CD1

CAMP VERDE -- The Congressional Candidate Forum on the Future of Arizona's Natural Resources brought out most of the AZ-1 field, where the candidates who showed up navigated their way through a proving ground of environmental questions. The whole panel was in agreement on the need for renewable energy investment, even if not all saw a consensus on the fact of global climate change. The biggest question of the afternoon wasn't asked by the moderator, however - it was "where is Sydney Hay?"

The seven participants included Democrats Jeffrey Brown, Ann Kirkpatrick, Howard Shanker and Mary Kim Titla, Republicans Tom Hansen and Preston Korn, and independent Brent Maupin. Two other Republicans who filed, Sandra Livingstone and Barry Hall, declined to participate.

However, Sydney Hay, who has been embraced by the Republican establishment, including the state party and numerous Republican state legislators and members of Congress, did not show up. Audience members and press instead received a letter from Hay that apologized for her absence but gave no explanation.

Most pundits and observers believe the CD1 Congressional race is going to be Democratic candidate Ann Kirkpatrick vs Republican candidate Sydney Hay. While the two do appear to be on a collision course to meet in November unless there is a major upset, there may be another player who has a say in the outcome.

Brent Maupin, a Sedona businessman, is also running for the seat being vacated by Congressman Rick Renzi. Maupin, a lifelong Republican, is running as an independent for the office. Maupin calls himself a “centrist” and thinks both parties are out of touch.

Maupin has retained outside professional help with the addition of Steve Kush and Kush and Associates out of New Jersey to handle his media.

If you visit Maupin’s website, make sure you check out his song “Stand Up America.”

Most people know that 2008 is quite a busy year in Arizona congressional politics, but today the Arizona Capitol Times shed light on just how busy it is. The state boasts four competitive House races - half of its districts - the outcomes of which will help shape Congress for the next two years, but the less-scrutinized races have a wealth of candidates as well.

While the focus may be on contests like the CD1 fight over Rep. Rick Renzi's seat, the CD5 Republican primary and the premier battle between Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and state Sen. Tim Bee in the 8th, voters in all of Arizona's districts will have a choice in November. With the spotlight firmly fixed on the top four, the others have been in the shadows as far as the media is concerned.

Today is different. The Arizona Capitol Times has released a list of all candidates who have filed as congressional competitors for 2008. The litany of incumbents and hopefuls is presented without preference, pretense or puffery, and, at least in this format, all candidates are created equal.

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) today announced the endorsement of  Democratic Congressional candidate Ann Kirkpatrick in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District.  LCV Senior Vice President for Political Affairs and Public Education Tony Massaro joined Kirkpatrick at the kickoff celebration of Conservationists for Kirkpatrick at Flagstaff’s Wheeler Park.
  
“At our state capitol, Ann stood out for her vision and leadership on key conservation issues,” Arizona League of Conservation Voters Board Chair Jessica Catlin said.  “I know she will take those qualities with her to our nation’s capitol.”

The National Republican Congressional Committee is taking its counterpart, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, to task over their support of CD1 candidate Ann Kirkpatrick. Ken Spain, spokesman for the NRCC, criticized Kirkpatrick as the "hand-picked Washington candidate" after the DCCC added her to its Red to Blue list, which helps Democratic challengers with fundraising and organization.

“Despite repeated claims that they would remain neutral in primaries, the DCCC has decided to make Ann Kirkpatrick the hand-picked Washington candidate of choice" said Spain in an email. "That is because they know she will be a rubber stamp for Nancy Pelosi and her liberal agenda of higher taxes, government-run healthcare, and soaring energy costs.”

The DCCC, however, denies that her inclusion in the program amounts to an endorsement, saying it is only a reflection of her strength as a candidate.