Arizona Capitol Times Election Coverage Your Inside Track to Arizona Elections

Andrew Thomas accused Tom Horne of being a con artist in his opening statement, and the debate never got more civil than that. The first televised debate between the two Republican candidates for attorney general was replete with the now-familiar accusations and denunciations that have characterized their campaigns thus far.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission imposed a lifetime trading ban on attorney general candidate Tom Horne in 1973 after finding that his investment company violated numerous federal regulations.

Larry Gist is running unopposed for the Green Party’s nomination in the governor’s race, except possibly by the party itself. When the Arizona Green Party released its list of endorsements for the 2010 election, Gist was one of three Green candidates who failed to make the cut.

Twenty-two Libertarians have qualified for the Aug. 24 primary election ballot, and many are hoping that the anti-incumbent, fiscally conservative sentiment that helped spawn the tea party movement could lead voters to reject the mainstream parties and vote Libertarian instead.

Attorney General Terry Goddard withdrew as the state's attorney in its defense of S1070, saying Gov. Jan Brewer made it clear that she was unwilling to work with him for the benefit of the state.

A judge scratched legislative candidate Augustus Shaw's name from the ballot, ruling that he is not qualified to run for a District 17 House seat because he is not actually a resident of the district.

Attorney General Terry Goddard announced that campaign manager Rodd McLeod is leaving his gubernatorial campaign.

She may not have done it in the most grammatically correct way, but Capitol observers are calling the first debate between Republican gubernatorial hopefuls a win for incumbent Jan Brewer.

State Treasurer Dean Martin submitted his $5 qualifying contributions for Clean Elections funding, filling his near-empty war chest and easing criticism over his campaign’s slow start.

With Gov. Jan Brewer leading in the polls, Dean Martin and Buz Mills sought to turn her self-proclaimed strengths into her greatest weaknesses. Brewer, in turn, questioned Martin's record and Mills' plans for the state, while all feuded with Matthew Jette, whose positions seemed more fitting for a Democratic debate than a contest between GOP hopefuls.