Recent Articles from Luige del Puerto
Senate candidates in moderate LD8 emphasize stark differences in Florence debate
Democrat Barbara McGuire and Republican Joe Ortiz sharply contrasted their candidacies during a Clean Elections-sponsored debate in Florence on Sept. 12, with Ortiz focusing on the state budget and McGuire hammering away on the need to spend more on education.
Ortiz says he has been open with voters about his arrest record
Republican candidate Joe Ortiz quickly sought to manage the potential damage to his campaign by revelations he was booked twice by police, owning up to his arrest record but also emphasizing he has been open about it.
DCCC spends $500k in TV ad buy against Paton
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee stepped up the attack on Republican Jonathan Paton this week and has so far committed half a million dollars in TV advertising to help former U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick in her bid to win the seat.
Sales tax advocates argue on behalf of students
Now that the lawsuits are settled, the campaign to create a permanent 1-cent sales tax faces its biggest challenge: pitching a tax to the public as the economy recovers from its worst downturn in recent history.
1-cent sales tax supporters pivot to general election
With lawsuits finally behind them, a group that is campaigning to raise the sales tax by a penny after the current one expires has begun framing the issue to voters, who will decide the initiative's fate in November.
‘Top two’ case reaches Supreme Court
The Arizona Supreme Court is likely to make a final ruling this week whether a proposal to overhaul the state’s primary system stays on the November ballot.
Court says “Top Two” should be on November ballot
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled today that an initiative to overhaul the state’s primary system has enough valid signatures to go on the November ballot.
Pearce loss to Worsley in GOP primary disproves theory that recall was a fluke
The result of Russell Pearce’s primary race confirmed what was unimaginable just two years ago — the conservative icon no longer enjoys the support of the party faithful.
Hobbs handily beats Cheuvront
Rep. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat from Phoenix easily fended off a challenge from former Sen. Ken Cheuvront in the central Phoenix Legislative District 24 Senate race.
McLain loses bid to switch chambers to newcomer Kelli Ward
It’s all over for Rep. Nancy McLain. The Bullhead City Republican hoped to switch over to the state Senate but instead landed third in the GOP primary for the Senate... […]
Crandall holds off Fillmore in East Valley race
Rep. John Fillmore, an Apache Junction legislator with Tea Party leanings, has conceded defeat in his race against Sen. Rich Crandall, a low-key but influential member of the “mainstream” wing of the GOP caucus.
The tally has yet to be completed, but Fillmore said he doesn’t think he can catch up.
Lovas, Livingston appear headed to victory in LD22 House
Incumbent House Rep. Phil Lovas of Peoria is well-positioned to retain his northwest Valley legislative seat, the early tally by the Secretary of State showed.