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One Dem In Arizona Special Election Short Of Signatures

A review of signatures in the special election for Congress in the northwest Valley is done. 

Candidates running to replace Trent Franks in the 8th Congressional District needed 665 valid signatures to get on the ballot.

A trio of Democrats filed signatures to run. After a review, Maricopa County elections officials say one of the Democrats fell far short: Gene Scharer. Another Democrat, Brianna Westbrook, exceeded the requirement by just four signatures.

The review came after a challenge from a supporter of Hiral Tipirneni. Tipirneni is also running for the Democratic nomination. A court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.

The district is heavily Republican and a dozen GOP candidates are running.

Bret Jaspers was a senior field correspondent at KJZZ from 2017 to 2020.