Potential Kirkpatrick challenger emerges

Arizona state Rep. Bill Konopnicki (R) is again weighing whether to get into the state’s 1st congressional district race, according to the Arizona Capitol Times.

Konopnicki was the one who got away last cycle, as the GOP put up almost no fight and lost a Republican-held seat to now-Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.).

But don’t look for news from Konopnicki anytime soon. He sounds like he’s content to wait a few months to see how Kirkpatrick does. It should also be noted that he opened an exploratory committee last cycle, only to opt out.

There’s also the matter of just how excited he does–or rather, doesn’t–sound. According to the Capitol Times:

Konopnicki said he isn’t interested in serving in Congress unless Republicans take back the majority in the 2010 elections–something that will be difficult to predict in time to mount a serious campaign.

“I’m not interested, quite honestly, in going and being the minority party,” he said.

Despite Kirkpatrick’s 17-point win, the district went for GOP presidential nominee John McCain by 10 points. Sure, McCain is a home-state senator, but it is one of the biggest McCain districts that went Democratic in its congressional race.

-Aaron Blake