In Arizona’s deep-blue 3rd Congressional District, pro-Trump GOP candidate Jeff Zink emerged victorious in Tuesday’s primary, defeating 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 that led to a riot at the U.S. Capitol. Despite his win, Zink remains a long shot candidate in Arizona’s heavily-Democratic congressional district, which is predominantly Latino and Hispanic and includes significant portions of Phoenix.
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report ranks Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District as D+24, making it the most left-wing district in the state. The seat is currently held by Rep. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat, who is leaving the position to run for Senate against Republican candidate Kari Lake in November. Gallego, a progressive military veteran, has represented the district since the beginning of 2023, and previously held Arizona’s 7th Congressional District from 2015. He is expected to be named the Democratic candidate to succeed Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an Independent, who is not seeking re-election.
The 3rd Congressional District in Arizona has become a crucial southwestern battleground, with Zink’s victory in the primary being a significant development. The district’s majority Latino and Hispanic population, combined with its heavily-Democratic leanings, makes it a challenging environment for Republican candidates to compete. Despite this, Zink’s win signals a shift in the political landscape of the district, as he moves forward to face off against the Democratic candidate in the general election.
The upcoming general election in November will see Jeff Zink going head-to-head with the Democratic candidate in Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District. While Zink’s victory in the primary was a notable achievement, he still faces an uphill battle in attempting to win in such a Democratic-leaning area. With Rep. Ruben Gallego vacating the seat to run for Senate, the race to fill the congressional position has garnered significant attention from both parties.
The primary win by Jeff Zink in Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District raises questions about how battleground states may be shifting with Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket. Zink’s pro-Trump stance and connections to the former president may play a role in how voters perceive his candidacy, especially in a district that leans heavily Democratic. With changing demographics and political dynamics in play, the general election will provide further insights into the state of political battlegrounds in the southwestern region.
The aftermath of the primary in Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District highlights the ongoing political divide and shifting landscapes in key battleground areas. With Rep. Ruben Gallego leaving the seat to run for Senate and Jeff Zink emerging as the Republican candidate, the general election promises to be a closely watched contest. As Democrats and Republicans vie for control in this deeply Democratic district, the outcome will have broader implications for future elections and political dynamics in the region.
