• Ann Kirkpatrick

In what was a somewhat surprising turn of events, Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick is going to hold her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, a fact her opponent, Republican Andy Tobin, recognized this morning with a concession:

I would like to congratulate Congresswoman Kirkpatrick on her hard fought victory last night. The strength of our democracy is shown in our ability to have a peaceful exchange of ideas on the campaign trail and to come together after the ballots are counted.

I want to thank my wife, Jennifer, and my five children who have supported me in my campaign for congress for the past 18 months. They have been my bedrock and I am truly blessed to have such an amazing family.

Last night, voters in Arizona and across the United States exercised their right to vote—a right so many are denied throughout the rest of the world. We have these rights because of the brave men and women in our armed forces who stand duty twenty four hours a day, seven days a week to protect our ability to choose our own leaders.

I am truly grateful for the eight years I spent as a state representative—with four of those serving as Speaker of the House. I had the opportunity to serve with outstanding legislators, both Republicans and Democrats, to see our great state through some of its most challenging days.

My parents instilled in me a heart for public service and it’s a passion I have carried through my life—service to humanity truly is the best work of life.