Sen. McCain Gets Dem Challenger: Rep. Kirkpatrick

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 5,2015, before a GOP luncheon. (AP Photo/Brett Carlsen)
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Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) now has a Democratic challenger for 2016: Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ).

Roll Call first reported Kirkpatrick’s plans on Monday. Kirkpatrick’s decision opens up her old congressional district, which leans Republican and Mitt Romney won with a three-point margin in 2012.

McCain is the favored as the frontrunner in the Arizona Senate race, which Rothernberg & Gonzalez Political Report says favors Republican.

For months, there have been rumblings of a conservative primary challenge to McCain. A Public Policy Polling survey in early May found Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) running just one point behind McCain, while Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ) polled two points behind the senator and state Sen. Kelli Ward (R) trailing McCain 44 percent to 31 percent.

If one of those conservative Republicans challenge McCain —especially Schweikert or Salmon— they would likely have the backing of powerful outside groups like the Senate Conservatives Fund (SCF) or Club for Growth, which heavily backed tea party primary challengers in the last cycle. Less than a week ago, SCF sent an email to supporters titled “Time to Replace John McCain.”

“John McCain lost his way a long time ago and it’s time to replace him with a strong conservative leader who will support and defend the Constitution,” SCF President Ken Cuccinelli wrote in the email.

McCain’s office quickly responded to Kirkpatrick’s move on Tuesday.

“Senator McCain welcomes Congresswoman Kirkpatrick to the race, and looks forward to running a vigorous campaign no matter who the Democratic nominee is,” McCain Communications Director Brian Rogers said in a statement.

This post has been updated.

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