Pearce recall shows voters want leaders, not rulers

After the unprecedented recall and defeat of Senate President Russell Pearce, political pundits have had a heyday analyzing the causes of his decisive upset. Immigration policy? Abrasive personality? Campaign blunders? These and many other factors contributed to the Pearce defeat.

But the overriding factor was that voters are fed up with strident, partisan politicians who ignore the will of the majority to advance extreme ideologies that appeal to their narrow political base. Pearce is exhibit A.

Arizonans understand that our problems are complex, and require thoughtful, collaborative responses — not inflammatory bumper sticker slogans. We have seen firsthand that extreme ideologies coupled with hyper partisanship obliterate true leadership and responsible governance.

If there is a lesson to be learned, it is that voters will hold elected officials accountable for failing to listen to the moderate majority of Arizonans. We want elected officials who will listen, lead and govern — not rule.

— Lucia Fakonas Howard is a Phoenix attorney.