Democrat Greg Stanton makes decision on potential US Senate run in Arizona

PHOENIX — Democrat Greg Stanton is taking himself out of consideration for a run at the U.S. Senate seat in Arizona that will be up for grabs in 2024.

Stanton announced Thursday he doesn’t intend to pursue the seat that is held by Krysten Sinema, who flipped from a Democrat to an independent in December.

“After a great deal of consideration and talking through the ins and outs of a Senate race with my family, I’ve made the decision that now is not the right time for me to run,” Stanton, who serves as Arizona’s U.S. House representative in District 4, said in a statement.

Stanton won reelection in November, but had reportedly been considering running for Senate.

“I’m incredibly grateful to all of those who have encouraged me over the past few months — and I hope this decision does not disappoint you,” Stanton said.

“I have one of the greatest jobs I could ever have imagined: Serving Arizona in the United States Congress.”

The former Phoenix mayor hasn’t been the only Democrat linked to a Senate run.

Fellow U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego has not yet made a decision but told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News in December he would decide soon.

The Phoenix Democrat said he has been discussing the decision with his family because “they are going to have to deal with me running for office for two years.”

“We’re doing all the proper preparations that we would need should we make that decision, and we’ll make that decision at the beginning of the year,” Gallego said.

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