Sterbinsky celebrates nomination, looks ahead to Gosar

This is just the beginning. Let's freaking go.”

Danielle Sterbinsky

Fresh off securing the Democratic nomination for Arizona's 9th Congressional District, Danielle Sterbinsky told supporters July 21 that the primary was "just the beginning" as her campaign shifts its focus to a November matchup against Republican Rep. Paul Gosar.

Sterbinsky will face off against Gosar to represent Arizona's 9th Congressional District, which stretches across much of western Arizona and favors Republicans. Gosar, who has represented the area for 15 years, received 67,577 votes in the primary, according to Ballotpedia, while Sterbinsky received 31,371.

Despite the district's solid Republican lean, Sterbinsky's campaign believes the race will come down to introducing the Democratic nominee to voters.

Jerry Duff, a political scientist with Duff Advantage Group who is working on Sterbinsky's campaign, said the campaign's biggest challenge is name recognition.

"The bad news is that 80% of voters don't even know who Dani is,” Duff said, citing a recent poll he conducted of voters in the district.

Duff said the "good news" is that among those voters, more than half disapprove of Gosar.

“They’re not going to know what hit them,” Duff said.

Sterbinsky’s campaign is approaching $500,000 in contributions, has more than 100 volunteers and plans to travel to Washington D.C., in August to publicly challenge Gosar to a debate.

About 30 supporters attended the election night celebration at Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q in Goodyear, which featured a DJ dressed as Uncle Sam and appearances from four other Democratic candidates who advanced to the general election: Arizona House District 23 candidate Mariana Sandoval, Arizona State Senate District 25 candidate Laura Huber, Arizona House District 25 candidate Tiffany Byrne and Arizona State Senate District 29 candidate Eric Stafford.

The other Democratic candidates also used the evening to look ahead to November.

Stafford predicted a "Blue wave" in the general election and said, "We're just going to have to keep kicking ass."

Huber thanked supporters and fellow candidates, including Sterbinsky, saying, "She's so kind and always willing to help out," while reflecting on her work as a mental health counselor.

Byrne, an educator, reminded supporters and her fellow candidates that their campaigns are far from over.

"This is not the finish line, this is the starting line," Byrne said.

Sandoval, who is running for reelection, energized the crowd by asking, "Are you ready to win?" and said she wants to continue working to make Arizona a state that works for everyone, "not just the rich."

The night concluded with Sterbinsky being introduced for the first time as the official Democratic nominee for Congress. She described Primary Election Day as a "whirlwind of spending time with other candidates," and reflected on her experience as a Navy veteran and working mother, saying her goal is "to take our perspective to Washington."

She closed her remarks by telling supporters, "This is just the beginning. Let's freaking go."