A former Arizona lawmaker who was forced to resign from office two years ago over campaign finance violations is being investigated in his bid for a state Senate seat.

The complete list of 2012 candidates running for the Arizona Senate, Arizona House of Representatives and Arizona Corporation Commission

Lawmakers from across the state are gearing up to take on incumbents and members of their own party in the August primaries.



What’s more, some incumbents are expected to square-off in the November general election, as well.

The author of a measure that seeks to prohibit people from running for office if they have outstanding elections-related fines will be asking the U.S. Department of Justice for an expedited review of the bill.

The measure, if enacted before the deadline to file candidate paperwork in this year’s elections, would impact former Rep. Doug Quelland, who has refused to pay a $31,000 Clean Elections fine.

Senators Feb. 27 unanimously advanced legislation to prevent candidates from running for office if they owe at least $1,000 in fines.

As approved, the measure prohibits election officers from accepting the nomination of a person who is facing unpaid fines, penalties, late fees or any administrative or civil judgments.

A bill that would prevent candidates from filing to run for office if they owe excessive fines and fees for campaign law violations sailed through a Senate committee, but can’t go into effect in time to stop the one person who fits the description.

If you can’t beat them, pack up and move to a new district.



That’s the lesson that a handful of legislators are taking with them as they prepare to run in the new districts drawn by the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.