CIVPAC endorses Representative Greg Stanton in the Democratic primary for Arizona’s 4th Congressional District.
This is not a case for reflexively defending incumbents. It is a case for defending serious, practical, liberal-democratic governance against a politics that too often mistakes activism for governing and ideological purity for public service.
Representative Stanton has deep roots in the district, substantial governing experience as former mayor of Phoenix, and a record focused on infrastructure, economic development, immigration oversight, water, energy, and practical problem-solving. Arizona’s 4th District is Democratic-leaning, but it is not a district in which Democrats can safely ignore electability or dismiss moderate and independent voters.
Stanton has repeatedly taken the pro-Ukraine side on major votes to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, including the 2022 lend-lease and supplemental aid bills, the 2024 Ukraine Security Supplemental, and the 2026 effort to force consideration of additional Ukraine support and Russia sanctions. Newkirk’s platform contains some constructive language on Putin and collective security, but his broader foreign-policy posture is anti-militarist, anti-interventionist, and sharply opposed to U.S. military aid in other contexts. CIVPAC gives greater weight to Stanton’s proven record on Ukraine. Newkirk’s position sounds more like finger-wagging at Putin than actual support for Ukraine.
On Israel and Gaza, Stanton’s record is mainstream and appropriately bounded: he supports Israel’s security and has voted for aid after the Hamas attacks, while also condemning extremist settler violence against Palestinians as terrorism. That is a more responsible position than either reflexive anti-Israel politics or uncritical support for the Israeli right.
His challenger, Kai Newkirk, brings real activist energy. Activism has an important place in democratic politics — we wish centrists had more of it — but it is not a substitute for governing judgment. Moreover, Newkirk’s platform — including disbanding ICE, Medicare for All, ending U.S. military aid to Israel, and tuition-free public college — reflects a politics well to the left of what CIVPAC believes this district or the country needs.
The center should not apologize for supporting candidates who can govern. Greg Stanton is such a candidate. CIVPAC endorses him.
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