It’s 3:54 a.m. The Arizona Secretary of State reports 94 percent of the votes have been counted. I’m sitting with 44 votes – one shy of the 45 votes I need to keep my candidacy alive. I’m tied with Charles Skelley for 22nd place. In last place with 37 votes is Rhett Smith.
The Outzen campaign was particularly strong in the First Congressional District of Arizona – with 13 votes. Arizona’s 1st congressional district is the tenth largest congressional district in the nation. A large and mostly rural district, it includes most of the state outside the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas. My Mississippi roots must be what hurt me in the big cities.
The median age is 35; 77% have High school education or greater. Both stats fit the demographics for the IN.
Like the Midway Fire District, I plan to close one of campaign headquarters – Waffle House in Flagstaff, AZ – and lay off 23 of my 29 campaign workers.
I’ve called a press conference for later in the day to announce the future of the Outzen for President campaign.