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Goldwater Institute Gives Legislature a “C” in Protecting Freedom

November 9, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Phoenix–Today the Goldwater Institute released its seventh annual Legislative Report Card, scoring Arizona lawmakers on 305 votes cast this year. The Report Card measures how well each legislator fulfills his constitutional duty to protect individual rights and adheres to the principles of limited government.

The average House of Representatives score was 50 percent and the average Senate score was 53 percent, indicating a near equal number of votes to uphold liberty as there were to restrict it. The average grade in both chambers this year was a C, a slight improvement over last year, when the average grade was a C-.

The Goldwater Institute’s Legislative Report Card is the most comprehensive analysis of legislative activity issued in the state. This year it scored legislators on 305 votes across four categories: education, constitutional government, regulation, and tax and budget. The primary criterion is whether a vote for or against each bill expands or restricts liberty. Bills that were scored positively include:

–Education bills that give parents more choice, make public schools more accountable and competitive, expand the teaching pool through relaxed certification requirements, and encourage local control of schools;

–Legislation that repeals and restricts government programs that lie outside the government’s constitutional duties, decentralizes authority, or allows people to govern themselves;

–Legislation that removes regulation and fosters a free economy;

–Bills that reduced the tax burden, made government expenditures more transparent, and restrained government spending.

Bills that added to regulation or licensing schemes on private business, increased government spending, created industry-specific tax incentives, or otherwise increased taxes were all scored negatively.

The highest overall scorer in either chamber was Senator Ron Gould (R-3), with 80 percent, an A. The highest scoring representative was Andy Biggs of Gilbert. The highest category score in either chamber went to Rep. Jerry Weiers, with a 96 percent in education. Districts 6 and 22 tied for the highest district average at 69 percent.

You can read the Legislative Report Card here. Visitors to the website can look up lawmakers’ scores by last name, district or zip code. While these scores illustrate legislators’ relative commitment to liberty, they are not absolute measures of a legislator’s merit and do not constitute any endorsement.

The Goldwater Institute is an independent government watchdog supported by people who are committed to expanding free enterprise and liberty.

Filed Under: Government, Legislation, Press Release, State Government

Demographics no excuse for Arizona’s dismal test scores

November 9, 2009 By 1 Comment

by Matthew Ladner, Ph.D.
Goldwater Institute
 
I received the following question after last week’s article explained that (once again) Arizona scored below the national average on the Nation’s Report Card, this time in Math: 
 
Do these test scores take into consideration the massive influx of students who do not speak English and who do poorly on tests?
 
Before I break the data down by ethnicity and other student groups, I want to note that the JLBC reveals that total inflation adjusted spending per pupil increased by more than 20 percent between fiscal year 2000 and 2009 alone.
 
Ok, buckle up for a ride through the scores, it is going to get rough.

  • In 1992, white Arizona students scored 2 points below the national average of white students; in 2009 they scored 5 points below the national average. Five points represents about half a grade’s worth of learning. Essentially, white students in Arizona are about half a grade behind white students nationally.
  • Arizona’s African American students scored 6 points ahead of the national average for African Americans in 1992. In 2009, they tied the African American national average.
  • In 2003, Arizona’s Asian students scored 2 points below the national average for Asian students. In 2009 they scored 10 points below their national peers, or a full grade level behind. Over the course of this decade, Arizona’s American Indians doubled their learning gap from 5 to 10 points, and are now also a full grade behind other American Indians.
  • In 2000, Arizona’s ELL population scored 4 points below the national average, but in 2009 they scored 17 points below the national average. Immigration obviously played a role. But, if you examine the trend for non-ELL students you find that they scored 4 points behind the national average in 2000, but 7 points behind in 2009.

Some of the gaps grew larger while scores actually improved, but the overall trend is unmistakable: Arizona isn’t keeping pace for any student ethnic subgroup. Are demographics a challenge? Yes. But they are no excuse.
 
Dr. Matthew Ladner is vice president for research at the Goldwater Institute.

Filed Under: Demographics, Education

Republican Professionals proudly hosts Gubernatorial Candidate John Munger

November 9, 2009 By

Scottsdale, Arizona – This Veterans Day, November 11, join Republican Professionals as they honor those brave men and women who proudly served our country in the military with Gubernatorial candidate John Munger.

With the Arizona Governor’s race heating up, Republican Professionals is proud to present John Munger as this month’s featured guest speaker.  Mr. Munger’s credentials include serving honorably in the Korean demilitarized zone, establishing himself as a preeminent attorney in the southwest and presiding as State Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party.

The luxurious Mondrian Hotel in Old Town Scottsdale is graciously hosting Republican Professional’s special Gubernatorial event. The evening kicks off at 6:00 p.m. and runs until 8:00 p.m.  As always, this month’s networking event is free so Republican Professionals highly recommends you RSVP early at www.phxrp.com to reserve your spot.  Over 120 prominent Republican professionals and politicians attended last month’s tribute to women in public service.

Republican Professionals recognizes the veterans of our nation as the distinguished few who have earned our utmost admiration and respect through their noble service to our country.  These brave men and women have made the sacrifice, sometimes the ultimate sacrifice, to defend our freedoms.  Help Republican Professionals honor our veterans by showing your support this November 11 at the Mondrian Hotel at 6pm.  You are highly encouraged to invite your friends, and neighbors to attend this special event.

To learn more about this special night or for additional information on Republican Professionals, please contact Ryan Ducharme at ryan@republicanprofessionals.org.

The purpose of Republican Professionals is to increase the participation of Republicans in the political process, further the goals of the Republican Party, and bring Republicans together so that they may network, volunteer, organize and communicate with fellow professionals.

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Phoenix Republican Professionals website:  http://www.phxrp.com

RSVP on Evite: http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/FPLSLLCYFCSCWFCAHYIR/munger

RSVP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=206380546200
<http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=206380546200&index=1>

Filed Under: Press Release

Thursday: Politics on the Rocks Republicanville.com launch party with JD Hayworth

November 9, 2009 By 1 Comment

A m e r i c a n P o s t – G a z e t t e

Distributed by C O M M O N S E N S E , in Arizona

November, 2009

Break out the champagne
Announcing the National Launch Party


Politics on the Rocks is proud to announce the National Launch Party for Republicanville.com, America’s 1st national social network for Republicans, Independents, and Libertarians. The free launch party will be held on Thursday, November 12th, 6:00 PM at The W Hotel in Scottsdale (SE Corner of Camelback & Scottsdale Rd). Many of Arizona’s most influential politicians will be on hand for this event and there will be $6 cocktail and $4 beer specials during the event. Also, we will have a live DJ for entertainment at our free event.

launch

J.D. Hayworth, former U.S. Congressman and KFYI 550 AM radio personality, will be the featured speaker at the Republicanville.com launch party sponsored by Politics on the Rocks.

OPTIONAL PRIVATE VIP RECEPTION WITH J.D. HAYWORTH
In addition to Hayworth speaking, we will be holding a fundraiser during the event benefitting J.D. Hayworth’s Freedom In Truth Trust. Although this is a free event, we welcome everyone to participate in the fundraising portion of the evening.

RSVP for OPTIONAL PRIVATE VIP RECEPTION WITH J.D. HAYWORTH:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=14328535931#/event.php?eid=168486152831&index=1

J.D. Hayworth’s Freedom In Truth Fundraiser:
$25 for a signed copy of J.D. Hayworth’s book
$50 for a professional photo with J.D. Hayworth
$100 for a private reception & photo with J.D. Hayworth

*Please bring cash or make checks payable to “FIT Trust”

Come join Politics on the Rocks, Arizona’s largest Republican & Conservative networking group, as we celebrate the national launch of Republicanville.com.

Republicanville.com aims to change the political landscape. The site is founded on the core principles of fiscal conservatism, smaller government, low taxes, stronger defense, and capitalism. Republicanville provides individuals and political leaders a social network that is strictly for their political involvement, where everyone is free to speak their mind with others who share the same political interests and voting goals. This unique virtual nation will allow everyone to connect instantly and personally with friends, elected officials, candidates, and organizations.

Branded “A social network of the people, by the people, and for the people,” this online social network will give citizens and politicians FREE networking tools to advance their political views and communicate with their constituents. Members can make new friends and express what’s on their mind using blogs, videos, pictures and social linking. Members can also start groups, post events & jobs and chat live. In the works are a number of amazing features and applications to assist in connecting individuals with their elected officials and vice versa.

One of the most interesting features of the social network is that you can handle all your tweets, followers, and search twitter without ever leaving the site. Another great feature is that you can invite all your friends from Facebook, LinkedIn, email accounts and other networks all inside republicanville.

Also, one of our members, Fernando Morales, owner of My Cigar Roller.com will have one of his rollers demonstrating the delicate and demanding art of crafting handmade cigars. You will enjoy a variety of cigars in different shapes, sizes and strengh (mild, medium and full bodied) featuring the always acclaimed ¨barpole cigar.” The price will be $20 for two cigars and $5 will be donated to Politics on the Rocks.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday, November 12th 6:00 PM at The W Hotel Scottsdale.

Regards,

Politics on the Rocks Executive Board
www.PoliticsontheRocks.com

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=314931425524#/event.php?eid=159305853195&index=1

Evite 1: http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/KZGSXDVXMQCWWAJFSDJP/republicanville

Evite 2: http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/PVQVZJHRTPXALWEOSTZY/rville

Charles A. Jensen
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Filed Under: Uncategorized

PR: Statement by Jim Ward on Passage of Health Care Reform

November 8, 2009 By 5 Comments

Jim Ward

(PHOENIX, AZ) November 8, 2009 – “Today is a sad day for Americans who value their freedom to make their own health care decisions without interference by the federal government. In voting to approve the liberal-led agenda on Health Care Reform, Representative Harry Mitchell has let down the constituents of Congressional District 5 once again.

While there’s no question our health care system needs reform, the plan pushed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her Democratic allies including Harry Mitchell will saddle our economy with staggering costs and create another enormous government bureaucracy. I urge voters in our district to hold Mitchell accountable for his lack of leadership and blind support of this disastrous policy.

My promise to voters is that, if elected, I will fight for the right kind of health care reform based on common sense such as: medical malpractice reform (to reduce costs), availability of health insurance across state lines (to increase competition and reduce costs), changing the tax code to enhance health care savings accounts (allowing the provider and the patient to work together), creating high risk pools for pre-existing conditions and portability of coverage.”

For more information or to arrange an interview with Jim Ward, contact Katie Cobb.

Filed Under: Health Care, Press Release

Duel in the Desert rematch: Toughest Sheriff v. Toughest Prosecutor

November 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment

(click to enlarge)
DuelintheDesert

Filed Under: Special Event

Parents More Concerned with Money Than Education

November 8, 2009 By 10 Comments

Arizona voters took to the polls on Tuesday and not only said “No” but a resounding “Hell No” to bonds on any given range of topic.  Alex Bloom from AZCentral, in this article postulates that the resounding NO on school funding had to do with the state  of the economy.

The economy apparently was on voters’ minds Tuesday when they walked into Valley voting booths to address school-district spending through bonds and budget overrides.

Valley voters supported only 20 of the 36 school-district bonds and budget overrides on the ballot in Maricopa County, according to unofficial results. That was down considerably from last year, when voters supported 28 of 31 budget measures. Voters’ action comes amid a period of deep cuts to state education spending because of the state budget crisis.

Experts say the economic downturn probably made voters think twice about approving many budget overrides, which allow school districts to maintain or increase property-tax levels.

Alex Bloom’s commentary totally ignores the fact that the Arizona school system has failed and continues to fail to educate our children.

Matthew Ladner from the Goldwater Institute:

The news is not good. Arizona has stalled out with bad scores.

With a score nine points below the national average, Arizona 4th graders know almost a grade level less math than the average American student. Florida and Texas–states with similar levels of spending and student demographics–both scored above the national average.

With marked predictability, the state-run media lays the blame at the feet of the people who are most affected by ill-run policy, rather than hold accountable those who are actually responsible for this dismal performance.

Mr Ladner continues:

Public school apologists can recite their litany on spending and learned helplessness, but don’t expect any results, they imply, until Arizona has the combination of old money, hedge fund billionaires and high income tax rates of Connecticut.

Despite a reform push during the 1990s, the fact is that on the whole Arizona is a K-12 backwater and will remain so until it decides to get serious about reform. Since the 1990s, Arizona’s AIMS has been dummied down, and the positive impact of choice programs have been drowned by enrollment growth. Rome continues to burn, we continue to fiddle.

In a recent post, I pointed out that “industry experts” [like Justin Olson, senior research analyst at the Arizona Tax Research Association and the Peoria Unified, Phoenix Union High and Dysart Unified district officials] are always “shocked, stunned and surprised” when things don’t turn out as they see them through their rose-colored glasses.

The voters here in the great state of Arizona are no longer buying the same tired message of “We are not spending enough on education”.  What we are seeing is that the monies we are spending on educating our children is not delivering anything close to acceptable results. See for yourself here how Arizona ranks at the very bottom in national educational ranking.

Mr Bloom’s theory that we are more concerned with the economy than our children’s education affronts all concerned parents sensibilities.  I can easily do without my Starbucks Venti, but you had better be educating my children well enough to be able to compete in the 21st century global economy.

The Arizona school systems, like Alex Bloom, both get an “F

Filed Under: Economics, Education, State Economy

PR: Statement by Eric Wnuck on Passage of HR 3962

November 7, 2009 By 1 Comment

Eric Wnuck

For Immediate Release: November 7, 2009

Pelosi and Mitchell out of touch; Vote to further destroy personal healthcare choice

Scottsdale , AZ (November 7, 2009) – The Affordable Healthcare for America Act, HR 3962 passed 220-215 this evening. In the late hours of the day, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Harry Mitchell were successful in taking necessary steps to ‘reform’ healthcare. Eric Wnuck, candidate in Arizona ’s Fifth Congressional District, made the following comments regarding the passage of HR 3962 by the US House of Representatives:

“Tonight marks an ominous and frightening time in the history of our country. The government, once again, has overstepped its bounds and further devastated our personal liberties and freedoms. I am fearful, not only for the residents of my district, but for all Americans. The successful passage of HR 3962 will not only negatively impact every American today, but will resonate for generations. The bill, as passed, will add an additional $730 billion in new taxes, $500 billion in cuts to Medicare services, and $150 billion in cuts to Medicare Advantage. Once again, Nancy Pelosi has called Harry Mitchell into her office to vote for a bill that negatively impacts all residents of Congressional District 5. Representative Mitchell lost touch with his district long ago, and unfortunately, the only people he is properly representing are the special interests of the big insurance companies and the desperate wishes of Speaker Pelosi.”

“This is the final wake up call to all Americans to call your elected officials and make your voice heard. We need immediate action: further government mandates are not the answer to our current healthcare dilemma. Our country is walking down a dangerous path, and if residents in our district do not act today, we will forever suffer the irreversible consequences of our inaction. HR 3962, as voted on by Speaker Pelosi and Representative Mitchell, will cripple small business, eradicate any existing private accessibility, and further alienate the individual from their personal healthcare choices. The taxes and debt that will be added to the middle and lower income brackets will devastate the American entrepreneurial spirit. HR 3962 will solidify our resident’s reliance on government programs and expand the reach of our government into every American’s private lives. Tonight, the United States Government took a dangerous and inalterable step in the wrong direction: if this bill passes, healthcare will be controlled, portioned, and regulated by the US government and any hope of individual choice and freedom will be forever eliminated. The House’s action tonight strengthens my resolve and demonstrates that we need new representation in Congress. Rep. Mitchell has not heard the plea of Arizonans because he has not been available to listen – the phones in his office ring unanswered because he is busy catering to Speaker Pelosi and her wishes”.

# # #

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Eric Wnuck 2010 at (480) 295-3250. You may also learn more about Eric Wnuck, his candidacy, and his issues by visiting: www.ericwnuck.com

Filed Under: Health Care, Press Release

How the Arizona Delegation Voted

November 7, 2009 By 11 Comments

Here is how the Arizona Congressional Delegation voted on the federal takeover of health care:

KIRKPATRICK – YES
FRANKS – NO
SHADEGG – NO
PASTOR – YES
MITCHELL – YES
FLAKE – NO
GRIJALVA – YES
GIFFORDS – YES

Source: Clerk of the House

Break out your checkbooks and write a check to your conservative congressional candidate!

Filed Under: Health Care

Harry Mitchell Voting YES on Health Care Bill

November 7, 2009 By 30 Comments

Harry Mitchell Watch is reporting that Arizona’s 5th Congressional District congressman has decided to vote in favor of the Pelosi-Obama healthcare bill.

This seals Harry Mitchell’s fate in the upcoming 2010 congressional race.  Already, there are three Republicans who have announced for the seat. Unlike 2006 and 2008, 2010 will be a banner year for conservative Republicans.

I’ll predict that the third time will be a charm for David Schweikert!

Filed Under: Health Care

Supervisors’ shadow county attorney’s office growing larger than county attorney’s litigation department

November 7, 2009 By 16 Comments

A m e r i c a n P o s t – G a z e t t e

Distributed by C O M M O N S E N S E , in Arizona

November 7, 2009

shadowcountyattorney

We’ve been told that the Supervisors’ new Shadow County Attorney’s Office is expanding and paying its newly hired attorneys huge salaries – WITH YOUR TAX DOLLARS. They started their own litigation department last spring under Wade Stewart, the 35-year old attorney they hired who they’re paying $175,000/yr (higher than any attorney at the entire County Attorney’s Office, even senior 25-year prosecutors who prosecuted the Serial Shooters case). Wade is a green attorney who issued an embarassingly incorrect legal opinion a couple of weeks ago based on an Attorney General’s opinion that had been reversed. We’re told his new litigation department is now up to 10 attorneys and growing – that’s 3 more attorneys than the County Attorney’s litigation section has ever had! The Supervisors have also started a second section of attorneys under Richard Stewart, a former litigator for the County Attorney’s Office.

After the Supervisors gutted the budget for the County Attorney’s Civil Division in order to steal the division and put it underneath them, they lured many of the employees away with gigantic pay increases. One litigator was given a $27,000/yr pay increase! Yes that’s right. County Attorney employees haven’t received raises for two or three years due to the recession, and their jobs have become harder due to the hiring freeze and the Supervisors forcing the law enforcement office to cut 15%, yet the Board of Supervisors is hiring new attorneys like it’s going out of style and giving them ridiculous pay increases.

This new Shadow County Attorney’s Office is so shadowy, it’s not even listed on the Supervisors’ org chart. Although the diversity manager is. The Supervisors seem to have forgotten that the people elected Andrew Thomas to head the County Attorney’s Office, not them. A Rasmussen poll last month found that Thomas’s approval rating is currently at 64% among voters with an opinion, considered a high approval rating. Most of the County Supervisors got elected to their positions because those undesirable offices fly under the radar and attract few candidates. The voters of Maricopa County don’t want the unpopular Supervisors stealing away the County Attorney’s Office from under Thomas. What this comes down to is this: The Supervisors are trying to stop Thomas from prosecuting two of their own for numerous alleged felonies, by taking away funding for his office to decimate it.

The legitimacy of the Shadow County Attorney’s Office is currently being litigated in the Court of Appeals.
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Filed Under: County Government, Crime and Punishment, Ethics

Congressman John Shadegg Tosses The Bill!

November 7, 2009 By 4 Comments

This is awesome!

Thank you Congressman Shadegg for demonstrating how the majority of Americans feel about the travesty taking place in The People’s House!

YouTube Preview Image
Filed Under: Health Care

House Democrats Push Health Care Takeover – LIVE!

November 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Here is the link so you don’t get the annoying autostart feature on Windows Media Player.

Filed Under: Health Care

PR: Munger: Goddard Should Resign!

November 6, 2009 By 8 Comments

According to the John Munger campaign, Attorney General Terry Goddard should resign.  What are your thoughts?

MUNGER LOGO SHADOWED

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: JERRY COBB (602) 478-0002
jerrycobb@actual-media.com

STATEMENT BY REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE JOHN MUNGER:
ARIZONA’S ATTORNEY GENERAL SHOULD RESIGN

(PHOENIX, AZ) November 6, 2009 – “Once again, Mr. Goddard is playing the game of a professional politician, mounting a full-scale campaign for higher office – yet calling it an exploratory committee so he can hang on to his current job as Attorney General.  The only thing he is exploring is how far he can bend Arizona’s Resign to Run Law.”

“Our citizens are fed up with elected officials using one office to campaign for another instead of doing the job they were elected to do. I call on Terry Goddard to do the right thing, obey the letter and spirit of the law, and resign immediately.”

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

Lindsey Graham Scolds Conservatives

November 6, 2009 By 24 Comments

From papatodd:

Mr Kumbiya himself, Lindsey Grahamensty, with his southern panties in a bunch, was out today, again refusing to listen to the heartbeat of the American people.  Oblivious to the fact the Doug Hoffman came from total obscurity to almost winning in NY23, the uber-moderate senator scolded conservatives for being, well, conservative.

From the Politico;  The morning after Republicans lost an upstate New York House seat, Sen. Lindsey Graham R-S.C. warned that conservative activists will bring destruction to the Republican Party if they drive out moderate candidates across the country.“To those people who are pursuing purity, you’ll become a club not a party,” Graham told POLITICO in the Capitol Wednesday. “Those people who are trying to embrace conservatism in a thoughtful way that fits the region and the state and the district are going to do well. Conservatism is an asset. Blind ideology is not.”

The senator gets it right on one point;  Conservatism is an asset.  But in the very next sentence, he gets is totally wrong with his comment referring to blind ideology. Senator Graham, no one is blinded here.  If anything, it is the exact opposite.  The American people have finally opened their eyes and are now fully cognisant to the fact that you and the rest of your moderate cronies are the ones responsible for the the GOP’s loss of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Your moderate ideology is leading to the destruction of the American way of life. Your moderate agenda is permitting the continued attack on the free enterprise system.  Your unwillingness to listen to these now-outspoken Americans and to the message they send on election day is the reason voters passed on DeDe after you and the GOP gave almost $1 million to her campaign.

Blind ideology? Let us look at what your blind ideology has achieved.

Rush gives us the Top Ten Republican Moderate Moments.

  • Number ten: Newt Gingrich does a PSA on global warming with Nancy Pelosi in 2008.
  • Number nine: Bush-Quayle ‘92.
  • Number eight: Dole-Kemp ‘96.
  • Number seven : Ford-Dole ‘76.
  • Number six: Jumpin’ Jim Jeffords jumps from the Republican Party.
  • Number five: Arlen Specter switches parties.
  • Number four: Richard Nixon resigns in disgrace.
  • Number three: Dede Scozzafava endorses the Democrat, Owens, in New York-23.
  • Number two: The McCain campaign of 2008.
  • The number one top ten moderate moment in Republican history: Colin Powell endorsing Barack Obama, the Democrat, for president in 2008!

You tell me who’s blind, senator! The American people, we love our sports; baseball, football, basketball and the rest. And we do know how to keep score.  We are looking at the political scoreboard and see that you continue to chalk up loss after loss after loss. When our favorite sports team continues to put up a losing season, the front office does not get mad and yell at the players [well, maybe T.O.].  No, the front office looks at the coaching staff and replaces the staff.  And that is exactly what the American people are doing all across America right now.

Now I ask you Senator, just who is blind here?

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Political Parties

Revolving Door in LD5 as Candidates Get Set for 2010

November 6, 2009 By 13 Comments

With State Representative Bill Konopnicki term-limited out of the State House of Representatives and State Representative Jack Brown appearing to be ready for retirement, its a three-ring circus for the 2 House seats in LD5.  Republican State Senator Sylvia Allen is firmly established on the Senate side, and the GOP has additional reasons to be happy, because LD5 is one of two districts where the voter registration numbers continue to move dramatically towards the GOP.  Republicans had traditionally had success getting elected in the district (Jake Flake was the Senator before Allen) with support from conservative rural Democrats, but many of them have been re-registering as Republicans, converting a deficit of more than 5,000 voters into a new GOP majority.

Western Brenda

Brenda Barton

One solid Republican candidate is Brenda Barton who resides in Graham County.  She and her husband have been involved in the Arizona Republican Party for years and Barton has deep roots in the district.  According to her bio, she is a 5th generation Arizonan, which can pay big dividends in districts where everyone seems to know everyone else.  Barton has also been endorsed by Sen. Sylvia Allen, which is a major boost given that Allen makes her home in Navajo County, which is the most-populated of the LD5 counties.  Two Democrats have filed:  Bill Shumway and David Rodriguez, but Rodriguez has filed just a $500 threshold committee and may not stay in the race.  There is also a great deal of speculation that the Democrats in the district will be trying to get Jack Brown’s son to run, hoping that a familiar last name will give them a chance to hang on to a seat there.

Becky Nutt

Becky Nutt

Where is gets strange is on the Republican side where Bruce Olsen filed to run, then later dropped out in order to change his registration to Libertarian and run for Governor.  The third GOP candidate was Becky Nutt, who recently announced at the Goldwater Institute dinner that she was dropping out of the race because she was 23 days short of the residency requirement.  Nutt’s cell phone number had a Colorado area code while her most recent address appeared to be San Marcos, Texas.  Her husband Richard ran for County Supervisor in Greenlee County as a Democrat in 1998, finishing 4th in the field of four, before apparently moving to Colorado.

GOP county leaders are looking for a solid running-mate for Allen and Barton that will help the Republican Party realize its longstanding ambition of securing all three LD5 legislative seats.  Provided they are successful over the next few months, there is every reason to believe that the GOP will pickup a State House seat in this newest of Republican majority districts.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections

Catching Up!

November 5, 2009 By Leave a Comment

As you can read below, we are catching up on the press releases we received today. We apologize for the delay to the candidates and our readers.

Filed Under: Blogs
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