‘ResistALEC’ protestors pepper-sprayed, arrested

Police used pepper spray on a crowd of protestors, and arrested six of them, outside a a Scottsdale conference center today that was attended by dozens of lawmakers from around the country.

The roughly 150 demonstrators showed up at the American Legislative Exchange Council summit in Phoenix, to protest what they see as undue corporate influence in government.

Commission returns to work on mapping political districts

The stormy legal battle over the removal – then the reinstatement – of Independent Redistricting Commission Chairwoman Colleen Mathis has dominated the coverage of the group over the past month. But the commission is more than just high drama and analysis of the political fallout.

Poll: Voters sour on Brewer’s handling of IRC

Gov. Jan Brewer’s decision to remove the state’s redistricting chairwoman has left a bad impression on voters, according to a poll released Tuesday.

Brewer’s handling of the situation could have some long-term implications for both the governor and the Republican Party in Arizona, the pollster said.

No recalls yet, but Brewer and Arpaio put on notice by anti-Pearce group

Though the historic effort to recall former Sen. Russell Pearce ended with his ouster, those behind the campaign aren’t going to stop there.

The group that spearheaded the recall election of Pearce will be putting pressure on two other eminent Republican politicians: Gov. Jan Brewer and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Pearce recall group plans future political activism

While the state is still reeling from the historic recall of outgoing Senate President Russell Pearce, the group that launched the recall campaign is already looking toward its next big fight.

19 apply for redistricting chair

The Arizona Supreme Court has released a list of 19 applicants to replace the recently ousted redistricting commission chairwoman, Colleen Mathis.

Grassroots ‘Mormon Fall’ aided Lewis victory

Though Jerry Lewis was cautious about saying exactly how important the Mormon church was to his campaign, the political newcomer’s upset win over Senate President Russell Pearce largely relied on a quiet, grassroots effort among Mesa’s faithful.

As the final results of the Nov. 8 recall election became clear, campaign insiders for Lewis revealed how vital early support was among membe[...]

FAIR Trust registers as lobbyist in redistricting fight

FAIR Trust, the high-powered, highly secretive legal team being used by incumbent Republican politicians to try to guide the redistricting commission’s decisions, is now an official lobbyist.

IRC attorneys: Mathis’ removal an unconstitutional exploitation of power

Attorneys representing the state’s redistricting commission filed suit today with the Arizona Supreme Court, asking the court to overturn the removal of Colleen Mathis as the commission’s chairwoman.

FAIR game? How GOP politicians are trying to secretly influence the IRC

How GOP politicians are trying to secretly influence the IRC

GOP staffer claims IRC gerrymandered maps; Dems promise complaint

A Republican legislative attorney claimed today that the state’s redistricting commission gerrymandered its maps to benefit certain Democratic incumbents and harm GOP politicians.

Democratic leadership from both chambers of the Legislature promised to file a complaint that the testimony to the committee represents a violation of the prohibition against state employees being involved in pa[...]

Babeu announces congressional exploratory committee

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu announced this morning that he is exploring a run for Congress.