Election 2016: Race for CD1 seat suddenly wide open
By Howard Fischer | Casa Grande Dispatch
Ann Kirkpatrick’s decision to run for the U.S. Senate has a domino effect, with her open seat in the 1st Congressional District creating a political vacuum.
Republican Andy Tobin, her 2014 foe, already had expressed interest in another run at the seat even before she opted to go for the Senate.
But Tobin also wants to see what the U.S. Supreme Court decides in the lawsuit filed by the Arizona Legislature challenging the authority of the Independent Redistricting Commission to draw congressional lines. If the court decides against the commission, that frees the Republican-controlled Legislature to draw lines more favorable to GOP candidates.
Potentially more significant for Tobin is whether the new lines actually will include him in the district. A ruling is expected by the end of June.
Gary Kiehne, who lost to Tobin in the GOP primary, already had announced his bid for 2016.
And Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu also could be a contender, though he said it’s too early to make a decision.
