Ansari leads close Arizona CD3 Democratic primary by 42 votes, triggers recount

Former Phoenix Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari won the Democratic primary in Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District by just 42 votes, according to the unofficial final tally of results in Maricopa County.

But Ansari’s victory over former Democratic Party chair Raquel Terán won’t be assured until after a recount, triggered automatically under a state law due to the narrow margin of her lead.

Ansari had a wider lead over Terán when results were first posted on July 30, Election Day. But her lead dwindled as votes were counted and ballots were cured in the week that followed, down to a fraction of 1%.

The winner of the primary will be heavily favored to win in November and replace Congressman Ruben Gallego, who’s running for U.S. Senate.

Republican Jeff Zink earned his party’s nomination in the heavily Democratic district, which covers central and southwest Phoenix.

In the Democratic primary, Ansari touted herself as progressive candidate who will “stand up to MAGA extremism” and defend abortion rights.

Terán, a former state lawmaker, emphasized her success as a community organizer and her role in the ouster of former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio from office.