Arizona Capitol Times Your Inside Source for Arizona Government, Politics and Business

Gov. Jan Brewer and legislative leaders are asking the Arizona Supreme Court to clarify its ruling that overturned the ouster of Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission Chairwoman Colleen Mathis and to prevent her from re-taking her seat on the once-in-a-decade remapping panel.

Senate Minority Leader David Schapira today announced he is exploring a run for Congress. In doing so, the 31-year-old Democrat can begin raising money and gauging his level of support in what is expected to be a Democratic-leaning district that includes his hometown of Tempe.

Republican Jerry Lewis, who defeated Senate President Russell Pearce in a recall election, will likely run for a full term in the Senate next year, his campaign manager told the Arizona Capitol Times.

Senate President Russell Pearce has been ousted, but his allies in the Legislature aren’t about to let his defeat deter them from pushing anti-illegal immigration measures that the outgoing senator would undoubtedly like to see become law.

Even after the last ballot has been counted, the Legislature may still be getting one more request from outgoing Sen. Russell Pearce: a check for campaign expenses.

A little-known provision in the state Constitution says that an elected official subject to a recall may be reimbursed for “reasonable special election campaign expenses.”

Businessman and broadcaster Dave Sitton is eying a congressional seat, but the Tucson Republican has a few questions that need to be cleared up before he takes the plunge.

Republicans today selected Sen. Steve Pierce as their new leader, a move that quickly filled the vacuum that resulted from the toppling of Senate President Russell Pearce two days ago.

With Senate President Russell Pearce toppled, Republicans in his chamber are pushing to meet this week to elect a new leader.

That meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, multiple sources told the Arizona Capitol Times.

Most of the taco buffet was gone when Randy Parraz finally arrived at the Citizens for a Better Arizona party at 8:11 p.m., but he came with news that brought a cheer from the 100 or so guests.

“It’s 53 to 45, we’re up by 1,000,” Parraz announced as he reached out a hand to Sen. Steve Gallardo and embraced him.

On top of the world a year ago when his landmark immigration bill became law, Senate President Russell Pearce saw his political career turn to dust tonight when he lost his legislative seat to a political neophyte, despite significantly outspending his opponent.