Arizona Election Is Another Republican Test In Trump Country

Voters again will put US President Donald Trump's popularity to the test in Arizona's congressional election Tuesday, as Democrats pursue inroads in a traditionally Republican district and signal their strength ahead of November's mid-term elections.

Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Apr, 2018 ) :Voters again will put US President Donald Trump's popularity to the test in Arizona's congressional election Tuesday, as Democrats pursue inroads in a traditionally Republican district and signal their strength ahead of November's mid-term elections.

The southwestern state's 8th congressional district has been so reliably Republican Trump won it by 21 points in 2016 that Democrats had barely focused on it since 2012. Now they are all in, seeking a dramatic upset in Trump country, or at least a close loss, that would push Republicans onto their heels and signal the opposition party could be on its way to ending Trump's control of Congress.

Two women, Republican state senator Debbie Lesko and Democrat cancer researcher Hiral Tipirneni, are vying for the seat vacated in December by conservative congressman Trent Franks, who quit amid reports he offered a staffer $5 million to be his baby surrogate.

Lesko is slightly favored, but the race is being closely watched for its significance in the broader political trends -- and the margin of victory might be just as important as who wins. "These elections are all about national trends, motivated voters and donors, and omens for November," government professor John McGlennon of the College of William & Mary told AFP.

"The race has already thrown the Republicans into a panic."