Sophomore Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego has been a reliably Democratic vote in his safely blue Phoenix seat, and he’s attracted attention for speaking out against Trump. However, Gallego may face a noteworthy opponent in next year’s primary. State Sen. Catherine Miranda has been publicly coy about her 2018 plans, noting that GOP Gov. Doug Ducey is up for re-election, as is the state’s Republican school superintendent. However, The Arizona Republic’s Elvia Diaz reports that there are rumors that Miranda is considering challenging Gallego, rumors Miranda has seemed to fan on social media.
Miranda endorsed Ducey during the 2014 general election, and Diaz speculates that Ducey’s allies could help finance a bid against Gallego. And while Miranda’s past support for Ducey would almost certainly be a liability with voters, some local Phoenix Democratic power players may not care. In the 2014 primary for this open seat, Gallego beat a candidate backed by some influential members of the Latino political establishment by a 48-36 margin, and Diaz argues that they could try and get their revenge in 2018. Miranda would almost certainly be the clear underdog if she challenged Gallego, but she may have the support to run a credible campaign.