John Shadegg

U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix) told PolitickerAZ.com that he currently has no ambition to take either a leadership position in the House Republican Caucus or a run at U.S. Senate in 2010.

"No," was Shadegg's response when asked whether he would seek a leadership role among his party's House members, as he has done, without success, twice before.

When asked why not, Shadegg said, "Been there, done that."

In a year that saw many of his Republican colleagues go down to defeat, U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix) not only survived - he beat his challenger by 12 points.

"I think this was a very, very decisive victory," Shadegg told PolitickerAZ.com. "I credit my win to, number one, the people of Arizona and particularly those in the Third District, who know who John Shadegg is."

Shadegg's double-digit victory - larger than those seen by either of Arizona's Democratic representatives who had serious opposition - came in spite of a number of obstacles.

It was a good night for Arizona's incumbent members of Congress, as all three representatives up for re-election are set to be returned to office in January.

Republican challenger David Schweikert came closest to pulling an upset, but not very close. He trailed U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe) by a little over nine points with 97 percent of returns in.

At 99 percent of precincts reporting, U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix) had a larger margin over his opponent, Democrat Bob Lord, leading 54 to 42 in the 3rd District.

Tim Bee, president of the Arizona State Senate, had the same deficit against U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (R-Tucson) as of midnight, attracting 43 percent to Giffords's 55. However, with only 73 percent of precincts in, it's still possible Bee could pull an upset over the first term 8th District Democrat.

With a little over a third of votes counted, incumbent U.S. Reps. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix) and Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe) lead their challengers by similar margins.

According to the latest numbers from Arizona Secretary of State Jan Brewer's office, Shadegg is topping Democratic opponent Bob Lord by a margin of 54 to 42.

Harry Mitchell has a lead of 53 to 44 over Republican David Schweikert.

At the rally for Sen. John McCain Monday night, where Arizona's senior senator addressed a home town crowd for the final time before the results of Tuesday's election become known, the message was clear: Polls aren't always right, so get out and vote.

Mike Broomhead, the KFYI talk radio host who served as emcee, set the tone early.

"Let us dispel one stupid rumor right away... that this was a toss-up state," said Broomhead, speaking of recent polls showing a very tight race between McCain and Sen. Barack Obama in Arizona. "Ladies and gentlemen, who owns Arizona?" Broomhead asked.

The crowd responded: "John McCain!"

When Sen. John McCain arrived at the Yavapai Courthouse very early Tuesday morning to rally supporters in advance of election day, he was joined by several Senate colleagues there to help the senator from Arizona essentially wrap up his historic presidential bid.

Alongside U.S. Reps. Jeff Flake (R-Mesa), Trent Franks (R-Glendale) and John Shadegg (R-Phoenix), McCain was also joined by U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), and one of his closest friends in the Senate, Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.).

To get the crowd going, country rocker Hank Williams, Jr. played, changing the lyrics of some of his best-known songs to suit the occasion, either by imploring people to vote for John McCain or implicating the Democrats for the economic downturn.

Here are the Election Night happenings for congressional candidates and Sen. John McCain. 

This post will be updated as events are announced.

JOHN MCCAIN:

Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa

2400 E. Missouri Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85016

This is a ticketed event. No one without a ticket will be admitted.

The Pindell Report, Politicker.com's political and campaign forecast, has released its final projections for Election Day. Using polling, historical and demographic trends, tracking campaign visits and spending, The Pindell Report ranks races in terms of their competitiveness and their status as either a toss-up or leaning or likely voting in a particular way.

In Arizona, The Pindell Report's final breakdown is as follows:

U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Phoenix) and U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix) told PolitickerAZ.com Saturday they recognize that Republicans are likely facing a serious deficit in the number of seats they will hold in the 111th Congress, but said the GOP can still have a major hand to play in the agendas of the House and Senate.

While polls nationwide indicate 2008 might be a repeat of the Democratic wave of 2006, or possibly worse for Republicans. Even contemplating that scenario, Kyl and Shadegg saw hopeful signs for their party.

John Shadegg, the senior-most Republican in the Arizona House delegation, sees ways Republicans can be effective if the outlook is as bleak in January as many are saying. Yet he is not willing to accept the premise of a Democratic tsunami on its face.

"I think the turnout models are all wrong," Shadegg asserted, also saying polling numbers aren't always accurate predictors of election results. "Thomas Dewey - remember that?" Shadegg asked, referring to the 1948 Republican presidential nominee whose election was seen as a sure thing, but who lost to Harry Truman nonetheless.

Still, Shadegg said, "It would appear Republicans are going to lose seats."

U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Phoenix) and U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix) told PolitickerAZ.com Saturday they recognize that Republicans are likely facing a serious deficit in the number of seats they will hold in the 111th Congress, but said the GOP can still have a major hand to play in the agendas of the House and Senate.

While polls nationwide indicate 2008 might be a repeat of the Democratic wave of 2006, or possibly worse for Republicans. Even contemplating that scenario, Kyl and Shadegg saw hopeful signs for their party.

John Shadegg, the senior-most Republican in the Arizona House delegation, sees ways Republicans can be effective if the outlook is as bleak in January as many are saying. Yet he is not willing to accept the premise of a Democratic tsunami on its face.

"I think the turnout models are all wrong," Shadegg asserted, also saying polling numbers aren't always accurate predictors of election results. "Thomas Dewey - remember that?" Shadegg asked, referring to the 1948 Republican presidential nominee whose election was seen as a sure thing, but who lost to Harry Truman nonetheless.

Still, Shadegg said, "It would appear Republicans are going to lose seats."