The former Phoenix mayor was a potential challenger to Rep. Ruben Gallego’s expected run for Democrats, who are seeking to retake the seat held by independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.
By Ronald J. Hansen || The Arizona Republic
Rep. Greg Stanton announced Thursday he will not run for the U.S. Senate in 2024 in a move that could avert a costly primary battle for Democrats if the party, as expected, seeks to retake the seat held by independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.
Stanton, D-Ariz., posted his decision in a tweet that brings a measure of clarity to the 2024 race that could turn into a historic three-way contest featuring an independent incumbent with challengers from both major parties.
Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., has long telegraphed his intention to run in 2024, even before Sinema announced in The Arizona Republic in December that she was switching from a Democrat to an independent. He has, for example, started assembling a campaign team for such a run.
Stanton, a former Phoenix mayor who is in his third term in Washington, responded to Sinema’s decision by posting on social media polling that suggested he had been exploring a bid of his own against Sinema. On Thursday, Stanton pulled himself out of the running.
“After a great deal of consideration and talking through the ins and outs of a Senate race with my family, I’ve made the decision that now is not the right time for me to run,” Stanton wrote.
Sinema declined to comment. She hasn’t formally announced she plans to seek a second six-year term, but has filed preliminary paperwork to do so
