AZ-9: Stanton Opts In

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton (D), despite him now having to leave his current post early under Arizona election law because he is declaring for another office, officially announced that he will seek Rep. Kyrsten Sinema’s (D-Phoenix) US House seat.  Last week, the Congresswoman entered the US Senate campaign and will challenge Sen. Jeff Flake (R), assuming he clears the Republican primary.  Obviously, the quick Stanton announcement is designed to freeze other Democrats from entering the race.  A Republican candidate has already been campaigning for several weeks and raising a credible sum of money.  Physician Steve Ferrara, a retired Navy captain, has the potential of becoming a strong general election candidate, but this district is evolving into a reliably Democratic seat (Clinton: 55-38%; Obama: 51-47%). 

--Jim Ellis