TUCSON – Shay Stautz, a former lobbyist for the University of Arizona, is giving up his candidacy in Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District race. It was clear to Stautz that he “had clear pathway to victory” after being hit with two legal challenges to his nominating petitions.
“It is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision to withdraw my candidacy in Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District race. Given challenges that we did not foresee when we started, I have come to realize that there is not a clear pathway to victory under these circumstances, including restricted access to voters during this global pandemic. I want to thank my wife Shae for her inspiration and support during this fight for Southern Arizona.
I have had few more rewarding experiences than spending the last 9 months traveling around southern Arizona and meeting with moms and dads, veterans, teachers and students. I spoke with numerous small business owners, school superintendents, CEOs of Chambers of Commerce and non-profit organizations. I listened to their stories and heard their challenges, and I am proud that my policy experience in higher education, veterans issues and national security, and advocacy for our military bases, are directly relevant to their concerns. I remain convinced that the fight for our key Southern Arizona institutions – the University of Arizona, Raytheon Technologies, Fort Huachuca and Davis Monthan Air Force Base – is critical to our economic recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic, as is reviving and supporting our hundreds of small businesses.
I leave this race inspired by the people of southern Arizona, and I am committed more than ever to continue to serving them and my hometown community.
Shay Stautz
| CD2 Contributions To Candidates | |
|---|---|
| Stautz | $137,101 |
| Ruden | $135,338 |
| Martin | $98,369 |
| Morgan | $23,931 |
Brandon Martin, Noran Eric Ruden, and Joseph Morgan remain in the Republican Primary race.
Stautz, with his Beltway connections was able to raise slightly more than his competitors, but never gained popular support.
Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, who currently holds the seat, returned to Congress in February after a self-imposed six-week leave of absence to get treatment for alcohol dependence.
Kirkpatrick suffered a severe fall in January and it was while being treated for it that she realized she needed treatment for “the underlying cause of my fall. Beginning next week, I will receive treatment that I have struggled to ask for, to treat my alcohol dependence.”
She announced on Jan. 15 that she would take a leave of absence from Congress, saying it was important to seek treatment in order to fulfill her roles as a wife, grandmother and representative.
In March, she was a no show in DC to vote for the first Coronavirus Relief package.