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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.

Except for his concession speech, it’s all over for Russell Pearce.

Outraised and outspent, the man who helped elevate Arizona onto the national stage in the illegal immigration debate, failed on Tuesday to persuade his party-mates to send him back to the state Legislature.

It was the former Senate president’s second loss since November – when he was ousted from office in a recall election – against an opponent who holds moderate views on immigration enforcement.

Businessman Bob Worsley dug deep into his own pocket, loaning his campaign $140,000 in his race to defeat former senator Russell Pearce.

U.S Rep. Jeff Flake has thrown his weight behind businessman Bob Worsley, who is seeking to prevent former senator Russell Pearce from returning to the Legislature.

A group whose parent organization spearheaded the ouster of Russell Pearce from the Capitol last year has spent roughly $22,000 so far to help ensure he doesn’t return to the Legislature.

Redistricting has forced some big names in Arizona legislative politics into contested races in the Aug. 28 primary election.

Last year a spokesman for the Arizona Latino Republican Association recorded a robo call implying Mesa residents could vote for a woman accused of being a sham candidate in the recall election of state Sen. Russell Pearce.

Earlier the association’s vice president, collected signatures for the woman, Olivia Cortes, who dropped out of the race after a judge found she had been recruited to draw votes away from Pearce’s opponent.

Now, the association is playing a key role on behalf of Pearce in his primary campaign against Republican Bob Worsley.

Russell Pearce’s campaign is painting businessman Bob Worsley, his primary foe, as a liberal who donated to a prominent Democratic politician.

A year ago, Gov. Jan Brewer was the most high-profile defender of Russell Pearce during his recall.

But today, as Pearce faces a tough GOP primary battle, the governor appears to be backing away from the ousted Senate president, and said she has no plans to endorse him.

A Latino organization that is backing former senator Russell Pearce is giving businessman Bob Worsley an earful for allegedly mischaracterizing the group in a radio interview.