PHOENIX — A former state legislator and Flagstaff lawyer, bolstered by a large amount of contributions and big-name endorsements, beat out three other candidates Tuesday in the Democratic primary in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, the seat now held by embattled Republican Rick Renzi.
Ann Kirkpatrick had 20,318 votes, or 48.7 percent, with 86 percent of precincts reporting. Trailing her were former longtime TV broadcaster Mary Kim Titla with 13,434 votes, or 32.2 percent, and Flagstaff attorney Howard Shanker with 5,665 votes, or 13.9 percent.
“We’re one step closer to bringing real change to Washington, and it feels great,” Kirkpatrick said.
Sydney Hay and Sandra Livingstone led the field of Republicans.
Hay, a mining industry lobbyist, had 14,424 votes, or 40 percent, with 86 percent of precincts reporting. Livingstone, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Human Dignity International, had 13,037 votes, or 36.2 percent.
Two other Republicans trailed far behind.
Democrats vying for the largely rural Arizona seat raised twice as much as Republican candidates, led by Kirkpatrick, who had the financial backing of Democrats nationwide and a key endorsement from Gov. Janet Napolitano.
The Democratic and Republican nominees also will face Independent Brent Maupin in the Nov. 4 general election.
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