I’m going to go out on a limb here, but I do not think Democrat Rob Barber is unbeatable in the CD8 special election to select a replacement for Gabrielle Giffords.

It may have passionate allies at the state Capitol, but the Goldwater Institute is so far failing to advance the centerpiece of its anti-union agenda: ending public employees’ ability to negotiate over salary and benefits.

As if there just hasn’t been enough scandal at the Arizona Legislature this year, political observers will get a fresh look this week at two salacious stories that will begin to further unfold.

Legislative leaders and Gov. Jan Brewer are hoping to jumpstart budget negotiations and thaw the relationship between them that saw the governor last month direct her staff not to meet with House and Senate staff.

Despite her willingness to confront the president of the United States on a tarmac in front of the nation, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer doesn’t have it in her to confront Congress on SB1070, the issue that made her a national Republican hero and propelled her to a full term in office.

The report published by Phoenix New Times detailing threats supposedly made by Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu to an ex-boyfriend should prompt some reflection on an important question: When does the private become a public matter, and was the New Times justified in also revealing personal details about Babeu’s love life?

This week, the Senate is likely to vote on a slew of proposals that would fundamentally weaken public employee unions in Arizona. The proposals have quickly advanced since their introduction about two weeks ago and there are indications they will be brought to the Senate floor for a debate soon.

The turmoil over the slew of measures introduced last week to dismantle public-sector unions in Arizona was fierce, but it was also limited to the legislative committee that heard the bills.

The old switcheroo.



Just when it seemed like the once-a-decade redistricting process was headed toward its conclusion, a truism in Arizona politics was reaffirmed Friday: Expect the unexpected.

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords on Sunday put what was perhaps the largest looming question in Arizona politics to rest with her announcement that she will resign from office in order to continue her recovery from an injury severe enough to make her survival alone seem like a miracle.