Arizona GOP veteran repels challenger

PHOENIX — Republican Rep. David Schweikert has survived a strong Democratic challenge to win another term representing Arizona’s 6th Congressional District.

Schweikert defeated Dr. Hiral Tipirneni, who ran a campaign focusing on health care and accusations that Schweikert failed to represent his wealthy suburban Phoenix district. It will be his sixth term in his Congress.

He was the most endangered member of Arizona’s congressional delegation, who all ran for re-election this year. Tipirneni had a lead on Election Day, but Schweikert soon pulled ahead and his victory became clear Saturday when additional votes from Maricopa County showed he had come out on top.

“Of course it’s gratifying,” Schweikert said of his victory. “You’re craving to get back to work, but you’re also a little anxious of will Washington, D.C., still continue to be as cantankerous with Democrats in control as it was the last two years.”

Schweikert said he won because Tipirneni “was never a good fit for the district.”

Democrats across the nation were eyeing wins in suburban districts. But they failed in that effort Tuesday, although they maintained their House majority.

The only remaining uncalled Arizona congressional race features Democratic Rep. Tom O’Halleran and Republican challenger Tiffany Shedd, who is trailing.

O’Halleran has led since Election Day and as of midday Saturday had a 3 percentage point lead. But thousands of ballots remain to be counted, many from Republican-heavy Pinal County, so it is too early to say he won.

Arizona voters also re-elected Republican Reps. Andy Biggs, Debbie Lesko and Paul Gosar on Tuesday. Democrats winning re-election included Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, Greg Stanton, Raul Grijalva and Ruben Gallego.