Hiral Tipirneni defeats Brianna Westbrook in Democratic Congressional District 8 primary

Hiral Tipirneni defeated her Democratic rival Brianna Westbrook in Tuesday's closely watched special 8th Congressional District primary.

Tipirneni, an emergency-room physician, and Westbrook, a progressive activist, were battling for the chance to take on the winner of the Republican primary in the April 24 special general election.

Republican Debbie Lesko took an early lead in the GOP primary. The race will settle who finishes the current two-year term for Trent Franks, who resigned in December after being accused of sexual misconduct.

The Associated Press called the Democratic race for Tipirneni around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

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"I think we won because our message was really connecting with voters, resonating," a triumphant Tipirneni told The Arizona Republic. "I think they are looking for someone who brings something like my skill set to the table, somebody who is ready to work with people from all backgrounds and really focus on solving the problems at hand."

Arizona's 8th District is among the state's most conservative, suggesting that whoever emerges from the Republican primary Tuesday is considered the favorite to head to Washington.

But Democrats have fared better in federal elections across the country since 2016, suggesting the party will make a more competitive showing in the district than typically seen.

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Franks didn't even have a Democratic opponent in his 2014 and 2016 re-election campaigns, but President Donald Trump's ascension to the White House has reinvigorated liberal activism, inspiring new "Indivisible" and "Resistance" movements on the left.

Democratic turnout was seen at about 30 percent ahead of Primary Election Day.

Tipirneni, of Glendale, supports expanding Medicare, believes "abortions should stay safe, legal, and rare," and wants to strengthen public schools and protect Social Security and health-care benefits for retirees.

MORE: Election results from Arizona's 8th Congressional District primary

She also favors an "affordable path to citizenship" for undocumented immigrants who qualify as well as "secure borders."

Tipirneni told The Republic she is confident she can compete in the Republican stronghold in the special general election, partly because she's not "a career politician."

"Because you know what? Even up to this point we've gotten lots of independents and Republicans to come on board our campaign," she said. "These are the folks that are really looking to make some forward progress. They are tired of the divisiveness, they're tired of the rancor, they're tired of the obstructionism, and they're looking for folks who are really focused on solving some problems and getting down to business."

Westbrook of Sun City had won support from celebrities such as Rosie O'Donnell and Alyssa Milano. Her campaign's Facebook page described her as "a champion for Medicare for all, public education, environmental issues, civil and worker rights."

In a Twitter message, Westbrook on Tuesday night signaled that she intends to remain active in politics.

She tweeted: "14,000 votes so far with today’s ballots not being reported yet. A reminder 14,000 people voted for us without a dime spent on mailers or robocalls. We are far from finished regardless of tonight’s outcome because I’m here to stay in Arizona politics for the long haul."

The West Valley hasn't sent a Democrat to Congress since electing the late former Rep. Bob Stump switched parties from Democrat to Republican shortly after the 1980 election. Stump, who was elected to the House as a Democrat in 1976, remained in Congress until 2003. He is not related to the Bob Stump who was on Tuesday's Republican primary ballot.

Arizona's open seat is one of four current vacancies in the House of Representatives. Three of the vacancies were previously held by Republicans.

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