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Former County Attorney Andrew Thomas testifies during the State Bar of Arizona's disciplinary hearings against him, and two of his assistants Lisa Aubuchon and Rachel Alexander at the Arizona Supreme Court in Phoenix Oct. 26, 2011. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Jack Kurtz)
Former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas announced in an email today that he will file paperwork to launch a 2014 gubernatorial campaign.
The hardline Republican served as the top prosecutor for the state’s most populous county from 2005 to 2010. In 2010 Thomas ran for Attorney General, but lost the Republican primary to Tom Horne.
Thomas, who was disbarred in 2012 when an ethics panel found that he used his office to pursue political enemies with unfounded investigations and criminal charges, said he will hold a media briefing at 3 p.m. tomorrow as he files candidacy paperwork with the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office.
“I am confident public surveys will show upon my filing that I am a leading candidate for governor,” he said in the email.
Returning to issues he focused on during his term as county attorney, Thomas said he will focus his campaign on public safety, border security and fighting corruption.
His entrance into the race further crowds what is expected to be a fierce Republican primary. Three other Republicans, state Senator Al Melvin, former Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman and Secretary of State Ken Bennett, have launched exploratory committees, and several others are expected to jump into the race in coming months.
Thomas could not immediately be reached for comment.
Time for lawmakers to raise the standards for Governor. That a disgraced, disbarred former DA / County Attorney can run for Governor is disgusting and shows how low the standards are. Time for TERM LIMITS for County Attorneys and County Sheriffs. Arizona is a disgraceful mess!
Thomas belongs in prison and we all know it, except for the GOP cronies. He’s a disgrace to the Republican party.
See how Texas handles what Arizona chooses to ignore. Thomas bragged about his over 200,000 FELONY CASES (one term in office). Where is the audit we’ve been asking the legislators for?
Thousands of people have been have been falsely accused, wrongfully convicted, over-charged, over-sentenced, as the DA’s/prosecutors use Arizona’s draconian mandatory minimum sentencing scheme as a weapon for “easy” convictions / plea bargains. There is no appeals process in Arizona since cases are rubber-stamped “denied” (not even read) as they are stalled in the Arizona courts. State prosecutors, private prison profiteers, and elected law enforcement officials fight to keep the lid on Arizona’s Pandora’s Box. Truly shameful. Let the Texas case be a warning as Arizona self-destructs itself so a handful can become obscenely “rich” and move-on toward their lucrative pensions. To hell with the people who are the pawns in the sick game they play on the people.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/20/us/texas-ex-prosecutor-charged-with-hiding-evidence.html?_r=0
Texas: Ex-Prosecutor Charged With Hiding Evidence
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: April 19, 2013
“A former district attorney should face criminal contempt and tampering charges over the prosecution of an innocent man who spent nearly 25 years in prison, a judge ruled on Friday. The former prosecutor, Ken Anderson, was in the courtroom when Judge Louis Sturns issued the ruling and ordered his arrest, and he turned himself in afterward. Judge Sturns found that there was sufficient evidence that Mr. Anderson should be tried on three charges for his handling of the case against the wrongly imprisoned man, Michael Morton: criminal contempt of court, tampering with evidence and tampering with government records. He said Mr. Anderson concealed the availability of exculpatory evidence. ” excerpt.
Let the games begin!
The American Party Of America drafts and supports Andrew Thomas for Arizona governor in 2014. The people of Arizona have been fleeced by their Public Officials to the detriment of the family and the Constitution including Andrew.
We will not stand for the CORRUPTION BY JUDGES AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO
USE THE PUBLIC TO PROFIT. THOMAS HAS NEVER PROFITTED FROM ANY OF HIS
ACTIONS TO BUST CORRUPT JUDGES AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS BUT HAS PAID A
HIGH PRICE TO DO HIS JOB AS AN ATTORNEY AND PROSECUTOR. SO HAVE
OTHERS WHO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT MARICOPA AND PIMA COUNTIES ARE ALL
ABOUT!
He has no chance at winning so why run . Maybe public funding it’s a welfare program for rich guys
you got my vote go getem