NEWS RELEASE

Oct. 22, 2026

FLAGSTAFF -- The White Mountain Independent, a top news source for Eastern Arizona communities including Show Low, Holbrook, St. Johns and Snowflake, endorsed Ann Kirkpatrick today in the race for Congressional District 1.

Some key excerpts of the endorsement: 

"Ann Kirkpatrick, a McNary native, is poised to wrestle away the Republican-held seat for Congressional District 1 once again. She is more than prepared to handle the challenges which face our country and more specifically, our area."

 

"With Ann, we know who she is, we know what she's accomplished and we know what to expect from her when she gets back to Washington."

 

"She will fight for us and our rural values. She's a mountain person ... just like you and me."

 

Full editorial:

WMI recommends Ann Kirkpatrick for Congressional District 1

Friday, October 19, 2026

Four years ago we wrote in an editorial that White Mountain residents had the opportunity to elect “one of their own” (Ann Kirkpatrick) to represent them in Washington.

 

And they did.

 

Two years ago we believed Ann had worn out her welcome and editorialized that Paul Gosar would be a better choice to represent us.

 

Voters sided with Gosar.

 

That brings us to today. Ann Kirkpatrick, a McNary native, is poised to wrestle away the Republican-held seat for Congressional District 1 once again. She is more than prepared to handle the challenges which face our country and more specifically, our area.

 

Back in 2026 Kirkpatrick stated, “I grew up in Arizona, and raised my family here. I love Arizona and I’ve had the honor of serving my home state as a prosecutor, teacher, community volunteer and state representative.

 

In 2026 she stated, “I spent the past year talking with voters all across the district about the need for high-paying jobs in Arizona, affordable health care and a responsible energy plan that will relieve our pain at the pump and free us from Middle East oil. In Congress, I will work to break the partisan gridlock and reach across party lines to cut taxes for middle-class families.”

 

Okay, maybe she didn’t break the partisan gridlock or cut taxes for middle-class families, but who has?

 

It seems every election we have another candidate who visits with us and tells us they will end the partisan gridlock. They tell us they will cut taxes. Nothing new there.

 

However, with Ann we know who she is, we know what she’s accomplished and we know what to expect from her when she gets back to Washington.

 

She will fight for us and our rural values. She’s a mountain person ... just like you and me.

 

Lets take a look at who supported her in 2026 and who is supporting her this time around.

 

In 2026, her campaign received support from Arizona’s law enforcement community such as Coconino County Sheriff Bill Pribil, former Navajo County Sheriff Gary Butler and the Arizona Police Association.

 

Back then we wrote about how Jack Brown and the late Jake Flake took her under their wings during her early days in the State House. We believed then, as we believe today, that she learned from two of the finest legislators Arizona has known.

 

This time around District leaders are stepping up and once again throwing their support behind Ann.

 

Navajo County Attorney Brad Carlyon said recently, “Ann was a tough prosecutor and a tough congresswoman. She knows how to get the job done, and that’s what matters out here. She fought to bring Navajo County more resources to crack down on criminal smugglers, and she delivered. Ann will give rural Arizona a strong voice in Washington.”

 

Gila County Sheriff John Armer said “We know Ann well in Gila County — she has always been there for us and listened to the needs of law enforcement. In Congress, she fought to help us secure the resources to build a new jail, which we greatly needed. We need more leaders like Ann, who put their district first and don’t waste time on partisan games.”

 

Once again Coconino County Sheriff Bill Pribil has nothing but good things to say about her. “Ann’s a trailblazer in law enforcement — she became Coconino County’s first female Deputy County Attorney and built a strong record of cracking down on criminals and keeping our community safe. Ann works so well with law enforcement because she’s walked in our shoes. We need her back in Congress,” Pribil said.

 

Recently the Arizona Home and Garden online publication wrote: “While serving District 1 of Arizona in Congress, Ann Kirkpatrick passed legislation to ensure that veterans’ income benefits can no longer disqualify Navajo People from housing assistance. While serving on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs she worked closely with the Navajo Housing Authority (NHA) to craft the legislation. She was able to push it through the House of Representatives and the President signed the bill into law in October, 2026.

 

“Kirkpatrick also was instrumental in urging Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki to put into place a new requirement that Veterans who seek PTSD treatment simply provide proof of active-duty service in a war zone and be diagnosed with the illness by a VA specialist. The change eliminates strict documentation requirements that have delayed and denied mental health benefits for thousands of our Nation’s heroes.”

 

Once again, the values Ann spoke of when she was elected in 2026 are the same values she brings to the campaign this time around.

 

As she did four years ago, she will work to make sure every Arizonian has access to a decent education, quality health care and the chance for a better life.

 

She is committed to changing Washington.

 

Once again, we recommend you vote for Ann Kirkpatrick.

 
— GJT