Rep. Ruben Gallego, averting primary bloodbath, won't run for the Senate (Ariz)

[brooklynite]

Source: Arizona Republic

Rep. Ruben Gallego will not run for the U.S. Senate in 2020’s special election, he told The Arizona Republic on Monday, clearing the path for retired astronaut Mark Kelly to take on incumbent Republican Sen. Martha McSally without a potentially bruising primary fight.

Gallego’s decision will disappoint progressive Democrats, who represent the left flank of the party and are especially hostile toward President Donald Trump.

Those voters wanted Gallego, 39, to wage a fight against Kelly, who is presenting himself as a centrist Democratic candidate who will make decisions based on data and science, not partisan politics or ideology.

By removing himself from running, Gallego, D-Ariz., also dashes GOP hopes of a competitive Democratic primary race that could have freed McSally, R-Ariz., to focus on her own campaign message while Gallego and Kelly battled it out for their party's nomination.

Read more: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2019/03/25/arizona-us-rep-ruben-gallego-wont-run-u-s-senate-seat/3271786002/

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I met with Mark Kelly last week; I think this gives him a clean shot at McSally.

[IronLionZion]

1. It's probably for the best

McSally needs to go. This should make it easier. There are more liberal states where we can have competitive primaries.

[vsrazdem]

2. As a resident of Arizona, I am happy to see this. I think Kelly will win.

[Honeycombe8]

4. I hope so.

I can't think of a better person to be a Senator. I don't know his positions, but he probably supports the basics of the Democratic Party Platform.

[Linda Ed]

3. Democrats need to think big for 2020

We need a true populist, someone who is able to detail how Trump has betrayed the very workers he claims to serve. In recent elections without incumbents, voters have chosen the fresh face over tried and tired politicians—Obama over Senator John McCain, a longtime creature of the Senate, and Trump over Hillary Clinton. So who are we looking at?

Mark Kelly I believe will beat McSally in a landslide

[in2herbs]

5. I live in this AZ district and like Gallego but think he should stay where he is for the time

being and let Kelly beat McSally. Who knows how many terms Kelly will seek.

[George II]

6. I'm happy that he's dropped out. He's been a good representative, and taking on Kelly....

....would not have been good for Arizona Democrats all around.

I like Kelly, a great American and an all-around, down to earth nice guy, and from what you can see he's still deeply in love with Gabby.

I got to meet them a couple of years ago - they were at a small rally for Hillary Clinton toward the end of the 2016 campaign in West Hartford, along with Bill Clinton.

He's a great fit for Arizona, which seems to be slowly turning around for the Democrats.

[Judi Lynn]

8. Just realized it's interesting to say an astronaut is down to earth! n/t

[Aristus]

7. I've always distrusted anyone who loves guns enough to be able to say

"I'm a law-abiding gun-owner" with a straight face.

But if Mark Kelly can get us a US Senate seat in Arizona, I'm fine with that.

[BlueFlorida]

9. K&R