Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) has lined up numerous endorsements from prominent Arizona Republicans, announcing nearly 50 Republicans and independents behind him in July and over 40 more this month. As a Democrat in a traditionally red state, he is trying to portray himself as a moderate in the race against Trump-endorsed Republican candidate Blake Masters.
Arizona political consultant Jason Rose told The Arizona Sun Times the endorsements may be very effective, pointing out how well they worked for a previous well-known Arizona Democratic politician and citing the endorsement of Mesa Mayor John Giles. “Former Governor Janet Napolitano reinvented effective Republican receptivity for Democrats,” he said. “Mark Kelly is now following that model. His ads along these lines are designed not for everyone but the narrow slice of swing voters that have and will determine such elections. Having them anchored by the Republican mayor of one of the largest Republican cities in America is impressive, and will be effective. After all, where is Blake Masters’ Democrat group for him?”
Political consultant Stan Barnes, who is the president of Copper State Consulting Group and a former Arizona state senator, doesn’t believe the endorsements will be too effective. He told The Sun Times, “Sen. Kelly is attracting some endorsements from people that are Republican and of profit reputation in the community… good for Kelly campaign morale, bad for Masters campaign morale, but not meaningful to the outcome of the 2022 General Election.”
Brian Ference, a member-at-large with the Maricopa County Republican Committee who has actively singled out Republicans who side with Democrats, including drafting and getting passed a censure of Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, expressed his dismay to The Sun Times. “Any Republican who supports Mark Kelly and his 79 percent-plus voting record supporting the terrible left-wing policies of Joe Biden should be ashamed of themselves and either resign or be primaried immediately,” he said.
Read the rest of the article at The Arizona Sun Times
