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

Most of Gov. Jan Brewer's recent primary endorsements have been for out-of-state candidates, but now Brewer is officially weighing in on some of the state's most contested GOP battles. Several of the candidates Brewer is pushing for in contested primaries are percieved to be the moderates in their races.

Well-known policy advisor Kimberly Yee was appointed Aug. 2 to replace former Rep. Doug Quelland, who was removed from office for violating campaign-finance laws.

Gov. Jan Brewer is considering calling the Legislature into special session to change portions of S1070 that were blocked by a federal judge, but the pressures of the campaign season may put the issue on hold until after the election.

James Molina, whose campaign raised $22,152 and spent $17,106, said he had to quit the race July 27 in order to give his full attention to his construction business, which has undergone a major transition.

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge decided Monday against changing the description of a ballot measure that aims to eliminate a voter-approved program for early childhood development and sweep its money.

A state representative is being sued in small claims court for failing to repay a payday loan.

Sen. Leah Landrum Taylor was the lone Democrat among 44 Arizona legislative candidates to receive the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Business - Arizona.

Sen. Carolyn Allen, a Republican from Scottsdale, will retire from the Arizona Legislature after this year. Her rise and fall within the GOP illustrates either the Legislature’s shift to the right on the political spectrum — or Allen’s gradual move to the center during her 16-year career in the Legislature.

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry on June 22 released its candidate endorsements for the state House and Senate. The business group endorsed 52 candidates - 17 Senate and 35 House candidates - who they said share the Chamber's "pro-business, free-market agenda."

Republicans from Legislative District 10 selected their former district chairwoman and two other long-time precinct committee persons as possible replacements for Rep. Doug Quelland, whose seat was declared vacant after the court upheld his removal from office.