Sam Crump "thrilled" Shadegg will stay in the race

"I am absolutely thrilled that John Shadegg has decided to run again," state Rep. Sam Crump (R-Anthem) told PolitickerAZ, only minutes after the 3rd Congressional District incumbent issued a statement saying that he will not retire from the U.S. House as he had previously said he would. Crump was on the list of state officials who had expressed interest in running for the seat in the event of Shadegg's withdrawal.

"I'm a little surprised" at his ultimate decision, continued Crump, "but the longer [Shadegg's decision-making process] went on, the more I started to think he would come back in."

Crump reiterated what he had previously told PolitickerAZ, saying: "I'm glad I won't have that kind of disruption, and the disruption for a lot of other people. Now I can focus on my job in the legislature."

The other potential contenders for Shadegg's seat, with the exception of fmr. legislator Steve May, stated prior to Shadegg's decision that they would not oppose him for the Republican nomination if he decided to remain in the race.