You are here: Home / Archives for CD-9

Gary Pierce Statement on Arizona’s 9th Congressional District

February 9, 2012 By 1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 9, 2012

In 2010, I was honored to have the voters of Arizona elect me to a second four-year term on the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). I currently serve as chairman of the ACC and am scheduled to complete my chairmanship at the end of this year.

Over the past few months I have been monitoring the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission as it drew new congressional districts. During that time, it has been widely reported that I might run for Congress in one of the districts. An overwhelming number of people from throughout the state have encouraged me to run for a congressional seat. After careful consideration, I have concluded that Republicans will have outstanding candidates in each of the congressional districts for the 2012 election cycle. In light of the fact that there are several critical issues before the Corporation Commission, I believe that I can best represent the people of Arizona by continuing to serve as Chairman of the Corporation Commission.

Consequently, I will not be a candidate for Congress in 2012. I do not rule out a run for Congress or another state-wide office in the future.

###

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

Update on Arizona’s 9th Congressional District

February 8, 2012 By 13 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: , , , , , , , , ,

CD-9 Travis Grantham Criticizes Obama on Rejection of Keystone XL Pipeline

January 19, 2012 By 1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 19, 2012
CONTACT: Evan Kozlow

Tempe – Travis Grantham, candidate for Congress in Arizona’s new 9th Congressional District released the following statement today following President Obama’s decision to reject the Keystone XL Pipeline:

“It is inexcusable that President Obama has chosen partisan politics over the people of the United States by rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline project. President Obama and his entire administration have shown that special interests far outweigh the needs of the American people in regards to job creation, national security, and reducing our dependency on foreign oil.

The Keystone XL pipeline would have created approximately 20,000 new jobs for American workers throughout the country and into the Gulf of Mexico while bolstering our national security and our economy. I’ve witnessed firsthand the sacrifice that our troops are making on a daily basis defending our foreign sources of oil due to our lack of domestic production. With the rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline, President Obama has further solidified our dependence on foreign sources of oil and has dealt a major blow to the United States of America’s domestic energy production.

The United States is facing an unprecedented economic crisis in addition to an energy crisis that can no longer be ignored or pushed off to the next generation. President Obama has put his special interests well ahead of America’s on this day. The American people deserve far better leadership out of Washington than what is being exhibited now by both our Congress and our President.”

Travis Grantham is a candidate for Arizona’s Ninth Congressional District. He serves as the Chief Operations Officer at International Air Response based at the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport. He is also a Captain and Pilot in the Arizona Air National Guard’s 161st Air Refueling Wing based out of Sky Harbor International Airport. Travis and his wife Patricia have two daughters.

###

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Energy, Jobs/Labor, Legislation, Press Release Tagged With: , ,

Travis Grantham Announces Campaign for Congress in Congressional District 9

January 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 11, 2012
CONTACT: Evan Kozlow

Tempe – Today, Arizona Air National Guard Captain and local business owner, Travis Grantham announced his campaign for congress in Arizona’s 9th Congressional District.

“Americans are hurting right now and the course our elected leaders have set is making matters worse. All across our district, job losses, crushing taxes, and skyrocketing healthcare and tuition costs are putting all of our futures at risk. Unfortunately, President Obama and many of those in Congress are spending this country into insolvency. They simply do not understand that the more they raise our taxes, and the bigger they grow the federal government, the harder they make it for all Americans to succeed. Their policies are failing and we the people are paying the price. We must stop this administration from crushing small businesses and destroying the economic opportunities of all Arizonans. We need to protect the right, not just of the residents of this district, but of all Americans to pursue the American Dream. 

As a 3rd generation Arizonan, a husband and father, a small business owner, and an officer in the Arizona Air National Guard, I am very concerned that future generations are not going to have the chance to grow up in the same Arizona that that I had the privilege of growing up in. That is why I have made the decision to run for Congress in Arizona’s 9th Congressional District. 

It is time for our government to confront the predicament it has put us in; the United States is facing an unprecedented economic crisis that can no longer be ignored. This administration and the Congress simply cannot be allowed to kick the can down the road any longer. 

We have a national debt of over 15 trillion dollars yet the politicians in Washington still can’t stop spending. Our businesses are shrinking due to excessive regulation and over taxation. Soon we will be burdened with a disastrous and unaffordable socialized healthcare system forced on the country by an out of control Congress and Administration. President Obama has alienated our allies and encouraged our adversaries throughout the Middle East and around the world. All while refusing to secure our borders and enforce the existing immigration laws of this nation. 

Whether it is on economic issues, education, energy policy, border security, or foreign policy, the people of Arizona’s 9th Congressional District deserve to be represented by someone who has the integrity to stand on principle in the face of relentless pressure and opposition and do what is right for all Americans. That is the kind of leadership we need in Congress. That is the kind of leadership I pledge to provide. 

Over the course of this campaign I will work hard to earn the vote of the citizens of Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, and Phoenix. I am grateful for this opportunity, and humbled by the potential to represent Arizona’s 9th Congressional District in our nation’s capital.” 

For more information please visit www.GranthamforCongress.com.

###

 

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

Is Democrat State Senator David Schapira Violating Federal Election Law?

December 15, 2011 By 27 Comments

He’s already made it official but you won’t see any official paperwork filed with the Federal Election Commission by Democrat State Senator David Schapira.

The current State Senator is exploring a bid for Congress in the Tempe area.

Schapira already has a website up and running with the appropriate FEC disclaimer, “Paid for by David Schapira Exploratory Committee,” but anyone searching the FEC website cannot find that his campaign has filed.

Now it might just be that David Schapira has not yet raised and exceeded the $5,000 threshold amount for candidates “testing the waters” that requires the campaign to file a Statement of Organization with the FEC.

That may speak volumes about the viability of Schapira’s interest in seeking office in the anticipated congressional district 9 where he resides.

Candidate Schapira announced the formation of his committee on Monday, November 21st which was over three weeks ago.

Given that it takes only two donors (usually a husband and wife) excited about a candidate’s prospects maxing out their donations at $5,000, perhaps Schapira has discovered that the waters he’s testing may be in the doldrums? Regardless, given that he has been raising money (according to his website) and spending money (for his website), he may be in violation of federal campaign law(s).

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Federal Government Tagged With: ,