Arizona Democrats waiting for strong McCain challenger

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has been talking up the prospects of businesswoman Nan Stockholm Walden (D) getting into the race against Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

It's a testament to how vulnerable McCain is perceived to be by Washington Democrats when a woman with virtually zero name recognition in Arizona, let alone nationally, would be considered to have a chance of beating the four-term incumbent.

Alas, the Walden-McCain match-up will have to wait for another cycle. She announced Tuesday she won’t run for the seat.

"After thoughtful and prayerful consideration, I have decided that the time is not right to enter this Senate race," Walden said in a statement issued originally to the Tucson Sentinel. "Dick and I are partners in our family enterprise, and are in the midst of a number of important initiatives for our town, our county and our state. I cannot abandon these obligations to our family, our partners, our 60-year-old farming business, our 250 employees and our Santa Cruz Valley."

The equation for Democrats may change if former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.) wins the GOP primary, but in the meantime it's wait and see.

Updated at 6:09 p.m.