Sign of trouble for GOP in Ariz. race?

Tea-party group FreedomWorks is sending staff and additional resources to aid Arizona Republican Jeff Flake’s Senate campaign, another sign his race against Democrat Richard Carmona is tightening in the traditionally red state.

FreedomWorks for America, the conservative advocacy group’s super PAC, will be opening an office — or “Victory Center” — next week in Flake’s hometown of Mesa, the group confirmed. FreedomWorks currently has these Victory Centers in such swing states as Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida, but this is the first for Arizona.


The Mesa office will be staffed by two full-time FreedomWorks organizers, who next Wednesday will train up to 100 grass-roots volunteers in mapping software to help target independent voters and ensure Republicans turn out at the polls.

Recent polls have shown Carmona, a former U.S. surgeon general, within striking distance of Flake, a six-term congressman. A poll commissioned by Arizona GOP consulting firm HighGround had Flake edging Carmona 43 percent to 40 percent, with 11 percent undecided.

“I think the dynamics of this race have changed,” said Russ Walker, FreedomWorks for America’s executive director, who is headed to the Grand Canyon State next week. “We want to make sure we don’t forget about Arizona. … It’s safe to say this is a close race.”

Washington -based FreedomWorks was an early backer of Flake in his primary against businessman Wil Cardon. So far, the group has spent $160,000 in support of Flake and $85,000 to defeat Carmona, according to campaign finance reports.