Arizona congressional districts, approved in 2012.
In Arizona's largest congressional district, six Republicans are competing for the party nomination, and the money to run an effective campaign.
So far, the leader of the pack is Wendy Rogers, who raised the most in the latest fund-raising report, and has the most cash on hand. Her lead, with about $277,000, is not far greater than the next three in the race.
They are Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, with $251,000 on hand, former Secretary of State Ken Bennett with $262,000 in the bank, and rancher Gary Kiehne, with $245,000 on hand. Kiehne, however, has a campaign debt of $485,000. He lent himself money in his last campaign to represent the district, two years ago.
Lagging in the funds is former Arizona Speaker of the House David Gowan, who has $194,000 to spend in the campaign, and Navajo businessman Shawn Redd.
Redd's campaign finance report was not available on the Federal Election Commission website Monday, though the deadline for the latest campaign cash reports was July 15. In the April report, Redd had less than $2,000.
Babeu, Kiehne, Bennett and Gowan have been named "on the radar" by the Republican National Congressional Committee, the party arm aimed at electing members of Congress.
The designation is an acknowledgement of the district's competitiveness and the candidates' viability. It's an optional recognition Republican candidates can participate in, and sets benchmarks for proving effective campaigning.
Whoever wins the primary will face the winner of the Democratic primary between Tom O'Halleran and Miguel Olivas.
The seat is open this year because incumbent Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick is running for U.S. Senate.
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