Short attention span musing

...Outsiders *really* shouldn't interfere in primaries.

- An industry PAC tried to influence some AZ legislative races, including the one in my district.

It didn't work.

- A pro-corporate arm of the national Democratic Party helicoptered in and tried to influence the race in AZCD1.

It didn't work.

This phenomenon isn't just limited to AZ.

- A pro-genocide PAC tried to influence the US Senate race in MI.

It didn't work.

Notice a pattern?

...The two major party candidates for Arizona Governor have chosen their running mates - Democratic incumbent Katie Hobbs selected the former mayor of Mesa, John Giles (note: this pick is still unofficial and could change), while her Republican challenger Andy Biggs chose former legislator Sine Kerr.

The best thing that can be said about Giles is that he fulfills the one major requirement for any number 2, be they a lieutenant governor candidate or a vice presidential candidate - if things go sideways and the main candidate can't serve a complete term, people will be comfortable with the running mate stepping up and serving out the rest of the term.

The best thing that can be said about Kerr is that she is considered to be more "likeable" than Biggs.  Of course, he has set the bar kind of low in that regard - anyone involved in AZ politics, is available (aka - not running for another office, and isn't named Kari Lake, is more likeable than him.

... Cyclosporiasis (the "explosive diarrhea" parasite) is killing people now.

It's been linked to lettuce supplied by a large corporation with AZ ties, Taylor Farms.

It's gotten to the point where the company's CEO and executives should retain the services of defense attorneys and ask them if bribing a public official is a predicate act under the felony murder rules in the states where people are dying.

Note: I have not been able to find statewide data on the cyclosporiasis outbreak in AZ, but I was able to find some Maricopa County data.

From the website of Maricopa County -

Arizona Republicans engage in a little addition by subtraction

Well, at least they improved the Governor's Water Policy Council.  By not being part of it.

From KPNX (Channel 12 in Phoenix) written by Kyra O'Connor, dated 10/13 (emphasis added by me) -

Arizona Senate Republicans, Farm Bureau withdraw from governor’s water policy council

Senate Republicans and the Arizona Farm Bureau withdrew their membership from Arizona Gov. Katie Hobb’s Water Policy Council calling it “beholden to out-of-state special interests,” according to a press release from the caucus.

Sen. Sine Kerr, who is also the chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water, said the council is “nothing more than a forum to rubber stamp the progressive environmental goals of special interest groups.” 

Who knew that protecting our water supply was a partisan issue?  Protecting and maximizing profit for its members may be the Farm Bureau's stated imperative, but protecting the public's interest is supposed to be the duty of public servants like Sen. Kerr.

"Alleged" public servants.

Accused criminal gives money to current and former legislators. Wonder if they'll return the money?

Can you say "ill gotten gains"?

From AZFamily -

Former Arizona Dept. of Education employee indicted on fraud, computer tampering

A former Arizona Department of Education employee has been indicted on six felony counts of tampering and fraud after allegedly funneling nearly $2 million over four years.

According to the state auditor, Tyler Grandil, the former Future Farmers of America executive secretary, opened a secret checking account back in 2011 and through 2015, deposited $1.7 million that should have been deposited into a department checking account. The report says that Grandil altered accounting records to hide his alleged crime. “Without the Department’s or AZFFA’s knowledge, Mr. Grandil spent this money for AZFFA and personal purposes,” the news release said.

State auditors say it is difficult to determine what amount was used for his personal use compared to the department since the accounting was comingled. However, a total of 28 checks worth $40,950 were determined to be issued to himself, his family members, or their companies.

Case information system is here.  His arraignment is scheduled for 6/27; the trial is scheduled (for now) for 11/22.

His LinkedIn profile does not list any direct employment with the AZ Department of Education.

The contributions?

From a report filed with the Arizona Secretary of State (AZSOS) -

Townsend was a state legislator who lost in the primary in 2022 (I blacked out the names and addresses of donors who aren't relevant to this story).  While she lost in 2022, my guess is that we haven't heard the last of her in AZ politics.

The contribution to a sitting legislator?

Well, from another report filed with the AZSOS - 

Kerr is the current Majority Whip in the State Senate.

My guess is that neither of them will return the money.  EVER.