CIVPAC Endorsement
Greg Stanton for U.S. House (AZ-4)
Summary
CIVPAC supports the re-election of Greg Stanton.
Stanton has demonstrated a pragmatic, results-oriented approach to governing that reflects a willingness to work across party lines and address competing priorities. While we do not agree with all of his policy positions, his overall approach is consistent with our principles of economic efficiency, fairness, personal freedom, and political realism.
Background
The Democratic Primary
Stanton faces a primary challenge from Kai Newkirk, who is running from the left and has criticized Stanton for not taking more aggressive positions on a range of issues.
This represents a familiar dynamic in contemporary politics: a governing-oriented incumbent challenged by a more ideologically driven alternative.
In our view, Stanton’s willingness to engage with tradeoffs and pursue achievable outcomes better reflects the realities of governing in a closely divided political environment. While ideological clarity can be appealing, effective policymaking often requires compromise and an ability to build coalitions across constituencies.
The General Election
The Republican field, including candidates such as Jerone Davison and Zuhdi Jasser, reflects more traditional partisan positioning. At this stage, we do not see evidence of a candidate in this field who demonstrates the same degree of cross-party engagement or governing pragmatism as Stanton.
Independent and No Labels candidates are also expected to appear on the ballot. We support efforts to expand voter choice and encourage broader participation in the political process. However, we have not seen evidence that these candidates have developed the organizational capacity or electoral support necessary to compete effectively in this race.
Strategic Considerations
In elections where a centrist independent candidate has a credible path to winning, supporting that candidate can advance the goal of broader representation. In races where such a path is not evident, however, a vote for a non-competitive candidate may have the unintended effect of reducing the likelihood of electing a candidate who reflects many of the same principles.
In this race, Representative Stanton already embodies many of the pragmatic and centrist qualities that independent voters seek. Given the structure of the field, a vote for a non-competitive candidate is unlikely to produce a centrist outcome.
Conclusion
Representative Stanton is not a perfect candidate from our perspective, but he represents a pragmatic and governing-oriented approach that aligns with our broader principles. In a political environment where ideological rigidity often dominates, candidates who demonstrate a willingness to engage with tradeoffs and work across party lines are particularly valuable.
For these reasons, CIVPAC supports the re-election of Greg Stanton.
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