduciary approval.

Age: 47

Years lived in Arizona: 14

Current city or community of residence: Casa Grande

Education: Associate degree in law enforcement technology, bachelor's degree in history and master's degree in public administration.

Occupation: Sheriff of Pinal County

Previous appointed or elected civic positions: Board of Directors National Sheriff's Association, Arizona Peace Officer Memorial Board and Advisory Board of National Organization for Victims Assistance.

Previous work in the private sector: Chandler Police Officer and 20-year veteran in Army National Guard, serving a tour in Iraq, and commanding officer of Task Force Yuma supporting US Border Patrol.

Family: Partnered, no children

Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, exercise, reading and spending time with family.

Why are you running for office: America is headed in the wrong direction. I'm running to be part of the solution. I can't screw up as the Sheriff, since people's safety is on the line. Somehow, we've grown to accept incompetence, crippling deficits, corruption and lies from those in power. President Obama repeatedly says global warming is a greater threat than terrorism. This explain why ISIS has yet to be defeated and our military is smallest since before WWII.

As congressman, I will vote to stop deficit spending, strengthen our military, ensure our veterans receive immediate care, secure the border and reduce federal regulations.

Our Sheriff's Office achieved the largest drug bust in Arizona history ($3 Billion) arresting 76 Sinaloa Cartel members armed with 108 guns. We've arrested 21 Cartel Scouts on Pinal mountaintops. The response from President Obama...erect signs on federal land in Pinal, warning US Citizens of the dangers of drug and human smuggling.

I will demand true border security. As Commanding Officer in Yuma, I led 700 soldiers in support of the US Border Patrol in reducing Drug and Human Smuggling by 94 percent. I know what it takes to secure the border and enforced the law.

We need elected leaders who honor their oath and promises.

Meet the candidate

Bennett, a former state senator and Arizona secretary of state and previously the head of Bennett Oil Company, emphasized his mix of private and public sector experience in making him the best qualified for the job.

Age: 56

Years lived in Arizona: Entire life

Current city or community of residence: City of Maricopa

Education: B.S Accounting ASU

Occupation: Director of public relations at SDB Contracting

Previous appointed or elected civic positions: Prescott City Council, State Board of Education, Arizona State Senate, Arizona Senate President, Secretary of State

Previous work in the private sector: CFO & CEO of Bennett Oil Company, Board Member of Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Family: Married, 3 children, 3 grandchildren

Hobbies/Interests: Music, sports, playing with grandkids

Why are you running for office: I am running for congress to get America working again! Our country is broken and far too many people are being left on the sidelines, feeling that those in Washington are only looking out for themselves and not the American people. I believe that we must accomplish three things to get America working again: we must get our financial house in order by stopping reckless spending and balance the budget, we must get Americans back to work and stop over regulating our job creators and small businesses and we must keep our country safe, that is both at the border and fighting terrorism at home and abroad.

I am the only candidate that has a proven record both in public service and in business of getting things done. I ran my family business for over 23 years and know what it’s like to sign the front of a paycheck, not just the back. As Senate President, I balanced billions in state budgets while cutting taxes and saving over a billion dollars in the state’s Rainy Day Fund. We desperately need this kind of leadership in Washington, our country and future generations cannot afford maintaining the current status quo.

Meet the candidate

Gary Kiehne, a rancher and businessman in the hotel and oil and gas industries, touts the fact that he has never held elected office and wants to put more decision-making power back in the hands of Arizonans.

Age: 59

Years lived in Arizona: 30 years

Current city or community of residence: Eagar

Education: Bachelor's degree in Agriculture from New Mexico State University

Occupation: Businessman

Previous appointed or elected civic positions: N/A

Previous work in the private sector: Petroleum landman and worker in the oil and gas industry, currently manages three family owned hotels in eastern Arizona and residential real estate development and works in the oil and gas industry and in his family’s farming and ranching operations.

Family: 3 children and 3 grandchildren

Hobbies/Interests: Team Roping, hunting, fishing, and ranching

Why are you running for office: Gary Kiehne is anything but a politician. He’s never held elected office, and is running to bring his successes in small business to fight for us. Kiehne believes it’s time for true change, because the establishment on both sides of the aisle, driven by the career politicians, are simply not getting the job done.

Gary Kiehne has spent his life in the private sector, creating jobs and growing his small businesses in the oil, ranching, construction, real estate and hotel industries. He knows what it will take to restore fiscal prosperity to rural Arizona, and that starts by reining in Washington’s culture of spending, fixing the tax code and shrinking the size of a federal government that is too big.

Meet the candidate

Shawn Redd, the owner of a laundromat in Dilkon on the Navajo Nation, said he’s the only candidate that has lived and done business both on and off the reservation and “cut his teeth in Navajo politics.”

Age: 36

Years lived in Arizona: 12

Current city or community of residence: Dilkon

Education: Montezuma Cortez High School

Occupation: Owner of Redd's Laundry of Dilkon

Previous appointed or elected civic positions:

Previous work in the private sector: Grew up working in father's Chevrolet, Dodge and Chrysler franchises in the Four Corners area, NAPA Auto Parts owner and general manager, consultant to the Navajo Nation with the Office of the President and Vice President focusing on economic development issues

Family: Divorced, no children

Hobbies/Interests: Being in the automotive business most of my life I have a great appreciation for autos, ATVs and boats. Lake Powell is one of my favorite places on the planet. Above all, politics and political endeavors have been my biggest passion.

Why are you running for office: As a lifelong conservative, I have a number of concerns and want to contribute to the future of our district.

I want to reduce the tremendous burden being placed upon individuals and businesses across the board by our federal government. Less is more. I also want to contribute to Federal Stewardship of our public lands, which must be improved. Our forests and natural resources must be harvested and maintained. I want to assist the Navajo Nation as a large coal producer, enabling their development of its own resources. I want to negotiate a successful settlement of water disbursement rights across southwest AZ. The Navajo Nation holds tremendous sway in the disbursement of water across the southwest. My relationship with the Navajo Nation will ensure a successful conclusion to this long lasting issue. I want to contribute to the betterment of our nation’s veterans who are owed the benefits that have been promised to them by our federal government I want to maintain a strong relationship with my constituency and be their representative in order to help them in their dealings with the federal government and its departments. I want to improve on this poor level of communication with the rural constituencies. I want to secure our nations borders.

Meet the candidate

Wendy Rogers, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and owner of a home inspection business, promotes her tough border security stance and focus on better equipping the military, including support of boosting the number of troops sent to foreign conflicts.

Age: 61

Years lived in Arizona: 19 years

Current city or community of residence: Flagstaff

Education: Bachelor's degree in clinical social work, master's in social work, masters in national security studies

Occupation: Business owner of HouseMaster Home Inspections

Previous appointed or elected civic positions: Precinct Committeeman (Precinct 6, Coconino County)

Previous work in the private sector: Development director of Arizona charter school

Family: Husband, two children and three grandchildren

Hobbies/Interests: Civil Air Patrol ground and air search & rescue team members, hiking, biking, spending time with family

Why are you running for office: As one of the first female pilots in the United States Air Force, I’ve dedicated my life in service to our nation. I am running for Congress so I can serve my country again. I want to restore a culture of service to Washington. As a military veteran, I know what it takes to keep our nation safe. As a small business owner, I have created jobs and know firsthand the detrimental effect of federal overreach. As a mother and grandmother, I understand the importance of strong families and want to protect your family. As a devout Christian, I know how important strong moral values are and share these values with the people of Arizona. I care deeply for my neighbors and my nation, and I want to serve. I have the experience and work ethic we need to make Washington work for us again.

All the candidates support reducing government spending, regulation and taxes as the way to spur economic growth and job creation.

Rogers lauded presidential candidate Donald Trump’s economic policy promises, including one to make trade deals that put America first. However, in an interview she wasn’t able to answer whether she supports the Trans Pacific Partnership that Trump loudly opposes.

Kiehne says the key to job growth lies in repealing the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and lowering the nation’s corporate tax rate.

Bennett said his singular focus is balancing the federal budget, with a plan to cut federal spending by one percent, or about $40 billion, and boost the country’s economic growth to 3 percent from 1.2 percent now.

Redd said his goal of trimming the federal budget would include looking at defunding the Environmental Protection Agency. He would also would push for federal spending on a Veterans Affairs hospital and cemetery closer to the Navajo Nation.

All of the candidates oppose the Affordable Care Act but differed in how they would replace it.

Redd said he believes the states should have their own healthcare systems and supported sales of insurance plans across state lines.

Bennett supports increased access to health savings accounts, disconnecting a person’s health insurance from their employment and making sure health care premiums are completely tax deductible.

Babeu and Rogers support support Rep. Paul Ryan’s healthcare plan that would eliminate the regulated exchanges in Obamacare, allow the purchase of policies across state lines and change Medicaid and Medicare spending.

Most of the candidates slammed the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system and Babeu said he would push for overhauling the system entirely. He said he would replace it with small federally run centers that would provide catastrophic care for major injuries, then outsource all other veterans care to private local providers.

Babeu said federal education funding should be transferred to the states in the form of block grants without spending regulations.

Kiehne and Babeu oppose Common Core education standards, citing them as examples of federal overreach despite the fact that they were developed by state education chiefs and governors.

Kiehne said he supports vouchers that would allow children to attend private schools on the state’s dime.

Rogers was the only candidate to support Donald Trump’s proposal to build a wall, financed by Mexico, across the country’s southern border. She also said she would push for a higher percentage of veterans in congress because of their decision making abilities.

Babeu, Bennett and Redd called Trump’s wall idea impractical. They also aligned in their disapproval of a special path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

Babeu said a double barrier 14-foot corrugated fence in high traffic areas plus cameras, infrared sensors and lighting is what’s needed.

Bennett said he supports a way to bring undocumented immigrants “out of the shadows” and into some sort of legal status that is not an automatic path to citizenship.

“There should be mechanisms for people to get squared with the law,” he said.

“We also need to improve our legal immigration system so it doesn’t take years and years and thousands of dollars to do it the right way,” he said.

As long as the border is secured, Babeu said he also would support creating some sort of permanent status where undocumented immigrants could obtain work permits and receive permanent status.

Redd opposes any expansion of gun regulations.

Bennett said he might consider supporting a limit on gun sales to people on no-fly or terrorism watch lists, depending on how people get on those lists. If convinced, he said he could change his mind on the need for expanded background checks which he currently doesn’t support.

Instead of expanded gun regulations, Babeu said he would advocate for increased government spending on mental health programs.

All of the candidates opposed the concept of a Grand Canyon National Monument.

Bennett took less of a hardline stance, however, saying “we have to be very careful that if we go through the step of declaring a monument need to make sure we’re doing it for the right reasons.” He said he hasn’t yet seen a convincing argument for the need to establish a monument.

Redd opposes the monument and supports the land swap that is allowing for the Resolution Copper mine near Superior despite strong support of the former and opposition to the latter by native groups, calling those tribal members “paid agitators.”

Rogers, Babeu, Kiehne and Redd solidly support the transfer of federal public lands to state hands, stating a need to bring control closer to the local level.

Bennett said he also supports the concept of land transfers but said first there has to be an evaluation of whether the state has the capacity and the wherewithal to manage those lands and can do so better than the federal government, Bennett said.

On the topic of forest health, Babeu and Redd emphasized speeding up forest thinning, with Babeu advocating for “rolling back the authority and pervasiveness of the Forest Service.”

The candidates all expressed some measure of criticism of the Environmental Protection Agency and its Clean Power Plan, saying the agency is overreaching and that the climate change mitigation plan will cost jobs and increase electricity rates. Redd denies that human-caused climate change is occurring.

Kiehne supports more oil and natural gas drilling on federal lands and the outer continental shelf.