AZ-08: Special Election Gets More Vulnerable for GOP

[RandySF]

NOTE: Check out Democrat Hiral Tipirneni at http://hiralforcongress.com



It might look like Republicans dodged a disaster in Arizona’s 8th District, considering former state Sen. Steve Montenegro didn’t win Tuesday’s primary. But as we’ve written before, Republicans seem to find new ways to make these special elections competitive, and Democrats everywhere are excited to send a message to President Donald Trump.

Unlike Montenegro, former state Sen. Debbie Lesko, the GOP nominee, has not received a topless photo from a staffer. But she has been accused of violating campaign finance rules by illegally funneling state funds to a federal race.

It’s unclear whether that will be enough to loosen the GOP grip on a district that Trump carried by 21 points in 2016. But the trend is clear: Democrats are consistently over-performing, and sometimes it’s enough to win in unlikely places.

At a minimum, the trend demonstrates that this race will get more competitive in the weeks ahead. We’re changing our Inside Elections rating from Solid Republican to Likely Republican, and we somewhat expect it to get more vulnerable between now and the April 24 election.

Democrats haven’t invested a significant amount of money into the race at this point, but will likely poll the contest to take a fresh look at the situation now that the nominees are set.

Their nominee is Hiral Tipirneni, a doctor who immigrated to the United States from India when she was three years old. She’s not a household name yet but seems likely to get more attention, particularly if Conor Lamb wins the special election in Pennsylvania’s 18th District in a couple of weeks.


https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/rating-change-arizona-8-special-gets-vulnerable?utm_source=rollcallafternoon&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_content=022818&utm_source=rollcallafternoon&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_content=022818

[marybourg]

1. I didn't vote for her in the primary

because she's not as progressive as Brianna Westbrook and has no political experience, but she's well-spoken, seemingly sincere, and look at that beautiful family. Still, this is a very red district. Twice as many Rs voted in the primary as Ds

[RandySF]

2. Westbrook is running in August, but committed to help Hiral for now

Westbrook, a transgender, liberal activist who had not previously run for office, said that while she plans to run again, her current focus is on doing “everything I can to make sure Debbie Lesko doesn’t win.”

Westbrook would not say whether she would still run in August if Tipirneni were to end up as the incumbent in August. “Right now I’m going to do what’s best for the Democratic Party,” she said.

This is all I ever ask from Democrats. She has EVERY right to run in August and I appreciate her commitment to do what she can to help with this special election.



https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2018/02/28/democrat-lost-tuesday-primary-congress-eyeing-august/

[Cha]

3. Westbrook sounds like her heart is with the country and

the Planet.. instead of some egotistical trip.

Thanks, RSF

Good Luck to Dr. Hiral Tipirneni.. she sounds really smart and savvy!