Two of Arizona’s Republican Congressmen will be squaring off in an August primary. This unusual political battle is the result of newly drawn congressional districts.
PETER O’DOWD: The state’s redistricting process left Representative Quayle with a decision to make. Run in the new District 9, which has more registered democrats. Or, vie against a member of his own party in the new District 6, which is a much more conservative electorate. Quayle campaign spokesman Jay Heiler says the congressman decided to follow his constituents.
JAY HEILER: More than two-thirds of Ben’s current constituents were drawn into the new District 6 in the redistricting process, so Ben is running where he must to maintain the constituency he’s been serving up to now.
O’DOWD: Quayle’s decision to run against Representative David Schweikert in the August primary means one of the freshmen congressmen will not be re-elected. Schweikert campaign spokesman Chris Baker says Quayle made a selfish move, and damaged the Republican Party’s bid to keep control of the House.
CHRIS BAKER: He said it’s all about me. It’s not about keeping the majority. It’s about keeping Republicans in control. It’s about me. That’s what his move smacks of.
O’DOWD: The Quayle campaign says a primary pitting two Republican congressmen against each other is unfortunate, but a common side effect of the redistricting process. Peter O’Dowd, KJZZ News, Phoenix.
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