It's official: Former Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D) is coming back to Congress. She led GOP rival Jonathan Paton by about 7,000 votes at the time the Associated Press called the race late on Wednesday afternoon. Redistricting improved the district for Democrats, but Kirkpatrick's road back to Congress was not assured. She had a strong start to her campaign, but Republicans blitzed Arizona television with negative advertising against her. In other races that were called Wednesday afternoon, Democrats and Republicans traded gains. (more…)
