PHOENIX — Yassamin Ansari has secured the Democratic nomination for Arizona’s open congressional district, winning by a narrow margin of just 39 votes. This closely contested primary race prompted a recount, emphasizing the significance of this district in the upcoming general election.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Jennifer Ryan-Touhill announced the official results in downtown Phoenix, confirming Ansari’s victory over former state lawmaker Raquel Terán.
Following the announcement, Ansari expressed gratitude to her supporters, stating, “It’s time for us to come together and ensure we secure victories for Democrats up and down the ballot this November.”
Raquel Terán conceded the race and publicly congratulated Ansari, reflecting on the close results. “The recount concluded this morning, and though we came so incredibly close, this time, we lost,” she noted, adding that the 39-vote difference underscores the importance of every single vote.
Ansari will now face Republican candidate Jeff Zink in the general election this November. Zink previously ran for the seat in 2022, losing to Democrat Ruben Gallego.
Zink, a pastor, has been involved in controversial discussions surrounding the January 6, 2021, uprising at the U.S. Capitol and has voiced skepticism regarding the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
The recount was initiated on August 12 after the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors certified the July 30 primary results. According to Arizona law, a recount is mandated when the margin between candidates is 0.5 percentage points or less. Ansari and Terán’s results fell within this category, with only 42 votes, or 0.1 percentage points, separating them.
Yassamin Ansari, the daughter of Iranian immigrants, previously served as vice mayor of Phoenix and ran on a progressive platform that advocates for democracy and reproductive rights against what she has termed “MAGA extremists.”
Terán highlighted her activism, particularly her efforts in ousting former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and her leadership role as the former chair of the Arizona Democratic Party.
The Democratic-leaning 3rd District includes parts of Phoenix and became an opportunity for candidates after Gallego announced his Senate campaign against Republican Kari Lake.
With Arizona already forecasted as a critical battleground in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, analysts anticipate more closely contested races, further fueled by ballot measures on abortion and immigration that are likely to drive voter turnout in the state.
