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Update on Arizona’s 9th Congressional District

February 8, 2012 By 4 Comments

It’s been awhile since I’ve written some original content so I’m gonna throw a quick overview on Arizona’s CD-9 – the crescent-shaped district located in Phoenix.

So who’s in?

On the Democrat side, Kyrsten Sinema, Andrei Cherny and David Schapira have all announced. Schapira won’t get very far. He’s got the excitement of Bradypus variegatus (everybody’s scrambling to Wikipedia) and no money raising skills. On the contrary, Kyrsten has made the contacts and trips to DC having rubbed elbows with DNC mukety-mucks and Obamatons. Andrei “I-can’t-wait-to-get-the-hell-outa-here” Cherny recently abandoned his chairmanship at the Arizona Democratic Party taking his mediocre fundraising skills with him. This leaves the ADP in a frantic scramble to replace him from among a rapidly diminishing talent pool. My assessment: Cherny and Sinema battle for the heart of Arizona leftists while it remains on life support. Close call in the August Primary but I’d have to guess Sinema eeks out a win. Cherny heads back to Califormia.

Travis Grantham

Now let’s talk about Republicans. Republicans actually have some great talent to put up. Some have ooodles of money, some are damn hard workers and others are simply looking for a career change to make a bigger difference. First to enter the race was Travis Grantham, a Gilbert resident, businessman and Air National Guard pilot. Grantham originally staked out a shot east of the new CD-9 but reoriented his trajectory not wanting to get caught in the crossfire of Adams vs. Salmon. Smart move but Grantham doesn’t live in the new CD-9 (although there’s nothing illegal with that.) He has a chance and is sitting on almost $120K.

Wendy Rogers

Next to file is my personal favorite (sorry gents, I always gravitate to the lady candidates), Wendy Rogers. Wendy actually lives in the district and has done so with her family for many years. She’s a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel who works harder than anyone I know when it comes to anything she sets her heart on. Wendy has a loyal following of supporters not only here in Arizona but across the country who can be counted on to raise the money needed in a lickety-split second for this race. Wendy is a perfect match for the district.

In the wings waiting are Steve Moak, Vernon Parker, Gary Pierce and Martin Sepulveda. Maricopa County Supervisor Don Stapley has also been mentioned but with such high negatives and an already announced re-election campaign underway, his political days are numbered.

Steve Moak

Steve Moak ran in 2010 finishing 2nd in a 10-way primary. He’s likely got the cash but many question if he’s far more risk averse this time hesitant to charge up his 2012 campaign coffers.

Vernon Parker

Paradise Valley councilman Vernon Parker is also eyeing the race. Parker also ran in the crowded 10-way 2010 primary finishing 4th place. Parker is also seeking re-election to the Paradise Valley Council leaving many to question his motivations in seeking any public office. He is expected to decide any day.

Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce also wants in on the action but he’s just settled into another term on the ACC. He’d have to step down under Arizona’s resign to run law given his term expires in 2014. Pierce has obviously run statewide but financed his ACC race using “Clean Elections” money. His ability to raise money for a federal campaign is probably one of the biggest factors he would have to weigh.

Gary Pierce

That leaves former Chandler City Councilman Martin Sepulveda as the last candidate considering. Sepulveda is a fiery US Navy combat veteran who have a great deal of respect for (we even had our own little political brush-up during the 2010 US Senate primary. What is it with us US Navy guys?) Given a sizeable number of Republicans reside in this portion of the district, Sepulveda would be competitive. He also served as a surrogate for our senior senator during the 2010 Republican primary. That kind of help could come in handy with the fundraising if the door is open.

Martin Sepulveda

That’s my assessment. I really can’t say who I’d like to see win the Republican primary but I do know that this will be a very competitive race with plenty of political drama. I can’t wait for the field to be set.

Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Campaigns & Elections, Political Parties, Political Science Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Republican precinct committeemen select three replacements to fill State Senate vacancy in LD-4

January 17, 2012 By 4 Comments

Tried and true Republican precinct committeemen gathered Monday night in Sun City to choose three individuals to fill the vacancy left by recently resigned State Senator, Scott Bundgaard.

The meeting which was held at the Union Hills Country Club and conducted by the State Republican Party in accordance with Arizona law, began at 6:15 and lasted two hours with two rounds of balloting.

Seven candidates were nominated from the floor knowing that only three would survive the final cut. Those nominated included, State Representative Judy Burges, former NFL pro Tony Bouie, former State Representative Jerry Overton, longtime Republican activist Lyle Tuttle, David Livingston, Eric Spencer and Joy Grainger.

Each candidate was allowed five minutes to speak and make the case for their nomination.

In order to survive a round of balloting, candidates needed 75 votes.

Precinct committeemen proceeded to vote in the first round with the results selecting two candidates: Eric Spencer with 121 votes and Judy Burges with 101 votes. No one else survived the first round and the David Livingston was eliminated as the lowest vote receiver.

In the second round of balloting, Lyle Tuttle surpassed the 75-vote threshold with 77 votes. That concluded the lineup and the meeting was adjourned.

Spencer, Burges and Tuttle now head to the Maricopa County Supervisors who are required to make a final appointment. That appointment may come as early as Wednesday or Thursday.

Based on the vote count totals, that candidate will likely be Eric Spencer. Should the Supervisors appoint Representative Burges, Legislative District 4 Republicans will be required to gather again within a week in order to nominate a replacement to succeed Burges’ House vacancy.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Political Parties, Political Science, State Government Tagged With: , , ,

Maricopa County Republican Member-At-Large Candidates Slate

January 13, 2012 By

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A Letter from Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin

January 12, 2012 By 2 Comments

Many people have asked me whether I believe there is a real chance for bi-partisanship, political civility and statesmanship to prevail in our current political climate. They are surprised when I say yes! The majority of legislation passed in every session at the capital is very much a product of bipartisan cooperation. Though said bills may be characterized as non controversial or “simple” they are numerous and have a real impact on people’s lives.

In times past, bipartisanship was only possible when bountiful state budgets provided ample capital with which to negotiate. This used to serve as the basis for bipartisan statesmanship and “compromise”. Regardless of what it is presently called what is obvious is that the elements of the art of statesmanship and compromise have now changed which must now be accomplished without the use of once seemingly limitless budgets.

It is an irrefutable fact that we no longer have discretionary funds. Those funds have been exhausted and we now find ourselves in debt. We could continue to borrow in order to support our operational costs but at some point we must recognize that such practices will cease to be an option.

Despite our circumstances I believe cooperation in our capital is still possible. In the last three years, we addressed the structural deficit through permanent spending reductions and through tough negotiations to only temporarily raise revenues. With these solutions behind us, it is now time to engage in meaningful policymaking. This will require us to put aside partisan bickering in order to concentrate on what is right and necessary for the good of all Arizona’s citizens.

We do also need to examine the hearts and minds of Arizonans to learn about their desires which with this state will move forward. Some desire their state government to secure everyone’s chances to their pursuit of happiness, individual competition as well as charitable opportunity. Others desire the redistribution of private wealth and increased dependency on the public funds of the state. It is time for the people to decide which philosophy will provide them with the best future.

Despite these conflicting ideological differences, I foresee what can hold us together is not unlike what cements the bonds between the men and women of our military. Our armed forces are comprised of Republicans and Democrats alike. They fight as one to defend our nation’s freedom. This serves as a great example of how people whom ascribe to extremely differing philosophies can still fight for a common cause.

Therefore, if we collectively hold a soft, unproductive economy and an insurmountable debt as our common enemy I propose we find the common ground with which to defeat it. If Democrats can’t agree to cut without raising taxes and Republicans won’t vote for increased taxes then let’s cap the budget where it is and dedicate future revenue increases and spending savings to service our debt and emergency contingencies.

So if bipartisanship is to be known as the act of people being intellectually engaged and ready to fight then surely there is room in the legislature for it. No good will be accomplished and our economic woes will never be resolved if the representatives of the people temper their passions and beliefs while trying to combat our common enemy.

We cannot allow for those whom seek to promote infighting in the pursuit of partisan advancement. The people of Arizona sent us 90 leaders to move Arizona forward. I am proud to honor and serve with this talented and resourceful group of public servants. I expect that in our 100th year of statehood we will live up to our obligation to provide for the common good, the security of the American Dream and to authentically come together to fight our common enemies. This is my New Year’s wish for my beloved Arizona.

Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Conservatives, Culture, Elected Officials, Government, Guest Opinion, Legislation, Political Parties, Political Science, Press Release, State Budget, State Economy, State Government Tagged With:

LD-4 Republicans to meet, nominate three individuals for appointment to vacated State Senate seat

January 11, 2012 By 4 Comments

From the MCRC Briefs:

State GOP Headquarters has set Monday, Jan. 16 as the date that the LD4 precinct committeemen will elect three nominees to be submitted to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for selection to fill the senate vacancy left by the sudden resignation of Sen. Scott Bundgaard during last week’s senate ethics hearing. The election will be held in conjunction with the regularly scheduled LD4 meeting at the Union Hills Country Club, 9845 W. Union Hills Drive, Sun City. More details will be forth coming. Election Contact: Phil Mason at Republican Party headquarters (See ARS 41-1202. Vacancy in legislature; precinct committeemen; appointment; definition at http://law.onecle.com/arizona/state-government/41-1202.html for procedure details.

Two-term LD4 State Representative Judy Burges is seeking appointment to the LD4 senate seat that was vacated Friday when Sen. Scott Bundgaard resigned during the middle of an ethics hearing. Burges, elected in 2004, is currently serving her last year in the AZ House. Although not yet officially announced, she planned to run for the senate at the end of her term as a Representative. She currently serves as Chairman of the Government Committee that hears more bills than any other committee in the House of Representatives. As a legislator Burges has received “Champion of the Taxpayer” recognition, twice named “Legislator of the Year”, has been honored by the Goldwater Institute, the Pachyderm Coalition, Arizona Liberty Project, National Federation of Independent Business, Taxpayers for Prosperity; and has been named a ‘Friend of the Family’ every year since taking office. She has served on numerous legislative and district committees. Her husband Robert is a past chairman of LD4 Republicans and is currently a GOP state committeeman.

LD4 Precinct Committeeman and past Second Vice Chairman Eric Spencer is seeking the senate seat vacated by Sen. Scott Bundgaard. Spencer, currently an attorney with Snell & Wilmer, was a Captain in the US Army (Infantry), served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Baghdad in 2005-06 earning the Bronze Star. He earned Oak Leaf Clusters for Commendations and Achievement, a Parachutist Badge, a Combat Infantry Badge, Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbons, and other awards and decorations too numerous to list. The US Army Airborne School graduate has degrees from the University of California (Magna Cum Laude), a Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law and a Master Degree from Harvard University. He has attended three Republican National Conventions and served as Chair and Vice-Chair of the U of A College Republicans. He and his wife have a son.

Other LD4 Senate replacement candidate information will be provided as Briefs receives their resumes. Reports that Tony Bouie and Joy Graniger and Jerry Overton have tossed their hats into their ring have been confirmed by LD4 officials.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Conservatives, Political Parties, Political Science Tagged With:

A MUST READ: How Democrats Fooled California’s Redistricting Commission

December 22, 2011 By 66 Comments

Excellent article posted by the non-profit, independent, investigative journalists, ProPublica. This is a MUST read if you’ve been following the machinations of the Arizona ‘Independent’ Redistricting Commission. If you don’t think it can happen here in Arizona, it already has just like it happened in California. Here is a segment of the article:

This spring, a group of California Democrats gathered at a modern, airy office building just a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol. The meeting was House members only — no aides allowed — and the mission was seemingly impossible.

In previous years, the party had used its perennial control of California’s state Legislature to draw district maps that protected Democratic incumbents. But in 2010, California voters put redistricting in the hands of a citizens’ commission where decisions would be guided by public testimony and open debate.

The question facing House Democrats as they met to contemplate the state’s new realities was delicate: How could they influence an avowedly nonpartisan process? Alexis Marks, a House aide who invited members to the meeting, warned the representatives that secrecy was paramount. “Never say anything AT ALL about redistricting — no speculation, no predictions, NOTHING,” Marks wrote in an email. “Anything can come back to haunt you.”

In the weeks that followed, party leaders came up with a plan. Working with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee — a national arm of the party that provides money and support to Democratic candidates — members were told to begin “strategizing about potential future district lines,” according to another email.

The citizens’ commission had pledged to create districts based on testimony from the communities themselves, not from parties or statewide political players. To get around that, Democrats surreptitiously enlisted local voters, elected officials, labor unions and community groups to testify in support of configurations that coincided with the party’s interests.

When they appeared before the commission, those groups identified themselves as ordinary Californians and did not disclose their ties to the party. One woman who purported to represent the Asian community of the San Gabriel Valley was actually a lobbyist who grew up in rural Idaho, and lives in Sacramento.

In one instance, party operatives invented a local group to advocate for the Democrats’ map.

California’s Democratic representatives got much of what they wanted from the 2010 redistricting cycle, especially in the northern part of the state. “Every member of the Northern California Democratic Caucus has a ticket back to DC,” said one enthusiastic memo written as the process was winding down. “This is a huge accomplishment that should be celebrated by advocates throughout the region.”

(Read the entire article)

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Constitutional Law, Government, Journalism, Liberals, Political Parties, Political Science, State Government Tagged With: ,

Bill Whittle: A Voter’s Guide to Republicans

December 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Well said Bill Whittle!

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Be sure to subscribe to Bill’s YouTube Channel.

Filed Under: Conspiracy Theories, Culture, Freedom of Speech, Liberals, Media, Personalities, Political Correctness, Political Parties, Political Science, Race Relations Tagged With:

Arizona Republican Party Chairman Morrissey Statement on Sheriff Candidate Rumor

December 14, 2011 By 6 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 14, 2011
CONTACT: Communications@azgop.org

PHOENIX – Arizona Republican Party Chairman, Tom Morrissey, released the following statement today regarding speculation of his candidacy for Pinal County Sheriff:

“I am not now nor will be a candidate for Pinal County Sheriff. Contrary to political rumors being spread, I have absolutely no interest in running for Pinal County Sheriff. 

“Several individuals did indeed approach me with the political proposition of seeking the seat. And while I was truly humbled by their confidence and request to return to the law enforcement arena, I respectfully declined. 

“Furthermore, I take my commitment and loyalty to the Arizona Republican Party and its members very serious. State Committeemen who elected me as Chairman have entrusted me with the important role of raising money, registering Republicans and electing Republicans at all levels of government. I am absolutely committed to fulfilling that obligation and leading the GOP to victory during my entire term.” 

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Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Political Parties, Political Science, Press Release Tagged With: ,

Arizonan Exceptionalism: A Conservative Voice in the Wilderness

November 29, 2011 By 5 Comments

By Kelly Townsend

Arizona continues to be a shining star in the midst of liberal darkness that shrouds our country. As we hear reports of inequality regarding the treatment of the Tea Party vs. the treatment of the Occupy protesters in Richmond and other locations, I wish to give thanks the leaders of our great State for their support and fair treatment of our groups over the last two and a half years.

Kelly Townsend

Not once have we received resistance to our events, been unduly denied permits or access to public areas, nor harassed in any manner. On the contrary, the City of Phoenix has provided police protection for our members and has provided freedom of expression of our first and second amendment rights. We have always felt free to express our message, even when it is alongside the violent opposition.

Indeed, Arizona has been a beacon for those wishing to lift their voices in protest, not only for the Conservative voice, but also for the law-breaking entitlement groups who hate our State and our country. When a group of illegal immigration proponents threw a large American flag on the State Capitol grounds, placed a toilet seat on it and instructed their children to stomp their dirty shoes over it in defiance of our laws, the Arizona Capitol police protected their 1st amendment rights as well.

Yes, here in Arizona you can wave your Mexican flag on the porch of the Capitol and declare that it is truly Mexico, not the United States, and get away with it. As abhorrent as that seems, it is the nature of Arizona to uphold the law and the rights of her people, even when it hurts. We applaud our great State, and offer her example to those officials in other parts of our great country who have forgotten what it means to respect the protection of the Constitution.

Kelly Townsend is Co-Founder of the Greater Phoenix Tea Party.

 

Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Conservatives, Culture, Freedom of Speech, Government, Guest Opinion, Political Correctness, Political Parties, Political Science, Protests, States Rights Tagged With:

Senator Steve Pierce: Redistricting chief’s actions overtly partisan

November 28, 2011 By 19 Comments

By Steve Pierce

When voters approved Proposition 106 in 2000, creating the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, they included a procedure for removal of a member of the commission. A member could be removed from the commission for “gross misconduct” or “substantial neglect of duty.” The determination is to be made by the governor, and the state Senate must sign off on the removal by a two-thirds vote.

Prop. 106 set a high bar for a person to be removed, but with all the evidence piled up, Colleen Mathis soars over that bar, and must not serve on the IRC.

The priority of the IRC and its chair is to produce constitutional maps every 10 years. Mathis presided over a process that produced unconstitutional maps. In fact, they were unconstitutional in all six criteria used to measure the validity of the maps.

Part of the sales job for the original passage of Prop. 106 was that it would take the redistricting process out from the closed doors of the Legislature and into the open for all of the public to see. Instead, the IRC faces allegations of open meetings law violations, and Mathis admits to taking the maps home with her on a weekend, making key changes to the congressional maps and then springing them on commissioners the following Monday for a vote. That is hardly the transparency Arizona voters wanted.

Mathis also apparently held clandestine meetings with Strategic Telemetry, the mapping company from D.C., without the knowledge of other commissioners. This partisan firm had no track record on mapping, never in Arizona, but Mathis made an aggressive pitch for ST outside the IRC meetings. Her husband also has reportedly attempted to broker side deals with Republican commissioners in blatant violation of constitutional transparency requirements.

The IRC allegedly shredded key bidding documents. The procurement process was so bad that the Arizona Department of Administration pulled out of it, sending a letter to the IRC saying that it was not complying with basic requirements.

Even in her application to the IRC, Mathis wasn’t completely open with information. She now admits she should have disclosed that her husband was campaign treasurer for Democratic Rep. Nancy Young-Wright.

When the IRC hired attorneys for each party, Mathis sided with the Democrats in hiring the Democrats’ attorney, and sided with the Democrats in hiring the Republicans’ attorney. That’s right – Republicans weren’t even allowed to hire their own attorney.

The Constitution requires that mapping be done by “adjustments to the grid.” Mathis appears to have ignored that requirement and used a mapping method she called a “doughnut hole.” It was an unconstitutional plan that left Arizonans looking to clean up the crumbs of that doughnut.

The evidence is overwhelming that Mathis has committed “gross misconduct” and “substantial neglect of duty.” And no matter what the Arizona Supreme Court justices may think, Prop. 106 makes it clear the determination is to be made not by men and women in black robes, but by the governor with the approval of the Senate. That has happened, and Colleen Mathis should no longer serve on the IRC.

In our own Yavapai County, we have the population to be our own district. It fits perfectly, and we are a community of interest. We all have the same issues in front of us. This commission saw fit to chop us up so we wouldn’t have the voice we now have. After all, we are a political powerhouse, and it is clear the opposition doesn’t want us to have the clout we currently have.

There is a long list of ways the Constitution has been disregarded and broken. I won’t go into further detail. The simple fact is, this extremely important redistricting exercise has been done in a very poor manner and its effects will last for at least 10 years – especially here in Yavapai County.

Sen. Steve Pierce, R-Prescott, is the Arizona Senate President-elect.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Government, Government Reform, Guest Opinion, Political Parties, Political Science Tagged With: , , ,

TAKE ARIZONA OUT OF THE HANDS OF OBAMA AND PROTECT OUR STATE!

November 18, 2011 By 10 Comments

Dear Devoted Arizonans,

When Arizona voters passed Prop 106, they were told they were voting against gerrymandered districts. They were told they were taking the politics out of redistricting. They were told they were getting an “Independent” Redistricting Commission… They were told a lie.

What Arizonans really got was an uninformed, unaccountable group of five politically appointed people with thinly veiled political interests. In fact, the Commissions most recent “Independent” chairwoman was so biased against Republicans and actual Independents and so hostile toward the Constitution, she had to be removed from office.

FACTS 

· Colleen Mathis lied by omission on her application by not disclosing that her husband was a paid staff member of Democrat Nancy Young Wright’s campaign. Her response? She says “she forgot”.

· The two Democrats and Colleen Mathis didn’t allow the Republicans to select their own counsel, however they all, including the Republicans voted to allow the Dem’s to select their own attorney.

· The two Democrats and Colleen Mathis voted for a mapping firm. A Mapping Firm with no experience in drawing maps with a long history of working for unions, Democrats, Liberals, Progressives and leading in multiple recalls of Republicans in this Country. Did I mention the mapping firm worked for Obama?

· Destroyed documents which are subject to public records request- this is a violation of open meeting laws. These were the scoring sheets that eliminated three firms from being considered in the award of the mapping consultant contract. All 7 score cards were shredded and there is an affidavit of that by a witness.

· Bid Rigging admitted by Commissioner Herrera – that he intentionally scored Strategic Telemetry high – The reason given by Commissioner Herrera was that he was afraid that had he not scored them so high, some other company would have gotten the contract.

· Vote Trading Ms. Mathis called Republican commissioners to get them to vote for Strategic Telemetry in exchange for her votes for something they might want on the mapping portion. This conversation happened on cell phones in the parking lot after the end of a meeting. This violates, at the least, open meeting laws. An affidavit was filed with the attesting to this.

· State Procument Officer walked out and submitted a letter stating that the selection process for Strategic Telemetry was in violation of state procurement operations.

· Hiring of personal lawyers at taxpayer expense

· Concerns of violations of open meeting laws. When the AG’s office began their investigation the IRC began stonewalling and withholding of evidence from the AZ State Attorney General

· Times the commission didn’t even show up to hear the voice of the people.

· Colleen Mathis admitted to revising the map based on some emails she received over a weekend.

We appointed a Joint committee to have the people respond (Article 4 part 2 section 1 (16) and the Democrats didn’t even attend nor did the Democrat appointed to the Joint Committee even bother to show up.

We spent 6 days of hearings in which the committee drafted a conclusion and still the Democrats didn’t respond.

The Democrats rank 3rd in registration in this State however they have stolen the voters voice and will of Independents and many others in the state of Arizona.

The IRC is required to explain for everything that is done with the maps and they were asked to provide the information many many days ago as to how they arrived to the conclusions of the maps. No one at the IRC can explain how they got the results. However 2 Democrats and Colleen Mathis voted yes on these maps.

The people who voted on Prop 106 wanted this process done in the open- they didn’t want back room deals- however the IRC has met more times behind closed doors than the Legislature ever did, they had more back room deals, destruction of documents and negotiations.

How could this happen? Because it’s easier to corrupt 1 on the IRC versus 60 in the House and 30 in the Senate.

In Closing

Please don’t get wrapped up in the obvious attempts by the Democrats or the media to distract your focus on what is happening here. They will complain ‘Politics as Usual’, ‘Republicans are not focusing on this issue or that issue’, but stay focused on what’s happening now.

What is happening is a break down of the foundation of this Country and this State with members of the IRC repeatedly violating our laws and our Constitution and the Democrats saying ‘ it’s ok’. It’s NOT OK.

Our children deserves a great state, where breaking the law is NOT acceptable. Republicans have demonstrated this time after time – even when it’s been their own.

So let’s take back Arizona….

Call or email Governor Jan Brewer by filling out the form at http://azgovernor.gov/contact.asp or by calling the Phoenix Office:

Tucson Office:
Fax Number: (602) 542-4331
(520) 628-6580
(602) 542-1381
In-State Toll Free 1-800-253-0883 (outside Maricopa County only)

The Message:

TAKE ARIZONA OUT OF THE HANDS OF OBAMA AND PROTECT OUR STATE!

Thank You,

-Representative Terri Proud-

Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Ethics, Liberals, Political Parties, Political Science, State Government

Arizona Supreme Court Reinstates Colleen Mathis as Chairman of Redistricting Commission

November 17, 2011 By 73 Comments

Early this evening, the Arizona Supreme Court issued a ruling reinstating the so-called ‘Independent’ Colleen Mathis to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.

This is a victory for leftists and Strategic Telemetry who were attempting to manipulate the Arizona Constitution to gain political power by leveraging data to the left’s advantage.

Three members of the commission decided to disregard the mandates outlined in the Arizona Constitution and solely utilize the element of competitiveness to draft Arizona electoral boundaries.

The law states the following under Article 4, Part 2, Section 1:

(14) The independent redistricting commission shall establish congressional and legislative districts. The commencement of the mapping process for both the congressional and legislative districts shall be the creation of districts of equal population in a grid-like pattern across the state. Adjustments to the grid shall then be made as necessary to accommodate the goals as set forth below: 

A. Districts shall comply with the United States Constitution and the United States voting rights act; 

B. Congressional districts shall have equal population to the extent practicable, and state legislative districts shall have equal population to the extent practicable; 

C. Districts shall be geographically compact and contiguous to the extent practicable; 

D. District boundaries shall respect communities of interest to the extent practicable; 

E. To the extent practicable, district lines shall use visible geographic features, city, town and county boundaries, and undivided census tracts; 

F. To the extent practicable, competitive districts should be favored where to do so would create no significant detriment to the other goals.

The two Democrats and Independent member, Colleen Mathis, established “F” – the competitive provision – as the main criteria in drafting the maps.

This was a blatant redistribution of votes.

With Mathis now reinstated, the commission can move forward working to further divide and leverage minority power against the rest of the State of Arizona.

We would assume that Governor Brewer is furious over the court’s action (A statement was just released.)

This may also set the stage for a constitutional crisis.

This also should give the legislature further motive to move quickly to enter a special session with the exclusive objective of referring a repeal of the law that gave us the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.

The Legislature has until November 30th to pass a referendum in order to place it on the ballot on the same day of the Presidential Preference Election on February 28th.

If you support repealing the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission and restoring this authority to 90 elected accountable people instead of 5 un-elected un-accountable people, contact the Arizona Legislature and let them know.

Time is running out for the legislature to act.

Lets restore this important authority to those who will not manipulate the law using slick Democrat consulting firms.

Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Ballot Measures, Conservatives, Conspiracy Theories, Constitutional Law, Elected Officials, Government Reform, Judicial, Legislation, Liberals, Political Parties, Political Science, State Government Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Beware the ‘Independent’ Label, Democrats Use New Branding Strategy

November 10, 2011 By 39 Comments

This photo says it all.

Remember the expression, “Look for the Union label?”

These days, “Union” is a dirty word - synonymous with “big government,” “unruly overdemanding government workers” and of course, Democrats.

Using the label “Independent,” Democrats are now attempting to fool voters by taking the “new & improved” branding strategy.

Don’t be fooled. They’re still the same old liberal, nihilistic, big-government, tax and spend amoral creatures.

Filed Under: Liberals, Political Parties, Political Science Tagged With: ,

Senate Majority Leader Biggs on removal of IRC Chair Colleen Mathis

November 4, 2011 By 3 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 4, 2011
CONTACT: Mike Philipsen

Op-Ed by Senate Majority Leader, Andy Biggs

When the drafters of Proposition 106 took their idea to the ballot in 2000, they knew they had to address the possibility of the State needing to remove a Commission member. They wrote that a Commission member could be removed by the Governor, with the support of two-thirds of the State Senate, for acts considered “gross misconduct” or “substantial neglect of duty”

Thank goodness they included that in the proposition approved by Arizona voters. Because of that wording, and the overwhelming evidence that Chair Colleen Mathis committed “gross misconduct” and “substantial neglect of duty”, the Governor was able to remove Ms. Mathis before she could do any more damage to our state.

We have to get past the arguments of which party benefits by which map. That’s not what this is about. To make the decision to remove a member of the IRC, we must look at their actions in office. Take the partisan blinders off and look at how Ms. Mathis committed “substantial neglect of duty”.

  • She admitted meeting in violation of open-meeting laws in a pursuit “of consensus” on awarding the mapping consultant contract.
  • There is evidence that Ms. Mathis fudged the scoring on the mapping consultant in order that her preferred company was chosen. One political commentator indicated that her actions resembled bid rigging.
  • She failed to disclose on her application that her husband was the Treasurer of Democratic candidate for the Legislature Nancy Young-Wright.
  • Contrary to the Constitution she appointed two vice-chairmen instead of one.
  • Her presentation of a donut-hole map, and the instructions to the Commission was a violation of the Constitutional requirement that the maps work from a grid and make adjustments to that grid.
  • She privately created her own Congressional district map and forced a vote on that map on the same day it was introduced.

This list of her misconduct does not even include the pages of unconstitutional activities discovered during the course of the Joint Legislative hearings on the Independent Redistricting Commission.

We don’t even need to speculate on the partisan motivations behind all these actions. The actions themselves are more than enough to remove her.

Proposition 106 included very specific guidelines on the role of the Legislature in the redistricting process. This Legislature has followed those guidelines to the letter. Legislative leaders selected four of the five members. The Legislature reviewed the conduct and product of the Commission and made comments to the IRC. Members did this by convening a joint bipartisan commission, although Democrats shirked their duty by “boycotting” meetings. The State Senate has followed the requirement to review and confirm/refuse in the case of the Governor’s removal of a commissioner. Once the Senate received the Governor’s call of a special session and findings outlined in her removal letter to the former IRC Chair, the Senate had a duty to act.

As the weeks go on, many will discuss whether the IRC system is even the best way to draw Congressional and Legislative maps. But that is the system we are under right now, the Governor and Legislature worked in a Constitutional manner and removed a Commission member for a series of unconstitutional acts.

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Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Guest Opinion, Political Parties, Political Science, Press Release, State Government Tagged With: , , , ,

Statement from Arizona State Treasurer Doug Ducey

October 6, 2011 By 3 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 6, 2011
CONTACT: Kevin Donnellan

Independent Redistricting Commission 

PHOENIX – “I share in the frustration of Republican leaders with the way the IRC has overstepped their charge and focused solely on one aspect of the redistricting process. I wholeheartedly support the need for competitive districts, but not at the expense of completely ignoring the Constitutional requirements of geographical compactness and aligning communities of interest.

“The congressional maps that have been presented have obvious flaws and total disregard for anything other than to provide Democratic candidates, who have not otherwise been able to win a general election, a statistical advantage.

“This independent commission has acted anything but. This process was established to create the best representation of Arizona citizens and has been manipulated by political forces from the very beginning. I echo Republican leaders call for all citizens to voice their opinions at upcoming public meetings and to share your comments online at www.AZredistricting.org.”

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Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Elected Officials, Political Parties, Political Science, Press Release, State Government Tagged With: , ,

AZ Redistricting Commission Neglects Constitutional Mandate

October 5, 2011 By 1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2011
CONTACT: Thayer Verschoor

AZ Redistricting Commission Neglects Constitutional Mandate

Proposed Congressional Map Gerrymandered to Benefit Democrats

Phoenix – The Arizona Republican Party strongly condemns members of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission for neglecting their constitutional duties in the crafting of the new Arizona Congressional District map. Three members of the Commission voted on Monday to adopt a draft map that is clearly gerrymandered and manipulated to favor certain Democrats in upcoming elections.

State Party Chairman Tom Morrissey denounced the three members for their apparent collusion and blatant obfuscation of the process. “This is not about partisanship. It’s about fairness. When the people of Arizona passed Proposition 106, they had fairness and transparency in mind. It’s stunning that the two Democrats and one Independent on the Commission would think they could roll over the Arizona Constitution and interfere with the Arizona public’s sacred right of political participation.”

The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission receives its mandate in Article IV, Part 2, Section 1 of the Arizona Constitution in establishing Congressional Districts:

(14) The independent redistricting commission shall establish congressional and legislative districts. The commencement of the mapping process for both the congressional and legislative districts shall be the creation of districts of equal population in a grid-like pattern across the state. Adjustments to the grid shall then be made as necessary to accommodate the goals as set forth below:

A. Districts shall comply with the United States Constitution and the United States voting rights act;
B. Congressional districts shall have equal population to the extent practicable, and state legislative districts shall have equal population to the extent practicable;
C. Districts shall be geographically compact and contiguous to the extent practicable;
D. District boundaries shall respect communities of interest to the extent practicable;
E. To the extent practicable, district lines shall use visible geographic features, city, town and county boundaries, and undivided census tracts;
F. To the extent practicable, competitive districts should be favored where to do so would create no significant detriment to the other goals. 

Morrissey added, “With their blatant disregard of the ‘communities of interest’ and ‘geographically compact and contiguous’ provisions, these three Commissioners have flipped the law on its head to serve their political masters. The whole thing reeks of political collusion.”

Arizona Republican Party Chief of Staff Thayer Verschoor also remarked, “Republicans have watched in shock as these three Commissioners blatantly broke procurement procedures and even violated open meeting law. And to add insult to injury, when questioned about their actions, they thumbed their nose at the Attorney General.” Verschoor added, “It is time for Attorney General Horne to step in, force the AIRC to abide by its constitutional duties and make a dramatic correction to this process.”

Other elected officials were equally critical of the draft congressional maps:

Governor Jan Brewer : “Arizona voters are owed a redistricting process that is lawful and transparent. The Arizona Constitution mandates that IRC members conduct redistricting in an honest, independent and impartial fashion, upholding public confidence in the integrity of the redistricting process. Based on this proposal and the IRC’s prior behavior, it seems clear the commission is bent on awarding to the Democratic Party control of congressional districts that it could not win on Election Day. This is nothing less than neglect of duty and gross misconduct.” 

Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl: “We had hoped that the work of the Independent Redistricting Commission would be a fair process. It is clear that instead it has been political, which is very disappointing and must be corrected.” 

Congressman Paul Gosar : “I serve my constituents daily with several key principles in mind. They include honesty, integrity and accountability. Today I applaud Governor Brewer’s efforts to demand these same principles be used to make sure that all residents of Arizona are fairly represented and maintain the community of interest as required by the Arizona Constitution. All of these factors apply to the Independent Redistricting Commission and should in every step of the process.” 

Congressman Ben Quayle : “Like Governor Brewer, I have serious concerns about whether the preliminary congressional map drawn by the Independent Redistricting Commission fairly represents all Arizonans. The IRC was supposed to take politics out of the redistricting process, but that obviously did not happen. This gerrymandered map was drawn with an undeniable partisan purpose. Arizonans deserve a map developed in a fair, nonpartisan manner.” 

Congressman David Schweikert : “This commission’s transparent effort to benefit Democrats makes a mockery of our redistricting law. Couple this with alleged violations of Arizona’s open meeting law and even a claim by one commissioner’s attorney that the open meeting law does not apply to them, and you are left with a process that has raised grave concerns about the shadiness in which this commission conducted it’s business.” 

Congressman Jeff Flake : “Simply put, the IRC’s proposed congressional map is not in the best interests of the state of Arizona. Drawing a map that everyone can agree on is an unenviable task in a state with concerns as unique as Arizona’s, but the IRC seems to have sacrificed communities of interest for competitiveness. While that might make some partisans happy, it ignores the law.” 

Arizona Speaker of the House Andy Tobin : “Up until now I have intentionally not commented on the actions of the Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) hoping they would follow their constitutionally mandated duty of providing fair maps in an independent and transparent manner. Unfortunately this has not happened. The spirit of the voters’ intent in developing fair and independent maps has been hijacked.” 

Arizonans will now have 30 days to submit public comment on the draft congressional maps before the commission proceeds with final approvals. The Arizona Republican Party urges voters to participate in this process.

Should the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission refuse or ignore to come into compliance, the Arizona Republican Party will consider pursuing legal action to force the commission to meet its legal and constitutional obligations.

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

Congressman David Schweikert Blasts Shady Redistricting Process

October 5, 2011 By 15 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2011
CONTACT: Chris Baker

“Commission’s transparent effort to benefit Democrats makes a mockery of redistricting law”

(Scottsdale, AZ) Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-05) released the following statement regarding the Independent Redistricting Commission Congressional map:

“Like many Arizonans, I have watched the redistricting process over the last several months with increasing concern. From the very beginning, it was apparent that the majority of this commission was all too willing to blithely ignore fundamental principles such as compactness, communities of interest, and geographic features that are supposed to guide redistricting in our state.

“Instead of compact districts that respect those principles, we are left with communities carved apart for no apparent reason, and districts that in some cases are thousands of square miles in size, all done in the name of giving one party what they were not able to achieve at the ballot box.

“This commission’s transparent effort to benefit Democrats makes a mockery of our redistricting law. Couple this with alleged violations of Arizona’s open meeting law and even a claim by one commissioner’s attorney that the open meeting law does not apply to them, and you are left with a process that has raised grave concerns about the shadiness in which this commission conducted it’s business.

“Arizonans deserve better than this from their redistricting commission, and they should utilize the upcoming public comment period to let the redistricting commission know that the draft Congressional map they have proposed is the wrong way to go.”

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Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Campaigns & Elections, Elected Officials, Political Parties, Political Science, Press Release, State Government Tagged With: , ,
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