Recall group shells out $6,500 to support Lewis

The group that spearheaded the recall drive against Senate President Russell Pearce spent $6,500 to help Jerry Lewis, according to the latest campaign finance reports.

As an independent expenditure group, Citizens for a Better Arizona spent the money reaching out to voters about the recall election.

Aubuchon defends investigations into Maricopa judge, officials

Former Deputy County Attorney Lisa Aubuchon never wavered during testimony today from her belief that filing criminal charges and a racketeering suit against County Supervisors and judges feuding with Andrew Thomas was legally justified.

Seel suggests mapping firm retaliated for his bills

Rep. Carl Seel suggested that the Independent Redistricting Commission’s mapping consultants may have put him in a less Republican district in retaliation for his legislative record.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting of the Joint Legislative Committee on Redistricting, Seel, R-Phoenix, questioned why Strategic Telemetry – which has ties to Democratic candidates and causes, including Pres[...]

Redistricting committee may not make concrete recommendations to IRC

A joint committee created to craft the Legislature’s recommendations to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission spent more than four hours on Monday listening to an airing of every grievance conservatives have with the redistricting process.

And in the end, it may not actually make any recommendations at all.

Bill would allow judges to make losers pay more often

A Tucson Republican is again planning to introduce a bill next session that would enable judges to more often award attorneys’ fees to the victorious party in lawsuits.

Message to lawmakers – education system is economic engine

Call it a sign of the times. It used to be that education advocates could play up the morality angle — that education needed strong financial support because, well, it was the right thing to do. But now, they are taking a new, pragmatic approach.

ACA to award deal-closing cash for Tempe company’s expansion

After being in place for four months, the Arizona Commerce Authority Oct. 24 announced its first award from its $25 million deal-closing fund.

Lewis gets Mesa councilwoman’s endorsement

Mesa City Councilwoman Dina Higgins today endorsed Jerry Lewis, who is seeking to unseat Senate President Russell Pearce in the Nov. 8 recall.

The development is notable because Higgins’ endorsement means that two Mesa council members have officially declared their support for Lewis, and a third has donated to Lewis’ campaign.

Babeu announces congressional exploratory committee

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

How Pearce and the Mormon church see immigration depends on point of view

Senate President Russell Pearce’s recent remarks that he has his church’s consent — or at least some sort of passive approval — to continue pushing for enforcement-only immigration laws has left some fellow Mormons astounded by the suggestion he is in perfect harmony with it.

9th District Democrats

There are already a handful of Democrats eying the 9th Congressional District. Several Republican names are in the rumor mill as well, but no one yet is sure whether U.S. Rep. Ben Quayle will run in the district.

Dems’ prized piece

New 9th Congressional District offers unprecedented opportunity