Tobin won't run again in CD1

The Republican said he was urged to run by party officials, but said he felt there were already strong GOP candidates in the field. 

"I now feel that AZCD1 will have strong Republican candidates and I’m confident that a Republican candidate will win AZCD1 back," Tobin said in a statement to the press. "But that candidate will not be me - I will not run for Arizona Congressional District One in 2016."

Former Republican CD1 rival, rancher Gary Kiehne, has already announced he will run for the seat and former Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett is expected to officially announce his candidacy in the coming days. 

Tobin said part of his decision was related to the recent Supreme Court ruling that rejected a legal challenge by statehouse Republics to the current congressional district boundaries.

"When we ran last year the possibility of new congressional lines was quite possible. The AZ Independent Redistricting Commission, could not have been more disrespectful in their deliberation nor more partisan with their majority authority," he said. "I do not live in the district, congressional lines are not being altered and I can't be certain that I will be able to make a move into the district even after the election."

Tobin said he wouldn't rule out running for another political seat in the future.

In terms of CD1, at least three Democrats are either running for the seat in Congress or serious considering becoming candidates. 

Current CD1 Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, a Democrat, announced earlier this year she would challenge Republican John McCain for his senate seat.

Two statehouse Democrats, Barbara McGuire and Catherine Miranda, have announced they've formed exploratory committees in CD1.