SerpApi.Org
The Democratic establishment has suffered another primary election defeat, this time in Arizona.
Amish Shah, an emergency room physician, is projected to defeat former broadcaster Marlene Galán-Woods and two other Democrats in a contest to see who will face Jay Feely, the Republican Party’s nominee for a U.S. House seat in November.
Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), who currently holds the seat, is giving it up to run for governor, and the district is a toss-up — President Donald Trump won it in the last presidential election, and former President Joe Biden won it in 2020. It could be an important pickup for Democrats in their quest to retake the House of Representatives.
Shah campaigned as an opponent of the Democratic establishment and supporter of universal health care, but not “Medicare for All.” He had not received endorsements from progressive standard-bearers such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) or Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). But he adopted insurgent progressive-style rhetoric regarding intervention by the national party.
“In these final days, the D.C. establishment and AIPAC-backed super PACs are trying to buy this election,” Shah said in a video posted last week.
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It’s the third embarrassing primary defeat for the national party following failed attempts to boost candidates in California and Maine.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added Galán-Woods to its “Red-to-blue” program in May, supporting her in $200,000 worth of ad spending. The program is usually reserved for general election candidates and the investment prompted some backlash, including from some elected Democrats who don’t think the party should weigh in on close primary contests.
Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.), the No. 3 Democrat in the House, addressed the criticism earlier on Tuesday.
“The DCCC is focused on winning elections,” Aguilar told reporters. “I think that’s what all of us up here want them to be focused on. I think every decision that they make is through that prism. I know that may not be popular within every corner, but I think that’s their mandate and their charge.”
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Galán-Woods touted her background as a TV reporter and mother of five and campaigned as a moderate, signing a pledge rejecting socialism. This month, she won an endorsement from Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), who touted her willingness to work with Republicans.
“Whether it’s working across the aisle to bring down costs or protecting our fundamental rights, I know Marlene will be a powerful voice for Arizona’s First District in Washington,” Kelly said.
