|
On Tuesday, Paul Gosar dispelled rumors that he would be challenging the widely unpopular Senator Jeff Flake in the 2018 primary. Gosar made the announcement after the Arizona Capitol Times reported false rumors that he was thinking about doing so.
“I am humbled and honored to represent a great district, Arizona’s Fourth Congressional District. I am the newly elected Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and the new Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Minerals. We have had several great district wins in recent months including blocking a 1.7 million acre land grab proposal and successfully reopening an area on Lake Havasu that the federal government had closed to boaters for no good reason. We still have a lot to get done and I couldn’t be more excited about working with the new administration. I have no plans to run for another office despite false rumors to the contrary. I have begun collecting signatures for my 2018 re-election so that I can continue to represent rural Arizonans in the People’s House,” stated Gosar in a press release.
Former State Senator Kelli Ward has thrown her hat in the ring again. Ward was not a viable contender against McCain in the 2016 Republican Primary. McCain was even less popular than Flake, but he easily defeated the less-than-serious Ward, who introduces herself as “Kelli-with-an-i” Ward.
Rep. David Schweikert was also recruited to challenge Flake, but according to sources, his new spot on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee is something the wonkish representative would not easily give up.
On Saturday, the Arizona GOP elected Jonathan Lines to chair the organization. Lines, a Flake loyalist, will make it nearly impossible for a lesser known candidate like Ward to have a chance of making it out of a primary.