PHOENIX -- First-term Republican Rep. Paul Gosar says he plans to seek office in Arizona's 4th Congressional District instead of his Flagstaff-based 1st District, setting up a GOP primary fight in the rural district.
Gosar's announcement Saturday means he will face Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu (BAB'-yoo) in the primary and could also face state Sen. Ron Gould of Lake Havasu City. Gould says he will soon announce his decision on whether to run.
Gosar defeated Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick to win the 1st District seat in 2010. But the newly redrawn 1st District is more competitive and Kirkpatrick has been actively fundraising for months to win back her seat.
The new 4th District runs from western Arizona through Prescott and south to take in parts of Pinal County south of Phoenix.
