Outside spending is ramping up in the Democratic primary for CD3
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Raquel Terán, left, and Yassamin Ansari. Photos: Courtesy of Raquel Terán for Congress and Yassamin for Congress
Outside money is pouring into the contentious Democratic primary for the 3rd Congressional District as the race enters its home stretch.
Why it matters: The south and west Phoenix-based district is overwhelmingly Democratic, so the primary winner will almost definitely win the general election.
- Only two people have represented the district since 1991, and it's possible that whoever wins this year's election could hold the seat for many years.
The big picture: Phoenix City Council member Yassamin Ansari and Raquel Terán, a former state lawmaker and Arizona Democratic Party chair, are vying for the open seat.
- Valley pediatrician Duane Wooten is also seeking the Democratic nomination.
The latest: Protect Progress, a pro-cryptocurrency super PAC that "supports Democratic candidates committed to securing the United States as the home to innovators building the next generation of the internet," reported Monday spending more than $1.3 million to support Ansari.
- The television airtime buy came with just two weeks to go before the July 30 primary.
Between the lines: Terán had a significant edge in outside spending up until now.
Zoom in: Outside spending for Ansari is now more than $1.9 million, while outside groups have spent nearly as much helping Terán.
- That's on top of the $1.7 million Ansari reported raising through the end of June and the $1.1 million Terán raised.
- Ansari has also gotten about $350,000 in support from DMFI PAC, which backs pro-Israel Democrats.
- Terán's biggest outside backers are Victory PAC, which has spent a half million dollars on canvassing, and the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, which has spent about $335,000 on mail and digital ads.
The intrigue: Terán this week called out Ansari for receiving support from a super PAC partially funded by tech billionaires who are also backing former President Trump.
- Campaign finance records show that venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz each contributed $750,000 to Protect Progress last fall.
- Andreessen and Horowitz also plan to contribute to Trump, Axios' Dan Primack and Scott Rosenberg reported Wednesday.
What they're saying: "This is a blatant attempt by MAGA extremists to meddle in a Democratic primary and boost Yassamin Ansari. Democratic primary voters deserve to know who is doing this and why," Terán said in a press statement.
The other side: Pasquale Luz, Ansari's campaign manager, accused Terán and her supporters of false, misleading and negative attacks.
- "This desperate strategy does nothing to serve the voters. That is why Yassamin is focused on her progressive record of real accomplishments," he said in a statement to Axios.
Catch up quick: Ansari and Terán are running for the seat being vacated by Rep. Ruben Gallego, who's running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Kyrsten Sinema.