Quotes
“Voters spoke clearly. They want the Legislature to change the way it does business. They gave 45 percent of the House seats to Democrats. To be fair to voters, the speaker should have allowed 45 percent of the representatives who serve on committees to be Democrats.” — House Minority Leader Phil Lopes in a press release regarding the ratio of Democrats to Republicans allowed to served on committees, which was set by House Speaker Jim Weiers at 6-4. During the last two sessions, the ratio was 6-3.
People
Paul K. Charlton,, the U.S. attorney for Arizona since 2001, announced that he will resign at the end of January to take a position with Gallagher and Kennedy P.A. Mr. Charlton, 46, is a career prosecutor who was appointed to the post by President Bush. As U.S. attorney for Arizona, he is credited with establishing a state anti-terrorism task force to secure sites like nuclear power plants and airports and worked to advocate for victims’ rights. Mr. Charlton previously worked as an Arizona assistant attorney general.
And the winner is…
U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl and challenger Jim Pederson together spent $29.9 million on the Senate race, according to Federal Election Commission reports. The total easily set a record for the most expensive political race in state history. Mr. Kyl, the Republican incumbent, collected $14.1 million and spent $15.3 million. Mr. Pederson, the Democratic challenger, collected and spent $14.6 million. Of that, the wealthy real estate developer contributed nearly $10.9 million himself. Mr. Kyl won Nov. 7 with 53.3 percent of the vote.