Arizona Daily Star photographer Kelly Presnell was told to leave a midtown political event Tucson Thursday afternoon that featured House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
A Kirkpatrick spokeswoman, Abigail O'Brien, initially told the Star the gathering was closed to the press, even though an Associated Press reporter and photographer were allowed to stay.
O'Brien then said the event was invitation-only. After being told the Star was formally invited by local Democratic leadership, she said the party was not authorized to do so. O'Brien said invitations went out to volunteer Democratic activists.
No one at the event held at the Pima County Democratic Party Headquarters was asked to produce identification to enter.
Pelosi was expected to endorse Ann Kirkpatrick.
