RUSSELL PEARCE
Taking no chances, Rep. Russell Pearce of Mesa, is lining up support from the Republican Party infrastructure to help cinch his election to replace Karen Johnson in the Arizona Senate.
The Maricopa County Republican Committee voted Thursday night to make a rare primary endorsement of Pearce over GOP challenger Kevin Gibbons. In general, elected leaders of political parties are supposed to stay out of primary contests and let party voters decide which candidates will carry their standard in a general election. But the county committee prefers loyalty and a devoted following of the party platform over other traditions.
Gibbons is seen in some quarters as a genuine threat to Pearce and jumped quickly to put up campaign signs around District 18 in west Mesa.
The county Republican committee said in a news release that it doesn’t trust Gibbons because he has raised funds from business groups supporting a ballot initiative that Pearce believes would weaken the state’s new employer sanction law. Gibbons also has been endorsed by some Democrats, which the hardcore activists on the county committee consider to be a true betrayal of their party.
The committee endorsement could aid Pearce in picking up support from Republicans who vote in every election, usually the key factor in victories for low-turnout primaries.
ANDY SWANN
Meanwhile, Andy Swann, a House candidate from District 20, tried Friday to take advantage of a new trend for average Americans to step into the spotlight by singing the national anthem on some stage. Swann sent out a news release with a link to a YouTube video from “a few years ago” when his band performed an acoustic version of the Star Spangled Banner at a Arizona Diamondbacks game. Note that Swann and his bandmate are wearing uniforms from the Department of Public Safety. Swann retired from state law enforcement last year, clearing the way for his bid for the state Legislature.
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Another factor in the endorsements for Pearce is that Gibbons took over $1,500 in contributions from former Democrat Party Chairman Jim Pederson. Also, a big portion of his funds came from farmers in Yuma.
Dude, you’re absolutely killing me. How do you always miss the main point in things? The MCRC’s decision was based largely NOT on any of the points you made, but on Gibbons receiving campaign contributions from Democrat party leaders and legislators. This was covered in both press releases they sent out. There are plenty of GOP candidates who don’t show the party’s platform any respect and the MCRC isn’t getting involved in their races. Its the money!
I did not solicite the endorsement, but consider it a great honor and the earned respect I have from elected Republicans who are elected by Republicans to represent this party. These are the Leaders/Chairmen of 20 of the Legislative Districts in the state, all of the ones in Maricopa County (they represent 2/3’s of all the Republicans in this state).
Frosty Taylor
MCRC Communications/PR
frostytaylor@cox.net
MARICOPA COUNTY REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE
10050 W. Bell Road, Suite 49, Sun City West, AZ 85351
623-977-4532 mcrchairman@AOL.com
Tom Husband, Chairman Diane Ortiz-Parsons, First Vice-chair
Jeff Greenspan, Second Vice-chair
Debbie Lesko, Secretary Chuck Hammerslag, Treasurer
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release July 4 2008
Frosty Taylor, Communications/PR
frostytaylor@cox.net
MCRC Endorses Rep. Russell Pearce for State Senate
The Maricopa County Republican Committee (MCRC) has endorsed current State Representative Russell Pearce in his primary contest for the vacant State Senate seat in Legislative District 18. The endorsement was voted upon Thursday evening (July 3rd) during the regular MCRC Executive Guidance Committee (EGC) meeting held at GOP headquarters in Phoenix.
While not without precedence, the endorsement of a candidate in a primary by the MCRC is very rare. The last time it occurred was in the 2004 LD20 State Senate contest between John Huppenthal and Slade Mead. According to MCRC Chairman Tom Husband, like the 2004 endorsement, this decision was not the result of one single thing, but an accumulation of many things.
“It is hard to imagine a better and more principled legislator than Russell Pearce” said Husband, who added “What is going on in LD18 is an attempt by fringe open-border and amnesty advocates to exact revenge on Rep. Pearce for his brave stands on border security and preserving the rule of law.” Proponents providing major funding to Pearce’s opponent, Kevin Gibbons, are often related to agricultural, fast food, and homebuilding businesses. Many are also major donors to the perversely named “Stop Illegal Hiring” initiative that would gut Arizona’s employer sanctions law. Another major factor in the MCRC’s decision was the high-profile support Gibbons is receiving from Democrat legislators and party leaders, including Yuma State Representative Lynne Pancrazi and 2006 U.S. Senate candidate and Democrat party boss Jim Pedersen.
As one “Yes” vote observed during the discussion of the endorsement, “The Democrats already have one candidate in the general election. They don’t deserve to have two shots at the seat.”
The MCRC endorsement allows the Maricopa County Republican Committee to use its resources and large grassroots organizations to get involved on Pearce’s behalf. Several district chairmen involved in the endorsement have indicated that they will be lining up volunteers to phone bank and door knock on Pearce’s behalf.
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Media contact:
Tony Reinhard
Executive Director,
Maricopa GOP
Cell: 602-503-0291