CD6

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.

After long process of looking for possible candidates to challenge Sydney Hay in Arizona’s First CD, Republicans are starting to rally behind Hay.  Today Hay was endorsed by Congressman Jeff Flake.

Through out yesterday we posted Congressional FEC numbers.  Today we will take a look at them together by district.

CD1 which is an open seat being vacated by Rick Renzi.

Democrats

Congressmen Jeff Flake and Raul Grijalva, who face no or little opposition this year have filed their FEC reports over the weekend. Flake raised $58,742 during the first quarter of 2008 and finished with $974,536 cash on hand. Grijalva raised $91,312 in the same time perio <

Harry Mitchell came under heat last week from a few of his CD5 potential general election opponents for missing an ethics vote. I decided to do a little research on attendance records for the 110th Congress to see just how often members from the Grand Canyon State missed session days in DC.  read more »