Libertarian Marc Victor drops out of US Senate race, endorses Blake Masters
Nov 1, 2022, 5:58 AM | Updated: 9:50 am
Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, left, talks with Libertarian candidate Marc Victor, middle, and Republican candidate Blake Masters, right, prior to a televised debate in Phoenix, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX – Libertarian longshot Marc Victor dropped out of the U.S. Senate race in Arizona on Tuesday and threw his support behind Republican Blake Masters.
Victor said he made his decision after a 20-minute discussion with Masters on Monday, just over week before the Nov. 8 general election.
“I feel very comfortable with the decision I made,” Victor told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News an hour after making the 4 a.m. announcement.
It was the first conversation between the two since the lone Senate debate in early October.
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Victor consistently trailed frontrunner and incumbent Mark Kelly, a Democrat, and Masters. The latest polling from Phoenix-based OH Predictive Insights showed Victor at 3%.
Kelly led Masters 48%-46% in the poll released Monday.
“This is another major boost of momentum as we consolidate our support,” Masters said of the endorsement.
Victor said he reached out to each of the candidates. “‘Look, this is how you get me to drop out: just simply convince me that it’s in the interest of freedom and peace and civility.'”
Masters’ campaign eventually responded, Victor said.
“I would have preferred a two-hour conversation,” Victor said.
Early voting for the general election began Oct. 12 in Arizona.
“I appreciate their vote,” he said of ballots cast in his name. “We’re on the same page.”
