Sydney Hay

Pioneer Newspaper, the most widely read paper in northeastern Arizona, has endorsed 1st Congressional District candidate Dr. Sandra Livingstone (R).

LeAnn Arganbright, the paper's publisher, heaped praise upon Livingstone.

The Maricopa County Republican Committee and Tony Bouie have been fighting.  This week they have something in common as they both end up on the same side of this week's Winners & Losers.

Arizona Corporation Commissioner and one-time prospective congressional candidate Kris Mayes has thrown her support behind Sandra Livingstone in the 1st Congressional District Republican primary.

"Dr. Sandra Livingstone understands the critical energy and water issues facing Arizona," said Mayes, "and has the training and knowledge to put practical solutions to work for Arizona. She's the candidate who's best suited to go to Washington on our behalf and help America achieve energy independence. I enthusiastically endorse Dr. Sandra Livingstone's candidacy and look forward to working on her behalf to help her win in September and November."

Mayes, who formed an exploratory committee in February when she was herself considering a run in the 1st district, becomes the second person the Republican Party attempted to recruit in the race who is now backing Livingstone over rival Sydney Hay. Former state Senate President Ken Bennett, who was also unsuccessfully recruited by the GOP to challenge Hay in the primary, endorsed Livingstone Aug. 1. 

Both Republican Sydney Hay and Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick face primary challenges on Sept. 2, but it's hard to tell from the ads the two have been putting out. Rather than focus on bumping off the intra-party competition (Mary Kim Titla and Howard Shanker on the Democratic side, Sandra Livingstone on the Republican), the would-be rivals for the 1st Congressional District seat have been taking swipes at each other in two new ads.

Hay's attack lambastes Kirkpatrick's "opposition to drilling for American oil," and accuses Kirkpatrick of "voting for every tax increase" and casting "multiple votes against gun rights" during her time in the Arizona House of Representatives. The ad also cites the Goldwater Institute's "F" rating of Kirkpatrick's voting record to label her "one of Arizona's 'most liberal' legislators."

The Kirkpatrick campaign was quick to respond. Wednesday it unveiled a new television ad to "set the record straight."

Both Republican Party-backed primary candidate Sydney Hay and her rival, Sandra Livingstone, added key endorsements Monday in their battle to secure the 1st Congressional District nomination.

Hay, who was practically a shoo-in for the nod until the last-minute entry of former U.S. State Department official Livingstone, has been in a race with Livingstone to rack up as many endorsements as possible. Hay's latest is the the political action committee of Arizona Right to Life, the anti-abortion group that enjoys significant clout among the Republican base in the state.

Livingstone meanwhile added Prescott Valley Mayor Harvey Skoog to her list of supporters. Skoog administers one of the largest population centers in the district, which also borders Livingstone's home turf, Prescott.

The race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Flagstaff) is tilting away from the Republican Party, according to The Cook Political Report.

The non-partisan Washington tip sheet Thursday moved the 1st Congressional District race into its "Lean Democratic" category from "Toss Up."

A little less than a month before the primaries, Cook foresees a general election showdown between Democratic state Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick and Republican Sydney Hay.

Dr. Sandra Livingstone entered the race for AZ-1 congressional campaign very late, and she came in as a complete unknown.  Livingstone is wasting no time picking up some key endorsements within the district though.  Earlier this week Livingstone picked up a key business endorsement when the Prescott Chamber of Commerce endorsed her campaign.  Now former state Senate President, and often rumored candidate for the seat, Ken Bennett has come out and endorsed Livingstone.  Livingstone faces Sydney Hay in the September Primary.  Hay has been endorsed by Congressman Jeff Flake, Trent Franks and John Shadegg.

The Sandra Livingstone campaign revealed its second endorsement in as many days Thursday, announcing the Prescott Chamber of Commerce is backing her 1st Congressional District candidacy.

"Your stance on business issues, coupled with your strong national and international background will serve the citizens of our district very well," said Prescott Chamber president Dave Maurer in a letter to the Livingstone campaign awarding the endorsement. "It's exciting to know that a Prescott native has accomplished all that you have in your career and that you're willing to apply this to representing District One."

Marc Spitzer, former Arizona Senate majority leader and past chairman of the Arizona Corporation Commissioner, has endorsed Sydney Hay in her bid to secure the Republican nomination in the 1st Congressional District.

""I have known Sydney Hay since 1988, and I consider her a friend," wrote Spitzer. "Sydney understands America's need to expand the production of energy supply for our homes and businesses. She understands the price of doing nothing is severe to consumers and to our national security," he said.

Former state representative Debra Brimhall has endorsed 1st Congressional District candidate Sandra Livingstone, according to a release from Livingstone's campaign.

""To all of my family and friends throughout CD1, please get out the vote for Dr. Sandra Livingstone," said Brimhall in a statement. "She is all that we are and represents all that we hold dear. She is one of us! 

Brimhall called Livingstone an "example" of what rural Arizonans can accomplish, and said she embodies the "common sense and work ethic" of the region.