Kelli Ward Resigns State Senate Seat to Campaign Full-Time Against John McCain

Arizona State Senator Kelli Ward (R-Lake Havasu City) announced Wednesday that she will resign her elected position and will work full-time to defeat entrenched D.C. Republican, Sen. John McCain.

Senator Kelli Ward released the following statement on Wednesday:

I entered this race because I knew we needed a strong, bold, fearless and fresh voice representing the interests of Arizonans in Washington DC and replace John McCain. Before I entered the race, I waged battles in the Arizona State Senate as Mohave County’s elected advocate for consistent Conservative values. I retained those values on a state level by successfully authoring 19 major bills and never giving up the fight as federal interests constantly battered us at our doorstep, forcing DC legislation down Arizona throats.

I knew this was going to be a tough, hard fought battle. I’ve prepared for just that scenario. Still, I believed it might be possible to retain my seat and fight the good fight in the state senate chamber. I am now convinced that I can help fight the bigger battle against The Beltway and help resolve the massive failure of the federal government to truly look out for the interests of Arizona by devoting my abilities full time to defeat John McCain.

I will leave my elective position as Arizona State Senator for District 5 effective December 15. Believe me, I will miss taking on the responsibilities of this important position, authoring important legislation, working with my colleagues, and fighting for the people of my district and the state of Arizona. But, I can be more effective and accomplish those same goals by curbing federal interference and creating an easier pathway for reform in the Arizona legislature as a United States Senator.

I now intend to take that fight forward in my race for the Senate, devoting all my energy to winning the Republican primary in August and the general election in November. John McCain has served far, far too long. Fresh blood is on the way with ingrained conservative principles from a bold, fresh, fearless new voice.

Breitbart News was on the ground to report the official announcement of Ward’s challenge to McCain.

Since then, an August poll showed Ward leading McCain by nine percent, and she released her campaign’s first quarter fundraising numbers, showing her campaign had raised approximately $525,000. Just one month ago Ward—a practicing medical doctor—revealed her plan to repeal Obamacare.

Follow Michelle Moons on Twitter @MichelleDiana.