Tom O’Halleran announced he will run for U.S. Congress in Arizona’s District 1 as a Democrat.
In his announcement, O’Halleran sought to paint himself as a maverick. “I have a record of taking on tough challenges and delivering — even when it meant standing up to party leadership,” he said.
He ran as an independent in the 2014 State Senate race. He previously served for eight years in the state Legislature as a Republican. O’Halleran registered as a Democrat only last week, the Arizona Daily Sun reported.
Republicans who have filed candidate paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission are Gary Kiehne, who lost in this district’s primary election in 2014, and former Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett.
Others who have said they may join the race include State House Speaker David Gowan and Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, both Republicans, and State Sen. Barbara McGuire and State Rep. Catherine Miranda, both Democrats.
Incumbent Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick announced earlier this year she would run for U.S. Senate against Republican John McCain.
