Arizona: Jeff Hatch-miller

Susan Bitter Smith will have a decision within a week to 10 days, said exploratory committee spokesman Brian Hummell.

"It's nice to know people are interested," said Hummell, while explaining that despite an invitation, Smith couldn't attend last night's event. "We can't participate in any policy discussions as an exploratory committee."

Hummell was sure to point out that while a decision is expected by mid-April, there may not be an announcement immediately.

Arizona Corporation Commissioner Jeff Hatch-Miller has dropped out of the primary race for the 5th Congressional District.

As East Valley Tribune's Paul Giblin reports:

"He made the decision after losing two key campaign staff members just as he was preparing to ramp up the campaign. His campaign coordinator died unexpectedly Friday, a day after his speech writer told him she had to cut back her work because of other commitments.

Republican Susan Bitter Smith is close to making a decision on a campaign for U.S. Congress in District 5, she tells PolitickerAZ.com Tuesday.

“We have to make an announcement one way or the other soon,” she said.

Bitter Smith added that she was leaning in the direction of running and that she wanted to use tonight’s primary results to gauge the political terrain.

As far as congressional candidates go, David Schweikert, one of the Republicans running for the District 5 seat currently held by Democrat Harry Mitchell, is something of a rare bird: he enjoys fundraising.

“I love getting on the phone with people,” he says.

His efforts seem to be paying off. Schweikert’s campaign says that it has taken in more than $500,000 and has between $430,000 and $440,000 on hand. 600 individuals have donated and the campaign says that it has attracted a broad base of support.