[swpa_mom]

I really do admire the devotion here for JD Hayworth, I’m just not sure it’s enough.

How did he lose his congressional seat? I haven’t seen that explained. It’s the thing that makes me wonder if he has enough support in Arizona to oust McCain.

[MaggieCarta]

How did he lose his congressional seat? I haven’t seen that explained. It’s the thing that makes me wonder if he has enough support in Arizona to oust McCain.

I attended a conference shortly after that election, and I met a teacher from AZ. She told me flatly that the election was stolen from JD.

I think if immigration continues to be at the forefront, JD can hammer Juan repeatedly on that issue.

I can just see the McMaverick going all Spectrey/Liebermanie and going Dem or Indie if when JD wins the primary.

[ponygirl]

Hayworth lost to Harry Mitchell, who ran as a "conservative" Democrat. Mitchell's seat is already in jeopardy as he hasn't voted as a conservative at all. (Surprised?) Basically, Mitchell claimed every position that Hayworth already held... but rode to victory on the "Defeat Bush at all costs" mantra that was going on at the time. It was a squeaker... I think Mitchell only took 50.5% of the district.

The district involved was Tempe, which is where the university is located. There was a lot of talk at the time about out-of-state residents being allowed to vote. (Lots of California kids come over here to attend ASU.) I don't know what ever came of that, or if there was actually evidence of tampering.

[Jake from AZ]

"How did he lose his congressional seat? I haven’t seen that explained. It’s the thing that makes me wonder if he has enough support in Arizona to oust McCain."

From what I understood at the time, he basically had his district gerrymandered out from under him. All of a sudden, he was up for election and District Five had not only lost a lot of strong GOP enclaves, it had gained the campus of Arizona State(ist) University into the bargain. He didn't have a chance against Mitchell after that.