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Pullen Announces 16 State House Endorsements

January 16, 2009 By 28 Comments

For Immediate Release: January 16, 2009
Contact: Randy Pullen

Pullen Announces 16 State House Endorsements

Phoenix, AZ-Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen today announced the endorsement for re-election as Chairman from 16 members of the Arizona House of Representatives. Included in the endorsements announced today were State Representatives:

  • Hon. Frank Antenori (LD-30)
  • Hon. Cecil Ash (LD-18)
  • Hon. Andy Biggs (LD-22)
  • Hon. Tom Boone (LD-4)
  • Hon. Judy Burges (LD-4)
  • Hon. Steve Court (LD-18)
  • Hon. Sam Crump (LD-6)
  • Hon. Doris Goodale (LD-3)
  • Hon. David Gowan (LD-30)
  • Hon. Nancy McLain (LD-3)
  • Hon. Steve Montenegro (LD-12)
  • Hon. Frank Pratt (LD-23)
  • Hon. Doug Quelland (LD-10)
  • Hon. Carl Seel (LD-6)
  • Hon. David Stevens (LD-25)
  • Hon. Jerry Weiers (LD-12)

“Randy Pullen lived up to his promises and made it the priority of the Arizona Republican Party to elect strong Republicans to state offices,” said Rep. Frank Pratt (LD-23). “As legislators, it is important to have our state party dedicated to working for Arizona Republicans.”

“Republicans in Arizona bucked the national trend and gained seats in both houses of the state legislature thanks to the hard work and dedication of Randy Pullen and his team,” said Rep. Judy Burges (LD-4). “I’m excited to help Randy continue building the Republican Party and winning races over the next two years.”

“Randy Pullen brings integrity, principles and commitment to our candidates to the office of chairman and I enthusiastically endorse him for a second term,” said Rep. Steve Montenegro (LD-12). “We have larger majorities in both the State House and State Senate, thanks in large part to the brains and the brawn that Randy Pullen and his team brought to our campaigns.”

Pullen said he was humbled by the support he was receiving from state legislators and from Republicans across Arizona.

“I look at the next two years as an opportunity to build on the successes we achieved in 2008,” said Pullen. “There are those who seem to spend all their time looking for things our party or our candidates might have done wrong, but I believe there are far more things we did right. As Chairman, I want to make people proud to be Republicans again. I want to make Arizonans proud and excited to join the Arizona Republican Party.”

Since first taking office in 2007, Chairman Pullen and the Arizona Republican Party have:

  • Successfully expanded Republican majorities in both the State House and State Senate;
  • Successfully elected new Republicans to county and local offices across the state;
  • Successfully increased the number of elected Precinct Committeemen by more than 300 Republicans statewide to record levels;
  • Successfully added more than 5,000 net new donors to the Arizona Republican Party’s donor file, an increase of more than 26-percent;
  • Successfully helped pass a stronger and more conservative national Republican Party Platform;
  • Successfully made it the official policy of the Republican National Committee to instruct Congress that first and foremost, America’s borders must be secured; and,
  • Successfully made it the policy of the Republican National Committee to encourage state governments to stop investing in companies based in nations that sponsor terror.

“I’m proud of our accomplishments these past two years, but I’m even more excited about the opportunities of the next two,” Pullen said. “It’s a great time to be an Arizona Republican.”

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Political Parties, Press Release

Brewer Names Directors of Communications, Legislative Affairs

January 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment

For Immediate Release: January 16, 2009
Contact: Paul Senseman

Incoming Governor Jan Brewer Announces Communications, Legislative Directors

PHOENIX – Secretary of State Jan Brewer today announced two more additions to her senior staff in preparation for her new role as Governor of the State of Arizona. Paul Senseman will join her administration as Director of Communications and Scott A. Smith as Director of Legislative Affairs.

“Mr. Senseman and Mr. Smith bring a wealth of experience, knowledge and energy to the Governor’s Office. They both possess keen insight and familiarity of state government which will be invaluable during these challenging times,” stated Brewer. “They are consummate professionals in their fields and are welcome additions to my senior staff team.”

Paul Senseman will serve as chief spokesperson for incoming Governor Brewer and will guide all strategic communications operations for the Governor’s Office.

For the past five years, Mr. Senseman has been a public affairs consultant with the Phoenix public affairs firm, Policy Development Group. He has a broad background in public policy and communications at the State Capitol. He has served on the senior leadership staff of three Arizona House Speakers, most recently to the late‐House Speaker Jake Flake. He has been a strategist and advisor to numerous legislators, including positions as Director of Communications and Chief of Staff to the House Republican Majority. Prior to working at the State House, Mr. Senseman served on the Arizona staff of United States Senator John McCain.

Mr. Senseman received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Arizona State University West and is a former member of the Board of Directors of the ASU Alumni Association. He currently serves as a board member for the Dean’s Advisory Board of ASU’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. Paul has served as Honorary Commander of the 309th Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Phoenix Gospel Rescue Mission. He is a 4th generation Arizonan and native of Peoria, Arizona, where he resides with his wife Kathy, and their two daughters.

As Director of Legislative Affairs, Scott A. Smith will manage all legislative relations for incoming Governor Brewer.

Most recently, Mr. Smith has served as the Deputy Director of Operations for the Arizona Department of Administration with responsibility for numerous ADOA divisions including: the Arizona Capitol Police Department, the General Service Division, the Information Services Division, the Management Services Division, and the Telecommunications Program Office. He is a dedicated and conscientious public servant, with nearly 20‐years of state government experience in both management and legislative capacities.

Mr. Smith also served as the Director of State Relations for Arizona State University. He has served as the legislative liaison for the Arizona Department of Corrections and twice as the legislative liaison for the Arizona Department of Administration. Mr. Smith was also the Privatization Bureau Administrator for the Arizona Department of Corrections. He began his career in state service with the Arizona House of Representatives.

Mr. Smith earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Arizona State University. He and his wife, Andrea, have been married for nine years and live in Scottsdale with their two daughters. Mr. Smith coaches his daughter’s softball team and serves on the board of his homeowners’ association. He is also a Sun Devil Club member and lifetime member of the ASU Alumni Association.

Filed Under: Press Release, State Government

ADM Drives Education Budget in AZ

January 16, 2009 By 1 Comment

- Gayle Plato-Besley

Do you have an elementary-aged child getting ready to celebrate the 100th day of school soon?  It’s coming you know, and never in the history of Arizona has it been more important.  For those that attended school in Arizona over twenty years ago, you might not remember the hoopla about DAY 100. Years ago, it was just another day: no parade or party full of spectacle.

Yet DAY 100  is all in the news  for it is the ADM drop off point: Average Daily Membership (ADM), or the driving data used to determine your child’s fate in regards to funds, makes everybody stand up and take notice.  Average Daily Membership determines money per student sent out to the schools. 

ADM is calculated based on the 100 day attendence record, averaging out the number of kids per class, grade, school and district.  This is the KEY to determining how much money goes out, and how much per student may get cut.  It is why we celebrate perfect attendance in schools; it is why I was up too late with my Kindergartener pasting 100 things and coloring by tens.  It was a good lesson for him, but then it’s a vital lesson for us all.

Arizona State Legislators are gearing up for a fun game of pass the buck.  Each passes off budgetary woes, and blames the incoming Republicans for what’s gonna hit the fan.  As the Arizona Republic deftly put out there today, (http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/01/16/20090116capitol-budget0116.html), the Republicans are out to get you parents, and cut all of the programs you like.  It’s their fault.  Sounds like high school girls whining when Dad takes away the cell phone after a huge bill comes in. Look for more woe in your district,  and definition of the budget as schools start to tabulate their piece of the shrinking pie. 

Filed Under: Education, State Budget, State Economy, State Government, Taxation Tagged With:

2009 Calendar of Events

January 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Sonoran Alliance now has a calendar page for conservative events. If you would like your organization’s event posted, please email Sonoran Alliance with details, flyers, etc.

Filed Under: Special Event

2010 Races Begin To Take Shape

January 16, 2009 By 1 Comment

It may be hard to believe, but candidates are already trying to get a jump on their competition.

In LD7, State Representative Nancy Barto has filed for the seat that State Senator Jim Waring will be vacating due to term limits.  In so doing, Barto appears to be trying to block out State Representative Ray Barnes, who is facing term limits himself.

In LD9, State Rep Rick Murphy has filed an exploratory committee for Senate President Bob Burns’ seat.

In LD14, State Rep Robert Meza is exploring a run for the Senate.

In LD15, Democrats are lining up, double time, as both Katie Hobbs and Luis Garcia have already filed to run for the House seat, while Kyrsten Sinema is exploring a run for the Senate seat that Ken Chevront will be vacating due to term limits.

In LD16, Democrat Jimmie Munoz is going to give it another try for the State House seat.

In LD20, Republican Christopher Tolino has filed to run for the State House seat that Democrat Rae Waters captured in November.  At present, Tolino is an unknown, although we’ll be trying to learn more.

In LD27, Democrat Bob Gilby has filed for the House.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections

Face it…We Need A New Strategy

January 16, 2009 By 25 Comments

The Arizona Republican Party is in need of a makeover…

Some might even say an extreme makeover.  I would like to think that with a new focus on building our Party and working against the Democrats rather than fighting amongst ourselves, we can be not only prepared in numbers for 2010 and beyond, but we can be significant on many fronts.

Lisa James is a proven leader.

Lisa is well-respected across the state for her hard work on the Bush campaigns and within the Party for her experience, skills and knowledge to ramp up registration, increase the donor base, and bring home the vote without compromising the Party Platform.  Lisa has a track record of leadership on the national, state and local levels as well as where it counts most…at home.

Lisa is innovative and involved.

Lisa has worked hard to recruit new faces to the Party and bring the thrill and excitement of being involved in Republican values  to life.  Through the Dodie Londen Excellence in Public Service Series, women of all ages are educated and trained to take on leadership roles in Arizona. Lisa helped developed the concept and sits on the Dodie Londen Board in order to “increase the number and influence of Arizona’s Republican women in government and politics.”  Lisa has also worked hard helping strong conservative Republicans run in national, state and local elections, both as a volunteer and professional consultant.

Lisa has the know-how and savvy to win in 2010 and beyond.

Personality and grass roots support are very important. However, the bottom line is registration and money. We may have won seats in the state legislature in 2008. But, the reality is we lost in fundraising and we continue to lose in the registration battle. The re-districting lines are what saved our majority this year in the legislature, not registration or funding.  Lisa will be able to use her professional campaign and political experience to prepare us for victory. Her willingness to give her strengths and talents to the Party as a volunteer Chairman should not go unnoticed. Although she has volunteered for plenty of grassroots activities and campaigns, having someone of her professional caliber is certainly a huge bonus.

Lisa has the facts.

If we do not start immediately giving citizens a reason to come back to the Party, we will be in the minority in four more years. 80% of those who registered in the past two years registered Democrat or Independent. That has to change. Lisa has the foresight to appeal to new voters and displaced voters without ignoring our principles.  We have much work to do between now and the 2010 election. There is no reason Bob Stump, Kris Mayes and Gary Pierce should have to work with Sandra “I am liberal and proud of it” Kennedy and Paul “County Car Toting” Newman.  Lack of funding killed our team. Just ask Marion McClure and Barry Wong what went wrong.

We need Lisa.

Kim Owens has a nice way of describing why, at this particular time, the Party needs Lisa, “Lisa James has the knowledge and skill to keep our party relevant and successful while staying true to conservative principles. She understands the changing landscape of Arizona and American politics and can navigate them well without sacrifice to the Republican platform.”

Most of us understand the Republican Party is in trouble. Let’s put a new face on and do something about it before it is too late. 

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Human Condition, Political Parties Tagged With: