Posted on 01/13/2018 6:50:17 AM PST by SandRat
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TUCSON — U.S. Rep. Martha McSally made it official on Friday: She’s running for Jeff Flake’s Senate seat.
McSally, 51, made the announcement at the Tucson Jet Center near Tucson International Airport this morning, then took off in a World War II-era two-seater training plane headed to Phoenix and Prescott to deliver the same message.
“I don't sit quietly and I don't scare easily. When I make promises, I don't interpret them loosely,” McSally told about 200 people, including a strong contingent of veterans. “Should I take an oath as your senator, raising my right hand again, you can be certain of this, I will give my all to protecting our country and to advancing the American leadership and American values in a world that desperately needs them both, and will speak candidly, maybe a little bluntly at times, but always truthfully and never in droning, empty platitudes of the politically correct.”
McSally, who is in her second term serving Congressional District 2, had been close-mouthed about a possible bid for months, only saying she’d make an announcement after the first of the year. She reportedly told congressional colleagues last fall that she planned to make the bid after Flake announced in October that he wouldn’t run for re-election.
McSally acknowledged she has some challenges in the state when it comes to name recognition but pointed out she was named the ninth most-effective member of Congress during her freshman term by the Center for Effective Lawmaking, based on getting bills introduced and passed.
She also addressed President Trump's comment on Thursday in which he criticized protections for immigrants from “s---hole” countries, a reference to Africa, Haiti and El Salvador.
“Well, let me just say I've spoken a little salty behind closed doors as well so I'm not going to throw the first stone on using any language, and I guess there was a dispute as to what was actually said,” McSally said. “...the issue I think he was trying to get to was we need to reform our immigration system, that this lottery system doesn't make any sense.”
The congresswoman joins a crowded GOP field that includes Kelli Ward, a physician who resigned halfway through her second term in the state Legislature to run against John McCain in 2016. Ward lost to McCain in the primary.
But McSally’s toughest test could come from former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a Republican who announced Tuesday that he was in the race. Arpaio, 85, served 24 years as sheriff before he was ousted in 2016 by Democrat Paul Penzone. Arpaio, dubbed “America’s Toughest Sheriff,” had seen a dramatic drop in popularity after he became embroiled in accusations of racial profiling during immigration sweeps. He was found guilty in July of failing to comply with court orders to end racial profiling practices in his department. On Aug. 25, after declaring Arpaio an “American patriot,” Trump pardoned him.
McSally, an Air Force Academy graduate and the first U.S. woman to fly combat missions in enemy territory, lost two bids for the House before narrowly defeating former U.S. Rep. Ron Barber for the seat in 2014. She scored a decisive re-election win in 2016 over Democrat Matt Heinz.
Democrats in the Senate primary include Deedra Abboud, Bob Bishop, Cheryl Fowler, Chris Russell and U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, who is considered the front-runner.
Along with Arpaio, Ward and McSally in the race are Craig Brittain and Nicholas Tutura.
Martha McSally will become an excellent senator, far superior to The Flake and the dying John McCain.
She has been my representative for the past three years and I had the privilege of working in her campaign the past three election cycles.
On the hot button issues, Sheriff Joe and the courageous Kelli Ward (voted for her in 2016) better fit my own very conservative beliefs. But, face it, neither could beat the Democrat in this increasingly purple state of Arizona. McSally can win.
I know that I shall be flamed but I need to express my thoughts on political reality.
So long...it’s into my bomb shelter I go.
I’d rate Arpaio’s chances of carrying the state around...zero. No dirty tricks needed. He couldn’t carry Maricopa County the last time he ran. How will he win the rest?
Which one does McTurtle want? That’s the one I don’t want.
The opinions are interesting, but does anyone have facts? For example, does anyone want to post data on McSally’s voting record?
I will be moving to Tucson in June. McSally is the congress critter there in what seems to be a purple area. The prior congress critter was Gabrielle Giffords. Phoenix is a bit more red, I have been told.
“Thanks for the info. One of the reasons I reject it as a retirement place is that extraordinary heat. I couldn’t even take LA’s heat in the summer! And while I can’t stand Dims, I hate Rinos even more. Too bad. I do plan on visiting out there, though. Beautiful state.”
Check out the Prescott area. The weather is nothing like the rest of the state as the altitude is 5200 feet. You will definitely get the four seasons here.
The area is the most conservative area in the state. There are about 14 gun stores among a population of 110,000 and that does not include the three Walmarts, two Big 5, and a Sportsman Warehouse.
I’m with you.
“First woman pilot to command a combat fighter squadron flying in 325 combat missions...”
I’ve never met an A-10 pilot who could stand her.
She flew from Kuwait a little ways into Iraq starting in 1995. I was flying a lot deeper over Iraq at the time, flying more hours in a two week period than she flew in her first deployment.
In 2005, she was flying over Afghanistan. I was in Afghanistan on the ground in 2007. It wasn’t exactly a high threat area for jet planes.
I was in Saudi when she sued over wearing burkas to go off base. I cannot even guess how many times I deployed to Saudi, and I NEVER was allowed off base. But she was a female, so the big wigs wanted to see her paraded around.
She also was married from from 1997 to 1999, then had the marriage...annulled? Not Catholic, but a civil annulment.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/pamela-powers-hannley/sham-marriage-allegations_b_2036319.html
Doubt anyone in Arizona cares, but they might care IF the media go after her in a general election.
All that said, I’d vote for her in a primary to prevent Arpaio from losing the seat. I loathe her, but I loathe democrats more.
She looks good on immigration/chucking out illegals and keeping them out.
http://www.ontheissues.org/International/Kelli_Ward_Immigration.htm
Arpaio is 85. We don’t need an 85 year old freshmen senator and he will most likely lose the general election.
Trump needs to have a sit down with Joe and try to talk him out of it.
From what I’ve heard about her, I’d rather she would just run AWAY from centers of power.
Good background summary on the state
Thanks very much for your thought out summary. From my limited
experience in political races it often comes down to whom has the
money along with the proper backing.
I think you’re right on....the Sheriff is too old and will split the ticket.
Joe Arpaio is 85 not 90
You’d be dealing with him dying or being unable to serve soon enough. Really not liking him for getting into this race. It would be different if there was only establishment types, but this only splits vote.
Such a young colt. /s
AZ has been overrun by northern and CA liberals for many years now. They are seeking sunshine and a chance to vote for liberals.
yeah at his age he has no business getting into the race.
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