Brian Miller

CD 8 candidate Brian Miller announced tonight that he is ending his campaign for U.S. House.
At an event scheduled with former UA Basketball Coach Lute Olson, one of his early supporters, Miller made this announcement at the Skybox restaurant, 5605 E. River Rd.

Fellow candidate Andy Goss withdrew his candidacy on July 7, endorsing Jesse Kelly.

Miller, a Major and senior pilot in the United States Air Force Reserve, 45th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, said he would support Jonathan Paton in this race in the August 24 primary.

This leaves Jesse Kelly, Jonathan Paton and Jay Quick running in the CD 8 House Republican race. I last wrote about this race when all four candidates appeared on KUAT’s Arizona Illustrated on July 30 (click here. )

I’ll be updating this blog once I receive the press release from the Miller campaign. See below:

8/11/10 Press release: “Brian Miller announced at an event this evening that he will be suspending his campaign for Congressional District 8. Brian Miller, a Constitutional conservative Republican, ran his campaign on a platform of limited government, individual freedom, and peace through strength.

Brian Miller released this statement: “Though we have run a tremendously successful grassroots campaign on a limited budget, at this point I do not have the funds to continue this race. My competitors have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on advertising – and it is impossible for me to make up that gap. We are looking to the future, and I believe the only candidate who can beat Gabrielle Giffords in November is Jonathan Paton.

“I want to thank all of my supporters and volunteers from the bottom of my heart. This has not been as easy decision for me, but I think it is best. I will not give up the fight for the Constitution and freedom, because this is an ongoing battle – for me, my family, and all Americans.”

The August 24 primary is quickly approaching and early voting began yesterday. Here’s a chance to view the 4 men running for CD 8 U.S. House on KUAT Channel 6 tonight from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Az Illustrated. The current candidates are Jesse Kelly, Brian Miller, Jonathan Paton, and Jay Quick. Who’s Quick? View the debate tonight to find out, as he’s the late comer in this race.

If you miss this one hour forum, view it online at www.azpm.org, “On Demand”.

Last time I wrote about these men was on July 19 after candidate Andy Goss dropped out and endorsed Jesse Kelly, and 3 of the 4 candidates (sans Quick) appeared at the Eastside Republican Club town hall on July 21. Click here for earlier blog (with photos of each candidate).

This has been a very spirited campaign for the GOP candidates, with hundreds of thousands of dollars raised and spent.

Whoever wins the Republican primary will face off with 2 term Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who has reportedly $2 million to spend on this campaign. Libertarian Dr. Steven Stoltz is also a candidate in the General Election on November 2nd.

The comparable one hour interview of the GOP CD 7 U.S. House candidates was held on Friday July 23, with the 4 candidates running in that race: Ruth McClung, Terry Myers, Joe Sweeney, and Robert Wilson. View it online here.

The winner of that CD 7 Republican primary race will face off with 4 term Democratic Congressman Raul Grijalva, and the winner of the Libertarian primary (either Andrew Ibarra or George Keane). The KUAT interview of those two Libertarians on July 28 is also online (click here).

Let the best man (or woman) win.

A CD 8 U.S. House town hall hosted by the Eastside Republican Club will be held on Wed. July 21 at 6 p.m. at Desert Christian High School, 7525 E Speedway Blvd.

Three candidates seeking the Republican nomination will be attending: Jesse Kelly, Brian Miller, and Jonathan Paton, former LD 30 State House rep. & State Senator. Candidate Andy Goss dropped out on July 7, endorsing Jesse Kelly.

Late entry Republican candidate Jay Quick, who ran before for this seat in CD 8 in 2006 as an Independent, will not be attending. Moderator for the event will be Joe Higgins, radio talk show co-host of “Wake up! Tucson” (1030 AM).

This may be your last chance to see these Republican men in person discuss the issues before the primary. I’ve heard these candidates debate before at Ironwood Ridge High School (click here) and also on the UA campus for the College Republicans.

For previous online media coverage, see the April 6, 2010 forum (24 minutes) on KUAT Channel 6 AZ Illustrated (click here).

Another KUAT TV debate between these Congressional candidates is scheduled for the Friday Roundtable on July 30.

For info about this town hall: Parralee Schneider, pmstucson@aol.com, 749-0312 (current candidate for LD 30 State House), or Lori Oien, oienjmo@msn.com, 749-3472, (candidate for Ward 2 Council seat in 2007 and recent applicant for Ward 2 Council vacancy).

Vote in the upcoming August 24 primary, to select which one will face Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in the general election. Libertarian Dr. Steven Stoltz is also running for this seat.

Jesse Kelly

Brian Miller

Jonathan Paton

Jay Quick