Ex-state Sen. Pres. Ken Bennett (R) "has again decided against a run," raising "new questions" about the GOP's "ability" to retain the seat. Bennett: "It was a tough decision." Ultimately, he decided he couldn't "walk away" from his business interests, as he was named CEO of alternative-fuel firm GeoBio last month. Bennett: "I could not bring myself to give up the one to go after the other. A big part of my heart would love to have done it."
Bennett is the "latest in a string" of GOPers to "opt against" runs, including AZ Corp. Commis. Kris Mayes (R), state Rep. Bill Konopnicki (R), state Sen. Tom O'Halleran (R) and ex-Yavapai Co. GOP Chair Steve Pierce (R). DCCC spokesperson Yoni Cohen: "Ken Bennett is the eighth Arizona Republican to recognize that national Republicans don't have the resources to compete in Arizona's First Congressional District."
N. AZ Univ.'s Fred Solop said with Bennett's decision, AZ Mining Assoc. pres./'02 cand. Sydney Hay (R) was "clearly the frontrunner." But some GOPers "quietly worry" about her chances in a general, especially against ex-state Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D), who has "more than" $465K CoH. AZ GOP spokesperson Tony Reinhard: "Money helps, but money doesn't win races. It's a conservative district. We're incredibly confident that whoever our nominee is will go on to win the seat in November" (Benson, Arizona Republic, 4/22).
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