Debbie Lesko’s Win Is Another Warning Sign for the GOP

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Republicans might have been tempted to breathe a sigh of relief on Tuesday night. Republican Debbie Lesko won a special election in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District (vacated by Trent Franks, who resigned amidst a sexual harassment and surrogacy scandal), avoiding another high-profile defeat like the one that Rick Saccone faced in Pennsylvania’s 18th District in March.

Winning always beats losing. But Lesko’s win was far from decisive—as of late Tuesday night, her lead was roughly 5 points. That’s not great when you put it in the context of 2016 and other Trump Era special elections.

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