Mary Kim Titla, a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, is battling a crowd of rivals for Arizona's 1st Congressional district.

Titla is one of four Democrats seeking the party's nomination for the open seat. Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Arizona), who has been indicted on federal charges, is not seeking re-election.

Titla, a former television newscaster who founded Native Youth Magazine, is facing tough odds because national Democrats are backing former state Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick. She said voters in the district are essentially being told who to choose.

"It is disappointing," Titla told the Associated Press of the endorsement of her rival.

Titla trails in funds to Kirkpatrick, who has raised more than $1 million. Howard Shanker, an attorney who is representing the Navajo Nation in a sacred site case, is also trailing Kirkpatrick in funds.

The district includes parts of the Navajo Nation and two Apache reservations

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