Foster showed how to quit a race

Anni Foster just gave everyone a powerful lesson on decorum and political pragmatism.

She not only dropped out of the race for Maricopa County attorney but threw her unconditional support behind fellow Republican Rachel Mitchell, who got the job in the interim.

The objective? To ensure Democrat Julie Gunnigle doesn’t get elected.

“As Republicans we need to put ego aside and do a better job of narrowing the candidate pool,” said Foster, who’s general counsel for Gov. Doug Ducey.

Wait, a candidate talking about putting egos aside? And narrowing the candidate pool to reach the party’s collective objective? Now, that’s something you don’t hear these days.

We’ve reached a point of vitriol, egotism and self-serving in today’s politics that anything sensible is commendable. So, it’s also worth noting Mitchell’s gracious response to Foster on Twitter: “Thank you so much for your support and trust. It means a lot coming from someone I always have respected. You have conducted yourself throughout this campaign with class and professionalism. I wish you all the best.”

Sure, Foster could have stayed and fought it out during the Republican Primary against Mitchell and Goodyear municipal prosecutor Gina Godbehere. She had the signatures (more than 11,000) and the money ($170,000-plus) to put up a good fight.

Instead, she’s stepping aside after Mitchell was appointed to fill the job vacated by County Attorney Allister Adel.

“I participated in the process conducted by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for appointing an interim county attorney,” Foster said in a statement. “Ultimately, the board went a different direction, choosing Rachel Mitchell. I respect their decision.”

Another jaw-dropping thing: Respecting a decision.

“Rachel is a strong candidate,’’ Foster said. “And with incumbency is a viable candidate for the Republican nominee.” She’s right about that.

“Running against an incumbent is always hard, but doing so in such a short race is an uphill battle,” Foster said. She’s right about that, too.

I’ve previously urged the county Board of Supervisors not to appoint one of the candidates to give those running a fair shot at the ballot box.

The Republican majority, of course, still went ahead with Mitchell, giving her a huge platform to reach voters.

Foster also said this: “It is essential that we circle the wagons and ensure that Julie Gunnigle does not win in November.”

I disagree with her assessment of Gunnigle. She came close to winning in 2020 against Adel, who turned out to be a complete disaster running the state’s largest prosecutorial agency.

Foster, though, is setting an important example not just for Republicans but everyone else, including Democrats.

Will Democrats “circle the wagons” around Gunnigle? Will Democrats and Republicans in key competitive statewide primaries have the humility and guts to step aside for the greater good?

Don’t bet on it. But sure hope that putting Arizonans first remains a priority.