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Congressman Flake Is Mr. Washington!

May 8, 2012 By 4 Comments

Mr. Flake Goes to Washington and Refuses to Come Back!

Congressman Flake's Washington Buddies Pay Up to Keep Their Washington Insider!

“The Club for Growth endorsed Flake immediately after he entered the race, and they’ve raised an impressive sum on his behalf, bringing in $100,000 in the first 24 hours after giving him their backing.” (Sean Sullivan, “Flake In The Millionaire’s Club,” National Journal’s Hotline On Call, 4/4/11)

Not only does the Club for Growth pay for lavish trips for Congressman Flake, they are also his largest campaign contributors.

Even more of Congressman Flake’s money comes from Political Action Committees (PACs)

Arizona can’t afford a U.S. Senator beholden to anyone other than the citizens of Arizona.

Jeff Flake says he’s watching out for Arizona, but in Washington he is beholden to lobbyists and special interests.

For documentation and an explanation, call Congressman Flake at 602.845.0333.

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Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Campaign Finance, Campaigns & Elections, Political Parties, Press Release Tagged With: , , ,

President George H. W. Bush Endorses Vernon Parker

May 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Cites Parker’s life story as “the American Dream”

(Phoenix) – President George H.W. Bush, in a poignant letter recently sent to Vernon Parker, lent his name and support to Vernon Parker’s campaign for Congress in Arizona’s newly created congressional district 9 (CD-9).

In his letter of April 13th 2012, President Bush said:

“Vernon is a good man who served honorably in my Administration.” Vernon is a leader who demonstrates conservative values, love for country, and commitment to excellence in all that he has done.” 

“I am deeply honored to have the support of a President I had the privilege to serve and for whom I have the highest regard,” said Vernon Parker.

“President Bush epitomizes all that I aspire to be as an American, a public servant, and as this new district’s first Member of Congress. President Bush is a statesman whose legacy will loom large,” Parker said.”

“In his letter to me, my former boss generously remarked that he regards my life story as the “’American dream.’” “Indeed, in my mind, President Bush is an American icon, whose life story and achievements, I know, will serve to inspire young people for future generations.”

“It is a rare move for a former President of the United States, to endorse a candidate for Congress in a primary election,” said Parker. “President Bush has my assurance that every day on the campaign trail I will aspire to be the kind of candidate, in whom, he placed his trust.”

President Bush letter to Vernon Parker ended simply by saying:

“I encourage you to vote for Vernon Parker.” All the best, George Bush

A copy of the letter from President George H.W. Bush is attached.

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Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Campaigns & Elections, Elected Officials, Endorsements, Press Release Tagged With: , , ,

Congressman Flake Introduces the CLEER Act

May 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Bill Will Ease EPA Regulatory Burden for States With Natural Dust Occurrences

Washington, D.C. – Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today introduced H.R. 5381, the Commonsense Legislative Exceptional Events Reform (CLEER) Act.

In order for states to exclude specific exceedances of air quality standards often caused by naturally-occurring events such as dust storms, they must submit costly and complicated demonstration projects to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its review. However, the EPA is under no pressure to review this paperwork in a timely manner. Additionally, the current regulations governing exceptional events demonstrations leave the decision entirely at the discretion of the EPA, and the decisions are not appealable.

The CLEER Act remedies these costly and burdensome exceptional events regulations with commonsense reforms in part by requiring the EPA to review states’ exceptional events documentation within 90 days of submission; afford states deference on what should be excluded; carry out a rulemaking in concert with the states on what exceptional events demonstrations must include; and making their decisions on exceptional events demonstrations appealable.

“States shouldn’t face bureaucratic penalties from the EPA for naturally occurring events, like dust storms,” said Flake.

The CLEER Act is supported by a wide variety of air quality stakeholders in Arizona and on the national level. A complete list of the bill’s supporters as well as additional background and information about the CLEER Act are attached.

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Filed Under: Elected Officials, Environment, Legislation, Press Release Tagged With: , ,

Arizona, Moving Forward without Obama

May 3, 2012 By 2 Comments

PHOENIX—Today, Arizona political consulting firm DC London, Inc. released the most realistic poll of Arizona voters to date. Previous polls, conducted among only registered voters, failed to accurately portray the situation on the ground. This poll of likely voters, conducted by well-respected polling firm Magellan Strategies, shows the true picture: Arizona belongs to Mitt Romney.

Overall, Romney leads Obama 52 percent to 43 percent among likely voters, and 54 percent to 42 percent among motivated voters. Arizonans don’t support Obama or his policies:

· 55 percent of respondents have an unfavorable opinion of President Obama

· 55 percent disapprove of his job performance

· 56 percent disapprove of the health care law

Further, Romney is up by nine percent among independents (49 percent to 40 percent) and by four percent among women (49 percent to 45 percent).

In 2008, McCain won Arizona 53.0 percent to 44.6 percent. Romney, as this poll shows, is well positioned to hold Arizona for the GOP.

In the U.S. Senate race, Jeff Flake has a 44 percent to 40 percent lead over Richard Carmona, while Wil Cardon leads Carmona by just 41 percent to 40 percent. And, in the generic congressional ballot, Republicans have a nine percent advantage over Democrats (50 percent to 41 percent).

“Despite wishful thinking by the Left, Arizona is, and will remain, a red state in 2012,” said Sean Noble, president of DC London, Inc. “Arizonans are ready to move ‘forward,’ but it’s going to be without Barack Obama in the White House.”

DC London, Inc. is an Arizona-based political consulting firm with offices in Phoenix and Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit www.dc-london.com or call (602) 606-2919.

To see the press release, crosstabs, and toplines from Magellan Strategies Click Here.

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Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Campaigns & Elections, Polls, Press Release Tagged With: ,

Russell Pearce Statement on today’s tragic events in Gilbert

May 2, 2012 By 36 Comments

Our prayers and thoughts are with the surviving family members and friends of the victims of today’s horrific and evil act. There are no words to adequately express the sadness we share, as a community, with those affected.

I spent much of my day resisting efforts by those in the media to get me to make a statement. Today’s events have nothing to do with me and no connection to me. Yet TV news crews started coming to my home seeking comments and my telephone rang nonstop with calls from those who were desperate to score the ugliest of political points off of this tragedy. Now my name is being mentioned in coverage and I have no choice but to respond.

Regarding whether I knew JT Ready, I did, as did many of us who have been involved in Mesa politics for a long time. When we first met JT he was fresh out of the Marine Corp and seemed like a decent person. He worked as a telephone fundraiser for Christian and pro-life groups, he dated the daughter of one of our District 18 members, and his attitudes and spoken opinions were good and decent. At some point in time darkness took his life over, his heart changed, and he began to associate with the more despicable groups in society. They were intolerant and hateful and like so many who knew him from before, I was upset and disappointed at the choices he was making. I worked with others to have him removed from his local position within our Republican Party because there has never been and will never be any room in our Party or our lives for those preaching hatred. He was angry with me and stayed angry with me, and it has been several years since I have had reason to speak with JT.

In the past several years the local media has worked hard to try to tie me to the JT Ready that preached hate, and that is nothing more than a lie. When I learned the truth about him, I made it clear how wrong I thought it was and I worked to remove him from our Party. Yet the lie is told and retold over and over again. It is the ugliest form of politics. The most radical groups I have ever belonged to are the Boy Scouts of America and the Fraternal Order of Police, and in my 65 years in Mesa, as a law enforcement deputy, as a judge and as the head of state agencies, I have never been accused of mistreating anyone or of unfair conduct toward anyone I have associated with, hired or supervised.

Finally, while I am frequently critical of the job the mainstream media does in pursuing a political agenda instead of the truth, today’s behavior is the most reprehensible that I have ever witnessed. On the very day that these unspeakable crimes take place, editors and producers all over town are making a concerted effort to make the story about a politician whose conservative politics they disagree with.

Today, the Devil won and claimed the soul of one young man and the lives of others, including the most innocent of all, a child. Our thoughts and prayers are with the four beautiful souls that are now in God’s hands. We pray that He accepts them into his kingdom and that he grants comfort and solace to the friends and surviving family.

Filed Under: Crime and Punishment, Human Condition, Press Release Tagged With:

U.S. Senator Jim DeMint Endorses Jeff Flake for US Senate

April 30, 2012 By 9 Comments

Jeff Flake

“When it comes to fighting wasteful Washington spending and parochial politics, nobody has done more to advance the cause of freedom than Jeff Flake. Nobody.” 

PHOENIX – Jeff Flake, a conservative candidate for the United States Senate, today received the endorsement of U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and the Senate Conservative Fund (SCF), which he founded. In a letter to SCF members, DeMint wrote:

“When it comes to fighting wasteful Washington spending and parochial politics, nobody has done more to advance the cause of freedom than Jeff Flake. Nobody.

“Jeff Flake has fought a lonely battle against earmarks for years, even when it meant standing up to members of his own party who refused to stop pork barrel spending. Without his leadership, House Republicans would not have adopted the earmark moratorium last year.

“Jeff Flake has also authored legislation to devolve the federal highway program back to the states where it belongs. His plan would empower states to build moreroads with less money by removing union wage mandates and unnecessary federal red tape.”

“Senator DeMint is one of the most recognized national conservative leaders and has been a reformer in the U.S. Senate,” said Jeff Flake. “I am grateful to have his support in this race and I look forward to joining his efforts in the Senate to support economic freedom and limited government.”

The SCF is dedicated to electing strong conservative leaders to the United States Senate who have the courage to fight for the timeless conservative principles of limited government, strong national defense, and traditional family values.

Click here to see DeMint’s letter: http://senateconservatives.com/site/post/1431/jeff-flake-for-u-s-senate

Jeff Flake has also received the endorsements of several leading conservative organizations and leaders, including Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, Arizona Right to Life, the Club for Growth PAC, FreedomWorks PAC, the National Taxpayers Union Campaign Fund, Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife, Governor Bobby Jindal, Congressman Paul Ryan, and Senators Pat Toomey and Mike Lee.

For more information on Jeff Flake and why he’s running for the U.S. Senate, please visit his website at www.JeffFlake.com.

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Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Elected Officials, Endorsements, Press Release Tagged With: , ,

Luis Acle Announces for US Senate

April 28, 2012 By 4 Comments

Luis Acle seeks the Republican nomination for US Senate from Arizona 2012 with his “Solutions not Talk” campaign.

Luis AcleYuma resident, Luis Acle is seeking the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Sen. Jon Kyl, who is not running for re-election. Luis Acle wants to demonstrate that a Republican Latino can appeal to all types of voters who prefer real “solutions not just talk” while reaching out to traditional values minority voters to look to the Republican party where they can be received with open arms.

Luis Acle moved to Yuma over ten years ago to work on industrial development and property management in the border region. As a teacher, school board member and as an international consultant and volunteer, he also sought to improve infrastructure in Arizona. In 2011, he served on the county’s, Reapportionment Advisory Commission and he is currently a member of the Yuma city’s Water and Sewer Commission.

Voters get frustrated with candidates that simplify the issues “We need jobs” or “We must secure the border” but they offer no Solutions, just Talk. “I want to be your voice with real solutions to the Nation’s problems that reflect our values, not just sound bites and empty rhetoric”, Luis Acle stated emphatically.

Luis Acle is confident voters will value specific, tangible and workable solutions above party connections or political correctness and wants to persuade voters in the coming weeks that his solutions are the proper fit for Arizona and the United States, in this critical election cycle. He will meet with voters to present creative solutions for the most pressing problems such as, chronic unemployment, long term national energy policy, achievable immigration and public education reform. Thirty-second sound bites won’t do: real solutions need more time to attract bi-partisan support.

The strength of Luis Acle’s solutions comes from his analytical training as a physical scientist with a Stanford MBA, plus public policy experience. Although, not a Washington insider, he understands how to function in DC to attract bipartisan support, said campaign spokesperson, Howard DeLaCruz-Bancroft.

Luis Acle said that while Democrats controlled Congress and the White House, vital issues such as long term growth, national security, energy policy or immigration were not resolved. Even unemployment, despite promises that it would never exceed 8% didn’t materialize, especially here in Arizona.

Luis Acle’s prior involvement in the public sector includes an assignment in every decade since graduate school. In the 70′s, he was invited to join the staff of the Assistant Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, eventually becoming Finance Manager. He was appointed White House Associate Director of Public Liaison during the Reagan Administration. Luis Acle was also an advisor to the Immigration and Naturalization Commissioner. In the following decade, he was elected, with over 150,000 votes and served as President of the School Board in the San Diego Unified School District for three terms.

Luis Acle invites all voters to join his “Solutions not Talk” campaign by downloading and signing his Petition, to obtain the nearly 7,000 signatures to get on the ballot. Contact us at www.luis4ussenate.com, at Luis4USSenate@gmail.com or call (928) 550-2881 to register or re-register, to sign the Petition or get help with registration and remember to please vote for Luis Acle in the U.S. Senate Republican Primary.

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Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Campaigns & Elections, Conservatives, Press Release

Is Wil Cardon Outsourcing His Friends?

April 27, 2012 By 11 Comments

PHOENIX – Wil Cardon, Arizona’s millionaire self-funding Senate candidate purports to have created hundreds of jobs. Perhaps he’s being modest in not counting the 5,398 fans that he has on Facebook.

Love it or hate it, Facebook recently changed its look. One the changes in the new Timeline feature allows people to view the “page insights.” Wil Cardon’s Facebook page insights reveal something interesting: the city where most of his page fans reside.

For Jeff Flake it’s Phoenix. Richard Carmona it’s Tucson. And for Wil Cardon it’s Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Dhaka, Bangladesh? That’s weird.

See for yourself: https://www.facebook.com/wilcardonforussenate/likes

With a quick search on Google, it’s easy to find websites like “buylikes.com” and “buyfacebooklikesfans.com” that promise to increase friends, fans and likes, all for a fee. Of course, it may be impossible to know for certain if this is what Wil Cardon has done.

“Money can’t buy love but it can buy you likes,” said Andrew Wilder, Communications Director for the Flake campaign. “Perhaps his campaign simply resonates more in Dhaka than with the voters of Arizona.”

A screenshot of Cardon’s page, taken April 26, 2012, is attached.

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Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Press Release Tagged With: , ,

VIDEO: Congressman Jeff Flake Loves His Lobbyist Perks

April 26, 2012 By 7 Comments

Phoenix, Arizona – Congressman Jeff Flake has traveled the world and enjoyed lavish vacations thanks to his Washington special interests and lobbyist buddies. On Tuesday Wil Cardon, Mesa businessman and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, unveiled his latest web video detailing Congressman Flake’s posh worldwide travel paid for by Washington lobbyists and special interest groups.

Cardon has also launched a new website, www.DCFlake.com, which will house all things related to Congressman Flake’s dismal record in Congress. While most of Congressman Flake’s record has been fighting for amnesty, pushing cap and trade legislation, enjoying taxpayer perks and living the high life with his insider D.C. status, it is clear to Arizona that Congressman Flake has Potomac Fever!

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Jeff Flake says he’s watching out for Arizona families, but in Washington he is beholden to lobbyist and special interests.

For documentation and to try to get an explanation, call Congressman Flake at 602.845.0333.

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Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Elected Officials, Ethics, Federal Government Tagged With: ,

Arizona Lawmakers and Tea Party Members Stand in Solidarity in Support of SB-1070

April 25, 2012 By 3 Comments

The following press conference took place Wednesday, April 25th in Phoenix with members of several Tea Parties, Arizona lawmakers and candidates. (Thanks to Right Wing Housewife for her video!)

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Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Illegal Aliens, Illegal Immigration, Judicial, Legislation, Migrants, Press Release Tagged With: , , , ,

AG Tom Horne Statement on Supreme Court SB 1070 Hearing

April 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Today’s hearing went well. The Obama Administration took the outrageous step of suing one of the 50 states for trying to enforce federal law. Arizona has been hit disproportionately hard by illegal immigration and the state had no choice but to pass SB 1070 to protect our own citizens.

I have read the transcript of today’s SB 1070 hearing in the US Supreme Court. Section 2, the most important of the 4 sections of SB1070 which are being challenged, appears to have the support of Liberal as well as Conservative Justices, and mainly with a large unanimous vote. Section 2 requires Police Officers to engage in a lawful arrest or stop, and to have reasonable suspicion, to inquire with ICE about whether the person is in this country legally. Even two of the most Liberal Justices, Sotamayor and Breyer, asked questions indicating they may vote to hold that section of the law Constitutional.

The lawyer for Arizona pointed out that a Phoenix Police officer had been shot by a suspect who had been accused of attempted murder in El Salvador, had been pulled over three times before encountering this police officer, but had never had his immigration status checked. That was due to the City of Phoenix policies that would be illegal under Section 2. Had inquiry been made before he encountered the Phoenix officer, that officer would not have been shot.

The comments of several Justices were very encouraging. Justice Scalia noted that under SB 1070, “Arizona is not trying to kick out anybody that the federal government has not already said do not belong here.” A number of the other provisions at issue are state copies of Federal laws where the Obama Administration claims that states cannot enforce identical laws in parallel. Justice Scalia added the analogy that federal law prohibits bank robbery, and stated, “Can it be made a state crime to rob those banks? I think it is.” And Chief Justice Roberts noted that the federal role in enforcing immigration law is not harmed by SB 1070 since “all it does is notify the Federal Government, here’s someone who is here illegally, here’s someone who is removable.”

Most troubling is the Federal Government’s argument that SB 1070 is unconstitutional because Arizona interferes with the Federal monopoly on foreign relations. Arizona has not opened any embassies. It has passed a law that foreign countries disagree with. If a Federal Judge can invalidate a state law on the grounds that other countries disagree with it (and it therefore interferes with the Federal monopoly on foreign relations) America’s sovereignty will be severely compromised. Justice Scalia asked the Obama Administration lawyer if “we have to enforce our laws in a manner that will please Mexico… (that) sounded like what you were saying.”

Finally, I was gratified to see that even the Obama administration lawyer agreed with Chief Justice Roberts’ contention that this case has nothing to do with ethnic and racial profiling. SB 1070 has never allowed racial profiling, and that is a persistent myth that should end today.

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Filed Under: Elected Officials, Illegal Immigration, Judicial, Legislation, Press Release Tagged With: , ,

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery Endorses Jeff Flake for Senate

April 25, 2012 By 17 Comments

“Flake understands the consequences of federal inaction and what law enforcement needs to do to deal to with it.” 

PHOENIX – Jeff Flake, a conservative candidate for the United States Senate, today announced the endorsement of Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery.

“Maricopa County, like other counties, is paying a high price for the federal government’s failure to secure the border and to stem the flow of violent crime and illegal drugs into this country,” said Montgomery. “Jeff Flake understands the consequences of federal inaction and what law enforcement needs to do to deal to with it. I support Jeff Flake for U.S. Senate because he will fight to hold the federal government accountable for its responsibilities and see that law enforcement in Maricopa County — and across Arizona — has the tools it needs to protect its residents.”

“Bill Montgomery is a stalwart against the many challenges we face and is highly respected in our community as a result,” said Flake. “I am honored to receive his endorsement and will value his counsel in holding the federal Government to account for the safety of Arizona’s citizens.”

For more information on Jeff Flake and why he’s running for the U.S. Senate, please visit his website at www.JeffFlake.com.

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Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Elected Officials, Endorsements, Press Release Tagged With: , , ,

BREAKING: Mark Mitchell Distorts The Truth About Arrest Record In Arizona Republic Questionnaire

April 25, 2012 By 5 Comments

(Tempe, Arizona) Plenty of Tempeans would admit to having a few drinks during their college days and maybe getting into a little bit of trouble at a bar. It’s a different matter when someone running for Mayor distorts the truth when asked about his criminal record by the Arizona Republic.

In February of this year this question to Mark Mitchell and Mitchell’s response was published by the Arizona Republic:

Have you ever been charged with a crime or been part of a matter in civil court? If so, what was the outcome? At age 23, upon my graduation from ASU, I was detained during a nightclub altercation in Tempe. I completed an adult diversion program and no charges were filed.

That’s not exactly how it happened. Mark Mitchell was arrested and booked into jail accused of “Delaying and Obstructing a Police Investigation.” There is a big difference between being detained and being arrested.

Mark Mitchell Mugshot

The Tempe Police report claims a then 24 year-old Mitchell tried to intervene to keep a friend from getting arrested during a bar fight. At the time Mark Mitchell’s father was still the Mayor of Tempe.

Mark’s attempts at using his influence to keep a friend from getting arrested backfired and Mitchell was booked into jail.

There is nothing to indicate the officer was hurt or that this was more than a problem resulting from a bar fight. Mitchell’s actions as a young man are not the issue. Everyone makes mistakes. As a grown man, and as someone seeking elected office, you’re expected to disclose those mistakes, be truthful about them, and not distort the truth when filling out a questionnaire that will be printed in the state’s largest newspaper. If he is not willing to be honest about this, what else is he not being honest about?

Business owner and candidate for Tempe Mayor Michael Monti stated, “When I filled out my Republic questionaire, I played by the rules and disclosed everything because I think someone casting a vote should know everything about a candidate. It’s too bad Mark Mitchell decided the rules didn’t apply to him. No one is expected to be perfect. In fact if getting into a bit of trouble in your 20’s kept people from being elected, there would be a lot of empty chairs in state and local government. The issue here is truthfulness. If someone distorts the truth when filling out a newspaper questionnaire, what does that say about their honesty in dealing with voters?”

Michael Monti, owner of Tempe’s historic Monti’s La Casa Vieja, co-founded Local First, Arizona. He is also active in the Tempe Diablos Charities, and is the youngest inductee in the Arizona Restaurant Association’s Hall of Fame.

To make a campaign donation on line click here or mail a check to

Monti4Mayor
P.O. Box 24476
Tempe, AZ 85285

His campaign is based on bringing private sector ideas to government, fiscal responsibility, civic involvement, economic opportunity, and innovation. His proposals include:

  • Financial incentives for city workers who save rather than spend tax dollars
  • The creation of the Tempe Community Corps to increase volunteerism, and aid Tempe neighborhoods and services
  • Partnerships with ASU and the business community to bring more jobs to Tempe
  • The creation of a public swimming beach at Tempe Town Lake, paid for by the private sector
  • Partnerships with the ASU College of Nursing to aid Tempe seniors
  • Encouraging businesses to embrace eco-friendly projects such as the Blink Car Charging Stations at Monti’s La Casa Vieja
  • A ban on texting while driving in Tempe
  • A gift ban and stricter reporting requirements for Tempe elected officials
  • An eight year term limit for the mayor’s office

Arizona leaders and organizations that have endorsed Michael Monti include:

  • Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman
  • Former Tempe Council Member and mayoral candidate Linda Spears
  • Tempe Council Member Onnie Shekerjian
  • Tempe Democrat and Former Council Member Barbara Sherman
  • Tempe’s first elected Mayor, Rudy Campbell
  • The Tempe Chamber of Commerce
  • Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne
  • Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery
  • Congressman David Schweikert
  • Former Tempe City Council Member ‘Hut’ Hutson
  • Former State Rep. Laura Knaperek
  • Tempe Democrat Carl Hayden
  • Former Tempe Council Member Joseph Lewis
  • Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane
  • Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr.
  • Former State Senator and Tempe Council Member Bev Hermon
  • Former Tempe Council Candidate Angie Taylor Thornton
  • Arizona State Treasurer Doug Ducey
  • Former State Senator Gary Richardson

To visit the Monti4 Mayor Website click here or log on to www.monti4mayor.com (@monti4mayor).

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Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, City Government, Crime and Punishment, Media, Press Release Tagged With: , ,

Saucedo-Mercer: Court hearing on Arizona’s law opportunity to fuel reform not rhetoric

April 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Congressman Raul Grijalva writes that Arizona’s immigration law, SB1070 will put our country into chaos, should the U.S. Supreme Court uphold the law. The United States Supreme Court will hear arguments in the matter of Arizona’s immigration law, SB1070, today. A recent poll shows that a majority of Americans favor the law. Eight states have adopted similar laws.

Grijalva’s Republican challenger in the Congressional District 3 race, Gabby Saucedo Mercer, says “Grijalva’s failure, in his ten years in Congress, to sponsor meaningful legislation that would serve the country’s economic and national security while addressing the very difficult questions and issues pertaining to immigration, has created a chaotic atmosphere, in which communication has broken down, and real solutions are not being discussed.”

In his opinion piece, written for U.S. News and reports, Raúl M. Grijalva, the co-chair of the Progressive Caucus, wrote, “Arizona’s SB 1070 should be struck down by the Supreme Court.” Grijalva, the radical congressman from Arizona, argues that the Constitution clearly gives exclusive authority to the federal government over immigration and naturalization issues.”

Gabby Saucedo Mercer is challenging the congressman’s claim that SB1070 grants states “the authority to create immigration policy.” She says, “This sort of mischaracterization and hyperbole does not help the people of this country or Arizona. SB1070 is simply recognition of federal law, it does not in any way, grant state and local law enforcement any extraordinary authority.”

The Governor of Arizona released a statement addressing the lies and distortions offered by the law’s foes like Grijalva, “Despite all of the misrepresentations, misleading rhetoric and outright lies told about SB 1070, public support for this law is as strong as ever. I’ve seen it in the donations from citizens of all 50 states who have dug into their own pocketbooks in order to help defray Arizona’s legal costs.

Saucedo Mercer argues that the law’s popularity has increased as the public has grown more aware of the failure of the federal government to protect our county’s border. “The people of Arizona felt that the federal government had failed to protect the country’s economic health and the people’s welfare. Grijalva has been in office for ten years and has failed to take the lead, as a resident of a large border state, to initiate real changes in immigration. He instead prefers open borders.”

Saucedo Mercer, who has lived in the border area communities of Rio Rico, Sierra Vista and Tucson, knows firsthand the concerns that lead the people of Arizona to pass SB1070. Saucedo Mercer supports the ROB Plan for border security. Saucedo Mercer is a conservative advocate for meaningful immigration reform, who knows firsthand the issues facing hopeful immigrants. She does not support blanket amnesty, but does support immigration reform that offers a rigorous but compassionate path to citizenship.

Gabby Saucedo Mercer, a legal immigrant from Mexico who took an oath to defend the Constitution when she became an American citizen, joins many Arizona law makers in the belief that the Supreme Court will find for the state of Arizona.

The Arizona Latino Republican Association has endorsed the law.

Just last week, Saucedo Mercer spent two days in Nogales, Arizona, listening to business leaders’ and government officials’ concerns about our national and economic security. No one expressed opposition to SB1070, but without exception, they advised Saucedo Mercer that political hyperbole does not help their situation.

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Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Constitutional Law, Federal Government, Government Reform, Illegal Immigration, Judicial, Legislation, Press Release

Congressman Flake Urges SCOTUS to Uphold SB 1070

April 25, 2012 By 11 Comments

Obama Administration Ought to Focus on Securing Border Instead of Suing Arizona

Washington, D.C. – Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today urged the Supreme Court to uphold SB 1070, Arizona’s immigration enforcement law.

Congressman Flake has consistently opposed the Obama Administration’s decision to sue Arizona over the law.

“It should be expected that states like Arizona will take action to enforce immigration laws when the federal government continues its long history of failing to do so,” said Flake.

“The Obama Administration ought to focus on securing the border instead of suing Arizona for trying to help.”

Congressman Flake has introduced H.R. 1507, the Border Security Enforcement Act of 2011. Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl have introduced the legislation in the Senate. Among the 10 key provisions of the bill is the deployment of up to 6,000 National Guard troops and 5,000 additional Border Patrol agents to the United States-Mexico border by 2016. It would create additional Border Patrol stations along the southwest border and create six additional permanent Border Patrol Forward Operating Bases and upgrade existing bases.

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Filed Under: Constitutional Law, Elected Officials, Federal Government, Judicial, National Security, Press Release Tagged With: ,

County Supervisors award liberal activist Randy Parraz unasked for money over “stress”

April 21, 2012 By 19 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
Saturday, April 21, 2012

Fired Deputy County Attorney spills beans in lawsuit against Supervisors on how they rewarded their friends and  Arpaio/Thomas enemies with $100,000.00′s 

Randy Parraz wasn’t even a protester, nor had he filed a lawsuit against the County, yet County Supervisors added him in to receive an inflated award of taxpayers’ money

The payoff for taking out Russell Pearce is now obvious. Here are some excerpts from fired Deputy County Maria Brandon’s federal lawsuit against Maricopa County:

In 2010, as the high-profile feud escalated, some in county management began to use the county’s self-insured trust to reward political friends such as anti-Arpaio and anti-Thomas protestors. They also sought to punish Arpaio and Thomas politically by paying more than necessary to settle his claims and lawsuits and then publicly blaming the costs on Arpaio and on Thomas and their mismanagement.

Attorneys in Special Litigation who were under the chain of command of county management but providing representation to Arpaio and Thomas as their attorneys, refused on ethical grounds to go along with this behavior.

An attempt was made to keep these attorneys from returning to the County Attorney’s office. When this was opposed by newly-elected County Attorney Bill Montgomery, a scheme was devised to circumvent the merit system so the salaries of these employees could be slashed and/or they could be fired without the right to appeal.

In February 2010, Risk Management adjuster Jacquie Garrett, who was assigned to adjust three lawsuits filed by a group of seven (7) anti-Arpaio protestors arising from incidents on December 15th and 17th, and Brandon decided requested settlement authority of $7500 foreach protestor, a total of $52,500.32. At the end of April 2010, Risk Manager Rocky Armfield sent Brandon an email explaining that he had obtained additional authority of up to $100,000 per protestor, and that he was adding the claim of Randy Parraz, a political activist who was not arrested or a participant on December 15th and December 17th and had not yet filed a lawsuit.

Rocky Armfield was told repeatedly by Brandon and by his adjuster, Jacquie Garrett,that there were defenses and motions that could be applied to these cases to reduce or eliminate the liability for the defendants and the self-insured trust. For example, Mr. Parraz’s notice of claim had been untimely filed, but Armfield was intent on pushing these political cases to a nearly mediation and an early monetary settlement.

The lawsuits were settled at the mediation over MCSO’s objections, as follows: Theilen received $99,999; Monica Sandschafer received $99,999; Odhner received $75,000; Nelson $75,000; Bethancourt $50,000; Millan $50,000 and Teran $24,700. Randy Parraz did not settle his claim at that time.

The Republic published a front page article regarding the settlement amount of $424,700 for seven protestors who were booked and released, and where there were no claims of excessive force or physical injuries. One protestor, who had not been booked or taken to jailbut had only received a citation in the mail, received $24,700 in settlement funds at the mediation.

During these five months, John Does I-V, unknown policymakers for Maricopa County, set up a salary structure that protected the salaries of attorneys at General Litigation who had represented county management, but slashed the salaries of attorneys from Special Litigation who had represented Arpaio/MCSO and Thomas/MCAO.

The new salary structure had the effect of punishing attorneys perceived by some as political enemies in the county feud because they represented Sheriff Arpaio, even though that was what they were hired to do.

All three line-attorneys in Special Litigation had their salaries significantly reduced under the new salary structure. As of April 18, 2011, the Special Litigation attorneys received the following reductions in salary: Attorney S. Lee White’s salary was reduced by $29,640(about a 30% reduction); K. Peter Muthig’s salary was reduced by $17,971 and Plaintiff Brandon’s salary was reduced by $7737.

Under the plan developed during the five months of negotiation between Bill Montgomery and county management, all attorneys brought back from General Litigation and Special Litigation were to be placed on probation despite the fact that many had worked for the county for 20 or even 30 years. Plaintiff Brandon was placed on probation despite the fact that she had worked for Maricopa County continually for 33 years.

Tom Liddy said he attended one meeting alone with Assistant County Manager/BudgetDirector/Interim HR Director Sandi Wilson with no written agenda, and she began the meeting by asking, “What are you going to do about Maria Brandon?” Liddy likened the atmosphere to the post-Civil War, Reconstruction period when there were lynchings.

Despite her many years of public service, Plaintiff Brandon lost her work, her annual salary of about $134,000 and later of about $126,000, her family’s medical insurance, and her reputation. Prior to June 10th , Plaintiff had never been dismissed or asked to leave a job in her life.

The full complaint is posted here.
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Filed Under: County Government, Crime and Punishment, Elected Officials, Ethics, Illegal Immigration

Veterans group endorses Kelly in CD8 Special

April 19, 2012 By 2 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 19, 2012

Veterans group endorses Jesse Kelly for Congress

TUCSON, AZ Combat Veterans for Congress has endorsed Jesse Kelly in his bid to represent the Eighth Congressional District in Southern Arizona.

Jesse Kelly in uniform Kelly is honored to have the support of such a distinguished group of veterans and responded with this comment, “As a combat veteran myself, I understand the risks they have taken and the sacrifices that our service members have made while wearing the uniform. I will work hard to protect veterans and make sure they receive the full benefits they earned while serving our great nation.”

Jesse Kelly works in the private sector as a project manager for a construction firm. He and his wife live in Pima County, where they are raising their two sons. Please visit www.VoteJesseKelly.com for more information or send an e-mail to info@votejessekelly.com.

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Paid for by Kelly for Congress

Use of his military rank, job titles and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement from the Department of Defense or the Marines.

Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Campaigns & Elections, Endorsements, Press Release, Veterans
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