Arizona lawmaker Carlyle Begay's switch to GOP welcomed...to a degree

Among the beaming faces at state Sen. Carlyle Begay's party-switching news conference were not one, not two, but three candidates for Congressional District 1.

And the message seemed to be: Happy to have you join the party, but stay in your lane.

Begay arrived at the Legislature two years ago as a Democrat.

Begay said he intends to stand for re-election to the state Senate next year, a contest that will test the attraction of the Republican brand in the heavily Democratic legislative district.

But rumors have swirled that Begay might pull a double switch: In addition to becoming a Republican, he might run for Congress. Thus, Begay's plans must have been a relief to Ken Bennett, Paul Babeu and David Gowan -- three of the four GOP contenders for the open congressional seat -- all of whom were in prominent attendance at Begay's event.

And if for some reason Begay were to pull off that double switch, such a decision would be a loss to the Senate Republican caucus. That's because if he were to resign in the coming year, his replacement would be a Democrat, according to state law. After all, that's the party voters chose in 2014 when they elected Begay.