The Club for Growth political action committee on Friday endorsed former Maricopa County Treasurer David Schweikert (R), who is running for Congress in the 5th district.

“It is clear that David Schweikert is a tireless defender of taxpayers who will continue to fight for taxpayers in the U.S. Congress,” Club for Growth President Pat Toomey said in a statement.

The Phoenix-area 5th district leans Republican, but was picked up last year by Rep. Harry Mitchell (D). Mitchell is well-known and popular in the district, and the Republicans’ chances of taking it back next year are unclear at present.

Schweikert is one of several Republicans running in a crowded GOP primary. The other Republican candidates either running or considering a bid include state Rep. Mark Anderson; Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman; state Corporation Commissioner Jeff Hatch-Miller; former state Rep. Laura Knaperek; lobbyist Jim Ogsbury; state Rep. Michele Reagan; and former Rep. Matt Salmon.

— David M. Drucker