Ann Kirkpatrick to challenge John McCain for Senate in 2016
Republicans have a big built-in advantage in red-leaning Arizona. But Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, who announced on Tuesday that she’ll challenge GOP Sen. John McCain in 2016, may be the party’s best chance at taking the Senate seat from the longtime lawmaker.
Boasting about her Arizona roots and small business experience, the 65-year-old, three-term lawmaker from Flagstaff said in a video announcing her bid that while she respects McCain’s service to the country, “I just believe our state’s changing.”
“Arizonans should have a real choice who they send to the United States Senate,” she added.
While McCain, who is seeking a sixth term, has name recognition – especially as a former Republican presidential nominee and current chairman of the Senate Armed Services committee – one recent poll shows him struggling among Arizona voters. According to a survey earlier this month by the left-leaning Public Policy Polling, just 41% said they approved of McCain’s job performance, compared to 50% who disapprove. To make matters worse, just 21% who identified themselves as “very conservative” said they approved of how the lawmaker was doing.
In a hypothetical, head-to-head matchup, McCain is leading Kirkpatrick by just six points – 42% to 36%– according to PPP, with 23% saying they aren’t sure.
http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/ann-kirkpatrick-challenge-john-mccain-senate-2016
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