It seems as though the Democratic Party’s socialist wing can make inroads only in the bluest of regions around the country, as noted once again by the failure of a Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidate losing in the purplish state of Arizona.
Incumbent Rep. Greg Stanton decisively defeated left-wing DSA-aligned activist Kai Newkirk in Arizona’s Democratic congressional primary, surviving a challenge from the party’s left flank that became increasingly focused on Israel, immigration and Stanton’s relationship with the Democratic establishment.
Certified results from the Arizona secretary of state show Stanton winning 35,551 votes, or about 62.3%, compared with 21,544 votes, or 37.7%, for Newkirk in the July 21 Democratic primary for Arizona’s 4th Congressional District.
Early election-night reports had Stanton leading by an even wider margin, which explains why some initial accounts placed the result at roughly 68% to 32%. The final statewide canvass narrowed that margin but still left Stanton with a comfortable victory of nearly 25 percentage points.
The outcome secured another Democratic nomination for Stanton, a former Phoenix mayor who was first elected to Congress in 2018.
“This campaign presented voters with a real choice about how Democrats should lead,” Stanton said after the race was called.
“Tonight, they chose proven leadership that fights back, delivers real results, and brings our party together,” he added.
Newkirk, a longtime political organizer who has described himself as a democratic socialist, attempted to challenge Stanton from the left on several issues.
His campaign placed particular emphasis on U.S. policy toward Israel.
Newkirk called for ending U.S. military assistance to Israel and imposing an arms embargo, while repeatedly criticizing Stanton for receiving support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and other pro-Israel political organizations.
The disagreement intensified shortly before the primary when Stanton voted against an amendment offered by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., that would have eliminated $3.3 billion in security assistance to Israel from a State Department appropriations measure.
Stanton defended his decision by arguing that eliminating the assistance would undermine U.S. efforts to counter Iran and destabilize the region.
At the same time, Stanton voted against the broader State Department funding bill and has publicly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and aspects of the Israeli government’s policies.
Newkirk tried to make those differences a defining issue.
He accused Stanton of being too closely aligned with AIPAC and argued that Democrats should take a substantially harder position toward Israel.
Newkirk nevertheless rejected accusations of antisemitism and publicly condemned antisemitic violence. After two Israeli Embassy employees were killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington in 2025, he said he stood with Jewish Americans against antisemitism while continuing to advocate for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages.
The primary also highlighted broader ideological differences inside the Democratic Party.
Stanton has generally positioned himself as a more moderate Democrat willing to cross party lines on selected issues. He supported the Laken Riley Act, for example, while also criticizing elements of the Trump administration’s immigration policies and calling for greater oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Newkirk argued that Democrats needed a more confrontational approach toward President Donald Trump and accused Stanton of being insufficiently aggressive in opposing the administration.
