A special election for Arizona's 8th congressional district was held in 2018 subsequent to the resignation of Republican U.S. Representative Trent Franks. Governor Doug Ducey called a special primary election for Tuesday, February 27, 2018, and a special general election for the balance of Franks' eighth term for Tuesday, April 24, 2018.
Republican nominee and former Arizona Senate president pro tem Debbie Lesko won a closer-than-expected race against Democratic challenger Hiral Tipirneni.
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.
Candidates must file nomination forms and petitions within 30 days of the governor's proclamation. 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.
It was initially thought that Arizona's resign-to-run law would have required sitting members of the Arizona Legislature to resign their seats in order to run in the special election. 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 was January 10 and the end of the current term for members of the Arizona Legislature was January 14, 2019. However, legal advice from the legislature's nonpartisan counsel stated that incumbent state legislators would not be required to resign in order to run in the special election.
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. Additionally, complaints were filed against former state senator Debbie Lesko over her campaign finance records.
Candidates Declared Chad Allen, health care executive Brenden Dilley, author, entrepreneur and host of Your Voice America Stephen Dolgos, independent candidate for Arizona's 8th congressional district in 2012 and 2014 Debbie Lesko, former state senator 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 David Lien, teacher and former Willmar, Minnesota council member Richard Mack, teacher and former Graham County Sheriff Steve Montenegro, former state senator Bob Stump, former Arizona Corporation Commissioner Christopher Sylvester, Navy veteran Clair Van Steenwyk, radio host and candidate for the seat in 2016 Mark Yates
Withdrew Kevin Cavanaugh, former deputy sheriff
Declined Clint Hickman, Maricopa County supervisor Kimberly Yee, state senator and candidate for state treasurer in 2018
Endorsements
Debates Includes video of debate, January 24, 2018.
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error DebbieLesko PhilLovas RichardMack SteveMontenegro BobStump ClairVanSteenwyck UndecidedABC 15/OH Predictive Insights (R)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)Remington Research (R-Jobs, Freedom, and Security PAC) January 20–21, 2018 787 ± 3.5% 22% – – 24% 11% – –
with Clint Hickman and Kimberly Yee Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error TravisAngry ClintHickman DebbieLesko PhilLovas RichardMack SteveMontenegro TonyRivero BobStump ChristopherSylvester KimberlyYee UndecidedABC 15/OH Predictive Insights (R)ABC 15/OH Predictive Insights (R) December 11, 2017 400 ± 4.9% 1% 15% 16% 2% – 1% 1% 18% 2% 7% 37%Data Orbital (R)Data Orbital (R) December 9–11, 2017 400 ± 4.9% – 9% 15% 2% 3% 4% – 10% – 7% 51%
Results
Democratic primary Candidates Declared Hiral Tipirneni, emergency department physician Brianna Westbrook, political activist and LGBTQ community leader
Declined Robert Olsen Robert Schuster, Arizona State University student
Results
Green primary Candidates Declared Richard Grayson (write-in), candidate in Green Party presidential primary in Arizona in 2012 Gary Swing (write-in), Green Party candidate for U.S. senator in Arizona in 2016
Each candidate received 13 write-in votes in the primary. Neither was placed on the special election ballot.
Libertarian primary Candidates Declared Kelly Noble (write-in) The candidate received 22 write-in votes in the primary and was not placed on the special election ballot.
General election
Republican candidate Debbie Lesko received over $1 million in funding from Republican groups outside the state.
Candidates Debbie Lesko (Republican), former state senator Hiral Tipirneni (Democratic), emergency department physician
Debates + Hostnetwork Date Link(s) ParticipantsHiralTipirneni (D)DebbieLesko (R) KAET March 26, 2018 Invited Invited
Predictions +SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political Report March 2, 2018Inside Elections/Rothenberg Political Report February 28, 2018Sabato's Crystal Ball March 14, 2018
Endorsements
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error DebbieLesko (R) HiralTipirneni (D) Other UndecidedEmerson CollegeEmerson College April 19–22, 2018 400 ± 5.2% 49% 43% – 8%Lake Research Partners (D-Tipirneni)Lake Research Partners (D-Tipirneni) April 14–16, 2018 408 ± 4.9% 44% 44% – 11%Emerson CollegeEmerson College April 12–15, 2018 400 ± 5.2% 45% 46% 4% 5%OH Predictive InsightsOH Predictive Insights April 11, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 53% 43% – 4%Lake Research Partners (D-Tipirneni)Lake Research Partners (D-Tipirneni) March 3–6, 2018 400 – 48% 34% – 18%
Results
See also 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona#District 8 Arizona's 8th congressional district
References
External links Video of March 26, 2018 debate, Arizona PBS
Official campaign websites Debbie Lesko (R) for Congress Hiral Tipirneni (D) for Congress