Ann Kirkpatrick to Challenge John McCain for Arizona Senate

Representative Ann Kirkpatrick announced on Tuesday that she will run for United States Senate in Arizona, setting up a likely challenge to Senator John McCain.

Ms. Kirkpatrick, a Democrat who is now the congresswoman from Arizona’s first district, revealed her plans with a video posted to YouTube.

“I love this state, and I’ve worked hard all my life to put Arizona first,” Ms. Kirkpatrick said in a statement. “From the timber towns of the White Mountains to the tech hubs of Phoenix and Tucson, we are working to build a strong, diverse economy.”

She enters the race as a likely underdog to Mr. McCain, the five-term Republican senator who is running for re-election.

But by announcing her intention to run for Senate, Ms. Kirkpatrick also puts her congressional seat up for grabs. Mitt Romney carried her district in 2012, and the opening could give Republicans an opportunity to pick up a seat, as Roll Call noted on Tuesday morning.