AZ-8: New Special Election

Gov. Doug Ducey (R) announced yesterday the special election schedule to fill the seat that former Rep. Trent Franks (R-Peoria/Glendale) resigned last week.   The party primaries will be held February 27th, with the special general to follow on April 24th.  The winner will serve until the end of the year.  The new Congressman will then assuredly file on May 30th to run for a full term, thus entering the regular 2018 August 28th primary election campaign with the succeeding general election on November 6th.   Republicans should hold this seat.  President Trump carried the district 58-37%, and Rep. Franks averaged 63.7% in his eight winning congressional elections.  Now that the election schedule is set, candidates are coming forward to officially enter the race.
 
Former state Corporation Commissioner Bob Stump (R) has announced his candidacy.  Interestingly, Mr. Stump is reportedly not related to the late former US Rep. Bob Stump (R-AZ) who represented this region from 1977-2003.  Also in the race, with Rep. Franks’ endorsement, is state Sen. Steve Montenegro (R-Avondale), a former staff member for the outgoing Congressman.  But, the Senator’s district only barely overlaps the 8th Congressional, giving Montenegro a very small base within the CD he is seeking.
 
--Jim Ellis