Arizona to Play Pivotal Role in 2012 Election

It has been a busy past couple of months in Arizona politics.

The Independent Redistricting Commission has finished its work re-drawing legislative and Congressional Districts.

After the 2010 Census, Arizona was awarded a new Congressional District based on the state's population increase. The newly created Congressional District 9, will be hotly contested by both parties and will play an important role nationally. The new District has nearly equal number of Democrats, Republicans and Independents and runs thru parts of central Phoenix, Arcadia, Tempe and Ahwatukee.

State Senator Kyrsten Sinema D-Phoenix became the first candidate to officially declare their candidacy in the new District. Sinema will resign from her Senate seat in order to campaign and raise funds for that race. Phoenix City Council member Sal DiCicio, a Republican, has said he plans to run for the new Congressional District 9 seat.  Several other potential candidates are forming exploratory campaigns and considering running in this very important new District.

US Rep Ben Quayle R-Phoenix has said he plans to move into a safer Republican District in the north part of Maricopa County and will challenge fellow Republican David Schweikert for that Congressional District.  No Democrats have been mentioned as potential candidates in this very Republican District.

US Rep Ed Pastor will maintain much of his old District in south and western parts of Phoenix and would appear to be safe for re-election.

In northern Arizona, Congressional District 1 has lost some of its more Republican leaning real estate which could help former Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick as she seeks a rematch with the current Congressman Paul Gosar. Kirkpatrick has gotten an early endorsement from HRC and has high hopes of returning to Washington, the race in Congressional District 1 will be watched nationally.

Democrats in Arizona had been re-energized in November with, State Senate President Russell Pierce recalled and removed from office and Greg Stanton elected as Mayor of Phoenix. The Obama campaign has also signaled that Arizona will be contested in 2012 and that we can expect more visits from the administration.

It all proves that 2012 will be a very interesting election year and that ARIZONA will be playing a pivotal role in its outcome.

If you would like more information or to get involved in a campaign, please contact either of our political co-chairs, Dan Mallar or Kathy Young at political@hrcarizona.org or call Kathy at 623-202-5997