Former UA lobbyist Stautz will challenge Kirkpatrick in 2020

Shay Stautz, a former lobbyist for the University of Arizona, is seeking the Republican nomination to try to unseat Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick in the 2nd Congressional District.

Stautz played up his roots in southern Arizona, bringing new attention to the familiar fact that Kirkpatrick, a Democrat, only moved to Tucson in recent years after representing northeastern Arizona for three terms in Washington.

“I am from southern Arizona — I was raised here, went to school here and worked here,” Stautz said in a statement announcing his candidacy. “I understand the issues facing southern Arizona, because I’ve lived them. Now it is time to tackle them as your representative.”

Specifically, those issues include stronger border security, more money for the military, and enacting what he considers pro-business policies. He also promised to continue his advocacy for university-research programs.

Stautz cites his education in Arizona, but he left UA to study at Georgetown University in Washington.

Stautz didn’t mention in his announcement that he lobbied for Arizona State University in Washington for two years, ending only in April. His LinkedIn profile indicates he has been working in the nation’s capital since at least 1997.

He joins an already long but lightly funded list of Republicans vying for the GOP nomination. The list includes Brandon Martin, who finished a strong second in the 2018 four-way GOP primary to Lea Marquez Peterson. Joseph Morgan, Justine Wadsack and Mike Ligon also have entered the 2020 Republican race.