PHOENIX — A three-term U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick from Flagstaff hopes to do what Arizona Democrats have been unable for do since 1982: Sideline John McCain.
In announcing her bid Tuesday for the Senate, Kirkpatrick hammered on her local rural roots as a lifelong Arizona resident. Her video included pictures of her with her family and small business.
But it’s the boots she bought with her waitressing tips that are likely to take center stage in the race. Those same boots became a symbol in her last campaign, as Republicans sought to portray her as some sort of high-heeled Washington liberal.
Kirkpatrick, 65, was careful not to blast the 78-year-old McCain, a former prisoner of war in Vietnam, who was first elected to the House in 1982 and to the U.S. Senate four years later. Instead, she said, it’s about giving voters what she thinks they want now.
“The state’s changing,” she said. “I hear from Arizona voters who are ready for a choice in the next election.”
The chore now for Kirkpatrick is to translate her narrow win in 2014 against Republican Andy Tobin in her rural district into statewide support.
Democrats hold a slight edge in her congressional district, making up close to 37 percent of the electorate, compared with less than 30 percent for Republicans. Independents and minor parties make up the balance.
By contrast, Democrats are only 28.5 percent of statewide registered voters, with Republicans at 34.2 percent.
But Kirkpatrick pointed out her current district already includes all or part of eight of the state’s 15 counties. Her toughest test could be in Republican-rich Maricopa County.
And then there’s the money angle.
At last count, McCain had more than $3.6 million cash on hand, versus less than $300,000 in Kirkpatrick’s House re-election account. And as the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, McCain has a fundraising edge.
Kirkpatrick conceded McCain will have the money advantage, not only from his own account but the likelihood of outside groups waging their own independent efforts for him or against her.
But Kirkpatrick said she hopes to make up for any financial shortfall with retail politicking, going to every event she can.
McCain also has something else that Kirkpatrick may not: a likely primary on his hands.
State Sen. Kelli Ward, R-Lake Havasu City, has been drumming up support in an exploratory committee. She has strong backing from fiscally conservative elements in the GOP.
Matt Salmon and David Schweikert, members of the state’s congressional delegation, also have been mentioned as possible primary foes.
Arizona Republican Party Chairman Robert Graham said he’s always worried about a divisive primary.
“If our candidates are beating the lights out of each other in a primary and they’re using language or a narrative that is not good, as to painting a person into a corner or what have you, when they go into a general election any of that baggage is harmful,” he said. “There’s no question about that.”
And at this early date, there is no guarantee Kirkpatrick will get a free pass in the primary election.
Democrat Fred DuVal, who lost last year’s gubernatorial race to Republican Doug Ducey, has been mentioned as someone who could go up against McCain. Also possibly in the running could be Kyrsten Sinema who will be finishing her second term in the U.S. House, and Richard Carmona who lost his Senate race in 2012 to Jeff Flake.
