Yassamin Ansari, Jeff Zink debate on TV Thursday: What to know

Democrat Yassamin Ansari and Republican Jeff Zink will face off Thursday in a televised congressional debate.

They are running to represent Arizona's Phoenix-area 3rd Congressional District.

Ansari is a former Phoenix vice mayor. She won the July 30 Democratic primary by just 39 votes.

Zink, a Trump supporter who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, "Stop the Steal" rally at the U.S. Capitol, beat out one other candidate for the Republican nomination.

Democrats have a strong advantage in the race. About 44% of active voters in the district are Democrats, 40% are not affiliated with a political party, and 15% are Republicans, according to the Arizona Secretary of State's Office .

The district is entirely inside Maricopa County. It includes parts of Phoenix, including south Phoenix, Laveen, Maryvale and Glendale.

The forum is hosted by Arizona PBS.