Recent Articles from Hank Stephenson
The return of SB1062? Gay marriage ruling likely to renew push for ‘religious liberty’ protections
With marriage licenses being issued to gay couples across the state, Republican lawmakers are already talking about ways to protect religious organizations and businesses from being forced to participate in gay marriages. And SB1062 is back on the forefront of some minds.
Lawmakers eyeing e-cigarette taxation in light of looming budget deficit
The devastating recent state budget projections have some lawmakers eyeing additional taxes on e-cigarettes as a new source of revenue that could help bridge the $1 billion projected deficit by next year.
Surgeon who helped save Giffords’ life challenges Republican Orr in Tucson’s LD9
In their quest to oust Republican Rep. Ethan Orr from one of the two House seats in the Democratic-leaning Legislative District 9, Tucson Democrats found their dream candidate in Randall Friese, a man with a bio that’s hard to criticize.
GOP lawmaker plans to introduce bill legalizing marijuana
With a ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana looming over the 2016 election, Republican Rep. Ethan Orr of Tucson wants the Legislature to beat voters to the punch and legalize it.
Lively District 9 debate raises question: Who would best serve Tucson?
The three candidates running for two House seats in Tucson’s Legislative District 9 clashed over education, abortion and guns Monday in the first debate that put both Democrats and the Republican in the same room.
Dems see stars aligning in LD18 House race
Despite suffering a crushing blow in the 2012 election, Democrats in Phoenix’s Legislative District 18 say this year the stars are aligning in their attempt to capture an open seat in House being vacated by a Republican.
Kirkpatrick’s boots become a metaphor for the fight in CD1
The air war in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District has officially begun, with both candidates airing their own introductory TV ads, and their respective party’s independent expenditure groups taking on the role of attack dogs in a string of commercials blaring from TVs across the sprawling district.
Kirkpatrick, Tobin spar over spending and Obamacare
Democratic US Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick and Republican challenger Andy Tobin attempted to distance themselves from their respective political parties and past unpopular legislative decisions in the first debate of their contest to represent Arizona’s 1st Congressional District.
GOP leader says McCain trying to ‘ethnically cleanse’ the party
Maricopa County Republican Party Chairman A.J. LaFaro says U.S. Sen. John McCain and a political committee backed by moderate Republicans who support him are attempting to “ethnically cleanse” the party of conservative precinct committeemen.
GOP targets Democrat Meyer — again — in moderate LD28
Democratic Rep. Eric Meyer is the Republican Party’s great white whale in the Arizona House of Representatives. For six years, he has eluded a string of Republican candidates and fended off their attacks, beating the odds in three straight elections to win a House seat in the Republican-leaning but defiantly moderate Legislative District 28.
Write-Ins: Some find it easy, others nearly impossible, to qualify for the Nov. ballot
How many votes does it take win an unopposed write-in campaign in the primary election and become a contender on the November ballot?
It all depends on your political party.
Confusing letters flood voters in Pima County
Thousands of Pima County voters opened their mailboxes this election cycle to find a letter stating that records show they are not registered to vote, even when they are.