Former Goldwater Institute Chair Derides Fmr Executive Director Jeff Flake, Endorses Cardon

Amid the constant stream of e-mails we receive from candidates came one this morning that caught our attention.  It was the "from" line, noting that Tracy Thomas is a former Chair of the Goldwater Institute, combined with the "subject" line ("3 Reasons To Support Wil Cardon"), that did it.

Of course, before Rep. Jeff Flake (R-CD6) was elected to the House, he was the Executive Director of the Goldwater Institute.  Now, Flake is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Jon Kyl, and former supporter Wil Cardon is going all out to defeat him in the Republican primary.

The full-throated endorsement by Thomas carries heft precisely because of his knowledge of Flake, and he begins and ends by focusing on Flake.  "Jeff is a good man, but I cannot vote for him."  And, his penultimate paragraph gets to the heart of his message:

"Congressman Flake’s main focus during his six terms in Congress has been on opening trade and tourism with Cuba and ending earmarks, both of which have been unsuccessful. He hasn’t passed any mentionable Arizona-focused legislation, and he is a vehement opponent of securing our borders." 

Book-ending that paragraph, Thomas appears to contradict himself in his efforts to extol Cardon.  First, he claims that "Wil has demonstrated his focus will be to pass Arizona-centric legislation," and that he will "always put Arizona first."  He closes by saying that Cardon will "truly lead our country back to economic prosperity."  


The entire endorsement e-mail is below the jump.

3 Reasons to Support Wil Cardon

1) Proven Job Creator

Wil Cardon reminds me of Senator Jon Kyl and his background before becoming a great representative of Arizona. Both Senator Kyl and Wil understand business and have experience in the private sector.

2) Washington Outsider

As a Mesa businessman, Wil successfully built a company from the ground up. His background as an entrepreneur will make him an effective voice against business as usual in Congress. 

3) Amnesty Opponent

Arizona’s immigration problem threatens our security and our economic prosperity. Wil has demonstrated his focus will be to pass Arizona-centric legislation. Wil is a leader with integrity who will always put Arizona first.

Congressman Flake’s main focus during his six terms in Congress has been on opening trade and tourism with Cuba and ending earmarks, both of which have been unsuccessful. He hasn’t passed any mentionable Arizona-focused legislation, and he is a vehement opponent of securing our borders.

Wil is a proven job creator, a Washington outsider, and he has the right business mindset to truly lead our country back to economic prosperity. Will you join me in supporting Wil Cardon by making a contribution of $25, $50, $100 or more?

Sincerely,

Tracy Thomas
Former Goldwater Institute Chairman

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