ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona Republican Karrin Taylor Robson won’t run for Kyrsten Sinema’s Senate seat

May 26, 2023, 8:00 AM

PHOENIX (AP) — Karrin Taylor Robson, a wealthy Republican businessperson who was seen as the likeliest establishment candidate for a crucial Arizona Senate contest, said Thursday that she won’t run for the seat now held by independent Kyrsten Sinema.

Robson ran for governor last year but lost the GOP primary to Kari Lake, a Donald Trump ally and darling of his Make America Great Again movement. Lake went on to lose the general election to Democrat Katie Hobbs and said this week she is considering a run for Senate.

The Arizona Senate race is a pickup opportunity for the GOP, but many traditional Republicans worry Lake, who would be the clear front-runner in a GOP primary, can’t win a general election.

Sinema left the Democratic Party last year. She is raising money for a potential campaign but has not said whether she will seek a second term, a decision that could set up a complicated three-way contest. U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego is the only major Democratic candidate in the race so far.

Robson said she may run for office in the future but “now is not the time.” She said she’ll instead work to “identify and elect strong conservatives,” focusing in particular on the state Legislature where Republicans hold a narrow majority.

“Arizona voters will help determine control of the U.S. Senate in 2024, and it has been humbling to hear from Arizonans around this state who have urged me to enter this race,” Robson said in a statement announcing her decision.

Robson, a lawyer for housing developers, spent millions from her family’s vast fortune on her unsuccessful campaign for governor last year. She racked up endorsements from prominent establishment Republicans including then-Gov. Doug Ducey and former Vice President Mike Pence.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Jesus Castillo-Ordonez mugshot...

KTAR.com

Man accused in west Phoenix murder; allegedly linked to November armed robbery

A man was arrested in connection to a murder and armed robbery in west Phoenix, authorities said.

32 minutes ago

The holidays are here and with that can come a certain level of stress. A Valley health expert has ...

Balin Overstolz McNair

Valley health expert gives tips on reducing holiday stress

The holidays are here and with that can come a certain level of stress. A Valley health expert has tips to take pressure off yourself and loved ones.

2 hours ago

Michael Crow...

Damon Allred

Arizona State University president Michael Crow ‘optimistic’ about COVID recovery

With Arizona's education still suffering from learning loss, ASU president Michael Crow says they "are moving in (the right) direction."

2 hours ago

The 10-story building in downtown Phoenix that houses the Arizona Republic and KPNX-TV has changed ...

Audrey Jensen/Phoenix Business Journal

Accounting firm buys Arizona Republic office building in downtown Phoenix

Phoenix-based ViaWest Group has sold the downtown Phoenix office tower that houses The Arizona Republic and KPNX-TV 12News.

2 hours ago

Cactus Park Precinct...

KTAR.com

Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from Dec. 8-10

Here are some of the biggest stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend from Dec. 8-10.

11 hours ago

Members of the U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection organize a group of migran...

Associated Press

Smugglers are bringing migrants to a remote Arizona border crossing, overwhelming US agents

With migrants crossing daily, the U.S. shut down the nearby crossing near Lukeville to free up officers to help with transportation.

13 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Follow @KTAR923...

Valley residents should be mindful of plumbing ahead of holidays

With Halloween in the rear-view and more holidays coming up, Day & Night recommends that Valley residents prepare accordingly.

...

Dierdre Woodruff

Interest rates may have peaked. Should you buy a CD, high-yield savings account, or a fixed annuity?

Interest rates are the highest they’ve been in decades, and it looks like the Fed has paused hikes. This may be the best time to lock in rates for long-term, low-risk financial products like fixed annuities.

...

Midwestern University

Midwestern University: innovating Arizona health care education

Midwestern University’s Glendale Campus near Loop 101 and 59th Avenue is an established leader in health care education and one of Arizona’s largest and most valuable health care resources.

Arizona Republican Karrin Taylor Robson won’t run for Kyrsten Sinema’s Senate seat