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.

Arizona's primary election Tuesday features a spirited race for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate and heated contests for several U.S. House seats, with outcomes that will set the roster of candidates for the Nov. 6 general election.

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

Illegal immigration and border security were a combined focus of a televised debate between the two leading Republican candidates for an open U.S. Senate seat from Arizona.

Ray Russell, who provided a serious challenge to John McCain in the future senator’s first political campaign, died Aug. 9 at the age of 80.

An intraparty fight has intensified between Rep. Katie Hobbs and former Sen. Ken Cheuvront, who are dueling for the Democratic nomination to the state Senate in a central Phoenix district.

The committee whose goal is to extend Republicans’ dominance at the state Legislature has so far spent nearly $30,000 on the primary contest between Sen. Rich Crandall, R-Mesa, and Rep. John Fillmore, R-Apache Junction.

The Republican teapot is boiling.

Several members of the GOP caucus in the Senate delivered this week a letter to Senate President Steve Pierce, expressing their dismay that the money he has raised is being used to defeat a party-mate and fearing “long-term fissures.”

An independent expenditure group with ties to Senate President Steve Pierce has decided not only to support Sen. Rich Crandall, but to spend money on a mailer that sharply criticizes Rep. John Fillmore.

A committee whose goal is to return a robust GOP majority to the state Senate has taken sides in a Republican primary, spending money to help Sen. Rich Crandall, R-Mesa, beat Rep. John Fillmore, R-Apache Junction.

The Republican Victory Fund recently sent out a mailer touting Crandall’s record, including his vote to pass SB1070.

As expected, Fillmore is dismayed by the committee’s action.