One of the Democratic Party\u2019s most closely watched primary battles has ended with a decisive victory for an incumbent congressman, despite an aggressive challenge from the party\u2019s progressive wing.<\/p>\n
The race had drawn national attention as another test of whether candidates running on an anti-Israel platform could unseat more established Democrats.<\/p>\n
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Rep. Greg Stanton easily defeated democratic socialist challenger Kai Newkirk in Arizona\u2019s Democratic primary Tuesday, securing the nomination for another term in Congress with a commanding margin.<\/p>\n
With nearly all votes counted, Stanton received about 68.1% of the vote compared with Newkirk\u2019s 31.9%, according to multiple media outlets.<\/p>\n
The victory sends Stanton, a former Phoenix mayor first elected to Congress in 2018, into November\u2019s general election, where he is expected to face Republican Zuhdi Jasser.<\/p>\n
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Following the race, Stanton described the outcome as a choice about the future direction of the Democratic Party.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis campaign presented voters with a real choice about how Democrats should lead,\u201d Stanton said in a statement posted to his campaign page.<\/p>\n
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\u201cTonight, the voters chose proven leadership that fights back, delivers real results, and brings our party together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Throughout the campaign, Newkirk attempted to make U.S. support for Israel the defining issue in the race.<\/p>\n
He repeatedly criticized Stanton for receiving support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, commonly known as AIPAC, and accused the organization of wielding too much influence in American politics.<\/p>\n
Newkirk also pointed to a multimillion-dollar public messaging campaign promoting Israel as evidence of what he characterized as outside influence in U.S. elections.<\/p>\n