Kirsten Engel Warns about “Dangerous” Kelly Townsend in Race for Congress

Arizona Legislative District (LD) 16 State Senator Kelly Townsend has rightly earned the reputation of one of Arizona’s fringiest legislators.

She has been a constant advocate for all things non-mainstream including:

• Not wanting to follow State Senate COVID 19 safety measures.
• Supporting 2020 election conspiracy theories.
• Being against sensible sex education programs.
• Favoring voter suppression measures.

Facing a potentially bruising primary fight with the equally fringe Wendy Rogers in the new Legislative District 7, Ms. Townsend has decided to test the electoral waters in the new Arizona Congressional District (CD) 6, the area encompassing all or parts of Casa Grande, western Tucson, and most of Southeastern Arizona.

Former Arizona State Senator, Kirsten Engel, one of the Democrats running to win the new CD 6 seat, pounced on the Townsend decision, issuing a social media posting denouncing the LD 16 State Senator’s candidacy and radical views:

“State Sen. Kelly Townsend just filed to run for Congress in AZ-06. Townsend has a proven track record of perpetuating easily debunked conspiracy theories, particularly with regard to public health. Townsend is also one of the leading proponents of “The Big Lie”, and has pledged to use her position as Chair of the Senate Government Committee to erode voting rights. She is as dangerous as she is popular – at least among GOP Primary voters.

While her entrance into the GOP Primary could be helpful in slowing down Gov. Ducey’s right-hand-man, Juan Ciscomani, the Republican frontrunner up until now, Townsend will attract millions in spending from fringe groups across the country.

More about Kelly Townsend:

1) Her dangerous views on vaccinations aren’t limited to COVID. She called the measles vaccine a communist plot and compared mandatory vaccines to the tattoos Nazis used in concentration camps.

2) She supports “The Big Lie” that Trump won re-election, going so far as attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 Presidential election, and has introduced a bill that would allow the legislature to overturn election results.

3) She blames the January 6 attack on the Capitol on everyone but the insurrectionists. In a series of since-deleted social media rants, Townsend claimed insurrectionists were inspired by “the Left” and speculated whether or not the real culprits were apprehended. Townsend also blamed the attack on Gov. Ducey, stating “(W)hen the people have had enough, you (Ducey) cannot act pious and holier than thou when the people revolt… (D)on’t act like this isn’t in large part, your fault.”

Responding to a request to comment from Blog for Arizona, former Senator Engel relayed:

“I’m focused on the issues that matter to everyday Arizonans. Creating an economy that works for everyone, ensuring that we have a safe, reliable water supply in the future and that we address the climate crisis, reducing the cost of healthcare, and prioritizing the health and safety of our communities. I’m ready to take my experience to Congress to fight for the people of this district.”

If Senator Engel faces Senator Townsend in the 2022 CD 6 Congressional Election, the voters in that district will have a clear choice.

Competence versus Lunacy.

Reality versus the Alt Right Zone.