Debbie Lesko, Hiral Tipirneni to go head-to-head for 2nd time in Nov.
Aug 28, 2018, 9:13 PM | Updated: 9:44 pm
(Facebook and AP photos)
PHOENIX — U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko and Hiral Tipirneni will again face off for Arizona’s 8th congressional district, just six months after they first went head-to-head for the seat.
Voters elected Lesko and Tipirneni to their parties seats, Republican and Democrat, respectively, on Tuesday, after a special election was held in February to replace disgraced former U.S. Rep. Trent Franks.
BREAKING: In an uncontested race, Hiral Tipirneni wins Democratic nomination for U.S. House in Arizona's 8th congressional district. #APracecall at 9:01 p.m. MDT. #Election2018 #AZprimary pic.twitter.com/FBjmcLUTPM
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) August 29, 2018
Franks resigned in December amid allegations that he offered millions of dollars to at least one staffer to be his surrogate. It was also determined that he had surrogacy discussions with several staffers.
Lesko ultimately was elected to the seat in the April special election: She won the reliably-conservative district with 53 percent of the vote, but 47 percent of residents voted for Tipirneni. The district covers western parts of Maricopa County.
In comparison, President Donald Trump carried the district by 21 points in 2016.
The pair will go head-to-head again on Nov. 6 for the same seat.
Other U.S. House races in Arizona
Democratic Rep. Tom O’Halleran is running unopposed to keep his seat representing the 1st Congressional District, which covers much of northern and eastern Arizona. Three Republicans – state Sen. Steve Smith, Wendy Rogers and Tiffany Shedd, are in a primary to challenge him in November. The district narrowly voted for President Donald Trump in 2016, but O’Halleran won his seat that same year.
Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva secured the nomination for his 3rd District seat after a write-in challenge, which covers southwest Arizona and part of the state’s second-largest city. Republican Nick Pierson beat Sergio Arellano and Edna San Miguel in the GOP primary.
In the heavily Republican 5th Congressional District, Rep. Andy Biggs is running unopposed, with Democrats Joan Greene winning the nomination. and Jose Torres looking to challenge him in November. Similarly, Republican Rep. Paul Gosar was unopposed in the primary for his 4th District seat, with Democrats David Brill, Delina DiSanto and write-in candidate Ana Maria Perez seeking the Democratic nomination.
In the 6th Congressional District, incumbent Republican Rep. David Schweikert is unopposed. Three Democrats – Anita Malik, Garrick McFadden and Heather Ross – are running in the primary to represent the district that covers northeast suburbs of Phoenix.
Larry Felder, a longtime Republican voter from Scottsdale, said he supports Schweikert and expects him to win in November, citing his longtime local ties. He says Schweikert is a “say-it-like-it-is” politician who appeals to voters who might not trust establishment-type politicians.
“He’s always been a straight shooter,” he said.
Rep. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat, beat a primary challenge from state Sen. Catherine Miranda for the 7th Congressional District covering parts of Phoenix. No Republicans are running in the Democrat-packed district.
For results and reaction, listen to KTAR News 92.3 FM’s primary roundtable program Tuesday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.