Pearce’s $230K smashes challengers’ modest fundraising
Senate President Russell Pearce collected an impressive $230,000 in contributions in his fight to keep his legislative seat. His spending alone dwarfed his challenger’s modest fundraising total. Pearce also had... […]
Brewer lofts ‘nuclear’ option, setting off redistricting turmoil
Republicans are nearly unanimous in their belief that something must be done about the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. As legislators prepare for a possible special session, however, they are divided on the next step.
Gov. Jan Brewer invoked the so-called nuclear option on Oct. 27 when she sent a letter to the IRC’s five members demanding explanations for handful of alle[...]
Cortes’ campaign report poses legal questions
Olivia Cortes’ campaign finance report only deepened a mystery about her short-lived campaign in the Mesa recall election as it failed to resolve serious questions about who helped finance her campaign. Cortes raised roughly $900, but her campaign report filed Thursday didn’t say who paid a signature-gathering firm that circulated petitions, which ultimately helped to get her on the ballot.
Thomas found chaos ‘enlightening’ in cases against county officials
The answers provided by former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and his deputy Lisa Aubuchon during three days of testimony this week maintained a consistent theme: It was nothing personal.
Independent lawyer will prosecute Bundgaard’s ethics case
The Senate Ethics Committee decided Oct. 27 to use an independent lawyer to prosecute an ethics complaint against Sen. Scott Bundgaard, but adjourned before voting on whether to use a lower standard of proof.
Independent groups spend $70K in recall election
The recall targeting Senate President Russell Pearce has riveted the state and attracted nationwide interest — and it’s also quickly turning out to be an expensive race.
But it is not breaking any records — at least not yet.
GOP congressmen pushing IRC impeachment
Republican members of Arizona’s congressional delegation have been calling state senators urging a special session to remove at least one member of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.
Bennett warns groups to disclose election spending
Secretary of State Ken Bennett today warned groups that are spending money to influence the Phoenix mayoral race and the Senate recall election they can’t hide behind a U.S. Supreme Court ruling giving corporations and labor unions the same speech rights as individuals.
Judge tosses Clean Elections ballot measure
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge today struck from the 2012 ballot a measure that would have ended Arizona’s system of publicly financed political campaigns.
Thomas says Stapley ‘played fast and loose with the rules’
Former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas called politicians and judges he once prosecuted cowards and “corrupt” during testimony Wednesday in discipline hearings against him.
Tancredo’s widely touted pro-Pearce group raises $424
Despite his national profile as an immigration hawk, former U.S. Congressman Tom Tancredo raised a pretty dismal amount to defend Senate President Russell Pearce in his recall election.
Pearce hits Lewis over immigration stance in TV ad
In his latest TV ad, Senate President Russell Pearce is trying to paint fellow Republican Jerry Lewis, his challenger in a recall election, as soft on illegal immigration.