CD2

Most people know that 2008 is quite a busy year in Arizona congressional politics, but today the Arizona Capitol Times shed light on just how busy it is. The state boasts four competitive House races - half of its districts - the outcomes of which will help shape Congress for the next two years, but the less-scrutinized races have a wealth of candidates as well.

While the focus may be on contests like the CD1 fight over Rep. Rick Renzi's seat, the CD5 Republican primary and the premier battle between Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and state Sen. Tim Bee in the 8th, voters in all of Arizona's districts will have a choice in November. With the spotlight firmly fixed on the top four, the others have been in the shadows as far as the media is concerned.

Today is different. The Arizona Capitol Times has released a list of all candidates who have filed as congressional competitors for 2008. The litany of incumbents and hopefuls is presented without preference, pretense or puffery, and, at least in this format, all candidates are created equal.

Through out yesterday we posted Congressional FEC numbers.  Today we will take a look at them together by district.

CD1 which is an open seat being vacated by Rick Renzi.

Democrats

Candidates for Congress have to submit their first quarter finance reports to the FEC by April 15th. The reports cover the fundraising period of Jan 1st – March 31st of 2008. Of the current candidates for Congress the first report has been filed. John Thrasher, a retired music professor from Glendale Community College, is challenging Trent Franks

Harry Mitchell came under heat last week from a few of his CD5 potential general election opponents for missing an ethics vote. I decided to do a little research on attendance records for the 110th Congress to see just how often members from the Grand Canyon State missed session days in DC.  read more »