Republican Brandon Martin will face off against Democrat Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick in Arizona's historically competitive second congressional district.
Martin, a veteran and executive director of Keepers for Liberty, had 44% of the roughly 58,000 votes, as of Wednesday morning. He was ahead of small-business owner Noran Eric Ruden (33%) and Joseph Morgan, a support technician for Pima Community College (24%). The Associated Press called the race early Wednesday morning.
Kirkpatrick, a four-term Democratic incumbent who returned to congress in 2016 after a failed Senate run, had 77% of the roughly 75,000 votes, as of Wednesday morning. She held a commanding 41,000-vote lead over attorney Peter Quilter. The Associated Press called the race around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.
In her victory statement, Kirkpatrick said her campaign will focus on making the country's healthcare system more accessible and humane border policies, saying "American values are under attack."
“I am running because our American values are under attack — from healthcare to immigration and from climate change to financial security, Washington is putting massive corporations first instead of focusing on what matters to everyday families," she said.
“As we face some of the hardest economic and social challenges in our country's history, I am so grateful that Southern Arizonans trust me to continue the work we’ve started,” she said.
The second congressional district, which stretches across Pima and Cochise counties, includes two military bases, the U.S.-Mexico border and the east-side of Tucson.
Before Kirkpatrick, the seat has flip-flopped parties over the last decade between well-known names such as Democrat Ron Barber and Republican Martha McSally.
Experts are projecting the seat to remain safely in the hands of Kirkpatrick, who returned to her role after a stint in rehab for alcoholism. The Cook Political Report recently moved the district to a “Solid Democrat” seat.
