Ex-Vice Mayor Seizes Lead in Competitive CD3 Race

Former Phoenix vice mayor Yassamin Ansari leads former Senate minority leader and Arizona Democratic Party chair Raquel Terán by 4.5 percentage points in the race for a House seat in Congressional District 3, covering central Phoenix.

Initially separated by about 1,400 votes, Ansari holds a narrow lead. The winner is expected to secure a solid Democrat seat vacated by current Senate candidate Ruben Gallego.

The contest between Terán and Ansari showed little ideological difference but saw significant outside spending as the primary approached.

Raquel Terán started as a community organizer with Mi Familia Vota during the SB1070 era. She played a role in recalling the former Republican Senate President, Russell Pearce. Terán was elected to the state House in 2018, appointed to a Senate vacancy in 2021, and became minority leader in 2022.

As the chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, she played a crucial part in electing Democrats to key state positions, including Governor Katie Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and Attorney General Kris Mayes.

Terán is endorsed by various labor groups, the Arizona Education Association, Democratic and Hispanic organizations, Planned Parenthood Action, and Senator Mark Kelly.

Ansari began her career with the United Nations climate team. She was elected to the Phoenix City Council in 2021 and became vice mayor in January 2023.

Her endorsements include the National Organization for Women Political Action Committee and the Arizona Federation of Teachers.

Both candidates prioritize reproductive rights and climate change. While aligned on key issues, they clashed over financial backing in debates and statements.

In a May debate, Terán labeled Ansari a “millionaire landlord” and accused her of receiving “hundreds of thousands of dollars from MAGA donors.” Terán highlighted $1.3 million in support of Ansari from the cryptocurrency group Protect Progress in recent finance reports.

Terán also received significant outside support, totaling over $1.5 million from groups like Victory PAC, CHC Bold PAC, Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, Medicare for All, Working Families Party PAC, and the National Education Association Advocacy Fund. Additionally, $81,000 was spent by Progress Now and Working Families Party to oppose Ansari.

Initial returns show Ansari leading with 46.7% of the vote. Terán follows at 42.23%, and Duane Wooten garners 11.04%.