Four Democrats debate who can flip CD1 as early voting begins

Four Democrats vying to flip one of the nation’s most competitive U.S. House seats clashed Tuesday night over who could actually win it.

The debate, hosted by the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission, came just hours before early ballots go out Wednesday in the July 21 primary for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, the suburban Maricopa County seat left by Rep. David Schweikert.

Electability dominates CD1 Democratic primary debate

The biggest fight was over which Democrat could win a general election in a district that national forecasters have rated a toss-up.

Former broadcast journalist Marlene Galán-Woods made the most forceful case, pointing to high-profile endorsements.

“I have the endorsements of Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Attorney General Kris Mayes, both of whom are running for re-election,” Galán-Woods said. “Their names are going to be on the ballot in November. They want my name on the ballot with them.”

Former state Rep. Amish Shah pointed to endorsements from three Republicans who served with him in the legislature, as well as the Arizona Independent Party, pointing to a broad coalition.

“They worked with me and they saw how hard I worked and how effective I was at actually getting things done,” he said.

“ What is a win for this district you believe only you can secure,” asked moderator Steve Goldstein of community leader Rick McCartney.

“I believe it’s flipping this seat,” McCartney said. “I am the only candidate that knows Republicans, Independents and Democrats. I’ve worked with them for thirty years in this district, and it is going to take those people in order for us to win, something we have not done in the last seven cycles.”

Jonathan Treble used his status as a political newcomer to make the case.

“I think we cannot try the same thing twice and expect a different result in this district,” he said.

Housing, healthcare policy aligns candidates

Treble, a small business owner who nearly died fighting his insurer over a $2 million brain surgery, pressed for Medicare for All, saying the party cannot settle for half-measures.

“We can’t just keep saying universal healthcare,” he said. “Political lines and incrementalism … don’t move the ball forward.”

Shah countered with his legislative record, saying he blocked a bill that would have banned the abortion drug mifepristone and won a Women’s Health Champion award.

McCartney called for an immediate repeal of the Republican budget law, which he termed the “big, ugly bill.”

“ That has pulled healthcare out from underneath the lives of people,” he said.

On housing, Galán-Woods zeroed in on algorithmic rent-fixing by corporate landlords, calling it a practice that forces young renters to keep living with their parents.

Immigration sparks debates sharpest exchange

Asked about immigration policy, McCartney called to “rip up ICE,” explaining he had heard testimony from families, attorneys and judges describing a system devoid of due process.

Treble advocated restrictions rather than abolition.

“I don’t think that they have a big job in our country. I think we can put restrictions on ICE to make them go after what they said they would, the worst of the worst criminals, not peaceful members of our community,” he said.

Galán-Woods said her adopted daughter is directly affected by the immigration debate.

“I take this quite personally. My late husband and I adopted a baby from Guatemala 22 years ago. She’s a student at the University of Arizona, and she has to carry a copy of her passport in her bag at school because it’s okay to racially profile people in this country now,” Galán-Woods said, her voice breaking. “It’s sick.”

Treble used the moment to criticize Galán-Woods for what he described as past support for former Gov. Jan Brewer and, by extension, SB 1070, the so-called “Show Me Your Papers” law.

“I clearly remember you standing behind Jan Brewer in 2010, cheering her on. You were happy she had won. This was six months after she signed SB 1070 into law, the most racist law in our state’s and potentially our country’s history,” Treble said. “You helped start this problem that we’re in right now.”

“That is simply not true,” Galán-Woods responded. “The idea that I would support policy that would racially profile anyone is a cynical political attack from a politician.”

The Democratic winner will face one of three Republicans in November: former state Rep. Joseph Chaplik, Trump-endorsed former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely or business consultant John Trobough.

The Republican candidates take the same debate stage Wednesday night.

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