Rep. John Fillmore, an Apache Junction legislator with Tea Party leanings, has conceded defeat in his race against Sen. Rich Crandall, a low-key but influential member of the “mainstream” wing of the GOP caucus.

The tally has yet to be completed, but Fillmore said he doesn’t think he can catch up.

Former Apache Junction Mayor Doug Coleman and Tea Party candidate Kelly Townsend of Mesa took the lead in a four-way House Republican primary Tuesday in House Legislative District 16.

State Sen. Rich Crandall, R-Mesa, who faces Rep. John Fillmore in the Republican primary in District 16, has snagged the endorsement of Gov. Jan Brewer.

Redistricting has forced some big names in Arizona legislative politics into contested races in the Aug. 28 primary election.

Rep. John Fillmore, a Republican who is facing Sen. Rich Crandall in a GOP Senate primary in District 16, accused an independent campaign committee of violating campaign notification laws.

The committee whose goal is to extend Republicans’ dominance at the state Legislature has so far spent nearly $30,000 on the primary contest between Sen. Rich Crandall, R-Mesa, and Rep. John Fillmore, R-Apache Junction.

The Republican teapot is boiling.



Several members of the GOP caucus in the Senate delivered this week a letter to Senate President Steve Pierce, expressing their dismay that the money he has raised is being used to defeat a party-mate and fearing “long-term fissures.”

An independent expenditure group with ties to Senate President Steve Pierce has decided not only to support Sen. Rich Crandall, but to spend money on a mailer that sharply criticizes Rep. John Fillmore.

A committee whose goal is to return a robust GOP majority to the state Senate has taken sides in a Republican primary, spending money to help Sen. Rich Crandall, R-Mesa, beat Rep. John Fillmore, R-Apache Junction.


The Republican Victory Fund recently sent out a mailer touting Crandall’s record, including his vote to pass SB1070.



As expected, Fillmore is dismayed by the committee’s action.

A Republican representative says she believes a senator who accused her of harassing his teenage daughter and threatened to kill her bills is truly remorseful.