In Arizona’s deep-blue 3rd Congressional District, Pro-Trump GOP candidate Jeff Zink emerged victorious in Tuesday’s primary. Zink defeated Jesús David Mendoza, a software engineer and political newcomer who ran as the more moderate Republican in the race. Zink, who previously ran for the seat in 2022, gained attention for attending former President Trump’s Jan. 6, 2021 “Stop The Steal” rally. Despite his win, Zink is considered a long shot candidate in the heavily-Democratic district, which is majority Latino and Hispanic and includes significant parts of Phoenix. The area is ranked D+24 by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, making it the most left-wing congressional district in Arizona.
The 3rd Congressional District is being vacated by Rep. Ruben Gallego, who is running for the Senate against Republican candidate Kari Lake in November. Gallego, a progressive military veteran, represented the district from the beginning of 2023, having previously held Arizona’s 7th Congressional District from 2015. He is expected to be formally named the Democratic candidate to succeed Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who is not seeking re-election. The current political landscape in Arizona, with Gallego leading the way for the Democrats, presents a challenging environment for GOP candidate Zink, despite his primary victory.
The results of the primary in the 3rd Congressional District raise questions about the shifting battlegrounds in the region, especially with Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket. The district, with its heavy Democratic leanings, presents an uphill battle for Zink and other Republican candidates in the area. Harris’ presence in the upcoming election may further solidify the district’s left-wing tendencies, making it even more difficult for GOP candidates to gain traction. The race between Gallego and Lake for the Senate seat adds another dimension to the political landscape in Arizona, with implications for the entire state.
With the election approaching, Zink’s victory in the primary underscores the challenges faced by Republican candidates in heavily-Democratic districts like Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District. The presence of a strong, progressive candidate like Gallego on the Democratic side and the historical patterns of voting in the area make it an uphill battle for Zink and other GOP hopefuls. The outcome of the Senate race between Gallego and Lake will also have a broader impact on the political landscape in Arizona, with implications for the House of Representatives and other political offices in the state. The dynamics of the upcoming election, with Harris at the top of the ticket, may further shape the battlegrounds and determine the outcomes in Arizona and beyond.
Overall, the primary results in Arizona shed light on the complexities of political battles in the southwestern region, particularly in heavily-Democratic areas like the 3rd Congressional District. The presence of both established and newcomer candidates, as well as the influence of national political figures like Trump and Harris, add layers to the political dynamics at play. As the election approaches, the competition between candidates like Zink and Gallego will continue to unfold, shaping the future of Arizona politics and potentially impacting the national political landscape. The outcome of the Senate race and the balance of power in the House of Representatives remain key factors in determining the direction of Arizona and the wider political environment in the United States.
