United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona, 2012
Encyclopedia
The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 to elect the nine U.S. Representatives
from the state, one from each of the state's nine Congressional districts, including the newly created 9th district
following the 2010 United States Census. The elections will coincide with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election
, and a U.S. Senate election
. Primary election
s will be held on August 28, 2012.
In accordance with the Arizona Constitution
, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission will produce new congressional district maps for use in the 2012 and following elections. As of November 5, 2011, the commission has produced a draft map of new congressional boundaries and completed a round of public hearings for input on the draft map.. Following public input, the commission may make modifications to the draft maps before publishing a final map which, if cleared for compliance with the Voting Rights Act
by the United States Department of Justice
will become the official district boundaries for the 2012 and subsequent elections.
On November 1, 2011, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer
, with the approval of the Arizona Senate
, removed Colleen Mathis, the commission's chair, on the charge that she was guilty of "failure to apply the Arizona Constitution's redistricting provisions in an honest, independent and impartial fashion." On November 17, the Arizona Supreme Court
overturned Brewer's decision and reinstated Mathis. On November 21, Brewer asked the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision and to temporarily reverse Mathis' reinstatement.
Paul Gosar
, first elected in 2010, will run for re-election; with some speculation that he may choose to run in the potentially redrawn 4th district
.
Former U.S. Representative Ann Kirkpatrick
, a Democrat
who represented the 1st district from 2009 to 2011, will seek a rematch against Gosar in the 1st district. Wenona Benally Baldenegro, a member of the Navajo Nation
, announced in April 2011 that she was exploring a run for Congress in the 1st district as a Democrat. If elected, Baldenegro would be the first Native American
woman to serve in Congress.
External links
is undergoing rehabilitation
following an assassination attempt
in January 2011. In August 2011, a spokesman for Giffords said no decision had been made as to whether she would seek re-election in 2012. Anthony Prowell, an elementary school
teacher, will seek the Democratic nomination in the 8th district; however, he may alternatively seek to run as the Green Party
nominee. Mark Kelly, Giffords' husband and an astronaut
, will not run to succeed his wife.
If Giffords does not seek re-election, state senator
Frank Antenori may run for the Republican nomination. Jesse Kelly, the 2010 Republican nominee who at the time of the shooting had filed to run again, has since suspended his campaign..
External links
Sheriff Paul Babeu, also a Republican, has formed an exploratory committee
to run for in the 4th district, and will make a final decision about running in early 2012. Republican U.S. Representatives Paul Gosar
and David Schweikert
, who have represented the 1st and 5th districts respectively since January 2011, may seek re-election in the new 4th district.
, who has represented this district since 2001, will seek the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate. Matt Salmon
, who held the seat from 1995 until 2001; Kirk Adams
, the former Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives
; Travis Grantham, a Captain in the Arizona Air National Guard
; and Chuck Gray, the former majority leader of the Arizona Senate
, are all running to replace Flake. Russell Pearce
, the president of the state senate, was reported in February 2011 to be planning to run.
External links
and David Schweikert
, who have represented the 3rd and 5th districts respectively since January 2011, may both seek re-election in the new 6th district.
was considering a run for the U.S. Senate. State senator
Kyrsten Sinema
is considering a bid for Congress and lived in the former 4th district, but will not challenge an incumbent Democrat.
, who had considered running for the U.S. Senate, will instead run for re-election.
External links
and would not be expected to strongly favor either party. Andrei Cherny
, the chair of the Arizona Democratic Party
; Neil Giuliano
, a former mayor of Tempe
; and former U.S. Representative Harry Mitchell
, a Democrat who represented the 5th district from 2007 until 2011, may run.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from the state, one from each of the state's nine Congressional districts, including the newly created 9th district
Arizona's 9th congressional district
Arizona's 9th congressional district is a new district that will be created as a result of the 2010 Census. The first candidates will run in the 2012 House elections, and be seated for the 113th Congress in 2013.-External links:...
following the 2010 United States Census. The elections will coincide with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election
United States presidential election, 2012
The United States presidential election of 2012 is the next United States presidential election, to be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. It will be the 57th quadrennial presidential election in which presidential electors, who will actually elect the President and the Vice President of the United...
, and a U.S. Senate election
United States Senate election in Arizona, 2012
The 2012 United States Senate election in Arizona will be held on November 6, 2012 alongside a presidential election, other elections to the United States Senate in other states, as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent...
. Primary election
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
s will be held on August 28, 2012.
Redistricting
Due to population gains reflected in the 2010 Census, Arizona's congressional delegation will increase from eight members to nine following the 2012 elections.In accordance with the Arizona Constitution
Arizona Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Arizona is the governing document and framework for the U.S. state of Arizona. The current constitution is the first and only adopted by the state of Arizona.-History:...
, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission will produce new congressional district maps for use in the 2012 and following elections. As of November 5, 2011, the commission has produced a draft map of new congressional boundaries and completed a round of public hearings for input on the draft map.. Following public input, the commission may make modifications to the draft maps before publishing a final map which, if cleared for compliance with the Voting Rights Act
Voting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark piece of national legislation in the United States that outlawed discriminatory voting practices that had been responsible for the widespread disenfranchisement of African Americans in the U.S....
by the United States Department of Justice
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
will become the official district boundaries for the 2012 and subsequent elections.
On November 1, 2011, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer
Jan Brewer
Janice Kay "Jan" Brewer is the 22nd and current Governor of the U.S. state of Arizona and a member of the Republican Party. She is the fourth woman, and third consecutive woman, to hold the office...
, with the approval of the Arizona Senate
Arizona Senate
The Arizona Senate is part of the Arizona Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arizona. The Senate consists of 30 members representing an equal amount of constituencies across the state, with each district having average populations of 219,859 . Members serve two-year terms with...
, removed Colleen Mathis, the commission's chair, on the charge that she was guilty of "failure to apply the Arizona Constitution's redistricting provisions in an honest, independent and impartial fashion." On November 17, the Arizona Supreme Court
Arizona Supreme Court
The Arizona Supreme Court is the state supreme court of the U.S. state of Arizona. It consists of a Chief Justice, a Vice Chief Justice, and three associate justices. Each justice is appointed by the governor of Arizona from a list recommended by a bipartisan commission. Justices stand for...
overturned Brewer's decision and reinstated Mathis. On November 21, Brewer asked the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision and to temporarily reverse Mathis' reinstatement.
District 1
Based upon the current draft proposal, the 1st district may become less favorable to Republicans. Incumbent RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Paul Gosar
Paul Gosar
Paul Anthony Gosar is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education and career:Gosar is a native of Pinedale, Wyoming...
, first elected in 2010, will run for re-election; with some speculation that he may choose to run in the potentially redrawn 4th district
Arizona's 4th congressional district
Arizona's 4th congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of Arizona and contains the southern portion of the city of Phoenix and some of its suburbs, including part of Glendale....
.
Former U.S. Representative Ann Kirkpatrick
Ann Kirkpatrick
Ann Kirkpatrick is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011. She is a member of the Democratic Party. She earlier served in the Arizona House of Representatives. She was defeated by Republican Paul Gosar in the 2010 election...
, a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
who represented the 1st district from 2009 to 2011, will seek a rematch against Gosar in the 1st district. Wenona Benally Baldenegro, a member of the Navajo Nation
Navajo Nation
The Navajo Nation is a semi-autonomous Native American-governed territory covering , occupying all of northeastern Arizona, the southeastern portion of Utah, and northwestern New Mexico...
, announced in April 2011 that she was exploring a run for Congress in the 1st district as a Democrat. If elected, Baldenegro would be the first Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
woman to serve in Congress.
External links
- Wenona Benally Baldenegro campaign website
- Paul Gosar campaign website
- Ann Kirkpatrick campaign website
District 2
In the October 2011 redistricting draft proposal, the 8th district would be renumbered as the 2nd district and made more favorable to Democrats. Incumbent Democrat Gabrielle GiffordsGabrielle Giffords
Gabrielle Dee "Gabby" Giffords is an American politician. A Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, she has represented since 2007. She is the third woman in Arizona's history to be elected to the U.S. Congress...
is undergoing rehabilitation
Rehabilitation (neuropsychology)
Rehabilitation of sensory and cognitive function typically involves methods for retraining neural pathways or training new neural pathways to regain or improve neurocognitive functioning that has been diminished by disease or traumatic injury....
following an assassination attempt
2011 Tucson shooting
On January 8, 2011, a mass shooting occurred near Tucson, Arizona. Nineteen people were shot, six of them fatally, with one other person injured at the scene during an open meeting that U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords was holding with members of her constituency in a Casas Adobes Safeway...
in January 2011. In August 2011, a spokesman for Giffords said no decision had been made as to whether she would seek re-election in 2012. Anthony Prowell, an elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
teacher, will seek the Democratic nomination in the 8th district; however, he may alternatively seek to run as the Green Party
Green Party (United States)
The Green Party of the United States is a nationally recognized political party which officially formed in 1991. It is a voluntary association of state green parties. Prior to national formation, many state affiliates had already formed and were recognized by other state parties...
nominee. Mark Kelly, Giffords' husband and an astronaut
Astronaut
An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....
, will not run to succeed his wife.
If Giffords does not seek re-election, state senator
Arizona Senate
The Arizona Senate is part of the Arizona Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arizona. The Senate consists of 30 members representing an equal amount of constituencies across the state, with each district having average populations of 219,859 . Members serve two-year terms with...
Frank Antenori may run for the Republican nomination. Jesse Kelly, the 2010 Republican nominee who at the time of the shooting had filed to run again, has since suspended his campaign..
District 3
In the October 2011 redistricting draft proposal, the 7th district would be renumbered as the 3rd district and made more favorable to Democrats. Incumbent Democrat Raúl M. Grijalva, first elected in 2002, said in February 2011 that he had no plans to run for the U.S. Senate. Gabriela Saucedo Mercer will seek the Republican nomination.External links
District 4
The current draft proposal would create a new 4th district encompassing much of the current 2nd District as well as significant portions of the current 1st, 5th and 6th districts. Pinal CountyPinal County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*72.4% White*4.6% Black*5.6% Native American*1.7% Asian*0.4% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.8% Two or more races*11.5% Other races*28.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
Sheriff Paul Babeu, also a Republican, has formed an exploratory committee
Exploratory Committee
In the election politics of the United States, an exploratory committee is an organization established to help determine whether a potential candidate should run for an elected office. They are most often cited in reference to United States Presidential hopefuls, prior to the primaries.Exploratory...
to run for in the 4th district, and will make a final decision about running in early 2012. Republican U.S. Representatives Paul Gosar
Paul Gosar
Paul Anthony Gosar is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education and career:Gosar is a native of Pinedale, Wyoming...
and David Schweikert
David Schweikert
David Schweikert is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served two terms in the Arizona State House of Representatives , was chairman of the state Board of Equalization , and was the elected Maricopa County Treasurer . He ran for the U.S...
, who have represented the 1st and 5th districts respectively since January 2011, may seek re-election in the new 4th district.
District 5
In the October 2011 redistricting proposal, the 6th district would be renumbered as the 5th district and continue to favor Republicans. Incumbent Republican Jeff FlakeJeff Flake
Jeffrey Lane "Jeff" Flake is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party. He was featured in the documentary series How Democracy Works Now: Twelve Stories....
, who has represented this district since 2001, will seek the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate. Matt Salmon
Matt Salmon
Matthew James "Matt" Salmon is a former Republican Congressional Representative from Arizona. In 2002, he lost to Janet Napolitano in a highly competitive Arizona governor's race.-Early life, education, and business career:...
, who held the seat from 1995 until 2001; Kirk Adams
Kirk Adams
Kirk Adams is a former Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives, serving as Speaker from 2009 to 2011. He is running for the Republican nomination in 2012 for Congress in Arizona's 6th congressional district.-Early life and education:...
, the former Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives
Arizona House of Representatives
The Arizona House of Representatives is the lower house of the Arizona Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arizona. Its members are elected to two-year terms with a term limit of four consecutive terms...
; Travis Grantham, a Captain in the Arizona Air National Guard
Arizona Air National Guard
The Arizona Air National Guard is the branch of the United States Air National Guard operating within the state of Arizona. It was founded by Barry Goldwater, and was integrated two years before President Truman's military integration order.-Units:...
; and Chuck Gray, the former majority leader of the Arizona Senate
Arizona Senate
The Arizona Senate is part of the Arizona Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arizona. The Senate consists of 30 members representing an equal amount of constituencies across the state, with each district having average populations of 219,859 . Members serve two-year terms with...
, are all running to replace Flake. Russell Pearce
Russell Pearce
Russell Pearce was a Republican Arizona State Senator representing Legislative District 18, which covers most of western and central Mesa and small portions of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Arizona, USA until ousted in a November 2011 recall election by Senator-elect Jerry Lewis...
, the president of the state senate, was reported in February 2011 to be planning to run.
External links
- Kirk Adams campaign website
- Travis Grantham campaign website
- Chuck Gray campaign website
- Matt Salmon campaign website
District 6
In the current draft proposal, the existing 3rd district would become the 6th district. Republican U.S. Representatives Ben QuayleBen Quayle
Benjamin Eugene "Ben" Quayle is an American politician and U.S. Representative for Arizona's 3rd congressional district. He is a member of the Republican Party. Ben Quayle is son of former U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle and former U. S...
and David Schweikert
David Schweikert
David Schweikert is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served two terms in the Arizona State House of Representatives , was chairman of the state Board of Equalization , and was the elected Maricopa County Treasurer . He ran for the U.S...
, who have represented the 3rd and 5th districts respectively since January 2011, may both seek re-election in the new 6th district.
District 7
In the current draft proposal, the 4th district would be renumbered as the 7th district. As of March 2011, incumbent Democrat Ed PastorEd Pastor
Edward Lopez "Ed" Pastor is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1991. He is a member of the Democratic Party.The district includes most of southern, western, and downtown Phoenix, along with a portion of Glendale....
was considering a run for the U.S. Senate. State senator
Arizona Senate
The Arizona Senate is part of the Arizona Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arizona. The Senate consists of 30 members representing an equal amount of constituencies across the state, with each district having average populations of 219,859 . Members serve two-year terms with...
Kyrsten Sinema
Kyrsten Sinema
Kyrsten Sinema is a Democratic member of the Arizona State Senate, where she represents the 15th district. She previously served three terms in the Arizona House of Representatives from January 2005 to January 2011.-Early life and career:...
is considering a bid for Congress and lived in the former 4th district, but will not challenge an incumbent Democrat.
District 8
In the current draft proposal, the portion of the 2nd district in Maricopa County would be split off as a new 8th district and made more favorable to Republicans. Incumbent Republican Trent FranksTrent Franks
Trent Franks is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party.The district takes in the entire northwestern corner of the state, including Kingman and Lake Havasu City, but most of its vote is cast in the western Phoenix suburbs.-Early life, education and...
, who had considered running for the U.S. Senate, will instead run for re-election.
External links
District 9
Based upon the current draft proposal, the new 9th district would be based in TempeTempe, Arizona
Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2010 population of 161,719. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley section of metropolitan Phoenix; it is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Scottsdale...
and would not be expected to strongly favor either party. Andrei Cherny
Andrei Cherny
Andrei Cherny is a former Arizona Assistant Attorney General, White House aide, business consultant, and the founder and President of Democracy: A Journal of Ideas...
, the chair of the Arizona Democratic Party
Arizona Democratic Party
The Arizona Democratic Party is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in Arizona. Its headquarters is in Phoenix.-Party organization:The Arizona Democratic Party is organized into three parts, the state committee, the executive committee, and the executive board.-State Committee:The state committee...
; Neil Giuliano
Neil Giuliano
Neil G. Giuliano is an educator, activist, philanthropy advisor, leadership coach, and speaker. A former mayor and president of a national advocacy organization, he has been involved with community service and public affairs his entire career. Giuliano is the former four-term mayor of Tempe,...
, a former mayor of Tempe
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2010 population of 161,719. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley section of metropolitan Phoenix; it is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Scottsdale...
; and former U.S. Representative Harry Mitchell
Harry Mitchell
Harry E. Mitchell is a former U.S. Representative who represented from 2007 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career :...
, a Democrat who represented the 5th district from 2007 until 2011, may run.