Leading GOP Recruit Opts Not To Run For Renzi Seat

Arizona Republicans’ leading candidate to succeed Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) abruptly decided to abandon his exploratory committee on Wednesday, leaving the GOP field for the nomination wide open at this early stage.

State Rep. Bill Konopnicki cited a desire to spend more time with family and to remain in the state legislature to work on the state budget as to why he dropped out. 

Conservative activist Sydney Hay is currently the only GOP candidate with a respectable campaign infrastructure. She raised about $107,000 in the last fundraising quarter. Hay lost to Renzi in the 2002 Republican primary, but has vocal support from the district’s conservative constituencies.

While the expansive east Arizona district leans Republican, Renzi’s ethical problems and subsequent retirement has put this seat squarely in play. Democrats believe that, even with Renzi out of the seat, they can capitalize on public discontent over allegations of his ethical misconduct, which he has denied.

On the Democratic side, state Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick appears to be the early front-runner to win her party’s nomination, aided by an early endorsement from EMILY’s List. She faces two credible rivals in former TV anchor Mary Kim Titla and attorney Howard Shanker.

One Republican operative suggests that state Sen. Tom O’Halleran may jump in the race in light of Konopnicki’s withdrawal. In addition, the source said that former state Senate President Ken Bennett may reconsider his earlier decision not to run for the seat.