The Hill’s 2012 New Members Guide

Rep.-elect Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.-01)

DATE OF BIRTH: March 24, 1950

BIRTHPLACE: McNary, Ariz.

RESIDENCE: Flagstaff, Ariz.

OCCUPATION: Lawyer

EDUCATION: B.A. and J.D. from the University of Arizona

PREVIOUS OFFICE HELD: House of Representatives, 2009-2011

FAMILY: Husband, Roger; two children

Ann Kirkpatrick won back her 1st district seat after being ousted in the 2010 Republican wave. Redistricting made her seat friendlier to Democrats ahead of the 2012 election. 

Kirkpatrick has resided in Arizona her entire life. She was born in McNary and attended the University of Arizona for both her undergraduate and law degree. As a member of Congress, she served on three committees — Homeland Security, Small Business and Veterans’ Affairs.

Previously, Kirkpatrick served in the Arizona House of Representatives, where she was the ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee. 

Both party committees and outside groups spent heavily on this open contest.  

The seat opened when Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz), who took the seat from Kirkpatrick in 2010, chose to run in the 4th district after redistricting.