Website shows Arizona state senator to challenge McCain

Arizona State Sen. Kelli Ward’s campaign jumped the gun on Monday by announcing that the Republican would challenge Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a day before a “major event” where she was expected to announce her Senate run.

“It’s official, I’m running for Senate,” the “about” page of Ward’s campaign website read earlier on Monday.

{mosads}While the “about” message, first reported by Roll Call, has since been swapped with a note that the page can’t be found, other areas of Ward’s website that are still available make her intentions on Tuesday clear.

“When I look at what’s happening in our federal government, I know Arizonans needs new representation in the U.S. Senate, and that’s why I’m running,” Ward says on the “Meet Kelli” section of the website.

Separately, on the Ward “volunteer” page, she notes that “to defeat John McCain and bring a fresh, conservative voice to the U.S. Senate, I will need the support of grassroots conservatives like you. We’re going up against the DC money machine, lobbyists, and entrenched politicians—but they are no match for a determined group of citizen-activists!”

Meanwhile, going to “KelliWard.com” will take you to a website paid for by her exploratory committee, but the “about,” “volunteer” and “meet Kelli” sections take you to a newly-designed website paid for by “Ward for Senate.”

Ward would likely struggle to compete with the five-term senator’s campaign and fundraising network, but it would give conservatives the type of establishment versus grassroots primary battle that has taken out incumbents in recent cycles.

McCain received more support than Ward among Arizona voters who identify as “very conservative,” according to data released earlier this year by Public Policy Polling, a Democratic firm.

Ward took only 31 percent support against McCain, who had 44 percent among such voters.

McCain also raised $2.1 million in the first quarter, bringing his total cash on hand to over $3.6 million.

The state senator has been considering a potential primary run for months, comparing a political fight with McCain to David and Goliath, but she told The Hill that “you have to remember David did win in that fight.”

On her website she outlines the economy, healthcare, faith and family, education and immigration as key issues to her campaign.

The last could be a key point of contention between Ward and McCain, who as recently as Friday called for his party’s presidential candidates to back comprehensive immigration reform.

McCain could be get additional primary challengers. Outside groups are pushing Rep. Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.) to challenge McCain, but the House lawmaker has remained tightlipped about his intentions.