3rd Arizona Democrat enters race to challenge GOP Rep. Schweikert

PHOENIX – A third Democratic candidate has joined the race to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. David Schweikert in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District.

Stephanie Rimmer announced her first run for federal office Thursday, but she isn’t new to campaigning.

The Scottsdale businesswoman was a nominee for the Arizona House in 2006 and 2008, but she finished third in the race for two seats in District 8 each time.

In a video to announce her candidacy, Rimmer, who owns Rimmer Lighting with her husband, touted her outsider status and business experience.

It's time for independent leadership to put people over politics and shine a new light on Washington. That's why I'm running for Congress

Join us!https://t.co/4G2tKp6QJg pic.twitter.com/TCx9O59ZSc

— Stephanie Rimmer (@Rimmer4Arizona) April 18, 2019

“We need independent leaders who will help lower the cost of everyday life so Arizonans can keep more of our hard-earned money,” she said in the video.

“It’s time for less politics and more problem-solving.”

Rimmer joins Dr. Hiral Tipirneni and Anita Malik in the Democratic field.

Malik was the nominee for the seat in 2018, when she lost to Schweikert by more than 10% in her first foray into politics.

Tipirneni is coming off two losses last year to Republican Debbie Lesko in District 8, once in an April special election and again in the November general election.

Schweikert first won the seat in 2010. While the district, which includes parts of north Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek and Fountain Hills, leans strongly toward the GOP, Democrats see him as vulnerable because he’s under investigation by the House Ethics Committee.

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