AZ Conservatives line up to oppose McSally

There is a long list of potential Republican candidates to seek a U.S. Senate seat in Arizona but a congresswoman is not among them.

Several conservative organizations have joined together to express opposition if Rep. Martha McSally seeks the seat of Jeff Flake, who announced he won’t seek re-election after serving one term.

Dr. Kelli Ward, a former state senator, had been leading Flake in the polls but other names have emerged after Flaked announced his name won’t appear on the ballot in 2018.

McSally, 51, is a decorated U.S. Air Force veteran who has represented the 2nd District since 2015. But she is also seen as a liberal Republican and has drawn opposition from Club For Growth Pac, FreedomWorks for America, Conservative HQ.com, and Eagle Forum, which put out a statement claiming she masquerades as a conservative.

Cathie Adams, a national board member of Eagle Forum, says McSally supports homosexual rights, holds liberal views on illegal immigration and “open borders,” and supports women in front-line combat.

“This is not a candidate who is conservative,” says Adams, “and certainly we would not be gaining as far as a party even if we have a person who votes like a Democrat but calls herself Republican.”

Two other Republican congressmen, David Schweikert and Trent Franks, are also mulling a run for the seat. Both are members of the Freedom Caucus.

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