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Arizona's 6th Congressional District election, 2020

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Arizona's 6th Congressional District
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Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: April 6, 2020
Primary: August 4, 2020
General: November 3, 2020
Pre-election incumbent:
David Schweikert (Republican)
How to vote
Poll times: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Voting in Arizona
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Toss-up
Inside Elections: Toss-up
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Lean Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2020
See also
Arizona's 6th Congressional District
1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th • 6th • 7th • 8th • 9th
Arizona elections, 2020
U.S. Congress elections, 2020
U.S. Senate elections, 2020
U.S. House elections, 2020

Incumbent David Schweikert (R) defeated Hiral Tipirneni (D) in Arizona's 6th Congressional District election on November 3, 2020.

Schweikert was first elected in 2010. He was re-elected in 2018 with 55% to Anita Malik's (D) 45%. The 2017 Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+9, meaning that in the previous two presidential elections, this district's results were 9 percentage points more Republican than the national average.

In July 2020, Schweikert reached a deal with the House Ethics Committee concluding a two-year investigation. The deal included a $50,000 fine and a formal sanction for improper use of official resources for re-election efforts and for violating campaign finance rules. Schweikert admitted to 11 counts of misconduct.[1] He attributed most of the violations to his former chief of staff and said, "I have to apologize for where I failed to do my job in supervising. I have to explain it. But it has been polled multiple times and it doesn’t move voters."[2]

The Cook Political Report's David Wasserman said the ethics issue could make the race competitive, also citing Tipirneni's fundraising.[3]

Tipirneni was the Democratic nominee in the special and regular elections for Arizona's 8th Congressional District in 2018. She lost to incumbent Debbie Lesko (R) 48% to 52% and 44.5% to 55.5%, respectively.

The outcome of this race affected partisan control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 117th Congress. All 435 seats in the House were up for election. At the time of the election, Democrats had a 232 to 198 majority over Republicans. The Libertarian Party had one seat. Four seats were vacant. Democrats defended 30 districts Donald Trump (R) won in 2016. Republicans defended five districts Hillary Clinton (D) won in 2016.

The 6th District is one of five primarily urban districts centered around Phoenix, Arizona.[4]

This race was one of 89 congressional races that were decided by 10 percent or less in 2020.

Democratic Party For more information about the Democratic primary, click here.
Republican Party For more information about the Republican primary, click here.

Post-election analysis

The table below compares the vote totals in the 2020 presidential election and 2020 U.S. House election for this district. The presidential election data was compiled by Daily Kos.

Presidential and congressional election results, Arizona's 6th Congressional District, 2020
Race Presidential U.S. House
Democratic candidate Democratic Party 47.3 47.8
Republican candidate Republican Party 51.4 52.2
Difference 4.1 4.4

Election procedure changes in 2020

See also: Changes to election dates, procedures, and administration in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Ballotpedia provided comprehensive coverage of how election dates and procedures changed in 2020. While the majority of changes occurred as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some changes occurred for other reasons.

Arizona modified its voter registration procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election as follows:

  • Voter registration: Voters had until 5:00 p.m. on October 15, 2020, to register to vote.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for U.S. House Arizona District 6

Incumbent David Schweikert defeated Hiral Tipirneni in the general election for U.S. House Arizona District 6 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of David Schweikert
David Schweikert (R)
 
52.2
 
217,783
Image of Hiral Tipirneni
Hiral Tipirneni (D)
 
47.8
 
199,644

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 417,427
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Arizona District 6

Hiral Tipirneni defeated Anita Malik, Stephanie Rimmer, and Karl Gentles in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Arizona District 6 on August 4, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Hiral Tipirneni
Hiral Tipirneni
 
53.1
 
42,566
Image of Anita Malik
Anita Malik Candidate Connection
 
36.5
 
29,238
Image of Stephanie Rimmer
Stephanie Rimmer Candidate Connection
 
5.7
 
4,601
Image of Karl Gentles
Karl Gentles
 
4.6
 
3,657
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
87

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 80,149
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Arizona District 6

Incumbent David Schweikert advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Arizona District 6 on August 4, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of David Schweikert
David Schweikert
 
100.0
 
94,526

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 94,526
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways. Either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey or Ballotpedia staff created a profile after identifying the candidate as noteworthy.[5] Ballotpedia staff compiled profiles based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements.

David Schweikert

Image of David Schweikert

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: Yes

Political Office: 

Biography:  Schweikert received an associate degree from Scottsdale Community College and a bachelor's and M.B.A. from Arizona State University. He served on the Arizona State Board of Equalization from 1995 until 2003. Schweikert was also a business owner, financial consultant, and realtor.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Schweikert emphasized his background in various offices and said he helped taxpayers throughout his career.

Schweikert said that he spent his life in the 6th District and that Tipirneni had not.

Schweikert said Tipirneni hadn't been an emergency room doctor since 2007 and that she was too liberal. He said she would raise taxes and supported moving toward Medicare for All.

Show sources

Sources: David Schweikert's 2020 campaign website, "Meet David," accessed October 7, 2020; KTAR, "Rep. David Schweikert confident about defeating Hiral Tipirneni," August 5, 2020; Twitter, "David Schweikert," accessed October 7, 2020; Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "Schweikert, David," accessed October 7, 2020

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Arizona District 6 in 2020.

Hiral Tipirneni

Image of Hiral Tipirneni

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography:  Tipirneni received her M.D. from Northeast Ohio Medical University. She worked for eight years as an emergency physician with Banner Health. In 2010, she joined the Society of Research Administrators International as a scientific review officer. As of her 2020 campaign, she remained with the group. Tipirneni was the Democratic nominee in the special and regular elections for Arizona's 8th Congressional District in 2018.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Tipirneni emphasized her background as an emergency room doctor and cancer researcher, saying she took an oath to serve others and would do so in Washington. 

Tipirneni said she supported a healthcare plan that allowed people to keep their insurance or buy into Medicare.

Tipirneni criticized Schweikert over ethics violations, saying he put personal enrichment above the needs of the district's voters.

Show sources

Sources: Hiral Tipirneni's 2020 campaign website, "Important Update," August 26, 2020; YouTube, "Hiral Tipirneni," accessed October 7, 2020; LinkedIn, "Hiral Tipirneni," accessed July 23, 2020; Hiral Tipirneni 2020 campaign website, "Home," accessed July 23, 2020

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Arizona District 6 in 2020.


Polls

See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
Arizona's 6th Congressional District: General election polls
Poll Date Republican Party Schweikert Democratic Party Tipirneni Undecided/Other Margin of error Sample size Sponsor
OH Predictive Insights Sept. 23-27 49% 46% 5% ± 4.3 531 --


Campaign finance

This section contains campaign finance figures from the Federal Election Commission covering all candidate fundraising and spending in this election.[6] It does not include information on fundraising before the current campaign cycle or on spending by satellite groups. The numbers in this section are updated as candidates file new campaign finance reports. Candidates for Congress are required to file financial reports on a quarterly basis, as well as two weeks before any primary, runoff, or general election in which they will be on the ballot and upon the termination of any campaign committees.[7] The chart below contains data from financial reports submitted to the Federal Election Commission.

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
David Schweikert Republican Party $2,298,670 $2,283,321 $59,582 As of December 31, 2020
Hiral Tipirneni Democratic Party $6,348,268 $6,413,897 $34,973 As of December 31, 2020

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2020. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

The 2017 Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+9, meaning that in the previous two presidential elections, this district's results were 9 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Arizona's 6th Congressional District the 139th most Republican nationally.[8]

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.09. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.09 points toward that party.[9]

Race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

  • Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
  • Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
  • Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[10]
  • Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[11][12][13]

Race ratings: Arizona's 6th Congressional District election, 2020
Race trackerRace ratings
November 3, 2020October 27, 2020October 20, 2020October 13, 2020
The Cook Political ReportToss-upToss-upToss-upToss-up
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesToss-upToss-upToss-upTilt Republican
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallLean DemocraticToss-upToss-upToss-up
Note: Ballotpedia updates external race ratings every week throughout the election season.

Noteworthy endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section lists noteworthy endorsements issued in this election, including those made by high-profile individuals and organizations, cross-party endorsements, and endorsements made by newspaper editorial boards. It also includes a bulleted list of links to official lists of endorsements for any candidates who published that information on their campaign websites. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please click here.

Click the links below to see endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites, if available.

Timeline

2020


Campaign advertisements

This section shows advertisements released in this race. Ads released by campaigns and, if applicable, satellite groups are embedded or linked below. If you are aware of advertisements that should be included, please email us.

Democratic Party Hiral Tipirneni

Supporting Tipirneni

"Oath" - Tipirneni campaign ad, released September 15, 2020
"No Excuses" - Tipirneni campaign ad, released July 2, 2020
"Your Voice" - Tipirneni campaign ad, released April 6, 2020

Opposing Schweikert

"Oath Contrast" - Tipirneni campaign ad, released October 20, 2020
"People First" - Tipirneni campaign ad, released September 30, 2020
"Troubling" - Tipirneni campaign ad, released July 15, 2019

Campaign themes

See also: Campaign themes

Republican Party David Schweikert

Schweikert’s campaign website stated the following:

“
  • Border Security
For nearly a decade Washington bureaucrats have falsely concluded that the border is secure and made excuses for failing to complete the border fence. In reality, the fence remains unbuilt and the Department of Homeland Security only has operational control of 56 percent of our border.
The continued flow of illegal border entries, drug smuggling, and the influx of unaccompanied alien children (UAC) is proof that our border is not secure. In 2014, the United States saw a wave of illegal immigration by UACs and minors accompanied by adults claiming to be their parents (family units) along the southwest border. More than 68,500 UACs and 68,445 family units – nearly 137,000 aliens – illegally entered the United States along the southwest border. Further, based off of current trends, in the first 11 months of FY2019 there were 72,873 UACs, and a total of 457,871 family units. These numbers far exceed the record numbers of 2014, when the administration claimed we faced a “crisis”.
Finally, recent reports of foreign nationals with terrorist ties crossing the border highlight the vital national security need to complete the border fence promised a decade ago. Washington’s continued failure to secure our border and stem the flow of illegal entries threatens both the security of our people and the sovereignty of our nation. This is why earlier this year; I introduced the Build the Fence Act. This legislation requires the Department of Homeland Security to prioritize building the southern border fence and gain operational control of our border as is mandated by the 2006 Secure Fence Act.
  • Budget & the Deficit
Government overspending is creating a huge burden of debt that threatens the economic well-being of our children. Our national debt now exceeds a record-breaking $26 trillion, saddling every adult and child in America with liabilities of over $67,000.
Arizona families understand the need for budgetary restraint as do households all across the nation. One of my top priorities is to protect citizens from unnecessary and wasteful government spending and force Washington to live within its means. Asking Americans to accept increases in the debt limit instead of removing the hundreds of billions of dollars of redundant, duplicative waste among government agencies is irresponsible.
I believe the government’s bad habits can be turned around with intelligent discretionary-spending reforms. The Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office have both identified billions of dollars of waste that could be eliminated to make programs and services more efficient and deliver tax dollars where they are truly needed. I continue to support such reforms to rein in Washington's spending problem.
You can find a copy of one of my recent floor presentation on the budget here.
  • Defense
Congress has no greater responsibility than providing for America’s national defense. Whether it is the growing asymmetrical threat from radical Islamic terrorism, an emboldened Russia, or a potentially nuclear Iran, America faces dynamic and evolving threats and must have the military capabilities to respond to these threats.
I am proud that Arizona is a leader in the military and defense community. Arizona’s service members and National Guard members have routinely distinguished themselves and served bravely in Iraq, Afghanistan, and anywhere else they are called to serve. All service branches are represented in Arizona. Luke Air Force Base and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base are two of the nation’s premier military installations in the country, hosting the next generation F-35s and the dependable A-10s, respectively. Fort Huachuca is home to the Army’s Intelligence Center and leader in the field of cyber and network security. Moreover, Yuma hosts both Marine Corps Air Station and the Army’s Yuma Proving Grounds. Finally, the Naval Observatory in Flagstaff observes and catalogues our celestial sky.
As your representative in Washington, I have worked to ensure our service members are properly trained and equipped to effectively execute and accomplish any mission we call on them to carry out. In 2018, I voted to pass pay raises for military families, to ensure while they are working to protect the security of our country, they can support themselves and their families financially.
I also believe there is no greater power that Congress has than the ability to declare war. The power to declare war rests exclusively with Congress, not the Executive branch. I am a firm believer that we must obey our Constitutional duty when deciding to send our servicemen and women to war, and Congress must vote to do so. I have voted in favor of War Powers resolutions that cut off U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition currently engaged in Yemen, and have also voted in favor of similar amendments regarding military engagements with Iran. I am proud that I have been consistent in this Constitutional duty when voting.
I thank all of our service members, both active and retired, for their tireless effort to protect our country. While serving as your Representative I will always support our Sailors, Soldiers, Marines and Airmen, and their families.
  • Education
Education is critical to the success and economic security of future generations. By providing a solid educational foundation from the start, we can ensure that our children have the tools necessary to keep the United States competitive in the global economy.
I strongly believe in the importance of STEM education as we move towards a more technology and data-driven economy. Ensuring all grade levels have access and experience in science, technology, engineering, and math is paramount to building up the next generation of Americans to face the difficulties and challenges ahead.
Here are some of my favorite examples of how Arizona is rising to the STEM challenge:
Arizona Science Center - Engineering is Elementary (EiE)
“Engineering is Elementary (EiE) is a rigorously researched, classroom-tested curriculum that increases students’ interest in and confidence about engineering. EiE is designed to encourage all children—including those from underrepresented groups—to envision themselves as potential engineers.”
Arizona Science Foundation - Helios STEM School Pilot
"Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) and the Arizona STEM Network congratulate the seven schools and districts selected as pilot sites for the Helios STEM School Pilot Program. They are part of a strategic partnership and investment by Helios and SFAz to help the Arizona STEM Network develop a coordinated and effective STEM education system that provides the infrastructure, resources and metrics needed to improve educational outcomes and achieve collective impact for Arizona students.”
School Choice
I believe in the inherent value that comes with choices, this is especially true as it relates to educating America's future generation of problem solvers. School choice is a proven means to effectively spend taxpayers dollars, improve students outcomes, and empower local communities seeking change from a rigid system where a studcent's outcome is often defined by their zip code.
Few stakeholders understand the needs and ambition of a child better than parents. Through school choice programs, families can explore diverse learning environments, save for future education, and self-determine the ecosystem that will best foster their child’s needs and passion for learning.
The future skills of our nation’s workforce will require innovative and agile education from an early age. Going forward, we must continue to support the diverse body of educators, families, and students to prepare for the future challenges that society will inevitably face. The limit for any child’s education should not exist – school choice ensures that each child can be developed to their fullest potential.
Here is a thought provoking example that I believe further highlights the benefits of school choice:
National Review - ESAs Are Changing the Game
“A blind student in Arizona gets about $21,000 a year,” says Marc Ashton, whose son, Max, is legally blind. That $21,000 represents what Arizona spends to educate a student such as Max in the public-school system.
“We took our 90 percent of that, paid for Max to get the best education in Arizona, plus all of his Braille, all of his technology, and then there was still money left over to put toward his college education,” Marc explains. “So he is going to be able to go on to Loyola Marymount University, because we were able to save money, even while sending him to the best school in Arizona, out of what the state would normally pay for him.”
How did the Ashtons do it? Thanks to Arizona’s innovative education savings account (ESA) option, they were able to take 90 percent of the funds the state would have spent on Max in the local public school, and instead create a customized education plan for him. In Arizona, those eligible for an ESA include children in underperforming schools, foster children, children of active-duty military families, and children with special needs and their siblings.”
  • Energy and Environment
Arizona has made great progress the past few years in establishing more types of affordable, reliable power, building the first renewable portfolio standard in the country, and aggressively pushing for higher energy-efficiency standards.
I believe Washington must embrace a sound “all of the above” energy solution and take this approach to factories, power plants, and businesses across the country.
Not only should we optimize the use of our traditional energy reserves, but we also should continue to expand into renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, hydro-electric, nuclear and geothermal power. We are seeing many different disruptive technologies and zero-emission facilities in production that we should be supporting across the United States. These are all vital to cleaning our environment, as well as the economic welfare and national security of the United States
The government must stop picking winners and losers in the industry. Each of these sources must stand on their own in the marketplace, without government-sponsored interference. More and more cities and towns within Congressional District 6 and around Arizona are changing their practices to better use the resources available in a long-lasting, renewable fashion-- there’s a chance for real change.
Some of the new technology that I have been focusing on includes battery storage, micro-grid development, and carbon capture storage. These are just a few examples of 21st century technology that Arizona is not only leading the way in R&D, but also actual implementation, without oppressive regulatory burdens and mandates. The free market has led to an incredible growth in technologies that has led America to become a net-exporter of energy for the first time in our history, while also reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. As pro-growth, market-based solutions have led to exciting new techniques in soil health, water sustainability, and agricultural research that reduces land-use while increasing crop yields, allowing us to feed our ever-growing planet, I will continue to work with my colleagues to identify new sources of power that will lower our families’ monthly bills and allow our economy to grow.
I have spoken on the House floor about the different types of environmental technology being produced. To watch floor speeches on energy and environment, click here.
  • FAA Flight Paths
On September 18, 2014 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) unilaterally implemented new departure procedures at Sky Harbor International Airport, without consulting the communities that would be impacted. As a result, Valley residents who previously had no aviation noise exposure have seen a drastic decline in their quality of life. These changes have exposed our communities to unacceptable levels of aircraft noise, disrupting homes, businesses, and neighborhoods.
In response, I worked to pass an amendment that will prevent the FAA from moving forward with plans to redesign the regional airspace while the serious issues resulting from the new flight paths remain unresolved in the Phoenix area. Further, working with the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, we were successful in including language that would require the FAA to reevaluate these flight paths and have community input on the future of Arizona’s airspace. Please be assured that I will continue to fight for community.
  • Financial Services
Arizona's financial sector plays a critical role in growing the economy and bringing jobs to our state. Entrepreneurs know that Arizona is one of the best places in the country to start a business, and as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Entrepreneurship Caucus, it is one of my highest priorities to help foster a hyper-efficient economy in our state.
For too long, the elites in Washington have forced a top down bureaucratic regulatory regime onto the backs of American entrepreneurs, which has led to a corrupted system that protects favored incumbents and props up easier to control institutions. However, with the advent of modern peer-to-peer technology, we have an opportunity to return to America’s entrepreneurial roots.
I have authored a bill that has been introduced the past three session of Congress to change how the government defines Accredited Investors. The current definition only takes wealth into account, allowing those with enough money to participate in special investment opportunities nationwide. The Fair Investment Opportunities for Professional Experts Act would change the definition to also include professional sophistication as an alternative metric to attain Accredited Investor status. This legislation passed the House of Representatives the past two sessions of Congress with overwhelming broad bipartisan support.
The financial services sector also has the unique opportunity to embrace technological advancements to make the industry more efficient. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Blockchain Caucus, I believe that blockchain will revolutionize how modern financial ownership is proven, and I am committeed to efforts that will help educate the industry on the importance of fintech to economic growth.
  • Foreign Affairs
It is important that the United States’ strong global leadership and democratic values and human rights is maintained and projected. Whether it is standing with our European and NATO allies together to face the various global challenges we encounter, or expanding economic opportunity in the Western Hemisphere, African or Indo-Pacific region, the United States is and continues to be a solid and reliable partner for our friends and allies around the world.
Israel
Israel is one of the United States’ strongest allies – and continued American support for Israel is paramount. The U.S. – Israeli partnership endures not only because of our shared values of democracy and human rights – the only country in Middle East that shares those values - but our strong economic and defense ties as well. I continue to be a strong advocate for Israel.
Russia
Russia continues to be a bad actor on the global stage, and their failed attempts to obstruct the 2016 election, as well as democratic elections throughout Europe, are unacceptable. Under President Putin’s leadership, Russia illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine – and invaded eastern Ukraine in 2014, went to war with Georgia in 2008 and most recently has supported Syria’s dictator Bashar al-Assad in that country’s civil war. Congress rightly continues to impose strict sanctions on the Russian government and individual actors who abuse democratic values.
Iran
The people of Iran continue to suffer under the theological authoritarian regime that rules that country. Iran cannot be allowed weapons of mass destruction, with its continued commitment to the destruction of Israel, long commonplace chants of death to America, and the funding of proxy-militias that sow chaos and bloodshed throughout the region and beyond. It is imperative the United States continue to support strict sanctions on the Iranian regime as long as they continue to be bad actors in the international order, while supporting the Iranian peoples’ desire to live in a free and transparent democracy.
China
China has taken advantage of the international system for far too long. There was hope, after China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the early 2000s that gradually China would introduce market reforms to its economy, and there would be a ripple effect on the opening of the social and government spheres. Instead, we’ve seen the communist regime crack down even harder on human rights, steal intellectual property from American companies, and force its regional vision against local opposition for Hong Kong, Taiwan and the South China Sea. China is and will be a major strategic competitor to the United States in the coming decades, and it is imperative the United States and its allies continue to confront this challenge head on.
  • Health Care
The Affordable Care Act has confused an already complex and wasteful healthcare system. Americans need more choices and a competitive insurance marketplace, not mandates. We all want a system where people are treated fairly and given the support they need to remain healthy. We want those who become ill to receive the best care possible and care that is affordable.
In 2016, Arizona had eight health insurers offering plans on the Obamacare exchanges. By the end of the year, four insurers had entirely exited the market, leaving many uninsured or unable to afford coverage altogether. The fact is Obamacare devastated Arizona’s insurance market instead of allowing for increased competition, innovation, and access.
Imposing mandates on individuals and businesses while taxing procedures, payment plans to doctors, and everyday medical devices is not a recipe for improved healthcare access, affordability or quality. Improving healthcare for every American starts by improving access to information so consumers can truly understand and compare the cost of care.
We in Congress must do everything we can to help working families obtain better access to affordable health insurance. To do this, we must foster a system that makes the price of health care honest and transparent while supporting marketplace competition to control costs. We need to focus on reforms that improve affordability and provide flexibility, not impose mandates that result in lost jobs and threaten the economic security of working Americans.
The resources below highlight a few of my concerns with the Affordable Care Act and the current state of the health insurance market:
- Kaiser Family Foundation - 2017 Premium Changes and Insurer Participation in the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplaces
…the largest increases in the unsubsidized second-lowest silver plan were Phoenix, AZ (up 145% from $207 to $507 per month for a 40-year-old non-smoker), Birmingham, AL (up 71% from $288 to $492) and Oklahoma City, OK (up 67% from $295 to $493).
- USA TODAY - Obamacare Hurts My Small Business
My firm, which has fewer than 20 employees, recently received our renewal package for next year's health insurance plan. It read: "Your current coverage is no longer being offered, but we've provided you with a great alternative" -- an estimated 48% increase in premiums. That translates into approximately $1,676 in added costs per year for every individual covered on our plan ($6,704 for a family of four). That's approximately $44,000 in added annual costs that could otherwise be used to hire a college graduate.
The Future of Care:
Health care is personal, but it’s easy for decision makers in Washington, D.C. to forget that, even during the best-intentioned discussion. I am eager to continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to tackle issues such as drug costs, chronic disease management, telehealth, rural access, surprise billing, health innovation, and financing revolutionary treatments. The way I see it, the future for medical care in our great nation is brighter when we work together.
There are several crucial conversations being had in Washington D.C. around the future of health care in the United States. The problem, it seems, is that few of them strike the balance between optimism stemming from increasingly efficacious medicine and innovative technology, with the burdensome structure of the current system. Ultimately, my goal is to make meaningful changes to how we approach and deliver care in order to equip future generations with the means to live healthy.
Below are a handful of resources that have especially caught my attention:
Forbes Insights - AI And Healthcare: A Giant Opportunity
“Artificial intelligence’s (AI) transformative power is reverberating across many industries, but in one—healthcare—its impact promises to be truly life-changing. From hospital care to clinical research, drug development and insurance, AI applications are revolutionizing how the health sector works to reduce spending and improve patient outcomes.
“The total public and private sector investment in healthcare AI is stunning: All told, it is expected to reach $6.6 billion by 2021, according to some estimates. Even more staggering, Accenture predicts that the top AI applications may result in annual savings of $150 billion by 2026.”
Kaiser Family Foundation - How do health expenditures vary across the population?
“In a given year, a small portion of the population is responsible for a very large percentage of total health spending. We tend to focus on averages when discussing health spending, but individuals’ health status – and thus their need to access and utilize health services – varies from year to year and over the course of their lifetimes. In fact, very few people have spending around the average.”
  • Second Amendment
Staying true to the principles of our founding documents has long been a priority of mine. Our founding fathers wrote the Second Amendment to protect our citizens' right to own firearms. Overly aggressive gun control laws tend to penalize lawful gun owners and law-abiding citizens, not the criminals set on using those guns with ill intention.
As Arizonans, we understand the fundamental right for a citizen to be able to protect themselves and their loved ones. It is for this reason that I was a prime sponsor for the Concealed Carry Law while serving as an Arizona state legislator. I continue advocating for these policies on the national level.
I also believe there is bipartisan support for technology upgrades and improved training that will bring our background check system into the 21st century to ensure that those who should not have access to a firearm are prevented from purchasing one. On March 23rd, 2018, President Trump signed into law the Fiscal Year 2018 Omnibus, which included the Fix NICS Act. The Fix NICS Act, requires federal agencies to certify twice a year they are uploading criminal records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) and instructs the Department of Justice and the Appropriations Committees to take action if federal agencies are failing to comply. We must ensure that both federal and state authorities are properly and accurately reporting criminals to NICS so that we prevent crime and protect lives.
  • Tax Reform
Since I was first elected to Congress, my mission has always been to help Arizona families. I believe through stopping wasteful government spending and bringing forward measures that help create well-paying jobs and shrink our debt, we can build a healthier economy and secure the economic future of America's children. In 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law, becoming our country's most sweeping overhaul of the federal tax code in over three decades.
Each year after passage of the bill we have consistently seen great news for the economy. Our monthly jobs reports have shown low unemployment, more jobs, and an increase in wages across the spectrum, particularly in minority groups and women. I will continue to support pro-growth policies that drive economic prosperity, as well as ensure that our tax code works for our nation's families and keeps the United State's economy competitive.
  • Trade
As a proud member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, I am committed to ensuring Arizona has access to free and fair trade, while also ensuring the United States’ trading relationships are kept a high priority. Expanding access to emerging markets is crucial for creating opportunities for U.S. manufacturers, farmers and service providers to sell more American-made goods and services around the world.
I am a strong supporter of free trade, and as a border state, Arizona understands the importance of strong trading relationships with its neighbors. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) created a great step in the right direction for trade with our neighbors – but now it is time to pass the updated United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) that will grow our economy and further strengthen our relationship with neighbors Mexico and Canada.
In 2017 alone, Arizona exported $9.7 billion worth of goods to Canada and Mexico. This agreement will better serve Arizona businesses, manufacturers, famers, and other industries leading to incredible economic growth and freer markets. There are currently more than 228,000 jobs being supported by trade in Arizona. By passing this modernized trade agreement, this number will only grow further.
I am hopeful we will get this updated trade agreement passed soon, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee to further strengthen the United States trading relationships with other nations.
  • Valley Fever
Valley Fever Task Force
In 2013, Congressman David Schweikert and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy teamed up to co-found the Congressional Valley Fever Task Force, bringing much needed awareness to the disease of coccidioidomycosis. The disease, more commonly known as Valley Fever, is prominent in Maricopa county as well as the rest of Arizona and southern California.
The goal of the Valley Fever Task Force is to share information with stakeholders in the medical and scientific fields to foster new advancements in prevention and treatment as well as work with community organizations to help educate individuals on the disease. As Congressman Schweikert stated, "This task force is a much needed step toward raising awareness for this terrible disease and someday soon finding a cure. Valley Fever has silently affected entire communities in the southwest including our family, friends, and even beloved pets. I am hopeful that this working group will bring awareness, reduce the risk of misdiagnoses, and bring about a cure within the decade.”
In the 113th Congress, Congressman Schweikert successfully led the effort to have coccidioides spp., the pathogens that cause Valley Fever, listed as qualifying pathogens under the GAIN Act of 2011. This effort granted Valley Fever the title of “orphan disease” with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning any treatments or future cures will be given priority and fast tracked through the often arduous FDA drug approval process.
What is Valley Fever?
Valley Fever is caused by the fungal spore coccidioides spp. endemic to arid and semi-arid geographical areas. Because these spores are carried by soil, any disruption to the ground creates a heightened risk of infection. While some individuals breathe in the spore with no repercussions, others fall ill from Valley Fever. Those affected most by Valley Fever are immunosuppressed patients; elderly individuals; pregnant females; and minority populations of African, Filipino, and Native American descent. Of the more than 150,000 individuals infected annually, roughly 50,000 warrant medical attention. Of those, nearly 600 cases have the infection spread from their lungs to other parts of their body. Ultimately, about 160 cases result in death. Reported cases of Valley Fever in the southwestern states of Arizona, California, Texas and New Mexico have skyrocketed in recent years; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics show that reported cases of Valley Fever have risen nine-fold since 1998. Arizona alone accounts for about 65% of all reported cases that occur in the United States.
Today, patients diagnosed with Valley Fever are prescribed an antifungal therapy that has a 30%-60% failure rate. The current recommendation of the Infectious Disease Society of America is to continue treatment for life. There is no cure.
Valley Fever severely affects many who work outdoors, farmers, and those in the construction industry. Every branch of the United States’ military has bases in the endemic regions, putting our military men and women at risk.
  • Veterans
Arizona is home to one of the largest populations of veterans in the country. In recent years, our veteran community has been shaken due to poor management by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Regrettably, our Phoenix VA was ground-zero for many of the wait-time manipulations that prevented our veterans and families from receive the care they deserve. When our troops return from duty, I am committed to ensuring that they and their families have better access to healthcare, job assistance, and rehabilitation opportunities in the communities where they live.
Providing veterans with the resources needed to live independent and productive lives is a priority for me, especially for those returning from war, who have made great personal sacrifices. It is vitally important that services, including mental health resources, be available to support our veterans and their families.
I continue to push for increased accountability within the VA and will continue to do everything in my power to ensure our veterans receive the care they earned in a timely manner.
You can hear more about my thoughts here on how our country can extend support to our veterans through phone and web resources. Click here for more links to resources for Veterans and service members.[17]
 ”
—David Scweikert's campaign website (2020)[18]


Democratic Party Hiral Tipirneni

Tipirneni’s campaign website stated the following:

“
  • Health Care
Imagine an American health care system where consumers have the freedom of choosing the health insurance plan that’s best for themselves or their families, a system that covers all Americans, a system that encourages true free-market competition to drive down costs and increase quality of care across the board. Imagine a one-stop shop allowing consumers to compare both private and public insurance plans, including a robust Medicare buy-in option.
This is Dr. Hiral Tipirneni’s vision for our health care system – not a Republican one or a Democratic one, but an American one. It’s based on the nonpartisan goals of expanding health care coverage and choices, lowering costs, and delivering the highest quality of care possible.
As a physician, I’m trained to follow the facts, diagnose the problem, find a solution. It’s a fact that our healthcare system remains broken, with both rising costs and deductibles, and 28 million Americans still uninsured. While significant reform may have begun with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), it by no means ended there. Despite the tens of millions of people who’ve benefitted from the ACA, its serious flaws must be addressed if we are to improve access to healthcare today as well as for generations to come.
We need a collaborative approach that addresses the twin pillars of expanded coverage and cost containment. Such a plan is only possible with ideas borrowed from both sides of the debate. I have seen firsthand the struggles of the uninsured as well as the direct, tangible benefits the ACA has brought to real peoples’ lives, and it’s too valuable to simply toss aside. Here are ways to strengthen and further improve the current state of our healthcare system.
  • Protect the current, most beneficial and popular ACA provisions:
    • Children can remain on their parents’ insurance plans until age 26;
    • No higher premiums or deductibles imposed because of pre-existing conditions;
    • Prohibit imposing annual and lifetime caps on healthcare benefits; and
    • Maintain requirement that all marketplace plans cover basic healthcare services.
  • Secure payment of cost-sharing reductions. This should help stabilize the healthcare marketplace by enhancing insurance companies’ confidence in their ability to optimally cover their insured customers’ needs. Encouraging insurance companies’ participation in the marketplace will help spur private sector competition as well.
  • Expand Medicare. Medicare has proven to be a highly-effective, efficient, and well-liked plan to both consumers and healthcare providers. We should allow people under age 65 to buy into Medicare. This true public option is an affordable buy-in, not a handout, and does NOT impact people currently eligible for Medicare. Furthermore, allowing people to purchase Medicare does not cost taxpayers a dime. This idea is especially important in areas of our country, such as most of Arizona, where choice of private insurance carriers is highly limited. Additionally, this helps people nearing retirement while lowering costs for those in the private insurance markets. And, it strengthens Medicare’s ability to negotiate lower drug prices for its customers as well as better rates with hospitals and medical practitioners.
  • Drive healthcare coverage competition. We must look for innovative ways that have previously not existed, such as competition between the private sector and Medicare. This encourages creative solutions for cost containment as well as best practices for better patient outcomes.
Healthcare is a moral obligation, but it is never “free.” Everyone eventually needs healthcare, so everyone should have health insurance. The bottom-line is that a solution must be developed that includes expanding the risk pool with healthy individuals. Fiscally responsible, efficient practices within our healthcare system which lead to healthier Americans must be our goal, not scoring political points.
Progressives are concerned that too many people either remain uninsured or can’t afford good, quality healthcare. Conservatives say that too much regulation exists without enough private, free-market competition to keep costs down. There is truth to both perspectives, and good ideas can come from anywhere. Stop the partisanship. Stop administering Band-Aids. Face head-on the issues plaguing our healthcare system.
  • Economy
Arizona is widely recognized for its business-friendly climate and low operating costs. In the modern economy, however, it seems more families are trying to actually live on a minimum wage, which had once been a starting point. Furthermore, it seems that in this dynamic economy, workers are asked to change jobs more frequently than in the past – which also means robust unemployment insurance, easily portable health care plans, and making sure that those who are self-employed, freelancing, or starting/operating small businesses do not fall between the cracks.
So, how can policymakers address long-term economic growth and stability without jeopardizing Arizona’s competitive advantages? How can our community promote wages and salaries that actually sustain a family? How can struggling workers be empowered to better their positions? What can be done to encourage entrepreneurs and support small businesses?
The answers include focusing on human capital and cultivating an innovative, knowledge-driven economic ecosystem. The following concepts are stepping stones along that path:
  • Build upon and retain natural talent by cultivating the region’s various economic clusters; for example, healthcare, aerospace and defense, cyber-security, software and microelectronics
  • Expand workforce development and apprenticeship programs; maintain and promote their alignment with secondary and post-secondary education
  • Develop training and re-training programs for the jobs that are coming, not only the ones already here
  • Expand and protect programs that can help build the economic ecosystem, such as effective incentives, creative funding sources and tech-transfer from higher education
  • Fulfill the healthcare promises of the Affordable Care Act
  • Develop access to affordable childcare
  • Guarantee equal pay for equal work so women earn the same as men for doing the same job
  • Ensure an employee’s job is protected in the event that a medical or family emergency requires time away from work
  • Simplify the tax code and close loopholes so that tax reform benefits the middle class most
The goal for federal policies should be to help expand opportunity, not penalize success.
  • Retirement Security and Veterans
Congress must protect the Social Security and Medicare benefits that retirees have worked a lifetime to earn. They are earned benefits and not entitlements and should never be cut or taken away.
The VA (U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs) must be held accountable to reduce wait times and improve care for all our veterans.
  • Education
In a word, opportunity is the reason my family came to the United States from India nearly 50 years ago. Education – public education – was the foundation of that opportunity and the pathway to progress for my family. This has been true for our three kids, who attended Arrowhead public schools, just as it is true for all American families. That is why we must make sure every child has a quality education regardless of their zip code.
Our economy rests upon the commitment we make to quality, public education for people from all our communities. Indeed, for Arizona and the United States to remain competitive in the 21st century, global economy, we need a higher level of educational achievement than we are delivering today. Our jobs require knowledge and technical preparation extending beyond our current K-12 school system.
We must establish and maintain a relevant, nimble public education system that invests fairly in the educational needs of all our residents. That is why local, state, and federal governments as well as the private sector should support Arizona’s goal of raising the level of postsecondary attainment to 60 percent by the year 2030.
A strong public school system has been instrumental in America’s history and modern economic success, and we must be vigilant against efforts to erode or undermine it. I stand firmly against the privatization of public schools, and against defunding public schools through alleged “choice” programs like vouchers. Data should help drive our education policies, and there is no current, consistent evidence of the benefit of voucher programs. Vouchers only offer real “choice” to higher socioeconomic families, most of whom can already afford private schools. This essentially gives them a publicly-funded discount while working- or middle-class families remain with schools receiving even less support going forward. We should be narrowing the inequities and disparities in our educational system, rather than growing that gap.
Generally speaking, charter schools can play an important role in our public school system, like being incubators of innovative strategies that can be implemented in other schools. But as we’ve seen in Arizona, they can be fraught with failure and fraud without proper oversight. Many charters appear to simply be for-profit organizations. I believe that any school receiving public funds should follow the same guidelines and have the same oversight as public schools. This includes laws and transparency regarding student entrance criteria, performance benchmarks, and teacher qualifications.
While Arizona’s K-12 public education system receives approximately 85% of its funding from state and local sources, the 15% that comes from the federal government plays a critical role. For example, Title I funding is essential to schools in communities with low financial capacity, and helps to level the playing field for all students. This funding can also include other important policies, such as requiring schools to provide adequate mental health services or help with funding vital after-school programs.
Our commitment to higher education must include alternatives to the traditional, four-year college tract so that students can pursue highly valuable technical and career training and certification. Federal support for higher education must include cutting-edge trade and professional schools as well as career and technical education (CTE) programs in middle and high schools.
Finally, we must address the alarming rise in student loan debt. In Arizona, this also hits us hard in our fight to address the teacher shortage.
Nationwide, all student loan debt exceeds $1.5 trillion, an astronomical increase over the past decade. The reality is that student loan debt is dragging down the potency of a college degree or CTE program for Arizonans in all kinds of professions. It is time to recalibrate our nation’s commitment to funding higher education. For the past ten years, Congress has consistently reduced federal grants and need-based aid relative to what is needed, which has allowed unsustainable loan debt to take its place. Ironically, this has occurred at a time in which Americans need higher education more than ever.
Arizona schools are facing a teacher shortage of epic proportions. While horrifically low teacher salaries are a local issue, the problem is aggravated by new teachers coming out of college with piles of student loan debt. In addition to addressing the larger problem of student debt, the federal government should look at ways to provide incentives, such as loan forgiveness or national service opportunities, for people to enter the teaching profession. Studies show a direct correlation between a higher investment in K-12 public schools and better student outcomes. But simply throwing money at the problem isn’t enough; we must be thoughtful in our approaches, and that may be the toughest part – the place where great minds can disagree. So let us at least start from a common place by recognizing that we must do better by our kids, and that our communities’ futures rely on the commitment we make today to give our children a solid foundation in life.
  • Government Accountability
Protecting taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars is key to helping keep government accountable to the people, and that includes reducing the influence of Washington special interests that work against the public interest.
Congress should also continue to increase transparency, and prevent members of Congress from wasting tax dollars on personal benefits like first-class airfare.
  • Immigration and Border Security
Immigration and border security are truly personal issues for me. When we came from India, my father had $8 in his pocket despite having a civil engineering degree. My mother had a degree in psychology, no small feat for an Indian woman at that time. We struggled. Yet America gave my family a chance to rise and thrive, the very reasons that brought us to the United States in the first place. Eventually, we settled in a working-class suburb of Cleveland where I grew up in the shadow of a Ford plant. I passionately believe that we must remain a land of opportunity for those who are willing to work for it.
We ALL deserve an accountable immigration system providing a clear, affordable path to citizenship for those who qualify and have earned it. We also need secure borders. While those two ideas should not be mutually exclusive, our current climate politicizes an issue that, at its core, has real lives at stake.
Most immediately, the U.S. needs a ”clean” DREAM Act that provides a fair pathway to eventual American citizenship for this unique segment of the undocumented population – no strings attached. DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), which President Obama pointed out in 2012 was never meant as a permanent solution, acknowledged more than 51,000 hardworking Arizonans without criminal records, most of whom only know the US as home, who were brought to the U.S. as children by their parents. DACA brought these folks out of the darkness, so to speak, so that they could be accounted for in the U.S. in a climate of trust that is currently being betrayed.
DREAMERs are our neighbors, friends, colleagues, and even family members. They are productive members of our society, academic stars and teammates, paramedics and teachers, small business owners, even soldiers and sailors. Perhaps that is why 400 CEOs signed a letter in 2017 urging President Trump not to end DACA without addressing DREAMers’ situation.
In the bigger picture, the U.S. does need comprehensive immigration reform. The conversation must move beyond the present binary choice offered by Washington between enforcement (i.e., border security) and legalization (i.e., pathway to citizenship). We need a conversation that moves our immigration policies into the 21st century by recognizing modern immigration patterns, economic realities and national security threats. Americans deserve an honest dialogue about such issues as family immigration categories, worker programs and employer verification systems, and how to fairly and humanely address refugees and asylum seekers.
Finally, in securing our borders we must avoid easy symbolism and take a real look at the situation and our options. Front and center in this discussion at the moment is a border wall between the United States and Mexico, estimated in February 2017 by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security at $21.6 BILLION. I am firmly opposed to “the wall,” and believe that even a fraction of those funds would be better spent towards securing our borders in other ways. For example, technology and staffing, especially at our ports of entry – through which the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency recognizes most of the marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines are smuggled into the U.S. – would be more effective. Furthermore, data suggests that the wall would have a negative effect on our economy, with potentially more significant effects on border states such as Arizona. We can do better than building a wall.
In the long arc of history, America’s immigrants have contributed culturally, economically, and academically by continually adding vibrant threads to that great American quilt. I am proud, thankful, and honored to be an American, and will fight to keep the American dream alive.
  • 2nd Amendment
As an ER doctor, I’ve seen the trauma, suffering and devastating loss of life from gun violence up close. The destruction it causes to the victims, their families and communities is heartbreaking and, oftentimes, avoidable.
I also support Second Amendment rights overall for law-abiding Americans to obtain firearms through legal channels to protect their homes, themselves and their families, and for hunting and sport. I do not see supporting both the Second Amendment and commonsense gun safety reform as mutually exclusive, though, and I find it increasingly difficult to follow arguments justifying the possession of military-grade weapons and similar accessories by the general public.
America, the only industrialized nation with this degree of violence, should address it as a public health issue. The U.S. has a history of using data-driven policies to make us safer – seat belts, child car seats, airbags. We should restore funding for gun violence research so that our policies actually have a positive impact on public safety. Are current laws effective? If not, why and what can be done to improve their implementation, or should the law itself be completely reformed?
The discussion should include innovative technologies, such as biometric locks and affordable, safe storage solutions.
I believe commonsense gun safety reform can ultimately be accomplished while protecting the rights of lawful gun owners. There is already consensus between households with firearms and those without, which include:
  • Closing the Internet and gun show “loopholes” by requiring background checks;
  • “No-fly, no buy” so that those on terrorist watch lists have harder access to firearms;
  • Ensuring that purchasers have passed necessary background checks, properly registered their firearm(s), and received appropriate gun safety training.
Finally, mental health must also be part of equation. Mass shootings are truly horrific and instantly capture our attention. However, suicides and homicides make up nearly 90% of gun-related deaths according to 2016 data available. When addressing the issue of gun violence, we too often ignore the contributing role of mental health issues, including substance abuse and addiction, to our regrettable detriment.
  • Women's Reproductive Rights
I fervently believe our elected representatives should support policies reflecting clearly established women’s reproductive health rights.
In short, abortions should stay safe, and legal. And, for the record, no one is “pro-abortion” – one is essentially either pro-choice or anti-choice.
The heart-wrenching, deeply personal decision to end a pregnancy should be between a woman, her partner, her doctor, and her faith. There is no role for politicians in that decision. We cannot go back to the days, which are not so far in the past, of coat-hanger abortions and women bleeding to death in alleys. In Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court has set clear precedent in the “law of the land,” and policy decisions should be in accordance with that principle.
It should also be noted that late-term terminations, which can be particularly traumatic, are less than 1% of all terminations, and only done in cases of risk to the mother’s health or life-threatening developmental issues with the fetus.
Of course, avoiding an unwanted pregnancy is the BEST way to reduce the number of terminations. Data has definitively shown that abortion rates drop when there is simple access to contraception and sex-education. We should have comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education in the classroom and ensure unhindered access to effective contraception.
Women’s reproductive health is an issue of civil rights, economic freedom, and religious freedom, and it is an issue I will fight fiercely to protect.
  • Net Neutrality
For the Internet to remain free and open, the U.S. must support net neutrality. That is why I support policies that maintain a level Internet playing field and protect our personal freedoms, as well as nurture America’s competitiveness and innovative spirit. We simply cannot promote rules which allow “speed bumps” or “fast lanes” to play favorites with what we watch, read, or purchase by influencing how we access all that information.
Furthermore, without net neutrality, we simply cannot ensure a society in which there is true broadband equality throughout our communities. As the Internet has become more like a utility – for example, we all use water and electricity – this equality is so important to adequate access for everyday activities, like academic work, economic opportunities from e-commerce to job applications, and even the delivery of healthcare, particularly for more rural areas or to tap into expertise over long distances. Net neutrality is also key to the widespread delivery of essential high-speed broadband, which is increasingly key to our communities as we share larger and larger amounts of data.
  • Climate Change
You don’t need to be a scientist to see the real effects of climate change. Around the world, we’ve seen record high and low temperatures and other extreme weather conditions. According to NASA, the hottest five years on record have happened since 2010. The question is not whether the climate is changing, it’s what are we going to do about it? Fortunately, Arizona is ideally situated to become part of the solution. We have the potential to become an epicenter for renewable energy and clean jobs.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), “Scientific evidence for the warming of the climate system is unequivocal.” The IPCC states that according to a number of studies, there is “over 95% certainty” that the current climate change trend is the result of human activity since the 1800s. Ice cores drawn from Greenland, Antarctica, and tropical mountain glaciers show that the current rate of “warming is occurring roughly ten times faster than the average rate of ice-age-recovery warming.”
This is alarming, but we have the tools to address this crisis. We need to invest in protecting our planet and ourselves. That involves a pragmatic approach, including reasonable regulations on pollutants as well as market-based solutions like “carbon credits,” and – especially here in Arizona – investment in proven alternative energy, like solar power.
There’s no reason Arizona shouldn’t be the solar power capital of the world! Investing in renewable solar energy would be a tremendous economic asset, too. The face of energy production has changed significantly in recent years. The US Department of Energy stated that in 2016, solar energy employed 43% of the energy workforce, while traditional fossil fuels only employed 22%. Several studies say that the solar industry now employs more folks across the United States than the oil and coal industries combined. It only makes sense for us to lead the way and be the engine driving the train of the energy revolution.
This not only serves us economically. Climate change is also a concern for national security, since countries in great environmental distress are more susceptible to extremism and the rise of terrorist organizations. Adelphi, an independent think tank focusing on climate, the environment and development, reports that in four case studies, natural disasters, economic despair, and environmental degradation all allow for extremist, terrorist groups to flourish. Climate change makes us more fragile and vulnerable to violence. If we don’t address this issue now, it’s only going to create bigger problems for us and future generations down the road.
As one of the only nations in the world to opt out of the Paris Climate Agreement, we no longer have a seat at the table guiding the global fight on climate change. This weakens our ability to gain support from the nations pivotal in delivering truly impactful reforms. While other nations are contributing to climate change with their own pollution, it’s important for us to use our leverage and set a positive example. Moreover, industry standards for emissions and other toxins are increasingly strict, which means that we could get left behind if we don’t keep up. Sticking to our own standards could lead to tremendous economic disadvantages for the automobile industry, among others. We must work together. Our world depends on it.
There is no “Plan-et B,” so let’s protect the one we’ve got.
  • LGBTQ+
Our country was founded on the ideal that all people are created equal. We must ensure that our LGBTQ+ communities are afforded all the rights and privileges any other member of our society is granted. No American should face discriminatory practices based on race, gender identity, religion, sexuality, or any other immutable characteristic. I have always been fully committed to fighting to see the day that all of our LBGTQ+ friends, families, and community members can live a life free of hate, prejudice, imposed restrictions, and discrimination.
Whether in schools, the workplace, the military, housing, public accommodation, or in the eyes of the law, all Americans must be free to live their lives safely and authentically – as they are meant to be and loving who they choose to love. In Congress, I will always work to uphold that principle, which should start by fully passing the Equality Act into law.
And in my most important role as a parent of a LGBTQ+ young adult, I am not just an ally in this fight, I am proud to be a vested stakeholder.
  • Racial Justice
Hiral believes it is our duty as a nation to address the systemic racism and generations of inequities and discrimination that have held back our Black and Brown communities. This includes not only reforming our criminal justice system to end racial profiling, discriminatory policing, and police brutality, but broader initiatives that work toward a level playing field that ensures equal economic and educational opportunity, access to quality and affordable housing, eliminating health disparities, and so many other critical issues.
Law enforcement reforms will not only lead to better public safety, but will keep police themselves safer. By building a partnership based on mutual trust and respect between communities and law enforcement, we make communities safer, make law enforcement more effective at fighting crime with the community’s help, and make law enforcement’s job less dangerous as well. This benefits everyone.
Similarly, ensuring that Black and Brown Arizonans have an equal shot at quality education, a good-paying job, affordable housing, and effective healthcare is a long overdue fulfillment of the values on which this country was founded and will strengthen all of our communities.
  • Ensure equal access to credit for small businesses in underserved areas to help them grow, and stamp out illegal and discriminatory banking practices
  • Fight for effective investments in affordable housing in underserved communities, and focus efforts to reduce disparities in home ownership
  • Boost Title 1 funding to improve our public schools so that every child has an equal shot at an outstanding K-12 education, while expanding career and technical education opportunities as well as ensuring affordable accessibility to community colleges and 4-yr universities
  • Stabilize and strengthen the Affordable Care Act, protect key provisions such as pre-existing condition coverage, and create a public option that allows anyone to buy into a Medicare-like plan so all Arizonans have access to quality and affordable healthcare
  • Ensure quality health care options in all our communities, including addressing disparities in healthcare delivery as well as investing in Federally Qualified Health Centers to boost care in underserved areas
  • Push all police departments to adopt and fully utilize body cameras funded through federal grants
  • Transition to community policing where officers are a part of the community to build mutual respect and trust
  • Require better training in appropriate use of force and critical de-escalation tactics
  • Develop and implement an adjunctive social resources/mental health team to be deployed in non-criminal situations
  • Ban chokeholds
  • Incentivize increased oversight measures, including community representation and citizen review boards[17]
 ”
—Hiral Tipirneni's campaign website (2020)[19]

Pivot Counties

See also: Pivot Counties by state

Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states. No counties in Arizona are Pivot Counties.

Donald Trump (R) defeated Hillary Clinton (D) in the 2016 presidential election. Trump won 48.7 percent of the vote, while Clinton won 45.1 percent. Arizona was one of 12 key battleground states in 2016. Of the 30 states won by Trump in 2016, Arizona had the fifth closest margin. From when it became a state in 1912 to 2016, Arizona voted Republican in 66.7 percent of presidential elections. It voted Republican in all presidential elections from 2000 to 2016.

Presidential results by legislative district

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Arizona. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[20][21]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 12 out of 30 state House districts in Arizona with an average margin of victory of 25 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 14 out of 30 state House districts in Arizona with an average margin of victory of 27.5 points. Clinton won two districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections.
In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 18 out of 30 state House districts in Arizona with an average margin of victory of 22.9 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 16 out of 30 state House districts in Arizona with an average margin of victory of 21.5 points.

District election history

2018

See also: Arizona's 6th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Arizona District 6

Incumbent David Schweikert defeated Anita Malik in the general election for U.S. House Arizona District 6 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
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Image of David Schweikert
David Schweikert (R)
 
55.2
 
173,140
Image of Anita Malik
Anita Malik (D) Candidate Connection
 
44.8
 
140,559

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 313,699
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Arizona District 6

Anita Malik defeated Heather Ross and Garrick McFadden in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Arizona District 6 on August 28, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Anita Malik
Anita Malik Candidate Connection
 
42.2
 
22,666
Image of Heather Ross
Heather Ross
 
37.6
 
20,203
Image of Garrick McFadden
Garrick McFadden
 
20.2
 
10,825

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 53,694
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Arizona District 6

Incumbent David Schweikert advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Arizona District 6 on August 28, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of David Schweikert
David Schweikert
 
100.0
 
83,406

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 83,406
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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2016

See also: Arizona's 6th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent David Schweikert (R) defeated John Williamson (D) and Michael Shoen (L write-in) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Schweikert defeated Russ Wittenberg in the Republican primary, while Williamson defeated Brian Sinuk to win the Democratic nomination. The primary elections took place on August 30, 2016.[22][23][24]

U.S. House, Arizona District 6 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngDavid Schweikert Incumbent 62.1% 201,578
     Democratic John Williamson 37.9% 122,866
Total Votes 324,444
Source: Arizona Secretary of State


U.S. House, Arizona District 6 Republican Primary, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngDavid Schweikert Incumbent 80.3% 63,378
Russ Wittenberg 19.7% 15,535
Total Votes 78,913
Source: Arizona Secretary of State
U.S. House, Arizona District 6 Democratic Primary, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngJohn Williamson 58.8% 17,561
Brian Sinuk 41.2% 12,293
Total Votes 29,854
Source: Arizona Secretary of State

2014

See also: Arizona's 6th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 6th Congressional District of Arizona held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent David Schweikert (R) defeated John Williamson (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Arizona District 6 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngDavid Schweikert Incumbent 64.9% 129,578
     Democratic John Williamson 35.1% 70,198
Total Votes 199,776
Source: Arizona Secretary of State

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The Hill, "House votes to sanction Schweikert over ethics violations," July 31, 2020
  2. ↑ Arizona Republican, "Rep. David Schweikert made a fake loan and misused campaign funds. Do voters care?" July 31, 2020
  3. ↑ The Cook Political Report, "House Rating Changes: Schweikert, Wagner Move From Lean Republican to Toss Up," August 7, 2020
  4. ↑ Arizona Redistricting, "Map," accessed July 7, 2012
  5. ↑ Candidate Connection surveys completed before September 26, 2019, were not used to generate candidate profiles. In battleground primaries, Ballotpedia based its selection of noteworthy candidates on polling, fundraising, and noteworthy endorsements. In battleground general elections, all major party candidates and any other candidates with the potential to impact the outcome of the race were included.
  6. ↑ Fundraising by primary candidates can be found on the race's respective primary election page. Fundraising by general election candidates can be found on the race's general election page.
  7. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "2022 Quarterly Reports," accessed March 2, 2022
  8. ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
  9. ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018
  10. ↑ Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
  11. ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
  12. ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
  13. ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
  14. ↑ Sabato's Crystal Ball, "2020 Rating Changes," accessed October 7, 2020
  15. ↑ [insideelections.com/ratings/house/2020-house-ratings-october-1-2020 Inside Elections, "House Ratings," October 1, 2020]
  16. ↑ OH Predictive Insights, "Arizona Congressional District 6 Survey Toplines and Crosstabs," October 6, 2020
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  18. ↑ David Schweikert’s 2020 campaign website, “Issues,” accessed October 5, 2020
  19. ↑ Hiral Tipirneni's 2020 campaign website, “Issues,” accessed October 5, 2020
  20. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
  21. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
  22. ↑ Arizona Secretary of State, "2016 Primary Candidates," accessed June 2, 2016
  23. ↑ Politico, " Arizona House Primaries Results," August 30, 2016
  24. ↑ CNN, "Election Results," accessed November 8, 2016


Arizona's current delegation to the United States Congress
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Ruben Gallego (D)
Mark Kelly (D)
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Eli Crane (R)
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
Vacant
District 8
District 9
Republican Party (6)
Democratic Party (4)
Vacancies (1)


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