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Arizona’s Dubious Distinction as No. 1

April 13, 2012 By 7 Comments

Rogers Vows to Fight for Homeowners: 5-Point Plan to be Released

(Tempe, AZ) The Associated Press recently reported that Arizona overtook Nevada as the Number 1 state for home foreclosures. Nevada had held the record for 62 months in a row.

According to the report, nearly 3,600 homes were repossessed in March 2012. Also, more than 5,900 families received notices of default – the first step toward foreclosure.

“While overall foreclosure numbers are down, too many Arizonans are still losing their homes. Every day in my home inspection business across four Arizona counties, my inspectors see the impact of foreclosures on families. It’s maddening. The Obama Administration stifles job growth, thus in effect, evicts Arizonans from their homes,” said Rogers. “These numbers are a clear example of the Obama Administration’s casual disregard for Arizona,” she continued. “In the coming weeks, I will introduce a 5-point plan to address the housing crisis and propose actual solutions to the problem.”

Lt. Col. Wendy Rogers is a 20-year active-duty veteran of the United States Air Force and was one of the nation’s first female Air Force pilots. She has owned a 10-employee home inspection business for the past 15 years in District 9. The new 9th Congressional District is comprised of Tempe, and parts of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa and Chandler.

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

Wendy Rogers Signs Cut, Cap and Balance Pledge

March 19, 2012 By 3 Comments

“Time to cut up Washington’s credit card” 

 (Tempe AZ) Lt Col Wendy Rogers has signed the Cut, Cap and Balance Pledge. The pledge was a created by a coalition of over 40 conservative grassroots organizations who are calling on elected officials to support spending cuts and balancing the federal budget.

“Let’s face it,” said Rogers, “Our nation is broke and it’s time to cut up Washington’s credit card once and for all. I refuse to put my children and grandchild deeper into debt,” she continued. “Only by balancing the budget and finally controlling government spending is this going to happen.”

The original bill, which was approved by the House but rejected by the Senate, limited 2012 spending to $82 billion less than current spending levels, and it capped overall federal spending as a percentage of GDP, bringing it to less than 20 percent of GDP by 2017. The bill provided for a debt ceiling increase if and only if Congress sends a constitutional balanced budget amendment to the states for a vote.

The full text of the pledge reads:

I, Wendy Rogers, pledge to oppose any debt limit increase unless all three of the following conditions have been met:

Cut – Substantial cuts in spending that will reduce the deficit next year and thereafter.
Cap – Enforceable spending caps that will put federal spending on a path to a balanced budget.
Balance – Congressional passage of a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution — but only if it includes both a spending limitation and a super-majority for raising taxes, in addition to balancing revenues and expenses.

Lt Col Wendy Rogers is a 20-year career veteran of the United States Air Force and was one of the nation’s first female pilots in today’s Air Force. She owns a small business in Tempe with 10 fulltime employees. Lt Col Rogers is running for Congress from where she has lived for the past 15 years in Arizona’s newly created 9th Congressional District, which includes Tempe, and parts of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa and Chandler. Campaign website is www.WendyRogers.org.

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Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Government Reform, Legislation, Pledges, Press Release, Spending, Taxation Tagged With: ,

Wendy Rogers Home Vandalized during Night of Major Congressional Announcement

March 7, 2012 By 22 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 7, 2012
CONTACT: Joe Giardiello

Giffords Assassination Attempt Weighs Heavily On Everyone’s Mind

(Tempe AZ) The home of U.S. congressional candidate Wendy Rogers was vandalized during the night of March 3, 2012, within 12 hours after the candidate had sent out her first major email announcement of her campaign.

The Tempe Police Department began an investigation into the crime. (Please see right-column photo from March 4, 2012.) Police recommended they investigate because of the coincidental timing of this attack with Rogers’ campaign announcement amid the backdrop of recent history of political violence in Arizona.

“If someone wants to attack Wendy Rogers’ views on the issues, we say bring it on,” commented campaign manager Martin Mastro. “Wendy spent 20 years active duty serving her county in the United States Air Force and I can guarantee she can take whatever someone can dish out. But coming onto her family’s property to vandalize her home to send a message is completely outrageous and unlawful.”

Recent violence against political officials in Arizona is giving many observers reason to take notice of this crime.

“I have been around campaigns for two decades,” said campaign official Joe Giardiello. “I thought I had seen it all. But attacking a candidate’s home and family is something we would expect in a third-world dictatorship.” He continued, “The hatred and anger already coming from the Left because of Wendy’s unwavering commitment is downright frightening. In light of recent events in Arizona, we can’t be too careful.”

Within hours of the Rogers Campaign announcement, the intolerant blog comments began spewing forth in full force.

DeepThought claimed Rogers was “Running as the most extreme Republican.”

Someone going by the name of “Camry” stated military pilots like Wendy Rogers “tended to be half-crazed out of the cockpit.”

Another poster called her a “token candidate”, presumably because she was one of the first 100 women pilots in the Air Force and the only woman in the CD9 race.

To someone going by the handle of AZNativeMod, Wendy Rogers is a “lunatic.”

The vitriol and invective directed at Rogers goes back to her bicycling-door-to-door campaign for State Senate in 2010.

Back then, on the blog Hip Hop Activist, her election was called “unthinkable” and it said she was “extreme.”

Blog for Arizona sneered the Rogers is the “rightest of the right.”

Another poster, fancying himself as “Deep Thinker” said Rogers had a “right wing Big Brother approach to government [sic]. Rogers should scare most folks….”

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

Wendy Rogers Announces Run for U.S. Congress, AZ-9

March 3, 2012 By 6 Comments

Dear fellow Americans,

It is time to take action. As such, I have decided to run for the United States Congress in Arizona’s newly created 9th District. I honor my father Harry L. Rogers III, Lt Col, US Army (ret) as I begin this challenge.

At this point, I am the only Republican candidate running who lives, owns a business, and raised her children in this district. Many of you know I’m a 5th generation career military officer, trailblazing Air Force pilot, business owner with 10 fulltime employees, wife of 34 years, and have two children and a grandchild.

I am running because as a retired officer I see our national defense in peril with a porous border to our south and a president who ignores the problem. As a business owner, my employees and I suffer from over-regulation and taxation destroying my ability to create more jobs. As a mother and grandmother, I’m afraid for how we have mortgaged my grandchild’s future.

All boats must be lifted by economic policy that gets government out of our business. As a business owner, it should be my choice to buy my employees health insurance, not the government’s mandate. 2012 is the most critical election in our lifetimes. If we do not get our debt under control, we will drown in our own entitlement spending.

This is your chance to send a principled military veteran and business owner to Washington DC. History-making, I will be the first 20-year-active-duty, career military congresswoman ever to serve in Congress. And from Arizona, I will hail as our first Republican U.S. congresswoman.

If you live in the greater Phoenix metro area, click here to please attend our first fundraising event this Thursday March 8th hosted by Scottsdale City Councilman Bob Littlefield & Manuel’s Mexican at the home of Ms. Kim Kunasek.

Even if you do not live in the region, you still have a stake in this race because this campaign has national impact. Every seat will be vital for our continued control of Congress – and this is a seat we must win.

Here is what you can do to join the fight.

  1. Donate $250 here or more to receive a free T-shirt “Wendy Rogers for Congress”
  2. Volunteer in your neighborhood or at our 3030 S. Rural Rd, Tempe AZ campaign office

Together we can restore what is right and good about America – one congressional seat at a time. Please join me in our historic quest.

Very respectfully,

Wendy Rogers, Lt Col, USAF (ret)
Republican candidate for the United States Congress AZ-9

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

Update on Arizona’s 9th Congressional District

February 8, 2012 By 14 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: , , , , , , , , ,

Wendy Rogers: Arizona Needs & Supports the F-35

January 19, 2012 By 15 Comments

Wendy RogersBack in November, the East Valley Tribune and Ahwatukee Foothill News published an op-ed that I wrote in support of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. In that op-ed, I noted the critical importance the F-35 program plays to the national security of the United States. After meeting with Arizonians who are involved in the F-35’s development, I learned of their concern over program cuts and the unforeseen consequences that may result from debate over program reductions. For the sake of our national and economic security, these conversations need to stop.

The F-35 is America’s next fifth-generation, multi-role fighter that our military leaders have designated to replace our military’s current arsenal of ageing F-16 and F-18 fighters. The F-35 is a pragmatic approach to modernizing America’s air superiority by using the same platform to serve the Air Force, Navy, and Marines. The highly advanced capabilities of the F-35 will provide out troops in the air, sea and land with the technology and situational awareness to get the job done and safely return home.

A recent program update proves that 2011 was a banner year for the program. Of the 872 test flights and 6,622 test points the F-35 was to endure in 2011, the program surpassed those goals by flying 972 test flights and completing 7,823 test points. These flights and test points ensure that the plane is strong and reliable through hundreds of challenging scenarios. The results prove that the F-35 program is maturing faster than anticipated – which is a good problem to have when working with advanced military technology.

Despite these overachievements, we have seen a lot of change in America’s political landscape. Most significantly, the deficit reducing “supercommittee” failed, forcing $600 billion in mandatory cuts from Department of Defense programs. During negotiations leading up to the supercommittee, there was a groundswell of support for full program funding and members of the committee were prepared to defend the F-35 because they recognized it’s importance to America.

Unfortunately, because the committee failed, the program is once again under debate. As evidence, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta recently confirmed that he aims to cut Defense Department spending on next generation weapons programs which could include the F-35. While no one believes that the F-35 will be cancelled, small businesses right here in Arizona are watching closely to see if the Pentagon will uphold their commitment to program funding, since the small business community has capitalized their production lines in anticipation of program growth.

The bottom-line is that we cannot allow political expedience to dampen the progress of the F-35. The program is deeply connected to our economy and cuts would send ripple effects across a nation. The programs suppliers, consisting of 1,300 independent companies across the United States and supporting 127,000 jobs, have the most to lose. If those parts are no longer needed in the quantities that were originally requested, then those suppliers will be unable to meet payroll and the rising jobless claim rates in the United States will see a significant uptick.

The security of our nation and the protection of our troops are important to all of us. It is our job to ensure that the men and women in the armed services are armed with globally superior technology and protection. America’s ingenuity and industrial infrastructure can deliver that superiority, and we Americans can make sure that the program and our troops are fully supported. The F-35 is not just a budget line item. It is a line item that represents real people and business, and we need to let our elected officials in Washington know that we support the F-35.

Lt. Col. Wendy Rogers, USAF (retired) was one of the first 100 women pilots in today’s Air Force. In 2010, she ran and narrowly lost a bid for the Arizona State Senate in Democrat-leaning Legislative District 17. She owns and operates a Tempe-based office complex as well as a home inspection business with 10 fulltime employees operating in four counties. Lt Col Rogers and her retired Air Force husband have two adult ASU-grad children and live in Arizona’s brand new Congressional District 9.

Filed Under: Guest Opinion, Military, National Security, State Economy Tagged With: ,

Wendy Rogers responds to David Schapira

June 10, 2011 By 42 Comments

In case you missed it, The East Valley Tribune ran a guest opinion by State Senate Minority Leader David Schapira on Tuesday. We won’t retread that article here but we will provide some space for the woman who should have been elected to that seat.

David Schapira is 100% Wrong
By Wendy Rogers

David Schapira, D-Tempe is 100% wrong.

I’ve owned an actual bricks-and-mortar business of 10 employees for 14 years. Employers like me pay 100% of unemployment insurance taxes in Arizona, not Schapira’s mythical employees “paying into the system”.

Unemployment insurance is an insurance product where experience ratings determine my business’s relative tax versus other employers’ taxes. The more my former employees draw Unemployment, the higher my set-aside rates are. Employers never see that money again, regardless of how well we take care of our employees. Moreover, employers like me pay Unemployment to both Arizona (dedicated toward the first 26 weeks of benefits) and the federal government. Combined – Arizona and the feds charge employers more than 3% on the first $7,000 of pay for each of their employees.

It’s true, extended benefits currently are being paid from the fed’s general fund – which these days means more debt; but how that debt is reimbursed is still “our problem” as businesses and taxpayers. We don’t differentiate between a dollar taken as federal tax vis-a-vis state tax as the governor and legislators do. They seem to think if it doesn’t come out of state funds; it must be free, right?

Bottom Line: Keeping Arizonans on Unemployment prolongs the ill effects and adversity of our sick market. It aggravates job recovery by spiraling down a deepening debt which makes recovery even more uncertain.

David Schapira should recognize who’s really paying for these benefits instead of making specious claims about pots of “free money”.

Filed Under: Economics, Guest Opinion, Jobs/Labor, Political Parties, State Government Tagged With: , ,

Let’s end funding for Clean Elections

December 3, 2010 By 19 Comments

From the last campaign cycle, we now discover Clean Elections money bought expensive laptops, paid sign helpers, and funded parties. We are all human, thus tend to be less stewardly with other people’s money than we are with our own.

I understand because I just ran a traditionally funded campaign for State Senate in Tempe and south Scottsdale (District 17) and cut costs by riding my bicycle to knock on 10,000 doors. I chose not to fund my campaign with Clean Elections money because Arizona is in a financial crisis. I considered it a wonderful privilege to run. By the end of the campaign, 400 generous people donated to my race. I started by asking ex-military friends who served alongside me to donate, then asked Tempe and south Scottsdale friends and voters upon whose doors I knocked. Also like-minded, small-business-oriented political action committees donated to me such as the dairymen, cattlemen, CPAs, cotton growers, osteopaths, optometrists, and farmers; even though by law their donations could only total a small fraction of the final sum. I accepted no money from unions or corporations. Some might argue that fundraising is too time consuming. I run a small business with 10 full-time employees, plus we have two ASU student kids. So I just applied my motto of “Work hard. Follow through.”

We live in a magnificent state and a great nation, uniquely different from countries where I served half of my 20-year Air Force career, where going door-to-door to meet voters is not commonplace. Let’s eliminate Clean Elections and follow a back-to-basics approach to political campaigning. Arizona politics would be strengthened by a resurgence of responsibility-taking. Eliminating Clean Elections would be a great first step toward restoring public faith in our state government.

Wendy Rogers was the recent Republican nominee for State Senate in Legislative District 17. She was the leading Republican vote getter in nearly every single precinct of LD-17, exceeding both Governor Brewer and Congressman-elect Schweikert by 3 to 5 percentage points in all 69 precincts. Her rag-tag, shoestring-budget campaign, while still ‘amassing’ a respectable amount of $88,000 of privately raised money, paled in comparison to what a US congressional campaign spent. So it goes to show what boots on the ground and bike tire rubber can accomplish.

Filed Under: Campaign Finance, Guest Opinion Tagged With: , ,