OPINION SECTION: Questions For Two #AZ08 Candidates

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OPINION:

Brian Reilly, Former GOP LD22PC:

Former Sheriff Richard Mack is one of several candidates who are now running for the Arizona Congressional District 8 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, after Representative Trent Franks abruptly resigned from office.  The AP reported that Franks was alleged to have “offered a staffer $5 million to carry his child.”(1.) Trent Franks has endorsed Steve Montenegro’s campaign for his vacated seat.  Montenegro has not only accepted Trent Franks’ endorsement, he has also accepted former Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s endorsement as evidenced by Montenegro’s campaign literature.  

Arpaio was recently criminally convicted for failing to follow a federal court order, not to detain or arrest individuals without probable cause that a crime had been committed.  Arpaio was pardoned by President Trump, but Arpaio’s criminal conviction still stands and is apparently being appealed by Arpaio.  Many if not most of the MCSO victims who were unlawfully arrested or detained were Latinos.  

I question Montenegro’s judgment.  Is he really trying to make a difference for his Latino community?  

But let’s get back to former Sheriff Richard Mack for a moment.  In a recent Politics Unplugged interview by Dennis Welch, Richard Mack at the 2:55 minute marker, speaking about Arizona, stated:  “I’ve lived here my entire life.” (2.)   Mack’s statement is not in agreement with the following report in the 4/24/2012, issue of the Community Impact Newspaper: “Richard Mack, former Sheriff of Graham County, Ariz., is seeking the Republican nomination for Texas’ 21st congressional district.”“…Mack spent 11 years with the Provo Police Department in Utah, where he was promoted through the ranks from officer to detective. In 1988, he moved back to Arizona to run for Graham County Sheriff. Mack won two terms…”  “In May 2011, after several speaking engagements in Texas, Mack and his wife and family moved from his native state of Arizona to Fredericksburg [Texas].”(3.) In an interview with InfoWars, Mack said at minute marker 11:21, “I’m going to tell the truth also.” And starting at minute marker 14:16, Mack said, “I’ve told them [his students] I will never lie.  I’ve told the people in this election [CD8], I will never lie.” (4.)  Did Mack misrepresent himself to CD8 voters when he told Dennis Welch, “I’ve lived here my entire life”?  The voters will ultimately decide the truth.  Steve Montenegro’s alleged “text gate” if true, is totally unacceptable. (5.)

(1.) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trent-franks-makes-resignation-immediate/

(2.) http://sheriffrichardmack.com/articles/sheriff-richard-mack-on-politics-unplugged

(3.) https://communityimpact.com/austin/news/2012/04/24/richard-mack-republican-candidate-for-texas-district-21/

(4.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG7D5wC2lQU&app=desktop

(5.) https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/02/21/steve-montenegro-faces-calls-quit-congressional-district-8-race-backers-largely-mum/361196002/

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READ: AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act of 2017

UPDATE, 2/26/18, 3:35pm: The House approved the bill by voice vote this afternoon, and it heads to the President's desk. In a series of tweets, Rep. Biggs shared credit with his colleagues - Democratic and Republican - as well as Sen. John McCain.

PASSED!

It is gratifying to join my colleagues of both parties as we change policy that saves lives. While many of the issues Congress debates are politically charged, we put our differences aside to pass bills such as the ‘Ashlynne Mike AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act.’ pic.twitter.com/1PaTioFEbM

— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) February 26, 2018

Ms. Pamela Foster, the mother of Ashlynne Mike, has turned the grief she felt at her daughter’s abduction and murder into the hope of making the AMBER Alert program available everywhere in America. Without Ms. Foster’s bravery and perseverance, this bill would not be a reality.

— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) February 26, 2018

I thank her for her efforts – & those of @SenJohnMcCain, House leadership and staff, Chairman @RepGoodlatte & @HouseJudiciary Staff, my House colleagues, & many AZ advocates. We're assuring that ALL children are protected by the jurisdiction of the AMBER Alert system. #AZ05

— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) February 26, 2018

Here is the video of the very agreeable "debate".

1) Rep. Andy Biggs (R-CD5) proudly touted today that the House will consider "my bill" next week:

BREAKING NEWS -

Next week, the House of Representatives will consider my bill "The AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act" for passage.

All children - regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, or birthplace - should be protected by the jurisdiction of the AMBER Alert system. #AZ05 pic.twitter.com/waWUZXnnPt

— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) February 23, 2018

2) House is actually considering the bill that the Senate passed last November, sponsored by Arizona @SenJohnMcCain. (It was approved by unanimous consent.)

3) @RepAndyBiggsAZ did introduce same measure in House 2 mnths after Senate version. All of the Arizona  Representatives - Democrat and Republican - co-sponsored.

   AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act of 2017 by arizonaspolitics on Scribd

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BREAKING/READ: Pima C.C. Audit Shows Purchasing Irregularities, Failure To Properly Verify Citizenship Of Aid Recipients

The Arizona Auditor General's Office this afternoon released findings showing that the Pima County Community College District failed to adequately verify citizenship of federal aid recipients. The audit also found that purchasing procedure irregularities may have allowed the college to circumvent competitive purchasing.

In its official response - below, as part of the audit report - the PCCC District is not disputing any of the audit findings and lists the corrective actions that it is taking with each of them.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, the District distributed approximately $1M in aid through the federal Upward Bound and Educational Opportunity Centers programs. The Upward Bound program was the larger of the two, and the district is required to actively verify citizenship. Instead, the recipients were permitted to self-certify that they were eligible. A random check of four recipients showed that they were, in fact, citizens. However, the district acknowledged that they were not able to verify citizenship for most of the random checks in the EOC program. The district indicates that it has taken corrective action starting this semester.

As for purchasing, the Auditor General's office found a number of troubling irregularities. Purchase orders were not approved prior to buying and receiving goods, as required; instead, the pre-approvals were "backdated". At least one "purchase was split into two separate transactions to avoid competitive purchasing", blanket purchase orders were unmonitored and did not require authorizations, and some purchases exceeding $1,000 were wrongly approved for payment.

The district indicates that it plans to have the Board of Governors pass new purchasing guidelines by the end of June.

There are some indications that this state audit may not be the only inspections of the federal monies. Arizona's Politics has reached out to the Auditor General and the PCCC District for more information, and will update as warranted.

   Pima County Community College District June 30, 2017 Single Audit by arizonaspolitics on Scribd

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Tempe attorney Paul Weich contributed this report.

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PERSONAL REFLECTION: The Tempe COMMUNITY Says Goodbye To Two Shining Stars In Two Days

Community. The Tempe and East Valley Community. Bettering the Tempe and East Valley Community.

That was the common theme in the two funerals I attended in the last two days, for two very different people. And, there is much to learn and be inspired by from the services and that common theme.

On this blog/passion project, I focus on the political community and the communities that our elected officials are very visible and important leaders of. Neither of these individuals were part of the political community.

However, both were important community-builders and community-protectors in their different ways.

Alan Blau was a long-time Tempe accountant who helped individuals and small businesses in Tempe grow and grow the roots of an inter-connected community. He and his wife and his children have been key builders of the Tempe/East Valley Jewish community.

Alan's son, Aaron, emphasized that "community" - or, "Kehillah", the Hebrew word for it - was a key value that his father promoted and passed on. And, the overflow community of people at a Thursday afternoon service at Temple Emanuel affirmed that.

Tempe Fire Captain Kyle Brayer is being laid to rest today after being shot and killed this past weekend. Although he was only 34, my friend's words about his son also emphasized the community-building and community-protecting that Kyle had done the past

10 years. Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Chief Greg Ruiz's words emphasized that.

He had only been a Tempe Firefighter for the past 10 years, after serving as a U.S. Marine in Iraq. And, he had not lived in Tempe before that. But, in addition to his duties protecting the community as a firefighter, he took on mentoring, teaching and other tasks that further strengthened the Tempe community. And, he was fiercely Tempe First, insisting that his family spend every possible dining and entertainment dollar in Tempe.

Alan Blau and Kyle Brayer were very different people. But, that is how a community is built. With many very different people who are not in it (just) for themselves. They are in it to protect, to build, to strengthen the rest of the community.

I have known Alan and his family from years of board work, preschool and sharing at community events. I only knew Kyle from the updates I received from his proud Pops over several years (the hockey and the Marines chapters).  But I - and, more importantly, our community - will miss them both greatly.

Fortunately, they both helped build and strengthen the community... and inspire many others to continue that work in our very different ways.

--Paul Weich

Donations to honor the life and community-protecting and community-building of Kyle Brayer can be made to Tempe Firefighters Charities, and to honor the community-building and community-strengthening of Alan Blau, to the East Valley Jewish Community Center or Temple Emanuel of Tempe.




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UPDATE: Club For Growth Wants You To Know: We Like Steve Montenegro AND Debbie Lesko And Are NOT Choosing Sides

Apprehension immediately followed Arizona's Politics' article yesterday that noted that the mega-conservative group Club for Growth had bankrolled an independent expenditure campaign touting former state Sen. Steve Montenegro and opposing former state Sen. Debbie Lesko in this month's special primary election to replace resigned-Rep. Trent Franks in #AZ08.

Rachael Slobodien, the communications director for the Club for Growth, wants readers to know that CfG actually likes both of the candidates (in a crowded GOP field) and that the robocall and mailer are not coming directly from the CfG PAC.

"Club for Growth PAC has not endorsed in the AZ-08 Congressional race. Furthermore, Club for Growth PAC has not engaged in this race at all and reports suggesting otherwise are false. Steve Montenegro and Debbie Lesko both possess strong conservative credentials and would make great additions to Congress."

CfG took exception to the implication that they had taken sides. It is correct that CfG has not endorsed a candidate. What they cannot refute is that:
1. The Club for Growth Action is "a political arm of Club for Growth.
2. CfG Action is the sole and original funder ($230,000) of National Horizon in this election cycle.
3. National Horizon is opposing Lesko and touting Montenegro.

Arizona's Politics fully explained and supported its headline in the article, and its tweet in a comment minutes later. "Bankrolling" is the operative word, and it was used correctly. In the current political world, where money can get washed through multiple spin cycles to obscure its origins, it is important to report when that original funder is speaking through a once-removed conduit.

That is what Arizona's Politics has attempted to do throughout its #50ShadesOfDarkMoney reports, and what it will continue to do. And, we will continue to present relevant responses to those reports and to provide even-handed and responsible coverage.

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BREAKING: Club For Growth Goes After Lesko In #AZ08 Special Election, With Trent Franks Robocall and a Mailer

(Feb. 9, 1:45pm: Arizona's Politics has published an update of this article, to reflect Club for Growth's responses. Club for Growth has not endorsed a candidate in the GOP primary to replace Franks, although National Horizon is currently funded solely by CfG's political arm. The article below has not been changed. Their statement, and an article on the issues raised can be found here.)

The mega-conservative group Club For Growth is bankrolling a new campaign to tout Steve Montenegro in this month's Republican primary to replace the resigned Trent Franks. First element to draw attention? A robocall recorded by Franks touting his former employee.

Next up? A mailer which should be hitting Republican mailboxes within the next day or two, attacking primary opponent Debbie Lesko and touting Montenegro.

The independent expenditure group National Horizon is nominally responsible for the call and the mailer. But, National Horizon has received all of its $230,000 from the Club for Growth Action Fund. In a disclosure filed today with the Federal Election Commission, National Horizon indicates it spent $27,173 on the Tuesday mailer.

The 1 1/2 minute robocall from a slow-talking Franks does not mention Lesko or any of the other Republican candidates, but says that Montenegro "is being falsely and outrageously attacked". Franks goes on to profusely praise Montenegro's courage.

Arizona's Politics has not yet received a copy of the mailer, but Lesko spokesperson Barrett Marson indicates it focuses on border security and "lies" about Lesko's position.

Lesko and Montenegro both resigned their seats in the Arizona State Senate to try to replace Franks.  The special election primary is on February 27, with the general election on April 24.

(General request to Arizona's Politics' readers: If you receive a political mailer or become aware of a radio or TV ad, please send pictures or links to info@ArizonasPolitics.com. You can indicate whether you wish to be acknowledged or remain anonymous.)

   National Horizon - IE for Montenegro and vs Lesko by arizonaspolitics on Scribd

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BREAKING: APS Re-Starting Its Big Money Campaign: Gives $150,000 To Support Ducey, Brnovich

APS (aka Arizona Public Service) has already donated at least $150,000 to support the re-election campaigns of Governor Doug Ducey and Attorney General Mark Brnovich

Perhaps gearing up for a repeat of its political performance in 2014, Pinnacle West Capital Corporation - APS' parent company - gave $100,000 to the Republican Governors Association and $50,000 to the Republican Attorneys General Association in the 2nd half of 2017. (The complete filings are below.)

The RGA and the RAGA are required to disclose contributors* on a quarterly or semi-annual basis, and filed their year-end reports just under the deadline on Wednesday.  APS is getting an early start on their re-election support. As Arizona's Politics reported extensively on in 2014, the APS contributions did not come until the two months before the general election.

APS contributed $425,000 to RAGA, which ended up spending more than $3.0M in television advertising shredding Brnovich's Democratic opponent, Felecia Rotellini.  APS donated $50,000 to the RGA two weeks before election day, as that organization was winding up its $6.1M campaign to help elect Ducey. (For perspective, RGA raised $25.6M in the last 6 months of 2017, RAGA raised $8.5M. Their Democratic counterparts raised $16.0M and $3.7M, respectively.)

(APS also contributed $560,000 to the pro-McCain SuperPAC - Arizona Grassroots Action - in 2016.)

Courtesy of Arizona Republic

Not coincidentally, the Arizona Republic just published a picture of Governor Ducey deep in conversation at the Phoenix Open... in the RGA's suite.

Of course, in addition to the nearly 1/2 million that APS contributed in 2014 to these party-centric organizations - APS does not donate to their Democratic counterpart organizations, by the way - the state's largest utility also apparently spent large amounts of money donating to anonymous/dark money groups working on Corporation Commission and Secretary of State races. They also may have supported dark money groups active in the gubernatorial contest.

For their profligate spending, APS and most of the Corporation Commission is currently involved in a court battle with Commissioner Robert Burns. Burns is trying to force APS to disclose all of its political contributions in the 2014 campaign. (A Motion to Dismiss Burns' most recent case is currently awaiting Judge Daniel Kiley's decision.)

APS' robust and early start supporting their favored candidates in 2018 may just raise the level of urgency to Commissioner Burns' attempted inquiry.

   RGA Irs 2017 Year End by arizonaspolitics on Scribd

   RAGA Irs 2017 Year End by arizonaspolitics on Scribd

*RAGA also receives considerable money from organizations that do not disclose their original contributors, so they are a somewhat dark money group. After an extensive analysis, Arizona's Politics scored RAGA at a 35 on its $#50ShadesOfDarkMoney spectrum.

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