Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick to get treatment for alcohol dependence

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick announced Wednesday she is beginning treatment for alcohol dependence as she recovers from injuries suffered in a fall last week on the Washington area subway on her way to Congress.

Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., has been absent since the mishap, which left her with staples in her head, cracked ribs and a fractured spine, according to Abigail O’Brien, her congressional spokeswoman.

She was expected to be released from a Washington, D.C., hospital Wednesday and then be taken to begin treatment. Kirkpatrick opted to go public with her alcohol problem after consulting with her family and senior staff.

The accident, and her underlying drinking problem, surprised many close to the four-term representative. It happened last week, the day after Kirkpatrick led the House of Representatives in a somber observance of the ninth anniversary of a mass shooting near Tucson that left then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., with a near-fatal head wound.

Kirkpatrick is still planning to run for reelection in her narrowly divided, Tucson-based 2nd Congressional District later this year.

Kirkpatrick, 69, said she must undergo physical therapy for the fall, but expects to fully recover.

“I do, however, have another challenge I must face, which was the underlying cause of my fall,” she said in a statement. “Beginning next week, I will receive treatment that I have struggled to ask for, to treat my alcohol dependence.

“I am finally seeking this help after struggling to do so in the past, and I am ready to admit that I, like countless other Americans, suffer from this disease. Hard work and determination — which have brought me success in life — have not been enough to win this battle. Other than being a wife, mother, and grandmother, the most important job in the world to me is representing my fellow Arizonans. I know I must get better in order to do my best in each of these roles.”

At the time of her accident on Thursday, Kirkpatrick was headed to the Capitol for the House vote to curb President Donald Trump’s military authority in dealing with Iran.

Her office characterized the incident as a temporary medical emergency.

She has remained out of the office, missing Wednesday’s big vote to send articles of impeachment against Trump to the Senate.

Her open-ended absence is expected to last weeks, O’Brien said. It also comes weeks after Kirkpatrick's chief of staff had a baby, leaving the office especially shorthanded.

Even so, Kirkpatrick's offices in Arizona and Washington, D.C., will be fully operational during her absence, Kirkpatrick said. All her positions on recorded votes will be submitted to the Congressional Record and made available publicly.

KARINA BLAND: Kirkpatrick is seeking help for alcohol dependence. Good for her

“I am grateful to the people of Arizona whom I am privileged to serve, my amazing staff who work tirelessly on your behalf, and my infinitely supportive and loving family,” she wrote. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support.”

As word of Kirkpatrick’s disclosure spread, she received messages of support from all corners.

Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., who defeated Kirkpatrick in 2010 and has worked closely with Kirkpatrick since her return to Congress, even holding a joint town hall with her, wished her well and was sympathetic.

"I am keeping @RepKirkpatrick in my thoughts," Gosar said in a tweet. "There are many stressors in this business and at every reception and dinner alcohol is provided. It's easy — too easy — to become addicted and I wish god speed to my colleague, my friend and my fellow Arizonan. God bless you Ann."

Felecia Rotellini, Arizona Democratic Party chairwoman, said her heart goes out to Kirkpatrick.

“We greatly admire the Congresswoman's courage and her strength during this trying time,” Rotellini's statement said. “Congresswoman Kirkpatrick has never shied away from a challenge, and I know she will meet this one head-on.

“Ann, we wish you the best and look forward to your swift return. God speed.”

Two family members of the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who defeated Kirkpatrick in Arizona's 2016 Senate race, also weighed in.

Cindy McCain, McCain's widow, and her daughter Meghan McCain, a political commentator and co-host of ABC's "The View," wished Kirkpatrick well.

“Sending love, prayers and strength to Arizona @RepKirkpatrick and her entire family,” Meghan McCain tweeted.

Democratic Senate candidate Mark Kelly tweeted that he and Giffords, his wife, “have your back, @Ann_Kirkpatrick, and so does the entire Tucson community. This was a courageous step — we're with you for it and every step to come.”

"I commend her courage to share this and seek treatment. Ann, we will all be praying for your recovery," Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., said.

Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., said his "friend and colleague is a tireless public servant. I wish her well during this time, applaud her for this courageous step, and look forward to welcoming her back to Washington to keep fighting for the people of Southern Arizona."

"I wish her well as she tackles this next fight, and am keeping her in my thoughts today. Asking for help is hard, but Ann has always been stronger than most," Rep. Tom O'Halleran, D-Ariz., said.

"Sending well-wishes to my friend and colleague ... as she takes this courageous step," Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., said.

"Ann Kirkpatrick is one of the finest public servants I know. She's been a fighter her whole life, and I'm not surprised to see her make such a brave decision. I wish her all the best in her recovery and look forward to working with her on behalf of all Arizonans when she returns," said Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz.

Kirkpatrick is in her fourth term in Congress, but her first representing the Tucson-based 2nd District. Before that, she represented the 1st Congressional District that spans northeastern Arizona.

Kirkpatrick's current district has been among the most competitive nationally because of its relatively even division over the years between Democrats and Republicans.

It has also had unusual churn.

Giffords represented a similar district from 2007 until 2012. She resigned her seat after being shot in the head in 2011 at a constituent event near Tucson in which six people died and 13 others, including Giffords, were wounded.

Former Rep. Ron Barber, one of Giffords’ staffers who was also wounded, won the special election to replace Giffords in 2012 and, later that year, won a full term outright when he narrowly defeated Republican Martha McSally.

In 2014, McSally defeated Barber in a rematch that proved to be the closest House race in the country that year. She won another term in 2016, before running for the Senate in 2018.

By then, Kirkpatrick had moved to Tucson and defeated a crowded field for the Democratic nomination. She defeated Republican Lea Marquez Peterson to cap her return to Washington.

Lobbyist Shay Stautz is viewed as the leading Republican challenger already in that race.

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol dependence, here are resources in Arizona:

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Phoenix: http://aaphx.org/meetings/

Free Mental Health Arizona support groups: https://mentalhealthaz.org/support-groups/

The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration national helpline: 1-800-662-HELP or findtreatment.samhsa.gov

Reach Wingett Sanchez on Twitter and reach Hansen on Twitter. Contact them at yvonne.wingett@arizonarepublic.com and ronald.hansen@arizonarepublic.com.

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