Ruben Gallego’s decision came as a surprise to many Democrats who had expected him to launch a campaign early next month. | Matt York/AP Photo 2020 elections Democrats could dodge messy Arizona primary after Gallego passes on Senate bid

Arizona Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego will not run for Senate next year, choosing not to enter a contentious primary that could have hurt Democrats' chances to flip the Republican-held seat.

Gallego’s decision likely clears the way for Mark Kelly to become the party’s nominee to challenge Republican Sen. Martha McSally, who was appointed after losing the race for Arizona’s other Senate seat in 2018. Kelly — a former astronaut and Navy veteran who is considered Democrats' best Senate recruit so far this cycle — is the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.), who was shot in 2011 when she was in office.


Gallego told reporters Monday he had seen recent polling showing that his path to victory in the primary was to run a negative campaign, which would have been a "bitter, bitter primary" and would have hurt Democrats' chances to win the seat. The primary is in late August 2020, making it difficult for candidates in competitive intraparty fights to pivot to a competitive general election. McSally struggled to gain ground after her GOP primary last year, and Democrats were eager to avoid a similar situation.

"Republicans want a bitter primary between Democrats so they can hold this seat, and if they want that they're going to have to find another race," Gallego said. "I'm not going to be part of their tool."

The Arizona Republic first reported Gallego's decision not to run for Senate.

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Gallego said he decided not to run Sunday after conversations with his family. He spoke to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Sunday and informed his staff and political advisers about his decision Monday.

Gallego did not directly endorse Kelly and said the two were going to have a conversation Tuesday. He hinted that other Democrats could get into the race, but he said he expected Kelly to win.

"We're going to talk because I want to make sure he's got the right plan, but I'm going to definitely support the Democrat who can win this no matter what, and I think that will be Mark Kelly," Gallego said.

"I want to make sure he understands where I'm coming from and I want to make sure he knows what it takes to win," he added.

Kelly said he looks forward to working with Gallego "to stand up for Arizona families."

“As a Navy guy, I know it’s always better to avoid a fight with a Marine,” Kelly said in a statement. “I have a lot of respect for Congressman Gallego’s service to our nation.”

Arizona is expected to be at the center of Democrats' hopes to win back the Senate in the 2020 elections, and it will likely be a major battleground in the presidential race.

Gallego’s decision came as a surprise to many Democrats who had expected him to launch a campaign early next month. He had been suggesting for weeks that he was leaning towards running and believed, as a progressive, military veteran and Latino, he would have been competitive in both the primary and general elections.

His decision not to run is likely to frustrate the party's left flank. Several groups had been preparing to back Gallego in the primary, hoping to get behind a liberal candidate after centrist Democrat Kyrsten Sinema won the state’s other seat last year.

Kelly has already proven to be a strong fundraiser, bringing in more than $3 million since his launch last month.

