Babbitt to make run for congress official Jan. 24 [AZ-1]

Navajo-Hopi Observer ^ | Stan Bindell

[JohnnyZ]

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Supervisor Paul Babbitt said he will announce Jan. 24 that he is running for Congress in District 1.

U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi, a Republican, currently holds the seat. Babbitt will have to win the Democratic primary in September in order to face Renzi in the November general election.

No other Democrats have announced yet that they will enter the primary battle.

The congressional district includes the Navajo Nation but not the Hopi Reservation.

Babbitt has served on the Coconino County Board of Supervisors for 17 years. He previously served as mayor of Flagstaff and a member of the city council.

During his 17 years on the board of supervisors, Babbitt said he has developed a close and good relationship with the Navajo people.

“We press all the time to make sure that they receive the county services that are available to all the people in the county,” he said.

Babbitt said getting out the vote on the Navajo Nation will be crucial to victory. Many previous congressional candidates have spoken of its importance, but have been unable to deliver.

“We’ll be very focused on the get out the vote campaign. We’ll have strong Democratic Party registration efforts,” he said.

Babbitt noted that this is one of 10 seats among American congressional districts that political pundits expect to be close.

“Republicans will go to great lengths to win this district. I wouldn’t be surprised if the president visits the district,” he said.

Babbitt was referring to President George W. Bush’s probable fund-raising visit to help Renzi hold onto the office.

Babbitt anticipates that Renzi will raise $2-$3 million. Babbitt hopes to raise at least $1.5 million so he can get out his message and counter any advertisements that Renzi runs.

Babbitt said his congressional exploratory committee, which has been in action for three months, has received positive feedback from the public about his anticipated run for Congress.

Paul Babbitt is the brother of Bruce Babbitt, former Arizona governor and a Washington D.C. attorney. Bruce has thrown his support to his brother and this could mean additional funds coming in from Bruce’s connections in Washington D.C.

[JohnnyZ]

Renzi is indeed one of the most vulnerable House incumbents.

[Support Free Republic]

	Linda Carter is completely unrelated to Free Republic. But if I am going to have to post donation begs until the Freepathon is over, I'm going to occasionally post something I want! And there is only one way you can stop me!

[AuH2ORepublican]

I hope the usual cast of characters jump into the RAT primary---and some unknown schmuck wins it again!

[Galactic Overlord-In-Chief]

I know Arizona has an independent commission draw its congressional lines. How Republican is Renzi's district?

[JohnnyZ]

I think there's a slight Democrat registration advantage. Bush may have won the district (must have, or they'da mentioned it), but only by a small margin if he did.

[AuH2ORepublican]

In 2000, Bush carried the 1st CD over Gore by 50% to 45%. I think Bush will get around 55% in 2004, since the Republican suburbs grow faster than the RAT areas and since national security will be a big issue on election day (as opposed to the post-Cold-War 1992-2001 period).

[Impy]

I think the Indians must have turned out for big for Cordova.

[adam_az]

Babbitt said getting out the vote on the Navajo Nation will be crucial to victory. Many previous congressional candidates have spoken of its importance, but have been unable to deliver.

...Just like they do in South Dakota, I'm sure.... from http://www.newsmax.com/showinside.shtml?a=2002/12/5/131921

Key to Johnson's alleged victory was Democrat fraud on Indian reservations. Chicago and other major cities aren't the only places where Democrat criminals "register" dead people to "vote."

Todd County, home to Rosebud Indian Reservation, was a center of vote fraud.

"You know what the going rate was around here? Ten bucks," said Ed Assman, a retired state highway patrol lieutenant, who served as a Republican poll watcher at the Parmalee Precinct in Todd County. "There were several affidavits signed by Natives who either took money or were offered the money."

UPI obtained copies of affidavits taken by the Republicans from two women and one man, all American Indians, who said: "I was promised $10 if I would go vote. I was given a ride to the polls in a van with Tim Johnson for Senate signs in the window. The name of the van driver was Terry. After I voted, the van took me back from the polling place. When Terry dropped me off, he offered me $10 for voting."