Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick Won't Run For Reelection In 2022

TUCSON, AZ — Democratic U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick announced Friday that she will not run for reelection in 2022.

Kirkpatrick, who was elected to the House of Representatives from Arizona's 2nd Congressional District in 2018, said that her decision to retire from politics was spurred by a desire to hand over the reins to a new generation of Arizonans.

“Every two years for the past 18 years, there has been an election in Arizona with my name on the ballot," Kirkpatrick said in a news release. "Serving Arizonans has been my absolute honor and joy, but after much consideration, I have decided not to seek re-election in 2022. I will continue the good fight through this Congress, and when the term is up, I will hand over the baton."

Kirkpatrick represented Arizona's 1st Congressional District from 2006 to 2010, when she was defeated by Republican Paul Gosar. Gosar got 49.7 precent of the vote to Kirtkpatrick's 43.7 percent.

She subsequently won election from the 1st District in 2012 — after Gosar was relocated to another district — and defeated Republican Jonathan Paton 48.8 percent to 45.1 percent.

Kirkpatrick also won reelection from the 1st Congressional District in 2014, defeating Republican contender Andy Tobin, before resigning in 2016 to launch an unsuccessful campaign as the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate against Republican incumbent Sen. John McCain.

She returned to Washington two years later, defeating Republican Lee Marquez Peterson for a vacant seat representing the 2nd Congressional District, which includes greater Tucson and the region east to the New Mexico border.

Kirkpatrick ran for reelection in 2020 and defeated Republican challenger Brandon Martin 55.1 percent to 44.9 percent.

Kirkpatrick expressed hope Friday that the Grand Canyon State would be in good hands long after she steps away from the Capitol at the end of her current term. “As Arizona continues to grow, I hope our representation does as well," Kirkpatrick said. "I look forward to seeing new and diverse perspectives emerge to lead Arizona forward."