Yassamin Ansari Triumphs in CD3 Democratic Race Following Dramatic Recount

Yassamin Ansari has emerged as the Democratic candidate for a congressional district in Arizona’s West Valley, following a narrow victory in her primary race. A recount confirmed her win over former state lawmaker Raquel Terán by just 36 votes, with final tallies showing Ansari at 19,084 votes compared to Terán’s 19,048.

This district, known as congressional district 3, is heavily Democratic and includes parts of South and West Phoenix. Ansari, who previously served as vice-mayor of Phoenix, will aim to fill the seat currently held by U.S. Representative Ruben Gallego, who is pursuing a Senate position.

Speaking on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Ansari expressed her gratitude to the voters and emphasized the need for unity among Democrats. “Following today’s recount results, I am deeply honored to be your Democratic nominee for Congress,” she stated, urging supporters to rally around Democratic candidates across the board for the November election.

She highlighted key issues, such as Arizona’s abortion rights initiative, and vowed to mobilize her campaign efforts to promote both the initiative and other Democratic candidates. “Our fight isn’t over,” she declared, asserting her commitment to achieving victories for Democrats at multiple levels.

As the election approaches, reproductive rights have become a central focus for Democrats nationwide, with Arizona demographic trends showing a strong potential for support. Ansari’s progressive stance on abortion access includes her work on the Phoenix City Council, where she helped minimize the emphasis on abortion-related arrests amid strict state laws.

In the November general election, Ansari will face Republican nominee Jeff Zink. Given that Democratic voter registration in the district significantly outnumbers Republican registration, she enters the race as a strong contender. Should she win, Ansari would make history as the first Iranian-American Democrat elected to Congress.

In a press conference shortly after the recount, Ansari challenged her party to unify and refocus efforts towards November. She labeled the primary campaign as contentious and expressed the necessity to move past its divisive nature. “It’s time to put behind us the ugliness of this race,” she commented. “Right now our focus is on November.”

She further criticized right-wing politicians, stating their agendas threaten fundamental freedoms. To counter this, she argued for mobilizing Democratic support to safeguard rights such as abortion access while seeking to enact more progressive policies. “Republicans preach a dangerous vision for our future,” she contended. “We must stand strong to protect our democracy and our climate.”

Terán, acknowledging her defeat, echoed the call for party unity, emphasizing a collective commitment to supporting Democratic campaigns. Meanwhile, Ansari faced scrutiny regarding a pro-cryptocurrency super PAC that raised substantial funds for her campaign shortly before the primary. This funding raised concerns about her dedication to progressive values.

Defending the PAC’s support, Ansari noted that similar organizations frequently finance Democratic candidates nationwide to promote their platforms. She expressed her desire for greater transparency regarding campaign financing and reaffirmed her focus on constituents’ needs. “I would have preferred this race with no outside money,” she articulated. “We’ll continue to be accountable and transparent.”

Addressing the integrity of the electoral process in light of national concerns over election trust, Ansari affirmed confidence in the process in Maricopa County. Despite minor adjustments during the recount, she stated the system functioned as intended. “Maricopa County runs a phenomenal election and they are diligent, tireless, and meticulous,” she reported, assuring that the upcoming November election would be secure and fair.

This story was updated with additional comments and reporting.