Who's Running for the U.S. Senate?

This post will keep track of several rumors and announcements on who the potential candidates will be for Jon Kyl's U.S. Senate seat. To date, only Congressman Jeff Flake has announced his candidacy. Congressman Flake does have a campaign website up and running: http://www.jeffflake.com/.

2/23/2011: An all-new Yellow Sheet Report is reporting that a source around Congressman Trent Franks expects him to definitely run for Senator Kyl's seat in 2012. The source is unidentified, so take that information as you will. If true, though, Congressman Franks is the conservative we all should be rallying around! He would beat Congressman Flake any day in a primary once voters compare resumes and voting records.

2/22/2011: A new week, a new rumor about the Arizona Senate: count former Congressman Matt Salmon in as a possible GOP opponent to Jeff Flake. I think Salmon would have more statewide appeal than Flake; he would probably garner more of the LDS vote than Flake; and initial impressions are that Salmon's definitely more conservative than Flake. I would like to see the GOP field some conservative a little more "current," but if the choice is Flake or Salmon, I'd choose Salmon any day of the week.

2/18/2011: Cross Janet Napolitano off the list of possible Democratic contenders for the U.S. Senate nomination.... at least according to her spokesman. I don't think she would have had a prayer in the General election against any Republican nominee, but our nation's homeland security is not safer as a result. The start of 2013 to get fresh, competent faces in a new administration can't come soon enough.

2/17/2011: According to Roll Call, Congressman Paul Ryan has endorsed Jeff Flake's bid for U.S. Senate. Huge endorsement for Flake.

2/16/2011: The last person to challenge Senator Kyl for election from the Democrats, Jim Pederson, is out of the running. Takes a lot of money out of the Democrats side right there - let me tell you that.

2.15.2011: All day long, news reports swirled about a possible Joe Arpaio bid for Senate. In usual Arpaio fashion, Sheriff Joe would neither confirm or deny all reports.

2.14.2011: Congressman Jeff Flake officially announces for the Senate. Another publication touches base with Congressman Trent Franks' office - he is still "exploring that option." The same piece states that Arizona Corporation Commission Chairman Gary Pierce is looking into running for the Senate as well.

2.11.2011: Twenty-four hours after news broke that Senator Kyl's seat would open up, former Congressman John Shadegg announced that he would not be running for the Senate in 2012. Congressman Trent Franks, Congressman Jeff Flake, Marilyn Quayle, Paul Babeu, and Grant Woods are again mentioned as contenders to the seat. For the Democrats, Janet Napolitano, former Congressman Harry Mitchell, Congressman Ed Pastor, and Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon are rumored about.

2.10.2011: We learn that Congressman Trent Franks is "seriously considering" a run for the Senate. Congressman Flake is already presupposed as the front runner for the GOP. J.D. Hayworth admits that he has been contacted about a run. For the Democrats, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano are mentioned as possible contenders for the nomination.