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Recent Articles from Ben Giles
Meyer envisions a split Senate, and Brophy McGee has ‘heck of a fight’
On the campaign trail, Rep. Eric Meyer is not shying away from the potentially historic significance his election to the Senate could have.
Beth Lewallen: Entrepreneurial lobbyist excels at grunt work
After years of research and lobbying at the Capitol, including stints working for the Senate, Maricopa County, the County Supervisors Association and the Arizona Board of Regents, Beth Lewallen branched out in late 2014 to start her own independent consulting firm.
Prop 205 leader asks agency to disseminate pro-pot talking points
If Department of Economic Security Director Tim Jeffries is going to email his agency’s more than 7,000 employees articles about the perils of marijuana, he should also send them emails with a more positive message about the drug, said the campaign fighting to legalize marijuana in Arizona.
Taxes, education dominate battle for open Senate seat in LD18
Democrats’ hopes of gaining seats in the Arizona Senate hinge in part on Legislative District 18, where an open seat has created an unexpected opportunity for the state’s minority party to chip away at the Republican majority.
Petition firm sues minimum wage initiative
The firm that helped collect signatures to get a minimum wage initiative on the November ballot has sued the initiative committee, claiming its owed tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid wages for its efforts.
First Things First officials impress auditors, who conclude agency is well run
The Arizona Auditor General’s Office found a well-run agency that coordinates with other government entities and that’s planning for a future in which tobacco tax revenues, the main source of income that funds the more than $100 million in grants for child development programs issued annually by First Things First, are on the decline.
Democrats optimistic about chance for gains in state Senate
LD18 is one of four races to watch that could shake up the balance of power in the Senate, along with LD8, where Democrats are fighting to keep one of their own in office, as well as LD6 and LD28, where they’re hoping for an upset in traditionally Republican districts.
Petersen defeats Lindblom in key East Valley Senate race
Rep. Warren Petersen has defeated Jimmy Lindblom in a race for the conservative heart of the East Valley.
Borrelli retains Senate seat by defeating Gould in LD5
Rep. Sonny Borrelli defeated Republican Ron Gould in the race for the Legislative District 5 Senate seat.
Quezada defeats Hernandez in Dems’ LD29 Senate race
In a bitter rematch, incumbent Sen. Martin Quezada defeated Lydia Hernandez in the Democratic Legislative District 29 Senate race.
Schmuck uses Army Reserve accusations to defeat incumbent Dial in LD18
Republican Frank Schmuck upset incumbent Sen. Jeff Dial in the Legislative District 18 Senate primary, capitalizing on a campaign mounted almost exclusively on Dial’s questionable status as an Army veteran.
In profane rant, legislator slams voters who back opponent
Some voters who cast ballots for his opponent are “ignorant, c---sucking idiots,” according to Rep. Sonny Borrelli.
