Polak ends CD3 write-in run after 'minor heart attack'
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Polak's Facebook page
Republican Mike Polak pulled out of the primary race in CD3 on Friday, telling supporters that he had a "minor heart attack" the day before. Polak, who's come up short in City Council and Sunnyside Governing Board races, signaled that he's not yet done with politics.
It was a proud day for me when I announced that I was running for Congress in CD3. Unfortunately I will need to withdraw from the race," he wrote on Facebook. "On Thursday morning I had a minor heart attack. With that said I believe in taking care of my family and my health first. I wanted to thank everyone who supported my campaign. Remember there is 2016."
Polak announced a write-in challenge to Gabriela Saucedo Mercer for the Republican nomination after Mercer was the only GOP candidate to file nominating petitions to face incumbent Democrat Raul Grijalva to represent the Southern Arizona district.
Polak's exit from the race means Mercer will again be on the November ballot with Grijalva. Mercer, who earlier this year filed campaign finance reports showing she had spent more money on her 2014 campaign than the minimal funds she had raised, lost to the Democrat in a landslide in 2012.
Polak said via email that the heart attack "was minor" and "probably stress with everything going on."
"I went to the Kino ER at 00:30 Thursday morning. They treated me and I was released at around 8 am. I need to go in for a stress test this week and follow up with the cardiologist," he wrote. "I am feeling a lot better."
Polak had recovered enough Friday night to celebrate his wedding anniversary with his wife Nerisa.
"I will be back for a 2016 run," he wrote, saying that he wasn't sure if he'd run for Congress or another office, but that "running for Congress makes more sense to me."
Prior to tossing his hat into the congressional primary, Polak was a unsuccessful challenger in the recent Sunnyside Governing Board recall election. He ran for City Council last year, losing to incumbent Democrat Richard Fimbres.
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cd3, city council, congress, election, gabriela saucedo mercer, mike polak, raul grijalva, republicans, susdMore by Dylan Smith
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