Steve Montenegro faces calls to quit congressional race; backers largely mum

Steve Montenegro’s congressional campaign faced calls for him to quit the West Valley race Wednesday after The Arizona Republic reported on flirtatious text messages — including a topless photo — involving a junior legislative staffer.

Cathi Herrod, president of the influential Center for Arizona Policy, and a pair of female Republican state lawmakers led the effort to upend the GOP field six days before voting ends in the special primary election in the 8th District.

Former Gov. Jan Brewer, who has endorsed another candidate in the Republican primary, Debbi Lesko, also called on Montenegro to drop out, without mentioning her preferred candidate.

Prominent Montenegro backers, including former congressman Trent Franks, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and evangelical leader James Dobson, could not be reached for comment Wednesday on his candidacy.

MORE: Flirtatious texts, topless photo roil Steve Montenegro's campaign; he blasts 'false tabloid trash'

Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said he still backed Montenegro.

“He’s always been a supporter throughout the years when he was at the Legislature, so I’m not going to get involved right now on his personal situation,” Arpaio told The Republic. “...I’m not going to comment on it because I don’t have all the details. Let’s just see how it turns out.”

The 36-year-old former state senator raised the most money through January in the race to replace Franks, and has been among the leaders in several polls. But Montenegro has skipped several campaign events in recent days as The Republic and other media outlets began raising questions about the text messages.

MORE: Steve Montenegro's path to the U.S. shapes his tough views on immigration

Herrod noted in a tweet that Montenegro’s response to the texting story on Facebook was unacceptable. Montenegro called the story “false tabloid trash” and claimed there were “distortions” without elaborating.

Herrod said his “post didn’t clearly deny allegations. Absent a clear denial or evidence to the contrary, I call upon him to withdraw from (the) race. I urge voters to consider other candidates. My personal opinion.”

She later added that, “I have not endorsed a candidate in (Arizona’s 8th District race).

State Sen. Karen Fann, R-Prescott, and state Sen. Nancy Barto, R-Phoenix, also weighed in against Montenegro.

“I join (Cathi) Herrod in calling on (Montenegro) to withdraw from (the) race. I find the allegations troubling particularly in these times. Arizona deserves better,” Fann wrote.

Barto urged voters to support former state Sen. Debbie Lesko, R-Peoria, who is another top contender in the special election.

Brewer said in her statement that, “For the sake of the voters, Mr. Montenegro must address these allegations head on. The circumstances in which the predecessor, Congressman Trent Franks, left the office strongly suggest that nothing short of a full in-person denial of these events by Mr. Montenegro himself should suffice.”

If Montenegro “chooses to continue to stall the voters,” Brewer said he should step aside.

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