http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/knau/local-knau-881885.mp3
Phoenix, AZ – Paradise Valley Mayor Vernor Parker, who had been hoping to oust
incumbent Jan Brewer in the GOP primary now is eyeing a seat in
Congress. The opportunity was created by the decision last week
by John Shadegg not to seek another two year term in the U.S.
House of Representatives. In trying to run for governor, Parker
found himself in a crowded Republican race that included not only
the governor but also state Treasurer Dean Martin, former Board
of Regents President John Munger and Northern Arizona businessman
Buz Mills. Parker would not agree to an interview but said in a
prepared statement a decision will come within 48 hours. Jim
Haynes, president of the Behavior Research Center which does
political polling, said Parker may have a leg up over other
Republicans hoping to replace Shadegg in the important area of
getting donors to open their checkbooks.
(A young, articulate black Republican, when they're in the middle
of taking on Barack Obama, strikes me to be something that would
be very attractive to them.)
The race to replace Shadegg could prove equally as crowded. Three
Republican state legislators already have said they want the
seat: senators Pamela Gorman and Jim Waring and state
representative Sam Crump. So far the only Democrat in the race in
the heavily Republican district is businessman Jon Hulburd. For
Arizona Public Radio this is Howard Fischer.