[2] U.S. Representative Jeff Flake won the open seat.

As of 2024, this was the last time that a Republican won Arizona's Class 1 Senate seat.

The filing deadline for Republican candidates was June 1, 2012, and the primary election took place on August 28, 2012.

Former Surgeon General Richard Carmona was the only candidate for the Democratic nomination, receiving all 289,881 votes cast in the primary election.

Hayworth with Jeff Flake with Jon Kyl with Sarah Palin Despite losing, Carmona carried 5 of the 9 congressional districts.