David Crowe to primary Congressman Raúl Grijalva

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

David Crowe, the Republican-turned-Democrat who was running for the U.S. Senate, has now decided to primary Congressman Raúl Grijalva for the new CD 3 congressional seat.

I have had a chance to speak with Mr. Crowe a few times. He is personable and well-spoken, but he has more ambition than common sense. One does not seek a U.S. Senate seat as their first public office. Mr. Crowe thinks mighty highly of himself.

He could not adequately explain to Democrats from whom he was seeking support for his senate bid why he endorsed "Rocket Girl" Ruth McClung over Grijalva. He gave Democrats a lame excuse that it was really the the Arizona Technology Council that endorsed Rocket Girl, not him specifically. I didn't find his answer credible then, and even less so now.

The Arizona Capitol Times (subscription required) reports Crowe officially switches races, will challenge Grijalva in primary :

Former U.S. Senate hopeful David Crowe has officially switched races and will challenge U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva in the Democratic primary.

Crowe, a Tucson defense contractor, filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission on Jan. 12, according to FEC records.

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Spokeswoman Charla Bailey said Crowe would officially launch his campaign in Tucson on Feb. 8.

Crowe is the president and co-founder of Tucson Embedded Systems, which provides hardware and software to the aerospace and defense industries. [like Raytheon in Tucson]

* * *

Crowe will likely face problems with the party base due to his recent past as a Republican. Crowe was registered as a Republican for 15 years before re-registering as a Democrat in Dec. 2010. He also backed McClung in her 2010 campaign against Grijalva, writing in the Arizona Technology Council’s endorsement that she has the “background, training and practical experience to actually find solutions and solve problems.”

Crowe contributed $500 to Grijalva in May, but the money was refunded about a week later.

Grijalva is the co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and he enjoys a loyal and passionate following among the party’s base.

Former "conservadem" Sen. Amanda Aguirre of Yuma is also considering challenging Grijalva in the Democratic primary. A spokesman said she will decide her plans within the next two weeks.

The new CD 3 is even more favorable to Congressman Raúl Grijalva than the current CD 7. It is Democratic base voters who vote in party primaries. These challengers would be competing for the same small block of anti-Grijalva conservadem voters. They are toast in a Democratic primary.

"Yeah, toast!"