Debbie Lesko Wins Arizona Special Election in Close Call

PHOENIX, AZ – Republican Debbie Lesko narrowly defeated Dr. Hiral Tipirnini to succeed Trent Franks representing Arizona's 8th Congressional District in the House of Representatives. It was much closer than anyone imagined it would be.

Lesko was winning early by seven points but it was too much for Tipirnini to overcome.

"I don’t have to say 'running for Congress' anymore," she told supporters. "I won."

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan quickly put out a statement congratulating her.

"She is a committed conservative who will make Arizona proud, and I’m excited for her to get to Washington so she can help as we continue to advance our agenda," he said.

It' wasn't supposed to be like this. The Republican Party has safely held the 8th District since 1983 when Bob Stump switched his affiliation from the Democrats.

This year is different.

Trent Franks resigned in a sex scandal last year, opening the seat to a special election. When he did so, all indications are were that it was a safe Republican seat.

Republicans outnumber Democrats by 17 percent. President Trump won the district by 21 points in 2016. Before that, Mitt Romney carried it by 25 points. (Get Phoenix Patch's daily newsletter and real-time news alerts. Or, find your local Patch here and subscribe).

So, when Debbie Lesko won the primary, it was assumed she would not have much of a challenge.

Dr. Hiral Tipirneni has upset those expectations.

While most polls have shown her down by single digits, the fact that she is within single digits has Republicans nervous.

A poll by Emerson College last week even had her within one point.

Nationally, some Democrats have looked to this race as one that could follow in the footsteps of other Democrats who scored upset victories.

Arizona Democrats, while hoping for a victory, are more focused on this as an indicator of the races in the fall.

They are hoping that a strong turnout in the normally conservative western suburbs of Phoenix could be a major step toward capturing the seat currently held by Jeff Flake who announced last year he is not seeking reelection.

So, far more than 150,000 votes have been cast early and while Republican ballots have been outpacing those from Democrats by 3-1, Democrats are looking at heavy turnout from Independents and others to even things out.

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Photos courtesy Hiral Tipirneni and Debbie Lesko.