| Guest Opinion by RC Montana It was such sloppy “journalism” if you can even call it journalism. The Payson Roundup briefly posted a story on July 22, 2020 titled “Republicans Launch a Rare Attack on a Candidate [Wendy Rogers] in their Own Primary“. The thing is though, the Payson Roundup took the article down after 12 hours because they likely suffered blowback, much as they did in June 2020 when they had to take down another flimsy article about Rogers due to several of the people, who the paper had claimed supposedly endorsed Rogers, said they had not. The Roundup didn’t print that June story, because Rogers’ campaign never claimed those endorsements in 2020. Imagine that. But this time, their second try at baseless flimsy “journalism” was predicated on Gila County GOP Chairman Gary Morris’s unsubstantiated claims about Rogers, which were mass-emailed – completely un-fact-checked – to all Gila county precinct committeemen. How’s that for staying publicly neutral in a primary? Then the Payson Roundup reporter breathlessly gobbled up Gary Morris’s rant even though uncorroborated. Chairman Morris’s mass email was a smear job packed with unsupported statements very much like the Steele Dossier on Trump. The Payson Roundup’s Peter Aleshire was given a chance not to publish it, but he did. How did Peter Aleshire even justify it, since he’d had to take his previous, similarly inaccurate article down a month earlier? PETER ALESHIRE’S ARTICLE HAS NONETHELESS BEEN ARCHIVED AND IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST! So now you’re caught up to date. Here is my take on the lackey, Gila County GOP Chairman Gary Morris, who violated every rule of civility and decorum as a county chairman. He caved to the establishment GOP. He is a reprobate for peddling lies he should’ve fact-checked first. He was warned, yet mass-emailed out misinformation anyway, violating sacred tenets of basic leadership. The Gila County Republican Committee should fire him. Mr. Morris wonders who Wendy Rogers will be “beholden to?” Is he kidding? Wendy Rogers has not taken one penny from a PAC or a lobbyist. On the other hand, Rogers’s opponent Sylvia Allen is almost entirely funded by special interests. Gary Morris continues to perpetuate the lie about Rogers’ residency even though the AZ Secretary of State wrote unequivocally that Rogers is from Flagstaff. To whom are you beholden Chairman Morris? How can this chairman, in his right mind, suggest that Rogers would be “weak” going into the general election campaign? She has fundraised more than any other state candidate in Arizona. Gary Morris and the GOP establishment are scared to death of Rogers because they can’t control her. They know she won’t permit a Red-Flag bill or that idiotic National Popular Vote to get past her. Here’s what they really can’t stand: Wendy has outworked and out-campaigned a rusty fixture in the state legislature – Sylvia Allen – who has been there far too long, and thus has completely sold out and caved to special interests. Gary Morris’s time could be better spent by learning how NOT to get lost in the woods. Fire him! |
Gila County GOP Chairman Gary Morris Should Be Fired
July 24, 2020 by 2 Comments
Rep Bob Thorpe Deserves Better
July 14, 2019 by Leave a Comment
The Republican Primary in Arizona’s LD-6 Senate race has taken some unconventional twists and turns. Turns, because State Senator Sylvia Allen, drawn to spend more time with her children and family in Snowflake, decided not to seek re-election earlier this year but then suddenly changed her mind, some say not by choice and under a lot of pressure by operatives. Twists, because GOP “leaders” and self-appointed kingmakers in the district are rumored to have issued primary support and endorsements to keep Allen in the race.
In the House, Representative Bob Thorpe is term-limited and planning to seek the Senate nomination and seat in 2020. The primary was already set between Thorpe and Lt. Col. Wendy Rogers until Allen did an about-face.
According to reliable sources, Republican donors and activists met in Payson on June 15th behind closed doors where they decided to intervene in the primary against all Republican standards and practices. During the meeting led by Sedona Republicans Dwight and Andrea Kadar, Thorpe was asked to leave the room while Allen remained. Under tremendous pressure, Allen was told to get back in the race as she fought back tears.
What emerged was an endorsement of Sylvia Allen; a dictate not to support Thorpe through money and manpower; and likely, State Senate and House leadership support to help Allen win the primary (probably through a rare employed primary PAC committee). Thorpe’s political consultant even bailed on him and is probably expected to run (and benefit) from the leadership PAC against Thorpe.
Apparently, party leaders are trying to clear the field for Sylvia Allen in order to make it easier for her to keep the seat.
What is ironic in all this is Sylvia Allen (who this blog is actually a fan of) and her promoters should remember how party leadership treated her back in 2010 when a handful of Eastern Arizona “kingmakers” tried to run her out of the Republican Primary in LD-5. At the time, Allen who had replaced the late Jake Flake and won the seat in 2008, was challenged by Bill Konopnicki. Party leadership wanted Allen out and Konopnicki in but the voters saw things differently. After her two-year term, Allen returned to local government as a county supervisor while rancher Chester Crandell ran and won the seat in 2012.
In August, 2014, State Senator Chester Crandell died suddenly in a horseback riding incident. Allen was chosen to replace Crandell on the ballot where she was once again elected to the Arizona State Senate.
But this post is not about Sylvia. It’s about Bob Thorpe and how he has every right to run for the seat without party leadership’s heavy-handedness. And while this blog has been critical of Thorpe’s legislation, the self-appointed LD-6 political kingmakers should back off, stop pressuring Sylvia to stick around and to let the race play out. Bob Thorpe deserves better and a shot at the nomination. We hope he stays in the race.
Sen Sylvia Allen: Common Sense is Needed! (On Refugee Policy)
December 18, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Senator Sylvia Allen
These are dangerous times in Arizona and across the world. The terror in Paris and San Bernardino are reminders that evil can appear anywhere, and anytime. One of the terrorists in Paris entered Europe embedded in a group of Syrian refugees. One of the killers in California entered the United States under something called a “fiancé visa’, after being radicalized. No matter what precautions we try to take in the U.S. to keep our citizens safe, it seems there will always be criminals and terrorists able to avoid detection.
That’s why I support Governor Ducey’s effort to be sure that Arizona has a say in who is brought here. It will be Arizona taxpayers who will need to help fund these refugee families, and it will be Arizona families who will be harmed if terrorists fall through the vetting cracks and end up in our state. It is Governor Ducey’s responsibility to protect the health, welfare and safety of Arizona’s citizens.
America is a welcoming country, and it will continue to be, but we also must use vigilance and common sense when we determine who can enter our great country. When it comes to Muslim refugees, we should not only base our decision on what is best for us, but what is also best for them.
Many Muslims live under Sharia Law. Islam is a political system as well as a religious system and Sharia Law is at the center of that system. Our Constitutional form of government is in direct opposition. Would they not be happier in a country that better reflects their beliefs? Balancing compassion with common sense would tell America that we should help relocate these refugees in other Muslim countries.
Glenn Beck, through his charity Mercury One, has just relocated 149 Christian refugees from Iraq to Slovakia. Thousands of Americans donated to Beck’s charity to fund the relocation. Since the US is not allowing Christian refugees (why aren’t we???), Beck found a country who would take them. Close to 500 refugees had been planned for relocation, but the United Nations and the European Union put heavy pressure on Slovakia to stop taking the Christian refugees.
In 1980, my Tenney extended family sponsored a Hmong family. That program required fellow Americans to take responsibility in finding housing, employment and all their other needs. The family we helped was a father, mother, three girls and a grandmother. They lived at my mother’s house, and I helped get the girls into school and found a job for the father. These refugees were being targeted because the father had fought on the side of America in the Vietnam War. The Communist governments that took over South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia swept through those countries, killing millions. Today, this family lives in California, and the girls have all graduated and are good productive citizens. It was very rewarding for me to help this family. I am not against helping people in need.
Common sense is needed. Our lives, as well as the lives of the refugees, depend on it.
Senator Sylvia Tenney Allen
President Pro Tempore, Arizona State Senate
One Team, Three Voices. LD6 Legislators to embark on Town Hall Tour.
June 18, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Three Arizona leaders endorse Brenda Barton
May 2, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Three Arizona leaders endorse Brenda Barton
Today, Brenda Barton received endorsements from three past Federation of Republican Women Presidents. These women are leaders in the Conservative movement and I am honored to have their support!
“I know Representative Barton is a staunch proponent of women’s involvement in politics…she continues to share her enthusiasm and political expertise, leads by example, and encourages all of us to stand up and make a difference. She certainly has! I will be voting for Brenda Barton to represent LD-6. I most strongly urge all voters concerned with the future of our District and our State to do the same.”
–Joan Harris, Former President, Flagstaff Republican Women
“Brenda Barton is one of the hardest working people I know. Through our time together in the Arizona Federation of Republican Women, I got to see firsthand Brenda’s ability to get the job done and build relationships along the way. It is my pleasure to endorse Brenda Barton for re-election to the Arizona Statehouse.”
–Leona Johnston, Former President, AZ Federation of Republican Women
“Arizona House of Representatives member Brenda Barton’s long-term efforts in growing Arizona’s agriculture economy, wisely managing our natural resources, and limiting government so that Arizona small businesses can thrive, make her an invaluable asset in the Arizona Legislature. Representative Barton is a strong voice for rural Arizona and her stance on the issues of education and health care continue to place her as one of Arizona’s most important elected officials. Representative Barton’s re-election is necessary to success in all aspects of Arizona’s economic growth, education improvement, and quality of life for all.”
–Rae Chornenky, Immediate Past President, National Federation of Republican Women
To learn more about Brenda’s candidacy or donate to her campaign, please visit: www.Barton4AZ.com
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State Representative Brenda Barton endorses Mark Brnovich for Attorney General
March 6, 2014 by Leave a Comment
State Representative Brenda Barton endorses Mark Brnovich for Attorney General
Today, Republican candidate for Attorney General Mark Brnovich received the endorsement of Representative Brenda Barton, who currently represents portions of Apache, Coconino, Gila, and Navajo County in Arizona’s legislative district 6.
“I am pleased to endorse Mark Brnovich for Arizona Attorney General. Arizona needs an Attorney General that has the drive, qualifications, and desire to push back against the overreach of the federal government,” said Brenda Barton. “Mark has always been a champion of property rights and believes in the necessity for Arizona to assume the sovereign rights of a state over the lands within our borders. Mark understands the priorities of rural Arizona and I’m giving him my full support.”
Representative Barton is the current Chairman of the House Agriculture and Water Committee and member of the Transportation Committee.
“I am honored to have the support of a lifelong Arizonan like Representative Barton. She has a proven track record of conservative values and has fought to protect Arizona’s natural resources for future generations,” Brnovich said.
Representative Brenda Barton joins U.S. Representative Trent Franks, County Attorney Bill Montgomery, Representatives Debbie Lesko, Paul Boyer, T.J. Shope, former State Senators Linda Gray, Barbara Leff, Arizona Christian University President Len Munsil, former State Treasurer Dean Martin, Coolidge Mayor Tom Shope, Chandler City Councilman Jeff Weninger and national and local conservative leaders like David McIntosh, Shane Wikfors, and Jennifer Wright in endorsing Mark Brnovich for Arizona Attorney General.
ABOUT MARK BRNOVICH
Raised in Arizona, Mark Brnovich is a graduate of Arizona State University. After law school, Mark prosecuted felonies in the Gang/Repeat Offender Bureau of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and worked as an Assistant Attorney General for Arizona and as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. Mark also served his country as the Command Staff Judge Advocate for the 153rd Field Artillery Brigade of the Arizona Army National Guard for eight years. Mark met his wife Susan while both were working as prosecutors. They live in Phoenix with their two daughters.
For more information, please visit www.Mark4AZ.com or find him on Facebook & follow him on Twitter @Mark4AZ.
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