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Tobin struggles in CD1 despite opponents’ gaffes
When Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin entered the race for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, the Republican establishment breathed a collective sigh of relief. They finally had a strong candidate who could take on one of the most vulnerable Democrats in Congress, Ann Kirkpatrick, in November.
Cheap but effective: Attack mailers once again are in season
For a dose of fear and loathing on the campaign trail, check your mailbox.
As early ballots started arriving by mail this week for the primary election, voters’ mailboxes are also filling up with another kind of election material — political attack ads.
Republican fundraising in CD1 can’t keep up with Kirkpatrick’s
Democratic U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick’s fundraising for the past three months dwarfed that of the three Republicans vying for the chance to run against her in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District.
Will avoiding tough questions pay off for congressional candidates?
Two congressional candidates seen as frontrunners to snag the Republican nomination in districts with vulnerable Democratic incumbents are being criticized for giving the media and constituents the silent treatment.
CD1 Republicans all claim mantle of ‘most conservative’
The three Republican candidates for Congress from District 1 each insisted Monday night he is more conservative than the other – and the only one who can oust Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick.
Session Wrap 2014: UpClose with House Speaker Andy Tobin
For the first time since we began doing them, a leader has refused to sit down for a Session Wrap Q&A interview. Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin's office refused multiple requests to sit down for an interview, and the only explanation given was that he “wanted more control” over what would be printed. As a result, we were unable to ask Tobin about his experiences this year — or get his thou[...]
Child welfare session gets off to a slow start before bills introduced
Arizona lawmakers opened a special session to overhaul the state’s child welfare system with a sputter, beginning the session without having finished preparing the bills needed to create a new Department of Child Safety.
Ableser attributes low attendance to family responsibilities
Democratic Sen. Ed Ableser of Tempe regained his title of most absentee lawmaker this year, showing up for only 62 percent of Senate floor sessions, though he voted on 70 percent of all the bills put before the chamber.
SB1062 drew attention to Arizona and set the tone for the 2014 session
SB1062 forced the Arizona business community to push back against Republicans in the Legislature and take a more active role in opposing legislation many viewed as bad for business and Arizona’s image. And while maintaining the bill was mischaracterized following the outcry over the intent, some Republican leaders were wary to take on other headline-grabbing controversial measures this year.
How the 2014 session unfolded
Week of January 6-10 Known as “hell week” around the Capitol, the week before the legislative session was when lawmakers were focused on raising campaign contributions and held at least […]
Lawmakers say the darndest things
Arizona lawmakers finished one of the fastest sessions in recent memory this April, but still found time for behavior that amazes, amuses and sometimes embarrasses the state’s legislative body.
Legislature should forget ideological battles and focus on making Arizona more attractive
Another legislative session is completed. The Republican majority has again failed to work with Democrats for the common good in Arizona. Many of us hoped the bipartisan efforts in 2013 would lead to an increased focus on substantive issues like fixing CPS, restoring the massive cuts to education or passing meaningful ethics reform. Instead, Republicans have concentrated on a strategy of appealing[...]
