We noted in The Skinny this week that Pinal Couny Sheriff Paul Babeu was among the rumored candidates in Congressional District 1, where a few Republicans are already building campaigns to challenge Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick.

Babeu took himself out of the running for the seat with an announcement on his Facebook page:

You may have seen this early poll for the 2014 congressional election in AZ CD1, which shows us with a convincing lead if we were to enter this race. (Note: I do not even live in this district). I want to make it clear to everyone that I have made a commitment...a promise to the people of my county to serve as their Sheriff for the next four years. I shall honor my commitment and promise. I feel very grateful and truly privileged to serve as the Sheriff of Pinal County...a position of great trust, where I can most effectively improve public safety and help influence numerous issues with far greater credibility as a law enforcement leader.

Meanwhile, the Weekly had a brief conversation with state Rep. Adam Kwasman, who announced earlier this week that he is among the Republicans who want to challenge Kirkpatrick.

Kwasman said that he wants to run for Congress because "things are not getting better" in the country.

"I really think that both parties have lost focus on the task at hand, and that is job creation and economic growth," Kwasman said.