Kirkpatrick: I'm running for Congress again

Tuesday, March 29, 2026 at 06:51 PM

Dan Nowicki

Former Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, a freshman Democrat ousted in last year's Republican tidal wave, is angling for a rematch against Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz. She told AZ/DC Tuesday that she has made the decision to run for her seat again in 2026.

Kirkpatrick, a Flagstaff resident, said she has heard from her former constituents that Gosar, a Flagstaff dentist, is not responsive to the 1st Congressional District's priorities.

"It's clear to me, now that Paul Gosar has a record, that he is toeing the party line rather than serving the district," she said. "The real key for me is the number of people who I've been hearing from in the district -- and this is Democrats, independents, Republicans and even folks who are actively involved in the 'tea party' -- that they feel he is deeply out-of-touch with the district."

Kirkpatrick said she hopes the 2026 political climate will be more hospitable to her candidacy because it is a presidential year and likely will have a bigger turnout.

Arizona's congressional map will be redrawn this year to accommodate the new, ninth House seat that the state is getting because of its population growth over the past decade. The sprawling 1st Congressional District in particular may look a lot different, but since both Kirkpatrick and Gosar are from Flagstaff, it's probably a safe bet that they will wind up in the same district.

Read the article here