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Debbie Lesko declared winner in race for US House seat in Arizona

Published  April 25, 2018 5:05am MST
Marcy Jones' Reports
FOX 10 Phoenix

PHOENIX (AP) - Republican Debbie Lesko has won the special election in Arizona's 8th Congressional District, keeping the U.S. House seat in GOP control.

The former state senator on Tuesday defeated Hiral Tipirneni, a former emergency room physician. Tipernini had hoped to replicate surprising Democratic wins in Pennsylvania, Alabama and other states in a year where opposition to President Donald Trump's policies have boosted the party's chances in Republican strongholds.

Lesko replaces former Rep. Trent Franks, a Republican who resigned in December amid sexual misconduct allegations.

>>Click here to view election results (Polls close at 7:00 p.m.)

Tipirneni was trying to pull off an upset, but Republicans have a sizable lead in both voter registration in the district and in early ballots already cast in the special election.