First shocker of 2016: Kirkpatrick takes on McCain

The first shocker of the 2016 elections is upon us today as Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick announces that she'll take on Republican Sen. John McCain next year.

It could be that she's 65 and figures she can't wait for 78-year-old McCain to step aside.

Or it could be that she figures she's destined to lose her seat anyway if the Supreme Court allows the Arizona Legislature to redraw congressional districts. That ruling is expected any day now and many court watchers figure the high court will side with the Legislature. Kirkpatrick's rural Arizona seat already is in a swing district but it'll be far less "swing-ish" if Republicans get their hands on the maps.

Arizona Democrats are no doubt cheering today, to have a top-tier candidate to put up against McCain, assuming Rep. Matt Salmon doesn't enter the Republican primary and knock him off.

Still, this will be an uphill battle for Kirkpatrick, a lifetime rural Arizonan. She's a staunch supporter of the Affordable Care Act, and while that plays well in her district, it's likely to be a tougher sell in a statewide race.

Especially when you consider that Democrats hold how many statewide offices?

Oh yeah, none. And they haven't won a U.S. Senate seat since 1988, when incumbent U.S. Sen Dennis DeConcini knocked off Republican challenger Keith DeGreen.

That's not to say that a well-funded, well-known Democrat couldn't give McCain a run for his money.

But then, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema curiously hasn't stepped into the race.

I wonder whether Sinema might find the Senate race more palatable after the Supreme Court rules on redistricting…