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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: , ,

Jeff Flake Comments on IRC’s Proposed Congressional Map

October 5, 2011 By 1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2011
CONTACT: Steve Voeller

Map Not in the Best Interests of Arizona 

Phoenix, Arizona — Arizona Republican Representative Jeff Flake, a candidate for United States Senate, today released the following statement regarding the Independent Redistricting Commission’s (IRC) proposed congressional map.

“Simply put, the IRC’s proposed congressional map is not in the best interests of the state of Arizona,” said Flake. “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.”

Representative Flake announced his candidacy for the United States Senate in February. He’s running for the seat being vacated by Senator Jon Kyl.

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

Rep. Paul Gosar: Response to Governor Brewer’s Remarks regarding the IRC

October 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2011
CONTACT: Colin Shipley

Statement by Congressman Paul Gosar in Response to Governor Brewer’s Remarks regarding the IRC

“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.”

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

Statement by Senators McCain and Kyl on the Arizona Redistricting Commission

October 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2011
MEDIA CONTACTS: Andrew Wilder (Kyl) / Brian Rogers (McCain)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl today issued the following statement regarding Arizona’s Independent Redistricting Commission:

“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.”

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

Speaker Tobin Criticizes IRC Congressional Map

October 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2011
CONTACT: Paul Boyer

This statement is attributed to Speaker Andy Tobin (R-District 1):

“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.

The draft map adopted by three commissioners of the IRC fails to meet the standards set forth in the Arizona Constitution.

Further, the process has been flawed. Commissioners voted on this map without even looking at the data or the map they voted on. The “we need to vote on it so we can see what’s in it” approach didn’t work for Obamacare. Neither will it work for the Congressional and Legislative District maps all Arizonans will have to live with for the next ten years.

For Arizonans to have confidence in the constitutionality of the maps, we must be assured the Commission adheres to all of the necessary criteria and is conducted in an open and transparent process so we know the rationale behind the maps and the data that drives it.

I hope the Commission listens to the concerns of the entire public during this thirty-day comment period, especially those in rural Arizona.

The Arizona House of Representatives will defend our citizens against efforts to gerrymander votes by hijacking the process.

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

Rep Quayle Statement on Ongoing Redistricting Process

October 5, 2011 By 3 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2011
CONTACT: Richard Cullen

WASHINGTON (DC) Congressman Ben Quayle (R-AZ) released the following statement regarding the ongoing redistricting process:

“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.”

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

Governor Brewer: Redistricting Commission Has Botched Process

October 5, 2011 By 4 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2011
CONTACT: Matthew Benson

Proposed Congressional Map is Fatally Flawed and a Partisan Giveaway to Democrats

Governor Jan Brewer today blasted a new Arizona congressional map preliminarily adopted this week by the Independent Redistricting Commission.

“The IRC proposal is simply gerrymandering at its worst,” said Governor Brewer. “This unaccountable, unelected Commission has misused its authority to draw a congressional map that is every Democrat’s dream. In doing so, they’ve violated their bedrock legal requirements to maintain districts that protect communities of interest and are geographically compact.”

Arizona undergoes redistricting every 10 years, with the new map generally tweaking congressional boundaries to account for population shifts and the gain or loss of districts. This new proposal, however, throws that concept out the window – completely rewriting Arizona’s congressional lines in a move that splits counties and communities and tosses large numbers of voters and sitting members of Congress into new districts.

To what end? The consensus among independent national and local media is becoming clear: to benefit Democrats. National political analyst Stuart Rothenberg, author of the nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report, said the proposed congressional map has “significant partisan implications,” and “really helps Democrats and screws Republicans.” Politico said the draft plan “has the potential to drastically alter the state’s congressional landscape,” and that the map has Democrats “poised for gains.”

“Allegations have been rampant throughout the redistricting process that the IRC has violated the law, from its refusal to cooperate with a state investigation, to its disregard of procurement procedures and Arizona’s Open Meeting Law,” Governor Brewer said. “I’ve held my tongue, waiting for the results of the Arizona Attorney General’s investigation and hoping the IRC would put forward a fair proposal consistent with the requirements set forth in the Arizona Constitution. This map dashes those hopes, and I’ll be silent no longer. 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.”

Members of the public will have 30 days in which to comment on this proposed congressional map. The IRC will host public hearings around the state beginning Oct. 11, or you can comment at the IRC’s website: www.AZredistricting.org.

“I’ll be formally commenting to let the IRC know how I feel, and I urge Arizonans to do the same,” said Governor Brewer. “Redistricting only happens once every decade, and nothing will play a more critical role in Arizona’s congressional makeup. This is our opportunity to stop this travesty.”

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

Wes Gullett: Map hurts Phoenix

October 3, 2011 By 26 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 3, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato

PHOENIX – Mayoral candidate Wes Gullett released the following statement today in regards to the proposed map up for consideration by the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission:

“When Arizona voters created the Independent Redistricting Commission they charged that the Commission consider ‘communities of interest’ as one of the top priorities in drawing new Congressional and Legislative lines. If Phoenix, the largest city in the state and the sixth largest city in the country, is not a community of interest, I don’t know what is. The draft map released by the Commission takes Phoenix and slices and dices its residents into a cadre of proposed congressional districts. This map uses Phoenix residents as filler for other communities in an attempt to gerrymander the statewide map for political benefit. Phoenix residents deserve representation in Congress and a voice in elections as much as any other community in the state. The proposed approach robs them of that opportunity and would greatly weaken the involvement of Phoenix voters. I urge you to reject this proposal and adopt one that takes into account the City of Phoenix as an important ‘community of interest.’”

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

AZ TARS Leadership Development & Recruitment Night – October 18th

October 2, 2011 By

What: A FREE fun filled night for students, parents & teachers!

  • Learn how to start a club in your area.
  • A great discussion on how to grow your local TARS Club.
  • Learn about exciting new changes coming to AZ TARS this year.
  • Learn how you can make a difference!

Who is invited?

  • Current TARs Members and Advisers are all encouraged to come and learn about the exciting new changes taking place with AZ TARs Any current and interested High School students interested in joining TARs or starting a new TARs Club.
  • Any Parent of a current or prospective TARs Member
  • Any Educator interested in helping support or serve as an Adviser to a TARs Club
  • Any adult willing to support a local TARs group through volunteering for the State TARs or Local TARs group or through making a financial donation.

Date: October 18th, 2011
Time: 7-9:00 P.M.
Where: Arizona Republican Party State Headquarters
Address: 3501 North 24th StreetPhoenix, AZ 85016 (map)
Wear: Casual clothes that you can be active in.

Special Guest Speakers:

  • Hon. Dean Martin
  • Training Workshop by: Dusti Martin
  • State TARs President: Elizabeth Lind
  • State TARs Adviser: Lois Fitch

RSVP to (480) 256-8225 by 5 P.M. October 17th

Download Flyer

Filed Under: Political Parties, Political Science, Special Event, Youth Tagged With: , , ,

Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission Update

August 4, 2011 By 3 Comments

Here is the latest news on the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.

Last night the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission met in Glendale to discuss the latest machinations to redraw the multitude of new voter districts as mandated by the Constitution.

During that meeting, the commission went into an open legal briefing to discuss how the commission should handle a recently-launched investigation by Arizona Attorney General, Tom Horne.

Horne has taken an interest in the commission’s proceedings after public outrage occurred when and how the commission chose a Democrat-friendly mapping firm to redraw Arizona’s district lines. At question is how the commission arrived at its decision during executive session meetings and what information was used. For several weeks, citizen activists have sought information about the commission’s proceedings behind closed doors and how Strategic Telemetry was chosen without any public input. Public records requests have also revealed that some of the information has gone missing.

Yesterday, Arizona Capitol Times covered the meeting with primary coverage dedicated to the commission’s response to AG Horne’s investigation.

CapTimes  reporter, Christian Palmer writes the following:

Democratic Commissioner Jose Herrera said he had no intention of answering questions from the Attorney General’s Office, which he accused of waging a partisan investigation on the public dime that unfairly targets unpaid commission members.

“It shouldn’t be this way, where we have politicians trying to intimidate us,” said Herrera, who urged at the IRC meeting that fellow commission members resist Horne’s investigation.

and later in the article,

During the meeting today, Kanefield informed the commission that Horne’s office is legally entitled and entrusted with investigating potential violations of open meeting laws, and as such has already been given written transcripts of the commission’s executive sessions.

Written transcripts, he said, could be used to pursue an investigation into possible violations of open meetings laws, while it remained uncertain whether the documents could serve a parallel purpose of pursuing an investigation of possible procurement violations.

That revelation prompted Herrera to declare that the Attorney General’s Office “should respect that we have legislative immunity” and that the prospect of involving partisan politicians in commission dealings was “sad.”

“I hope you protect us. That’s what you’re paid for,” Herrera said, speaking to IRC attorneys.

During the open legal briefing, the commissioner’s attorneys informed commission members that Arizona law extends commission members “legislative privilege” protecting them from being forced to disclose information used in any decision making process during executive sessions.

However, in an earlier Arizona legal case, Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission v. Fields, the court ruled that the commission could protect information related to the actual process of crafting the district boundaries. The commission’s attorneys did not answer the question of whether the commission’s recent administrative actions – of actually choosing the firm Strategic Telemetry – would be protected under legislative privilege rather than under normal administrative actions and thus, under Arizona’s Open Meeting law.

At the hearing, both Democratic commission members, Jose Herrera and Linda McNulty appeared defensive and concerned about the AG’s investigation while both Republicans on the commission, Scott Freeman and Richard Stertz were willing to cooperate with the AG’s office.

The next meeting of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission will take place on Friday, August 5th at 6 PM at the Burton Barr Central Library in the Pulliam Auditorium.

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