Mary Kim Titla

Mary Kim Titla raised over $53,000 in the second quarter of the year, according to her campaign manager Randy Camacho. The Globe Democrat is the first candidate in the 1st Congressional District field to release her fundraising totals for 2Q.

However, Camacho declined to answer how much the campaign currently has on hand. He also noted the total includes in-kind donations.

Titla is running against Democrats Jeffrey Brown, Ann Kirkpatrick and Howard Shanker to earn a spot on the ballot against the eventual Republican nominee. The seat is being vacated by U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Flagstaff), who is under indictment on federal charges of money laundering, fraud and extortion.

The Arizona AFL-CIO has unveiled its endorsements in this year's U.S. House primaries, though only one of the candidates is actually engaged in a primary, and one primary was bypassed altogether.

All candidates who received endorsements were Democrats, and included the four Democratic members of the Arizona House delegation, though none faces a primary. Other recipients were Bob Lord, who is taking on U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix) in the 3rd Congressional District; John Thrasher, a Democrat who is running for the second time against U.S. Rep. Trent Franks (R-Glendale) in the 2nd Congressional District; and Ann Kirkpatrick, the front-runner in the 1st Congressional District Democratic pack.

"These candidates share our vision of what is important to Arizona’s working families," said Rebekah Friend, the Arizona AFL-CIO's executive director. "It is crucial for the future of Arizona that we elect those who are going to step up to the plate and fight for the issues that will move Arizona forward. We’re convinced that these candidates will do just that."

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.

With Gov. Janet Napolitano's endorsement of CD1 Democratic candidate Ann Kirkpatrick, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has all but endorsed the former state legislator as well. Today, DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen announced that Kirkpatrick has been added to the Red to Blue program, which helps Democratic challengers raise money to capture Republican-held congressional seats.

"Ann's experience in city, county and state government and her commitment to promoting economic development, while protecting Arizona’s environment, will make her an effective voice for clean government and change," said Van Hollen, a Maryland congressman.

In addition to financial support, the program also helps "structure" campaigns to become more effective. Kirkpatrick is one of 11 Democrats in the program vying for an open seat.

"The DCCC's decision shows confidence in Ann's ability to win the primary and be successful in the general election," said Kirkpatrick campaign spokeswoman Mary Bradley.

It is largely understood that Native Americans play a major part in Arizona politics - particularly in the north of the state, which comprises the First and Second Congressional Districts. However, exactly to what extent Native Americans influence Arizona electoral politics is a topic of debate.

The Native American Times, though, which boasts a readership of "over a millions hits monthly" on its web page, is saying that not only will congressional races in places possessing a significant Native American population be influenced by their ranks, but the presidential contest itself may be, in part, decided by what Arizona's indigenous population decides in November.

Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen is optimistic about the chances of Republicans to regain lost ground against Democrats in the Arizona congressional delegation, he said today on Grover Norquist's radio show. However, he said that key to recapturing CD5 will be a Republican primary that keeps the fighting above the belt.

RealClearPolitics has given a rundown of hot Arizona races. It's much as we have been reporting, but always interesting to get an outside perspective. For instance RealClear has it that Rep. John Shadegg (R-3) is a "paranoid incumbent," and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-8) may have a chance to fend off challengers permanently - or make herself a perpetual target of Republicans.

Stuart Rothenberg of the Rothenberg Political Report has the latest House ratings. Of the races that are up for grabs Arizona has three that have made the competitive grade.

Rothenberg lists CD1 as a pure toss-up. AZ’s CD1 is one of only 15 pure toss-up districts in the country which will mean lots of national attention from both sides.