State Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick has become the latest Grand Canyon State Democrat who hopes to capitalize on Republican Rep. Rick Renzi’s woes, announcing this week that she is running for Congress in the 1st district.

Because of Arizona’s resign-to-run law, Kirkpatrick resigned her position as state Representative on Tuesday, the same day she announced for Congress.

“Corruption and dishonesty have plagued this district and have undermined our confidence in our federal government. The people of rural Arizona deserve to have a leader in Washington that they can trust,” Kirkpatrick said in a statement.

Renzi, the subject of two Justice Department investigations, has seen his political viability hobbled in recent months, especially following an FBI raid of an Arizona business that is connected to his family. He has remained mum on his political future since the FBI raid.

Renzi raised just $41,664 in the second quarter, closing the period with a paltry $20,400 in cash on hand — and both Republicans and Democrats are eying his rural Arizona seat. Though no Republican has announced for the seat as of yet, several are known to be considering a run, even if Renzi decides to run for re-election.

Among Democratic primary candidates who already have announced, Kirkpatrick joins former television reporter Mary Kim Titla and attorney Howard Shanker.

— David M. Drucker