Arizona Republican Lesko declares victory
PHOENIX: Republicans declared victory yesterday in an Arizona election for a US House of Representatives seat after a tight race that could bolster Democratic momentum heading into November’s midterm vote.
Multiple news networks called the race for Republican Debbie Lesko, over Democratic candidate Hiral Tipirneni, a former emergency room doctor. Lesko is a former Arizona state senator who left the legislature in January.
“I want to promise you that I am going to continue to work hard for the people of my district and continue to represent you with the values that have continued to make our nation great,” Lesko told her supporters in a speech on Tuesday.
Lesko had a lead of slightly more than 5 percentage points over Tipirneni, according to the latest results posted by the Arizona secretary of state.
It is closer than the 21-point margin that Trump commanded in the district in the 2016 presidential election and may add to the Democrats’ momentum heading into November’s elections.
US President Donald Trump, a fellow Republican, praised her “big win” in a message on Twitter.
“Debbie will do a Great Job!” he wrote, before adding a dig at the media, which he perceives as having a liberal bias: “Press is so silent”.
Tipirneni said on Twitter that she was still waiting for the results of the election, held to replace US Representative Trent Franks, a Republican, in Arizona’s 8th district.
“Whatever happens tonight or tomorrow, we’re not giving up. Regardless of the outcome, we’re taking this to November,” she said.
Democrats launched a lastminute blitz to try to pull off a win, hoping to replicate strong performances by the party in Pennsylvania and Alabama, partly fuelled by opposition to Trump.
The party must pick up 23 seats nationally to reclaim control of the House of Representatives and two seats to regain a majority in the Senate.
Franks, in office since 2003, resigned on December 8 amid allegations that he made improper advances to female staff and that he offered a female staff member $5million to be a surrogate to bear a child for him and his wife. He denied any wrongdoing. Lesko has said she supports Trump’s proposal for a border wall between the United States and Mexico, tightened border security and tax cuts.
She opposes abortion and is a staunch gun-rights advocate.
Tipirneni largely focused her campaign on the need to improve health care for all consumers, including pushing to expand Medicare by allowing anyone to buy into the system. She opposes the building of a wall.