Arizona Sen. Kelli Ward to resign from seat to focus on run against John McCain

PHOENIX — Republican state Sen. Kelli Ward announced her resignation from the Arizona Senate to focus full-time on her run against U.S. Sen. John McCain Wednesday morning.

Ward, who will leave her position on Dec. 15, told a crowd gathered at the GOP office in Kingman that she knew the campaign would be a “tough, hard-fought battle.”

Though she said she believes it would be possible for her to retain her seat in the Arizona Senate, “I’m now convinced that I can help fight the battle — the bigger battle — against the beltway and help resolve the massive failure of the federal government to truly look out for the interests of Arizona by devoting my abilities full-time, full-time to defeat John McCain,” she said.

(Facebook Photo)

Ward said she would miss the responsibilities of her elected position, “But, I can be more effective and accomplish those same goals by curbing federal interference and creating an easier path way for reform in the Arizona legislature as a United States Senator,” Ward said.

In a statement, Ward said, if elected, she would use her position as Senator to “resolve the massive failure of the federal government.”

” I can be more effective and accomplish those same goals by curbing federal interference and creating an easier pathway for reform in the Arizona legislature as a United States Senator,” the statement read.

Ward said she intends to devote all her energy to win the Republican primary election in August and the general election in November.

“John McCain has served far, far too long,” the statement read. “Fresh blood is on the way with ingrained conservative principles from a bold, fresh, fearless new voice.”

Ward was first elected in 2012, and previously chaired the senate Education Committee.

In March, Ward said she was “testing the waters” of running against McCain, announcing her campaign officially in July.

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