I think Democrats have a big advantage. They are already revving up their engines and have a deep bench in the district.
Wide, not deep.
Democrats have a very varied electorate in that district, and find it hard to find a candidate that appeals to all of it.
2002 Democratic Primary, CD01
Apache County (20% of votes): Watchman 36, Cordova 29, Udall 20, Prescott 6, Martinez 4, Duval 3, Hartstone 1
Coconino (17% of votes): Duval 27, Prescott 16, Watchman 16, Cordova 14, Udall 12, Martinez 11, Hartstone 3
Gila (9% of votes): Cordova 27, Udall 24, Prescott 19, Duval 18, Martinez 8, Watchman 2, Hartstone 1
Graham (5% of votes): Udall 32, Prescott 23, Cordova 17, Martinez 14, Duval 11, Watchman 4, Hartstone 1
Greenlee (2% of votes): Udall 27, Cordova 20, Martinez and Prescott 19, Duval 12, Hartstone 1, Watchman 1
Navajo (14% of votes): Cordova 22, Watchman 20, Udall 19, Martinez 15, Prescott 13, Duvall 10, Hartstone 2
Pinal (14% of votes): Cordova 36, Duval 21, Udall 21, Martinez 11, Prescott 9, Hartstone 2, Watchman 1
Yavapai (19% of votes): Prescott 41, Duval 23, Udall 20, Cordova 8, Martinez 5, Watchman 2, Hartstone 1
Total: Cordova 22, Udall 20, Prescott 18, Duval 16, Watchman 14, Martinez 9, Hartstone 2
So yes.. this is pretty diverse.