AZ Senate Poll Shows Shakeup; Ward Drops To Third, Wants Debates

PHOENIX, AZ – For months, Kelli Ward had been the front-runner in the Republican race to replace Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) who has decided not to seek reelection. President Trump tweeted nice things about her. Steve Bannon, before his fall from grace, flew to Arizona to attend one of her campaign rallies.

Of course, it didn't hurt that she didn't have any actual opponents.

Now that she does, it's a different story.

In the past two weeks, once-convicted former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Rep. Martha McSally (R-Pima) have both thrown their hats in the ring.

And it's not been good for Ward,

A new poll of 500 likely primary election voters conducted Jan. 11 through Jan. 15., has the once-frontrunner now in third place behind McSally and Arpaio.

If you want to include the undecided voters, Ward drops to fourth.

The poll, commissioned by Data Orbital, has the races as:

• Martha McSally 30.98%
• Joe Arpaio 22.30%
• Kelli Ward 18.88%
• Undecided 27.13%
• Refused 0.72%

Pollster George Khalaf was quick to point out that it's still very early.

"With a little more than 8 months to go, this race is long from over but Congresswomen McSally seems to be out of the gate as an early leader," he said.

Following the playbook of many candidates who find themselves dropping in the polls; Ward has proposed a series of debates.

"It's important that we respect the voters by moving the debate beyond the soundbites and inevitable television ads that dominate far too much of today’s political campaigns," said Ward.

"Issue-focused debates that provide voters the opportunity to ask questions, get in-depth answers on the issues of the day, and go beyond the everyday media filter to learn more about each of the candidates on stage will benefit everyone."

Ward says that there should be:

• Series of six debates to be held in March-August (roughly one debate per month)
• Partner with local and national media outlets on each event
• At least one debate held on radio and one on a major social media platform
• Sixty to ninety-minute total length formats
• At least two of the six to focus on specific themes of issues to allow greater depth of discussion
• Minimum threshold of public polling support to qualify for the series

Arpaio and McSally have not yet responded.

Photo of Kelli Ward at a campaign rally last year via Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo.