Committees update...

Edited on 8/28 to reflect information emailed to me from Abraham Hamedah, who is part of the 2nd item, below...

Not a lot of changes to document, but there are a few items of note -

...Arizona Republicans (three of them, at least) have started a federal PAC named Arizona Entrepreneurs to funnel corporate money to candidates.  They've got some paperwork issues to clear up with the FEC, but I have no doubt that they will do so.

...I missed it earlier this year, but the Goldwater Institute has formed a PAC.  The person who signed the paperwork, Abraham Hamadeh, now lists his employer as FreedomWorks on his LinkedIn page (not exactly a step away from the Dark Side of the Force there, Abe).  Perhaps related to the change in employment, this PAC has paperwork issues, too.  Or maybe it's just a Republican "rules are for the little people" thing...

According to an email from Mr. Hamadah, the PAC was not affiliated with the Goldwater Institute, that would be illegal since GI is a 501(c)3 organization, and it has been disbanded anyway.

In a (perhaps) related note, the Arizona Entrepreneurs PAC above lists as one of its founders one Shawnna Bolick, wife of Clint Bolick, GI's chief lawyer.  Note:  I am NOT saying that Mrs. Bolick is helping her husband, but the timing of the formation of the two committees (Goldwater PAC: late May; AE: late June) is rather curious.

...Walter J. Williamson (aka W. John Williamson) of Scottsdale has formed a committee for the Democratic nomination in CD5.  In 2010, he was briefly a candidate for the AZ House in LD8, until his candidate petitions were challenged.

...Anthony Prowell of Tucson has formed a committee for the Democratic nomination in CD8.  I don't know much about him, but apparently, many Tucson Democrats do.

...Justin Winters of San Tan Valley has formed a committee for an Independent run at the CD6 seat.  Don't know much about him, but since he was "proud" to announce that Ron Paul is following his Twitter feed, I'm guessing he's an Independent of the "Republicans are too d@mn liberal" variety.

...Wil Cardon of Mesa has formed a committee for the Republican nomination for US Senate.  He's a big-money self-funder, but it remains to be seen whether that will be enough to defeat Jeff Flake for the nomination.

...Kelli Ward of Lake Havasu City has formed a committee for the Republican nomination for the LD3 State Senate seat.  Current occupant Ron "the South will rise again!" Gould is term-limited and is rumored to be mulling a run for Congress.  She's a doctor of some kind.  Based on her Facebook page, she looks like she will fit in perfectly with the R caucus if she wins the election.

Things look fairly quiet in terms of Maricopa County, City of Scottsdale, and City of Tempe committees.

However, Mesa (home of noted bigots) may be getting more colorful.  The Arizona Republic is reporting that a white nationalist who lists infamous neo-Nazi JT Ready as one of his Facebook friends has taken out paperwork for a run at Mesa City Council.

Note:  All committees that specify a district number will change after redistricting.

Later...
...