Republican candidate Jeff Zinke, a Trump supporter, won Tuesday’s primary in Arizona’s heavily Democratic 3rd Congressional District.
Zinke defeated Jesus David Mendoza, a 29-year-old software engineer and political newcomer who ran as a moderate Republican.
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The primary election to fill the seat that Rep. Ruben Gallego will vacate at the end of the year took place Tuesday. (Getty Images)
Zinke, who lost the 2022 election, previously made headlines after thousands attended former President Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally on Jan. 6, 2021, which led to the subsequent riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Despite the win, it remains unlikely he will win Arizona’s most heavily Democratic district.
The area is majority Latino and Hispanic and makes up a large portion of Phoenix.
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Candidate Jeff Zinke is a close ally of former President Trump. (Felipe Ramares for Fox News Digital)
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates it D+24, making it the most left-leaning state in the state. Constituency In Arizona.
The seat will be vacated at the end of the year by Rep. Ruben Gallego, an Arizona Democrat who is running for Senate in November against Republican candidate Kali Lake.
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Gallego plans to leave his House seat and run for Senate, possibly against Kali Lake. (Reuters/Mike Seeger)
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Gallego has represented Arizona’s 7th Congressional District since 2015 and will serve as the district’s representative at the start of 2023.
The progressive veteran is set to be formally nominated as the Democratic candidate to replace Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who is not seeking reelection.
