© David Wallace/The Republic Rep. Randy Friese, D-Tucson, raises his hand to communicate all the way through debate of HB 2898, a okay-12 training invoice, right through the house Appropriations Committee listening to at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix on may additionally 25, 2021. Democrat Randy Friese has unexpectedly ended his congressional bid for a seat within the Tucson enviornment, citing a necessity to are likely to his obligations as a doctor amid the surge in COVID-19.
Friese, a member of the state apartment of Representatives, become the leading fundraiser amongst three fellow individuals of the Legislature who had been vying for his or her celebration's nomination to substitute the retiring Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz.
Friese is a trauma surgeon who won prominence in 2011 when he become among the many group of medical doctors who treated then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., after she was shot in the head in a bloodbath near Tucson that killed six and wounded a dozen others.
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"because the Delta variant surges throughout our location, it has turn into an expanding problem to satisfy my duties to the hospital, my sufferers, and the campaign amidst a run for Congress," Friese observed in a press release. "I've always cherished medication and affected person care, and that i've come to the cognizance that I'm now not able to provide that up."
State Sen. Kirsten Engel, D-Tucson, who is working for the Democratic nomination, called Friese a "dedicated public servant and colleague to work with in the state Legislature."
"I'm bound this changed into a tricky resolution to make, however i do know he'll continue to serve his community as a health care provider, and i hope him the top of the line together with his future endeavors," she observed in a tweet.
State Rep. Daniel Hernandez, D-Tucson, who is also within the congressional race, did not immediately publicly reply to Friese's resolution.
Kirkpatrick's introduced retirement earlier this year created a infrequent opening for a congressional seat, and comes as all 9 of Arizona's congressional districts are being redrawn, which might vastly alter their political makeup.
The 2nd Congressional District because it is presently drawn has advanced from one of the most competitive within the country to a safely Democratic seat.
however there are large pockets of conservative balloting areas adjacent to the 2nd District, which may well be pulled into a new district.
Juan Ciscomani, a senior adviser to Gov. Doug Ducey, is operating for the Republican nomination in the race.
attain the reporter Ronald J. Hansen at ronald.hansen@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4493. observe him on Twitter @ronaldjhansen.
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this text at first appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Rep. Randy Friese ends congressional bid, says he can not stop medication right through COVID-19 pandemic
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