By Marie Horrigan, CQ Staff

Arizona state Rep. Bill Konopnicki, widely viewed as a top Republican candidate in the race to succeed retiring GOP Rep. Rick Renzi , has announced he will not run for the 1st District seat.

Konopnicki had not officially announced his candidacy due to the state’s resign-to-run laws, but had been gathering support in the Flagstaff-based district with an exploratory campaign committee. Republicans both in Washington and in Arizona had said Konopnicki would be a strong contender for the race, and his announcement came as something of a surprise.

“This just isn’t the right time,” Koponicki told CQ Politics regarding a potential run. Koponicki cited personal issues — including the recent deaths of his brother and father-in-law and his mother’s illness — as reasons he decided not to run, despite early indications he would get into the race.

“I’m sorry about it, and it was mine to lose, I believe,” he said, citing strong support within the district. “But the personal things outweighed the ability” to run, he said. He added that budget problems in Arizona also made it a bad time to leave the state legislature.

Already in the race is Arizona Mining Association President Sydney Hay, a conservative Republican who lost the primary to Renzi in 2002 for the then-open 1st District seat.

Former state Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick is considered a top contender for the Democratic nomination.

CQ Politics rates this race as No Clear Favorite, the most competitive category.

Sean McCaffrey, executive director of the Arizona Republican Party, said Konopnicki would have faced a tough race. “There are as many reasons to do it as not to do it,” he said of a congressional run. “It is a big district and it will be an expensive race.”

“Let’s face it, that’s not the best way to spend an entire calendar year,” McCaffrey said.

With Konopnicki out of the race, Hay — who is well‑known throughout the district — stands as the front-runner for the party nomination unless another strong Republican comes in from the wings. Ken Bennett, the former state Senate president, ruled out a run in September but could reconsider the race.

As of Sept. 30, Hay had raised $108,000 for the race and had $106,000 on hand, while Kirkpatrick had raised $217,000 and had $173.000 on hand.