Kirkpatrick to Challenge McCain in Arizona

[brooklynite]

Source: Roll Call

Arizona Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick will challenge Republican Sen. John McCain for Senate, according to a source with knowledge of Kirkpatrick’s plans, giving Democrats a top recruit and a potential pickup opportunity.

Kirkpatrick made calls Monday to inform people of her plans, the source told CQ Roll Call. Her bid also opens up Arizona’s 1st District, a GOP-leaning seat spanning the northeast quadrant of the state.

An hour after this story was published, Kirkpatrick sent out an email making it official. “I love this state, and I’ve worked hard all my life to put Arizona first,” she said in a video. “From the timber towns of the White Mountains to the tech hubs of Phoenix and Tucson, we are working to build a strong, diverse economy. I’m fighting for Arizona every single day, and I’d be humbled to represent our state in the United States Senate.”

She touted her service on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and work on a project she described as aimed at wildfire prevention and job creation in Arizona.

Read more: http://atr.rollcall.com/ann-kirkpatrick-to-challenge-john-mccain-in-arizona-senate/

[bigdarryl]

1. She got no chance in that crazy ass state

[brooklynite]

3. Question is whether McCain gets beaten up in the Primary

[former9thward]

14. So far no 'A' list people have said they will run in the R primary.

Only a little known state senator and some random person no one has heard of. There are a couple of R congressmen who could give McCain a run for his money but they have said they are running for reelection.

On the D side Kyrsten Sinema, my congresswoman, would stand a better shot at McCain but she has not said if she is running.

[erronis]

8. I'm not sure all Arizonans are as lock-stepped as we think

I know quite a few good people from other states that have moved there and have not lost their political bearings.

With all the corruption and malfeasance that's been shown by local/state officials in AZ, perhaps a person with integrity can help show the way out from their dumb-ass representation.

McCain is a limp old non-warrior. Perhaps he resonates with a bunch of 60+ (I'm 60++ but no fan) but I think he's stopped caring about Arizona and only thinks about Hizzoner.

[dbackjon]

12. She has a great chance

She's won in a R-leaning district.

Arizona isn't as crazy as made out to be.


People are sick of McCain



And where do you live?

[sufrommich]

2. She won a district most thought was impossible for her to win.

Hopefully she unseats McCain too.

[former9thward]

15. Why would it be impossible?

Romney won 50-48 in CD-1. That is just a 2% margin.

[kimbutgar]

4. If the tea party runs as a third party she could win in a split vote

The crazy people vote the sane ones sit home. People are getting really pissed with the republican cuts to education there. I think she might have a chance.

[Kelvin Mace]

5. The question is, will McCain retire?

This will be a nasty primary fight, because the only way to be McCain is to go negative and stay negative.

[bigdarryl]

6. Thats out of the question he already announced he's running again

[Kelvin Mace]

7. That was before he pulled a challenger

Given his age and temperament, he could humiliate himself early on with a violent outburst.

[erronis]

9. Right - give him some of Bob Dole's "meds" and McCain may blow a gasket.

[former9thward]

16. He was always going to have a challenger in the general election.

So far he has no serious challenger in the R primary.

[Gothmog]

10. Grampa McCain has outlived his welcome in Arizona

[TexasBushwhacker]

17. He'll be 80 in 2016 n/t

[dbackjon]

11. I am pumped about this - and she has a chance to win

[Dawson Leery]

13. She can win. Mark Kelly can win.

McCain is unpopular and the state is a GOP leaning one.
A Presidential election will bring out the Democratic base.

[hrmjustin]

18. K&R!