Arizona's Congressional election battles are shaping up quickly, as AZ Republicans give up pn stopping the Independent Redistricting Commission's new competitive Congressional Districts. And the current incumbent in CD01 is throwing up the white flag, abandoning his district after only one term, and beating a hasty retreat to the safe confines of Prescott and the redder than blood new CD04 -
U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar confirmed rumors that have been swirling around in political circles for months, announcing on Saturday that he will move to Prescott and seek reelection in Arizona’s new 4th Congressional District.
Source: AZ Capital Times
A Tale of Two Districts: Newly Redder than Red vs. A New Hope
The redrawn CD04 is also know as the "River District", running almost the full length of Arizona's western border on the Colorado River, stretching eastward through heavily Republican Yavapai County & Prescott, and wraps around the fringes of the Phoenix metro area into northern Pinal County. With an 18-point voter GOP registration advantage and 27-point GOP performance advantage, it will also be one of the most reliably Republican districts.
Paul Gosar was first elected in 2010 with strong Tea Party support, defeating Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick , a one-term Democrat, in Arizona's 2010 Red tidal wave. Gosar will have at least a 3 way battle for the GOP nomination. Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeau announced his candidacy earlier this week. Mother Mags had an excellent diary on Babeau last Wednesday. Babeau moved to Arizona from Massachusetts, realizing no doubt Arizona is a much better match with his brand of bigotry and showmanship. Finally State Senator Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City formed an exploratory committee in December and is expected to formally enter the race next week.
One of the three will almost certainly be the new Congressman from CD04, current with no incumbent as redrawn. No Democrat has announced his or her candidacy, but it is highly unlikely to be more than token some dude token opposition.
But now the good news: Democrats have a much improved opportunity to return CD1 from Red to Blue, with a very electable candidate endorsed by the Progressive Democrats of America: Wenona Benally Baldenegro!
Raised in rural Arizona, Wenona was the first Native American to graduate from Arizona State University’s prestigious Barrett Honor’s College. Wenona graduated summa cum laude, with a B.A. in English Literature. She went to attend Harvard Law School, where she earned a juris doctorate degree, and a master degree in public policy at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Competing against Baldenegro for the CD1 nomination is one term Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick . Kirkpatrick , a Blue Dog Democrat managed to disillusion voters in CD1 with her lack of conviction and courage so much that Gosar managed to win the election but still receive over 11,000 votes LESS that the Republican candidate Kirkpatrick defeated in 2008. Most telling of Kirkpatrick 's deaf ear to the needs and expectations of her constituents, she was the only Democratic member of Arizona's Congressional delegation to vote AGAINST the Dream Act. And this was even after she had been defeated for reelection. Perhaps Kirkpatrick should move to Prescott as well, she is a better match for the Republican thinking there. This article at the Flagstaff Daily Sun gives an excellent background on how Kirkpatrick enabled Teabagger Gosar win CD1 in 2010: Why Gosar won: Dems stayed home
The redrawn CD1 now will have no incumbent. No other Republican candidate has yet announced his or her candidacy. The redrawn CD1 swings from reddish purple to bluish purple, with more registered Democrats, more Independents, and less Republicans. 11 Native American tribes will be represented by the new Congress person, and Native American will represent 25% of the district's population, the highest of any congressional district in the nation. We can win this district, and win it with a Progressive Democrat!
Wenona Benally Baldenegro for Arizona! Wenona Benally Baldenegro for CD1!
Si Se Puede!