Democrat Hiral Tipirneni launches run for Schweikert’s US House seat

PHOENIX – After a pair of losing congressional challenges, Arizona Democrat Dr. Hiral Tipirneni has launched a bid for federal office in a different district.

Tipirneni announced Tuesday that she will run in the Republican-controlled District 6, for the seat held by U.S. Rep. David Schweikert.

“While our representatives are busy voting down party line and looking out for their special interest donors, families here in Arizona are struggling with the skyrocketing cost of health care and education,” she said in a statement.

“I love this community, and I’m running for Congress because we need someone who will start putting people over partisanship.”

Tipirneni’s announcement was expected: She had filed the paperwork to run Friday. The Federal Election Commission filing listed the committee as Hiral For Congress.

Much of Tipirneni’s campaign will be focused on the issue of health care. In her announcement, Tipirneni said she would focus on “pragmatic solutions to make health care more affordable.”

She also said she would set out to fix the so-called “corrupt political system.” Tipirneni highlighted Schweikert’s investigation by the Ethics Committee over allegations he misspent official funds and received illegal campaign contributions.

“It’s time we had a representative who cares more about our community than about themselves, their party, and their special interests,” Tipirneni said.

“I’ll work with anyone to get things done for Arizona. It’s time for a change.”

The former emergency room doctor previously ran in District 8 against Debbie Lesko. The district is made up of suburbs north and west of Phoenix, including Sun City West, Surprise and Litchfield Park.

The two went head-to-head in a special election in April 2018 to fill the seat vacated by Republican Trent Franks, who had resigned in late 2017 after sexual misconduct allegations were made against him.

Lesko won with 53 percent of the votes to Tipirneni’s 47 percent in a race that was closer than expected.

They opposed each other again in the general election. Lesko’s margin of victory widened in November. She won 55 percent to 45 percent.

Moving to District 6 puts Tipirneni, who lives in Glendale, in a district that Schweikert has represented for five terms.

He beat Democrat Anita Malik, 55 percent to 45 percent, in a region that includes Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.

There is no federal law that stipulates a congressional candidate must live in the district they wish to represent.

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