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By Paul Carter
Et Tu, Udall? Political Drama with Two Udalls Possible
PHOENIX, ARIZONA -- Members of the Udall family, four times, have
been ushered onto the national political stage, with the actors
always having entered from stage left--the Democratic party. Two
were in Arizona: Morris and Stewart Udall. A son each of Morris and
Stewart currently serves in the US House from Colorado and New Mexico
respectively.
The recent political redistricting based on the 2000 US Census has
created a new US House of Representatives district in Arizona. As
this new stage is being set for its first election drama to unfold,
that of the primary candidates declaring their intentions to run, the
plot could perhaps see the two leading characters/final candidates
both coming from the Udall family, with each entering the stage from
opposite sides.
Entering from Stage Left: Steve Udall, 59, currently the Apache
County attorney, is contemplating running for the new House Seat. As
a Democrat, he follows the political loyalties of all the Udalls
previously elected as US Representatives. Steve, the son of Sherwood
Udall who is a first cousin of Morris and Stewart, believes the new
district will send a Democrat to Washington. "This is a new district
with no incumbent and no Phoenix Valley (predominantly a Republican
stronghold.) That looks a lot better for me."
In the wings of Stage Right: Chris Udall, 39, a Field Director for
Republican Arizona US Representative J.D. Hayworth. Chris' father is
Richard Udall who is a second cousin to Morris and Stewart. Chris
Udall is considering forming an exploratory committee to determine
his prospects in the new district. "I need to make a decision soon,"
he says.
When told by a reporter that cousin Steve was considering running for
the same position, Chris said that he hadn't been aware of the
possible Udall vs. Udall final election possibility. Explained Chris,
"I've worked with him on several issues, but I don't associate with
him a heck of a lot, so I guess that's not too surprising."
No candidates have declared yet and the cast of potential candidates
has both parties preparing for crowded primaries. Thus, the
possibility that the final act will offer a showdown between two
Udalls is far from certain. The prospect is offering the Arizona
media an opportunity to explore the political and historical
underpinnings of the Udall family and review the roles that Udalls
have played in the state.
Chris Udall, the Republican, has said, "I'm told by Mark and Tom that
there are more conservative Udalls than Democratic Udalls. The Udall
name is always attached to the Democratic Party, when it really goes
both ways."
In addition to national politics, Udalls have served in Arizona on
the State Supreme Court, a clerk of the Superior Court, mayor of
Phoenix.
Source:
Udall vs. Udall May Take Place in Arizona;
Roll Call 29Oct01 T2
Cousins Steve (D) and Chris (R) Udall Both Eyeing New 1st District
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