Kirkpatrick, Hay Win Arizona Party Primaries

Phoenix, AZ (AHN) - Former state Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick trounced three other Democrats to become the party candidate for the seat of Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ), who announced his retirement last year amid allegations of corruption.

With 88 percent of precincts reporting, Kirkpatrick received 48 percent of votes followed by Native American and former journalist Mary Kim Titla, who got 33 percent. The two other contenders were lawyer Howard Shanker and activist and former aide to Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Jeffrey Brown.

Meanwhile, mining lobbyist and former school teacher Sydney Hay won the Republican primary against three other challengers. She received 40 percent of votes, with nearly all precincts reporting, to defeat former diplomat Sandra Livingstone, who trailed with 36 percent. Tom Hansen came in at third place with 17 percent, followed by Barry Hall with six percent.

Kirkpatrick and Hay will face-off in November for the seat of Renzi, a the three-term Republican lawmaker who was indicted on 35 counts including conspiracy, extortion, money laundering and insurance fraud. He is accused of being involved in two land deals, including one to exchange federally protected mining land with land that could be commercially developed. Prosecutors say he gained more than $700,000 from the deal.