Arizona's 8th congressional district special election, 2018

Arizona's 8th congressional district special election, 2018

←  2016 April 24, 2018 November 2018  →
Arizona's 8th congressional district
Nominee Debbie Lesko Hiral Tipirneni Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 96,012 87,331 Percentage 52.4% 47.6%
U.S. Representative before election Trent Franks Republican Elected U.S. Representative Debbie Lesko Republican

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A special election for Arizona's 8th congressional district was held in 2018 subsequent to the resignation of U.S. Representative Trent Franks. Governor Doug Ducey called a special primary election for Tuesday, February 27, 2018, and a special general election for Tuesday, April 24, 2018. ^{[1] [2]}

Background

Incumbent Representative Trent Franks announced on December 7, 2017, that he would resign effective January 31, 2018, after admitting allegations regarding the issue of surrogacy. However, after his wife was hospitalized, Franks resigned effective December 8, 2017. ^[3]

Candidates must file nomination forms and petitions within 30 days of the Governor's proclamation. Arizona's resign-to-run law does not require someone to resign if they file to run when they are in the final year of their term. However, the deadline to submit nominating petitions will be January 10 and the end of the current term for members of the Arizona Legislature is January 14, 2019, meaning current state lawmakers will not be able to run in the special election and for re-election unless they resign from the legislature. ^[4] Candidates in special congressional elections in Arizona must collect a number of valid signatures equal to at least one-fourth of 1% of the number of qualified signers in the district. For the 2018 special election, a Democratic candidate requires 665 signatures, a Green candidate requires 392 signatures, a Libertarian candidate requires 401 signatures, a Republican candidate requires 860 signatures, and an Independent candidate requires 4,680 signatures. ^[5]

Republican primary

Two of the major candidates in the Republican primary drew controversy late in the campaign. Former state senator Steve Montenegro faced calls to withdraw, including by former Governor Jan Brewer, after news articles revealing sexually suggestive text messages between Montenegro and a legislative staffer surfaced. ^[6] Additionally, complaints were filed against former state senator Debbie Lesko over her campaign finance records. ^[7]

Candidates

Declared

• Chad Allen, health care executive ^[8]
• Brenden Dilley, author, entrepreneur and host of Your Voice America ^{[9] [10]}
• Stephen Dolgos, independent candidate for Arizona's 8th congressional district in 2012 and 2014 ^[11]
• Debbie Lesko, former State Senator ^[12]
• Phil Lovas, former State Representative, Arizona State Chairman of Donald Trump's 2016 campaign, and Regional Advocate for the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy. ^[13]
• David Lien, teacher and former Willmar, Minnesota council member ^[8]
• Richard Mack, teacher and former Graham County Sheriff ^[14]
• Steve Montenegro, former State Senator ^[8]
• Bob Stump, former Arizona Corporation Commissioner ^[15]
• Christopher Sylvester, Navy veteran ^[8]
• Clair Van Steenwyk, radio host and candidate for the seat in 2016 ^[16]
• Mark Yates ^[11]

Withdrew

• Kevin Cavanaugh, former deputy sheriff ^[11]

Declined

• Clint Hickman, Maricopa County Supervisor ^[15]
• Kimberly Yee, State Senator and candidate for State Treasurer in 2018 ^{[17] [18]}

Endorsements

Steve Montenegro
Individuals Joe Arpaio, former Maricopa County Sheriff [19] Bob Corbin, former Arizona Attorney General and former President of the NRA Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator (R-TX) [20] Trent Franks, former Congressman (R-AZ) [21] Steve King, Congressman (R-IA) [22] Rick Santorum, former U.S. Senator (R-PA) [23]

Debates

• Dan Nowicki (January 25, 2018). "GOP Congress hopefuls try to outdo each other on border security, loyalty to Trump". The Arizona Republic. Includes video of debate, January 24, 2018.

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Debbie Lesko	Phil Lovas	Richard Mack	Steve Montenegro	Bob Stump	Clair Van Steenwyck	Undecided
ABC 15/OH Predictive Insights (R)	January 29, 2018	400	± 4.9%	21%	12%	1%	21%	10%	5%	24%
Remington Research (R-Jobs, Freedom, and Security PAC) [ permanent dead link ]	January 20–21, 2018	787	± 3.5%	22%	–	–	24%	11%	–	–

Results

Republican primary results ^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Debbie Lesko	25,508	35.8%
	Republican	Phil Lovas	17,031	23.9%
	Republican	Steve Montenegro	16,987	23.8%
	Republican	Bob Stump	3,832	5.4%
	Republican	Clair Van Steenwyk	1,692	2.4%
	Republican	Christopher Sylvester	1,370	1.9%
	Republican	David Lien	1,261	1.8%
	Republican	Richard Mack	1,014	1.4%
	Republican	Mark Yates	799	1.1%
	Republican	Chad Allen	747	1.0%
	Republican	Brenden Dilley	734	1.0%
	Republican	Stephen Dolgos	345	0.5%
Total votes			72,155	100.0%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Hiral Tipirneni, emergency department physician ^{[24] [25]}
• Brianna Westbrook, political activist and LGBTQ community leader ^[26]

Declined

• Robert Schuster, Arizona State University student ^[8]
• Robert Olsen ^[8]

Results

Democratic primary results ^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Hiral Tipirneni	21,703	59.6%
	Democratic	Brianna Westbrook	14,701	40.4%
Total votes			36,404	100.0%

Green primary

Candidates

Declared

• Richard Grayson (write-in), candidate in Green Party presidential primary in Arizona in 2012 ^[8]
• Gary Swing (write-in), Green Party candidate for U.S. Senator in Arizona in 2016 ^[8]

Each candidate received 13 write-in votes in the primary. Neither was placed on the special election ballot. ^[27]

Libertarian primary

Candidates

Declared

• Kelly Noble (write-in) ^[28]

The candidate received 22 write-in votes in the primary and was not placed on the special election ballot. ^[29]

General election

Debbie Lesko at a campaign event in Peoria, Arizona.

Hiral Tipirneni at a campaign event in Sun City, Arizona.

Republican candidate Debbie Lesko received over $1 million in funding from Republican groups outside the state. ^[30]

Candidates

• Debbie Lesko (Republican), former State Senator ^[31]
• Hiral Tipirneni (Democratic), emergency department physician ^[32]

Debates

Host network	Date	Link(s)	Participants
			Hiral Tipirneni (D)	Debbie Lesko (R)
KAET	March 26, 2018	[33]	Invited	Invited

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report [34]	Likely R	April 18, 2018
Inside Elections/Rothenberg Political Report [35]	Likely R	February 28, 2018
Sabato's Crystal Ball [36]	Likely R	March 14, 2018

Endorsements

Debbie Lesko

Federal politicians Donald Trump, President of the United States [37] Jon Kyl, former U.S. Senator (R-AZ) [38] Andy Biggs, U.S. Representative (R-AZ) [39] Paul Gosar, U.S. Representative (R-AZ) [38] Kevin McCarthy, House Majority Leader and U.S. Representative (R-CA) [40] Jim Jordan, U.S. Representative (R-OH) [41] Martha McSally, U.S. Representative (R-AZ) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018. [42] Mark Meadows, U.S. Representative (R-NC), and Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus [43] David Schweikert, U.S. Representative (R-AZ) [38] Local and statewide politicians Jan Brewer, former Governor of Arizona [44] Mark Brnovich, Attorney General of Arizona [45] Doug Ducey, Governor of Arizona [46] Organizations Maggie's List [47] Susan B. Anthony List [48] Winning For Women [49]

Hiral Tipirneni

Federal politicians Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator (D-VA) [50] Ami Bera, U.S. Representative (D-CA) [51] Judy Chu, U.S. Representative (D-CA) [52] Ruben Gallego, U.S. Representative (D-AZ) [53] Gabrielle Giffords, former U.S. Representative (D-AZ) [53] Raul Grijalva, U.S. Representative (D-AZ) [53] Pramila Jayapal, U.S. Representative (D-WA) [51] Ro Khanna, U.S. Representative (D-CA) [51] Ann Kirkpatrick, former U.S. Representative (D-AZ) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2016 [53] Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. Representative (D-IL) [51] Conor Lamb, U.S. Representative (D-PA) [54] Grace Meng, U.S. Representative (D-NY) [52] Tom O'Halleran, U.S. Representative (D-AZ) [53] Ed Pastor, former U.S. Representative (D-AZ) [53] Donald Payne Jr., U.S. Representative (D-NJ) [51] Kyrsten Sinema, U.S. Representative (D-AZ) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018 [55] [53] Local and statewide politicians Steve Gallardo, Member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors [56] Labor unions United Food and Commercial Workers Local 900 [57] Organizations AAPI Victory Fund [58] Americans for Responsible Solutions/GiffordsPAC [59] Clinicians for Progressive Care [60] End Citizens United [61] EMILY's List [62] Giffords PAC/Americans for Responsible Solutions [63] League of Conservation Voters Action Fund [64] MoveOn.org [65] NARAL Pro-Choice America [66] Stonewall Democrats of Arizona [67] The Indivisible Project [68]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Debbie Lesko (R)	Hiral Tipirneni (D)	Other	Undecided
Emerson College [ permanent dead link ]	April 19–22, 2018	400	± 5.2%	49%	43%	–	8%
Lake Research Partners (D-Tipirneni)	April 14–16, 2018	408	± 4.9%	44%	44%	–	11%
Emerson College	April 12–15, 2018	400	± 5.2%	45%	46%	4%	5%
OH Predictive Insights	April 11, 2018	500	± 4.4%	53%	43%	–	4%
Lake Research Partners (D-Tipirneni)	March 3–6, 2018	400	–	48%	34%	–	18%

Results

Arizona's 8th congressional district special election, 2018 ^[69]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Republican	Debbie Lesko	96,012	52.37%
	Democratic	Hiral Tipirneni	87,331	47.63%
Total votes			183,343	100.0
Majority			8,681	4.74%
	Republican hold		Swing	-16.2%

See also

• United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona, 2018#District 8
• Arizona's 8th congressional district

References

1. "Congressman Franks resigns". Arizona Capitol Times. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
2. "Gov. Ducey sets dates for special election to fill Rep. Trent Franks' seat". KPNX. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
3. "Rep. Trent Franks to Resign Immediately After Wife Is Hospitalized". Time. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
4. "Franks' immediate resignation puts monkey wrench into special election". Arizona Capitol Times. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
5. "2018 Congressional District 8 Special Primary and Special General Election Information" (PDF). Arizona Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
6. Yvonne Wingett Sanchez; Ronald J. Hansen (February 21, 2018). "Steve Montenegro faces calls to quit congressional race; backers largely mum". The Arizona Republic.
7. "Arizona Special Primary Election Results: Eighth House District". The New York Times.
8. "Updated: Here's Everyone Who's Running To Replace Trent Franks". Phoenix New Times. December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
9. "Brenden Dilley for Congress – Vote February 27, 2018 in Arizona District 8's Special Election". Brenden Dilley for Congress. Retrieved 2017-12-24.
10. "The Amazing YourVoice™ America Hosts! – YourVoice America". Your Voice America. Retrieved 2017-12-24.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
11. "Arizona Election Information". apps.arizona.vote.
12. Ronald J. Hansen (December 20, 2017). "Debbie Lesko is officially running for Congress for Trent Franks' seat". The Arizona Republic .
13. "Tweets with replies by Phil Lovas (@PhilLovas)" – via Twitter.^{[ dead link ]}
14. "12-18-17 Briefs". archives.mcrcbriefs.org.
15. "Arizona names who could enter the race for Franks' US House seat". KTAR. December 7, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
16. http://azdailysun.com/news/local/first-candidate-certified-in-race-to-replace-trent-franks/article_a997b3e3-6bb3-5385-b5e2-22ab10868c60.html
17. Seipel, Brooke (December 7, 2017). "Rep. Franks resigning after discussing surrogacy with female staff". The Hill.
18. Ronald J. Hansen; Yvonne Wingett Sanchez; Eliza Collins; Dan Nowicki. "Trent Franks stepping down from Congress amid complaints from 2 former female staffers". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
19. "Trent Franks, Joe Arpaio endorse Arizona senator for Franks' former seat". KTAR. December 11, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
20. Wallace, Jeremy (December 28, 2017). "Ted Cruz weighing in on races in Arizona and Montana". Houston Chronicle .
21. Roberts, Laurie (December 11, 2017). "Roberts: Is a Trent Franks endorsement a good thing for Steve Montenegro?". The Arizona Republic .
22. @SteveMontenegro (January 17, 2018). "BREAKING: @SteveKingIA endorses Montenegro! "The establishment is never going to support candidates like Steve Montenegro because he will solve problems and put America first. He's exactly the warrior we need to make America great again!" #AZ08" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
23. "Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum endorses Steve Montenegro for Congress" – via Facebook.^{[ dead link ]}
24. "Glendale doctor enters race for Arizona's 8th Congressional District". KTAR. July 19, 2017.
25. "Hiralforcongress.com – Hiral Tipirneni's Campaign website 2018".
26. "Campaign finance data". Federal Election Commission.
27. "Write-in Canvass Summary Special Primary Election 2018 Congressional District 8" (PDF). Maricopa County Recorder's Information Systems Center. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
28. "Special election for Arizona's Congressional District 8". KTVK. 28 February 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
29. "Write-in Canvass Summary Special Primary Election 2018 Congressional District 8" (PDF). Maricopa County Recorder's Information Systems Center. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
30. Martin, Jonathan (April 24, 2018). "Debbie Lesko Wins Arizona Special Election for Congress, Rallying G.O.P." New York Times. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
31. Bowman, Bridget; Bowman, Bridget (2018-02-28). "Lesko Wins GOP Primary in Arizona Race to Replace Rep. Trent Franks". Roll Call. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
32. "Hiral Tipirneni defeats Brianna Westbrook in Democratic Congressional District 8 primary". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
33. "Lesko vs Tipirneni: Eighth Congressional District Special Election Debate". Arizona PBS. March 26, 2018.
34. "AZ-08: Republicans Retain Advantage in Special Election". Cook Political Report. Retrieved 2018-03-02.
35. "Rating Change: Arizona 8 Special Gets More Vulnerable | News & Analysis | Inside Elections". Inside Elections. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
36. "Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » 2018 House". Center for Politics. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
37. "Arizona, please get out today and vote @DebbieLesko for Congress in #AZ08. Strong on Border, Immigration and Crime. Great on the Military. Time is ticking down – get out and VOTE today. We need Debbie in Congress!". Twitter .
38. "Endorsements". Debbie Lesko.
39. Brahm Resnik [@brahmresnik] (February 6, 2018). "BREAKING Congressman @andybiggs4az endorses @DebbieLesko in #AZ08 GOP primary. Biggs a leading conservative voice in #MariCo" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
40. Weigel, David; DeBonis, Mike (18 April 2018). "GOP enlists Trump, leadership to stave off Democratic challenge in Arizona". Washington Post.
41. Debbie Lesko [@DebbieLesko] (January 19, 2018). "Big news! I have been endorsed by @Jim_Jordan for my campaign for #Congress in #AZ 08. For those of you who don't know he was a co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus @freedomcaucus" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
42. Martha McSally [@MarthaMcSally] (April 21, 2018). "We've got to make sure this district knows, this state knows and this country knows that #AZ08 is RED and Arizona is RED. @DebbieLesko @AZGOP" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
43. Debbie Lesko [@DebbieLesko] (January 22, 2018). "So honored to have the support of @RepMarkMeadows for my run for Congress in #AZ 08!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
44. Debbie Lesko [@DebbieLesko] (January 30, 2018). "I am so excited to announce that @GovBrewer has endorsed my campaign! Thank you Governor!! #AZ08 #MAGA" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
45. Maricopa County GOP [@MaricopaGOP] (April 14, 2018). "Come out and support @DebbieLesko for Congress this Saturday... @GeneralBrnovich is stopping by! Knock some doors, make some calls...keep CD8 Red! Prizes and lunch! #Teamwork #EveryVoteCounts #AZ08 #KeepitRed @AZGOP #LeadRight" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
46. "Endorsed Candidates". KTAR News.
47. "Endorsed Candidates". Maggie's List.
48. "National Pro-life Group SBA List Endorses Debbie Lesko in AZ-8". January 12, 2018.
49. "Debbie Lesko". Women For Winning.
50. Tim Kaine. "Special election TOMORROW in #AZ08 - Democrat @hiral4congress is neck-and-neck in a district Trump won by 20+! She's a mom, a physician, and a longtime health care advocate". Twitter.
51. "Dr. Hiral Tipirneni Endorsed by Members of Congress" (PDF). Hiral Tipirneni. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
52. "Nationwide endorsements for Dr Hiral Tipirneni". India Post. April 5, 2018.
53. Kimbrough, Jason; Tipirneni, Hiral; Sinema, Kyrsten (April 5, 2018). "Dr. Hiral Tipirneni Earns Endorsements of Arizona Congressional Leadership" (PDF). Dr. Hiral Tipirneni for Congress.
54. "AZ-08: Rep. Conor Lamb (D. PA) Helps Dr. Hiral Tipirneni (D) Pull Off A Special Election Victory". Daily Kos. April 21, 2018.
55. "AZ-08: Kyrsten Sinema (D) Helps Hiral Tipirneni (D) Pull Off Another Special Election Upset Victory". Daily Kos. April 5, 2018.
56. "Dr. Hiral Tipirneni Endorsed by Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo" (PDF). December 18, 2017.
57. "Dr. Hiral Tipirneni Earns Endorsement of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 99" (PDF). February 2, 2018.
58. "Endorsed Candidates". AAPI Victory Fund.
59. Gabby Giffords (February 21, 2018). "Giffords Endorses Dr. Hiral Tipirneni to Replace Trent Franks in Special Election for Arizona's 8th Congressional District". GiffordsPAC.
60. "C4PC Endorses Hiral Tipirneni, MD, for Congress in AZ-8". Clinicians for Progressive Care. January 2, 2018.
61. "ECU Endorses Dr. Hiral Tipirneni in AZ-08 Special Election – End Citizens United". End Citizens United. March 21, 2018.
62. Schriock, Stephanie (April 4, 2018). "EMILY's List Endorses Hiral Tipirneni in Arizona's 8th District". Emily' s List.
63. Giffords, Gabby (February 21, 2018). "Giffords Endorses Dr. Hiral Tipirneni to Replace Trent Franks in Special Election for Arizona's 8th Congressional District – Giffords". Giffords.
64. Sittenfeld, Tiernan (April 20, 2018). "LCV Action Fund Endorses Hiral Tipirneni for Congress – League of Conservation Voters". League of Conservation Voters.
65. Sheyman, Ilya (April 1, 2018). "MoveOn Members in Arizona Vote Overwhelmingly to Endorse Hiral Tipirneni (AZ-08) for Congress". MoveOn.
66. Hogue, Ilyse (April 16, 2018). "NARAL Pro-Choice America Endorses Hiral Tipirneni on Her Bid For Congress – NARAL Pro-Choice America". NARAL Pro-Choice America.
67. "Arizona 2018 Primary Election Candidates & Stonewall Democrats Endorsements". Stonewall Dems AZ.
68. Urbina, Maria; Phelps, Emily (April 3, 2018). "Indivisible Project Endorses First Five Candidates in Midterm Elections". Indivisible.
69. "U.S. Representative in Congress - District No. 8". Arizona Secretary of State. Retrieved April 29, 2018.

External links

• Video of March 26, 2018 debate, Arizona PBS

Official Campaign Websites

• Debbie Lesko (R) for Congress
• Hiral Tipirneni (D) for Congress