A question for each of the 6 Democrats seeking to take on Rep. David Schweikert

We’re still two and a half months out on the primary election, but Wednesday’s Congressional District 1 Democratic debate may represent the last best chance for the crowded field to make their case for the party’s nomination.

The winner takes on longtime incumbent David Schweikert in what’s expected to be the most competitive congressional race in Arizona and among the most competitive in the country.

The debate, hosted by Arizona’s Citizens Clean Elections Commission, starts at 6 p.m. and is available on Arizona PBS, azcentral.com and YouTube, among other media outlets.

So far, CD 1 Democrats all sound alike

In the one previous televised debate in April, the six candidates provided glimpses into their background and passion topics, but it was more notable for the widespread agreement — Schweikert’s gotta go! and abortion restrictions are a no-go — than on what separates them from the pack.

The May 15 debate is critical given that there’s no significant separation among the top tier of candidates. Not in fundraising. Or in cash on hand to burn. Or name recognition.

Andrei Cherny, Marlene Galán-Woods, Andrew Horne, Kurt Kroemer, Conor O’Callaghan and Amish Shah need to distinguish themselves somehow.

As someone who lives in CD1 — it encompasses northeast Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree and Fountain Hills — here’s what I’d want to hear (and what I’d rather not).

Stop dwelling on abortion, Schweikert

No doubt abortion and reproductive rights are top of mind for many voters, in particular Democrats.

But all six candidates abhor the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision that undid 50 years of abortion access established under Roe v. Wade. They support the Arizona for Abortion Access citizen-led initiative.

So, seize the time to talk about what else you bring to the table. Pivot from the question if you need. We get you’re pro-abortion rights.

Stop talking about Schweikert. Your base is voting in the July 30 primary.

Y’all are vying for the right to upend him, so your opposition to his policies, his voting record and whatever else is a given. It does nothing to steer undecided Democrats into your camp.

Or at least convey why you’re best equipped to take on Schweikert. Talk about your record of working across the aisle. Or your appeal to independents and moderate Republicans.

Tell us why you are best for the district

And stop being so agreeable. We get that there’s like-mindedness on issues like gun control, environmental policies and taxes, but only one of you get to be the party nominee. Tell us why you should be and the others not.

One of the more memorable moments in the first televised debate for Democratic insiders — and what’s a primary if not for party insiders — came when O’Callaghan gave his closing statement.

Biden has a Latino voter problem: He doesn't speak their language

He asserted he is a lifelong, uncompromised Democrat, not someone who was at one-time a Republican (a swipe at Galán-Woods and Shah), not someone who has lost multiple elections and is under federal scrutiny (a dig at Cherny, whose eco-friendly company he started is being investigated over how sales of environmental actions were represented to customers).

I don’t think the not-so-veiled attacks have much validity, but I get the point of separating yourself from the rest of the field.

(This, as opposed to the uptick in recent weeks on personal attacks, much of it from a group calling itself Democracy Rising whose affiliation and support is undetermined. The director of Democracy Rising, a community advocacy group, told me the organization is not involved.)

Here's a question for each candidate

Building off the first debate, here’s a question for each of the six candidates.

• For Andrei Cherny, a former assistant attorney general and former state Democratic Party chair: You have had a number of failed runs for office, state treasurer, Congress, U.S. Senate. What have you learned and why is this race different?

• For Marlene Galán-Woods, a former broadcast journalist and the widow of the former state Attorney General Grant Woods: You are the only woman in the race, which should resonate with voters on abortion rights. You focused mostly on that in the first debate. What other issue(s) is driving your campaign, and how does it make you most qualified?

• For Andrew Horne, an orthodontist: You ranked public education as your top priority and talked about the large number of classrooms without certified teachers. What would you seek to do in Congress, given that education is largely a local issue?

• For Conor O’Callaghan, who worked in finance: You talked about the importance of addressing the economy and the border. So what’s the path forward on each?

• For Kurt Kroemer, who was an American Red Cross executive: You’ve made your Red Cross work and reducing political rancor a central part of your platform, but aside from a desire to further President Biden’s agenda, you haven’t talked priorities or issues. What are they?

• For Amish Shah, a doctor and three-term state legislator: You noted that you’ve passed more bills than any other Democrat at the Legislature the past 10 years. What are key examples that demonstrate your effectiveness at addressing constituent needs or working with Republicans?

The time to set yourselves apart is now

Unless you’re one of the 12,000-plus doors Kroemer knocked on or one of the 18,500 Shah visited (mine was one) or have caught the smattering of debates in the community, most of the six candidates are a mystery to you.

And with the start of June right around the corner — and school break and summer vacation on the brains of many — the time for candidates to break through is soon, if not now. What follows will come down to campaign's grassroots work and the whims of political advertising.

One welcoming source is “Who's the 1?,” a podcast exploring the CD 1 race hosted by former radio journalist Steve Goldstein and Democrat Anita Malik, who ran twice for Schweikert's seat (when it was in CD6). The two offer valuable observations; three of the six candidates have appeared on the show.

It won’t be a surprise, given the crowded field, if the primary election winner doesn’t clear 35% of the vote. Every insight could prove valuable for the undecided.

Reach Abe Kwok at akwok@azcentral.com. On X, formerly Twitter: @abekwok.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: CD 1 debate is last best chance for a Democrat to break through