By Billy Nachman
Ann Kirkpatrick is in somewhat of a difficult situation going into this November’s congressional elections. Kirkpatrick is a first-term incumbent in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, yet she is also a democrat, in what has historically been a conservative district. The raging debate over immigration reform in Arizona, along with the proposed and highly controversial immigration law in the state even further hurts Kirkpatrick’s chance of re-election. Kirkpatrick’s republican counterpart is Dr. Paul Gosar, former Arizona Dental Association’s “Dentist of the Year.” Gosar will be particularly dangerous for Kirkpatrick, a staunch conservative who is a strong supporter of the immigration law, and is running on an anti-big government platform.
The Arizona Daily Sun ran a piece last Sunday examining the two candidates and their main views. It seems that considering the relatively conservative attitude of her constituents, Kirkpatrick is leaning towards the middle, certainly trying to play it safe. Gosar on the other hand, is leaning very much towards the right, making borderline outlandish statements regarding immigration reform. In the article he says, “We can no longer turn our backs on Arizona and allow illegal drug smugglers, human traffickers, criminals and murderers, sex trade operators, and others to cross our borders illegally, burden our schools and our jails and our hospitals, and expect the people of Arizona to continue paying the price.” I understand where Gosar is coming from here, but he seems to be describing a very small percentage of illegal immigrants. I’m pretty sure the vast majority of individuals crossing illegally into this country are not drug smugglers and murderers.
Kirkpatrick seems to be the most level-headed and moderate of the two candidates, but in a midterm election where there is a great deal of right wing fervor, Gosar could take advantage of the conservative base in Arizona and make a serious run. Gosar is anti-big government, while Kirkpatrick voted for the health care bill and the stimulus bill. If the voters in Arizona’s 1st District start leaning towards the right this November, Kirkpatrick could be in trouble.
I totally agree that kirkpatrick could lose this election especially in light of the fact oh how unpopular democratics are this time around. And since you said this district is fairly conservative, they might have a bad taste in thier mouth from her voting yes to the stimulus and health care bill. Not mention she's a woman...
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to look at how to AZ voters poll in terms of both immigration reform as well as their feelings toward health care and the stimulus bill. Which of these issues is most important to them? If Kirkpatrick can get them to understand where she is coming from on social and economic issues, then she might stand a chance, but if the AZ voters feel as passionately about immigration reform as Gosar does, then Kirkpatrick definitely has her work cut out for her.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Immigration Reform is a big issue in Arizona, but do you think it will matter to the election given how conservative the state of Arizona? And given the fact that SB 1070 is still the law what push do you think will be greater the push for immigration reform or the one to over remove the democrats from power.
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