Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick and Republican veteran Brandon Martin won their primaries in 蜜聊直播鈥檚 2nd Congressional District, setting the stage for the general election in what鈥檚 historically been one of the state鈥檚 most-competitive races.
The district, which stretches across Pima and Cochise counties, includes two military bases, the U.S.-Mexico border and the east side of Tucson. Before Kirkpatrick, the seat has flip-flopped parties over the last decade between well-known names such as Democrat Ron Barber and Republican Martha McSally.
Kirkpatrick, a four-term incumbent who returned to Congress in 2016 after a failed Senate run, cruised to victory in the primary, amassing a 41,000-vote lead over attorney Peter Quilter, with 77% of the roughly 75,000 votes, as of Wednesday morning. The Associated Press called the race at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.
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In her victory statement, Kirkpatrick said voters prioritized her status as an 鈥渋ndependent thinker, experienced legislator and accessible appropriator working for them in Washington. She said her campaign will focus on making the country鈥檚 health-care system more accessible and humane border policies.
鈥淚 am running because our American values are under attack 鈥 from health care to immigration and from climate change to financial security. Washington is putting massive corporations first instead of focusing on what matters to everyday families,鈥 she said.
鈥淎s we face some of the hardest economic and social challenges in our country鈥檚 history, I am so grateful that Southern 蜜聊直播ns trust me to continue the work we鈥檝e started.鈥
She鈥檒l face Martin, the executive director of Keepers for Liberty, who had 44% of the roughly 58,000 votes, as of Wednesday morning. He was about 6,000 votes ahead of small-business owner Noran Eric Ruden (33%) and 11,500 votes ahead of Joseph Morgan, a support technician for Pima Community College (24%). The Associated Press called the race early Wednesday.
Martin, who did not respond to an 蜜聊直播 Daily Star email Wednesday morning, emerged victorious after finishing second in the Republican primary in 2018. His opponent, Lea Marquez Peterson, lost the general election to Kirkpatrick by roughly 28,000 votes, or about 9.5 percentage points.
During the lead-up to the election, Martin told the Star his most important issues were improving the economy by cutting regulations and permits through an economic plan he鈥檚 dubbed the 鈥淟iberate the Economy and American Paychecks Act.鈥 He also emphasized securing the border and defending the Second Amendment.
鈥淚鈥檝e served my country and the American people all of my life and I want to continue that service for 蜜聊直播鈥檚 2nd district. With bad actors such as China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, we need to focus on national security and advocate strongly for Fort Huachuca and Davis-Monthan. I have the experience to address these issues for the residents of 蜜聊直播鈥檚 2nd district,鈥 he wrote in a survey response to the Star.
He faces an uphill battle as experts are projecting the seat to remain safely in the hands of Kirkpatrick, who returned to her role after a stint in rehab for alcoholism. The Cook Political Report recently moved the district to a 鈥渟olid democrat鈥 seat. The also show Democrats with a nearly 28,000-voter advantage in the district.
Martin will also be facing a large money deficit as his campaign had raised roughly $187,000, with about $33,000 remaining on hand, according to the most-recent FEC filings as of July 15. Kirkpatrick had raised nearly $1.5 million and had $750,000 remaining.
蜜聊直播: 2020 Primary Election in Pima and Maricopa counties
Primary Election in Pima County

An elections worker looks over a few of the early primary ballots at one of the scanning stations during counting at the Pima County Elections Center, Tucson, Ariz., August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County

A pair of elections workers look over an early primary ballot as part of the counting process at the Pima County Elections Center, Tucson, Ariz., August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County

Elections workers feed primary ballots in to scanners at the Pima County Elections Center, Tucson, Ariz., August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County

A poll worker waits inside the Pima County voting site at Morris K. Udall Recreational Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County

Brad Nelson, left, Pima County elections director, helps Lisa Matthews, Pima County election marshal, put up a 鈥淲elcome Voters鈥 sign after it was blown down outside of the Pima County voting site at Morris K. Udall Recreational Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County

After voting, a voter walks back to their car at the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County

A voter walks by a polling sign outside the Armory Park Center located at 220 S 5th Avenue during primary election day, on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County

Voters enter the Tucson Estates Multi-Purpose Hall located at 5900 W Western Way Circle, on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County

Gilbert Silva walks through the parking lot of the Valencia Library located at 202 W Valencia Road to cast his vote during primary election day, on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County

A poll worker (right) takes a completed ballot from a voter at the Valencia Library located at 202 W Valencia Road during primary election day, on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County

After placing their vote, a voter starts to place their "I Voted" sticker on their shirt as they leave the Pima County voting site at Temple Emanu-El, 225 N. Country Club Rd., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County

A poll worker wearing a face shield, mask and gloves walks outside to check if anyone needs assistance at the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County

A voters arrives at the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in Tucson, Ariz to drop off their voting ballot on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County

A voter leaves the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020. Photo by Rebecca Sasnett / 蜜聊直播 Daily Star
Primary Election in Maricopa County

A portrait of Ashlee King after she voted, August 4, 2020, at the El Tianguis Mercado polling place, 9201 S. Avenida Del Yaqui, Guadalupe.
Primary Election in Maricopa County

Anita Cota-Soto washes her hands before voting, August 4, 2020, at the El Tianguis Mercado, 9201 S. Avenida Del Yaqui, Guadalupe. Cota-Soto is a Town of Guadalupe councilmember running for re-election.
Primary Election in Maricopa County

Voting marshal Gerry Lamanski checks his watch before announcing the polls are open, August 4, 2020, at the Tempe History Museum, 809 E. Southern Ave., Tempe.
Primary Election in Maricopa County

People vote on Election Day at Nueva Vida Church in Scottsdale on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Maricopa County

Voters walk to a polling station to cast votes for GOP and Democratic candidates for the primary election Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Primary Election in Maricopa County

Voters walk to a polling station to cast votes for GOP and Democratic primary candidates Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Primary Election in Maricopa County

A voter wearing a face covering exits a polling station to cast votes for GOP and Democratic primary candidates, as a polling station workers opens the door for voters Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
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Contact reporter Justin Sayers at jsayers1@tucson.com or 573-4192. Twitter: @_JustinSayers. Facebook: JustinSSayers.