The League of Conservation Voters has endorsed former state Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, who is favored to win the Democratic primary in the open 1st district.

The mostly rural, northern Arizona 1st district leans Republican, and is being vacated by scandal-plagued Rep. Rick Renzi (R), who is retiring. The seat is projected to be a top target for both Democrats and Republicans this fall.

Lobbyist Sydney Hay, though not the candidate Republican officials involved in recruiting wanted, is favored at this point to win the GOP primary. Hay ran in the 2002 primary, losing to Renzi. The individuals courted by top Republican officials to run in this district declined to jump into the race.

— David M. Drucker