In 2004, Graf resigned from the state house to run in the Republican primary for the 8th District against 10-term incumbent Jim Kolbe.
He campaigned with a "get tough" message on illegal immigration, a "hot button" issue, especially for residents living along Arizona's border with Mexico, which has become a major crossing point for smuggling.
Representatives Tom Tancredo of Colorado and Steve King of Iowa, who proposed enhanced border security.
Ed Helms asked him about his introduction of a bill in the Arizona legislature that would allow people to bring concealed handguns into bars [1].
Graf faced Democrat Gabby Giffords and Libertarian David Nolan in the November 7, 2006, general election.
[2][3] With Graf sinking in the polls, the NRCC pulled $1 million worth of advertising in the 8th—a step that, by most accounts, effectively handed the seat to Giffords.