RNC chair says Arizona’s Senate race is among GOP’s top priorities

PHOENIX – Arizona’s U.S. Senate race is “critical” to Republicans’ efforts to retain control of the chamber, meaning the state can expect frequent visits from President Donald Trump this year, according to the head of the party’s national committee.

“I would say it’s one of the top two to three races in the country for Republicans to hold the majority of the Senate,” Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Tuesday.

She said many of the president’s supporters didn’t vote in 2018, so having him on the ticket should provide a boost to incumbent GOP Sen. Martha McSally against likely Democratic challenger Mark Kelly.

McSally lost to Democrat Kyrsten Sinema in Arizona’s midterm Senate election two years ago before being appointed by Gov. Doug Ducey to the seat formerly held by John McCain.

“The president’s going to be in Arizona a lot,” McDaniel said. “And we’re going to fight for every vote.”

Trump made his first Arizona appearance of the campaign season last week at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where he drummed up support for McSally.

McDaniel said Republicans have a strong message for Arizonans, citing the low unemployment rate for the Hispanic and African American communities and the impact of Trump’s immigration policies.

“This is a critical, critical seat that will determine the balance of the Senate in 2020,” she said.

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