Six of seven Republican primary candidates for U.S. Congressional District 1 participated in the debate- (from left) Shawn Redd, Paul Babeu, Ken Bennett, Gary Kiehne, Wendy Rogers and Carlyle Begay. /Photo by William Lange.
By Ethan McSweeney
Candidates in the crowded Republican primary field for Arizona’s first congressional district laid out their plans and qualifications — most keeping with traditional GOP positions — during a debate Saturday morning at the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center.
Republican participants included: state Sen. Carlyle Begay, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, former Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett, businessman Shawn Redd, retired Air Force officer Wendy Rogers and rancher Gary Kiehne. State House Speaker David Gowan did not attend.
On the Democratic primary side, business Miguel Olivas was the sole participant, with former state Sen. Tom O’Halleran skipping the debate for another event.
