Earlier today, State Rep. Chad Campbell announced via a Facebook posting, that he has selected Jose Herrera of Maricopa County as his appointment to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC).
Because House Speaker Kirk Adams also selected someone from Maricopa County, both Senate President Russell Pearce and House Democratic Leader David Schapira must select from candidates who reside outside of Maricopa County.
The list of available candidates is here, with an update here.
Pearce has to select either Benny White or Richard Stertz, both of Pima County.
Schapira has seven potential selections - Eric B. Henderson (Navajo County), Linda C. McNulty (Pima County), Lawrence C. Mohrweis (Coconino County), William G. Roe (Pima County), Mark D. Rubin (Pima County), Jimmie D. Smith (Yuma County), and Marshall A. Worden (Pima County).
Both can select a nominee from the pool of Independent candidates, but neither is expected to do so. It should be noted that the "geographical diversity" requirement applies to the first four selections, regardless of partisan affiliation (or non-affiliation). Four of the five Independents are from Maricopa County, while only one is from another county, specifically Pima.
As such, only one Independent nominee could be selected by one of the legislative leaders, even in the unlikely event that one of them was inclined to think "out of the box" with their choice.
The applications of all of the applicants to the AIRC, not just the nominees, can be found here.
Russell Pearce is now on the clock...
1 comment:
It would make no sense for any legislative leader to pick an independent because that would push the needle towards the other side.
Even say for the sake of argument that one of the independents was just as good as a Democrat.
Now, suppose that the independents are ranked 1,2,3,4,5 from the most conservative to the most liberal.
If you pick a Democrat then likely the two Democrats and two Republicans agree on independent number 3. But, if you choose an independent (say, #5) to begin with, then the first four members end up debating between independents #2 and #3. In other words, you've just moved the needle 1/2 step to the right.
So strategically, you are better off picking a Democrat, and force the Republicans to use one of their strikes on independent #5 (assuming, that as was done last time the first four agree to each strike a name from the list of independents and then take the name that is left.)
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