Trayvon Martin case: Murder, that's what I call it.

Not quite as tawdry as the Jodi Arias trial but with far greater potential significance for the rest of society, the jury that has been hearing the trial of George Zimmerman for the killing of unarmed teen Trayvon Martin began its deliberations today.

From CBSNews.com -

A jury has recessed for the day without reaching a verdict in the case of George Zimmerman, the former neighborhood watch volunteer charged in the shooting death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin.

The jurors were set to return Saturday morning at 9 a.m. to resume deliberations.

The jury, which consists of a panel of six women, is weighing a second-degree murder charge against the 29-year-old, who shot Martin during a confrontation last year in a gated Sanford, Fla. community. Zimmerman is pleading not guilty, claiming he shot Martin in self defense. 

The panel of six women, which has been sequestered as the proceedings stretched into the end of their third week, will also weigh a lesser charge of manslaughter.

There are many schools of thought on this matter, but they basically boil down to two sides:

- The NRA, white supremacists, and their apologists saying that Zimmerman was justified in killing Martin, even though Zimmerman created the circumstances and conflict that Zimmerman is using to rationalize the killing.

- Civil society, most of whose members are saying "not so much".

Most of the time, I have the words to sum up a position on an issue, *any* issue.  Today, however. I'm going to rely on the words of actor John Wayne.  In real life, and even in some of his roles, he was ultraconservative (check out the pro Confederate-era South themes in many of his Westerns, or the shameless pro-Vietnam War propaganda in the movie "The Green Berets"), but occasionally he put forth some genuine pearls of wisdom.

Consider a scene from his film "Rio Bravo".

In the scene,, he plays Sheriff John T. Chance speaking to John Russell (playing character Nathan Burdette) about the arrest of his brother, Joe Burdette (played by Claude Akins).

(L-R) Wayne, Akins, and Russell (pic courtesy http://www.peterbrown.tv/johnrussell.html)

The dialogue (courtesy IMDB) (emphasis added) -

John T. Chance: [explaining why Joe got beat up] He didn't take too kindly to being arrested for murder.
Joe Burdette: It wasn't murder.
Nathan Burdette: If he says it wasn't murder, why do you say it was?
John T. Chance: Man gets shot that's got a gun, there's room for reasonable doubt. Man gets shot that hasn't got a gun, what would you call it? But, you knew that already otherwise you wouldn't have set things up the way you did. 

I call it murder.

Karlene Keogh Parks endorsed by Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton

Karlene Keogh Parks, candidate for Phoenix City Council, District 6, has earned what is perhaps the biggest prize of the campaign season in Phoenix.

From the Arizona Republic, written by Dustin Gardiner -

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton endorses Karlene Keogh Parks in District 6 council race

 Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton made his first public foray into the upcoming City Council elections on Thursday, endorsing insurance executive and District 6 candidate Karlene Keogh Parks.

Keogh Parks is locked in a contentious race with Councilman Sal DiCiccio, who’s running for re-election. The district encompasses Ahwatukee and affluent communities in east Phoenix, including Biltmore and parts of Arcadia and north central.

This doesn't quite offset the deep pockets of DiCiccio's lobbyist supporters, but the endorsement of the most popular elected official in the Phoenix area (yes, respect for Stanton extends far beyond the Phoenix city limits) helps muster grass roots support in a way that can't be bought.

Rs eating their own: Tea Party Congressman Calls Out Senator John McCain

I don't usually publish videos of Rs hobnobbing for fun and profit, but this one... :)

Republican State Rep. Kwasman running for Congress

Making official something that had been an open secret for months, State Representative Adam Kwasman announced that he is exploring a run for the CD1 seat in Congress, currently held by Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick.

From Roll Call, written by Abby Livington -

Republican state Rep. Adam Kwasman announced today an exploratory committee to challenge Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., a top target for the House GOP in 2014, according to a press release from his new campaign.


Kwasman is the first Republican enter the 1st District race this cycle, but it is likely other GOP candidates will chase the seat as well. He was also the subject of a recent Roll Call story on potential Republican challengers for Kirkpatrick.

His exploratory website is here.

As the article mentioned, Kwasman may be the first GOPer in the CD1 race, but he won't be the last.  In fact, 2014 should be an outright brawl on the GOP side of the ballot, with CD1 being at the top of the card.

Kirkpatrick is viewed as the most vulnerable D, with a competitive and heavily rural district.  As such, a laundry list of Rs are looking at that race; one of those rumored to be looking is AZSOS Ken Bennett.  He's also rumored to be looking at a run for governor.  Since there will be an R primary for both offices, he may just go for the one with the one he thinks is the most winnable.

Assuming that both Bennett and Kwasman go for CD1, I expect at least two more "name" candidates to at least strongly consider jumping into the CD1 race, with "name" meaning "current or recent officeholder", two lesser-known but viable candidates, and two "tilting at windmills" candidates.

Kwasman may have one serious issue working against his candidacy - based on the way he has conducted himself in office and the way his (exploratory) campaign has started, he is running as a generic knee-jerk Republican.  He could be running in any other district in the state, or even the country.  Somebody with strong ties to the rural part of the district might be able to easily turn him aside.

Ties like the ones possessed by Kirkpatrick.

The next target on the R hit parade will probably be the CD4 seat currently held by Republican Paul Gosar.  AZ House Speaker Andy Tobin, term-limited out of the AZ House, is said to be mulling this one.  Gosar is still seen as a carpetbagger in the district, vulnerable to a challenger with a strong base of support in the district.

Based on current voter registration numbers, CD4 will almost certainly remain in the hands of the Republican party.  The only real question is which R will occupy the office.

After that are seats held by Democrats in two competitive districts.

CD9 is currently held by Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema, who already has three announced R challengers, two of whom also ran in 2012.  Vernon Parker and Wendy Rogers have signed on for a return engagement.  Newbie Andrew Walter, whose claim to fame thus far is that he was a QB for the ASU football team a few years back, is also in the race.  The seat is attainable for the Rs, but Sinema was and is a strong candidate.  It will take a combination of factors to defeat her.  They will need a mix of Sinema messing up, the R candidate (whoever that may end up being) running a near-perfect campaign, and a national environment that is conducive to R victories.  In short, a wave.  Not necessarily one of 2010 proportions, but a solid one.

And given that, historically, the mid-term elections of a two-term president's second term usually see Congressional gains by the party that isn't the president's, this third factor seems more likely than not to come to pass.

Given Sinema's strength as a candidate, the race probably won't see a "big name" R, but one or two (or three or four) lower-profile Rs with some game who are willing to take a gamble.  The bigger name Rs will look for a surer thing.

After that one comes a district that, while competitive enough that the Rs won't give it a free pass, is going to take pretty near everything going right for the Rs for them to have a serious chance at taking the seat. 

Currently held by Congressman Ron Barber (D), CD2 shows a slight R edge in voter registration numbers, making it look like it is ripe for a takeover.  However, Barber is a strong candidate in an area where the Democrats are very energetic and involved, leading to high D turnout at the polls.

So far, just Martha McSally, the 2012 R nominee and loser in the general election, has signed on for the race.  It's likely that other Rs will get in CD2 race, but each of them will probably have some serious baggage weighing down their candidacies.


One interesting note: with Kwasman's announcement, it becomes official that though all will be running for office, none of the current LD11 legislators will be running for reelection to their current offices next year, and term limits aren't involved.

State Rep. Adam Kwasman - going for Congress.
State Rep. Steve Smith - going for the state senate.
State Sen. Al Melvin - going for governor. 

Doesn't mean much - LD11 is still a tough nut for Democratic candidates to crack (doable, but very tough), but it's still interesting.

In a political geek sort of way.  :)

Committees update

Note: when I write "nothing significant" (or a reasonable facsimile thereof), it's not an insult to the candidate committees that have formed at a particular level.  For the purposes of this post, "significant" mostly means "a candidate that we've heard of before"

Committees of note formed recently...

Federal level -

Martha McSally (R) declared her candidacy for the CD2 seat currently held by Ron Barber.

State level -

No significant new candidate committees that I could find, but the end of the legislative session was marked by a flurry of activity on the referendum front -

- Label GMOs Arizona, 201400138, supporting a initiative petition drive regarding the labeling of genetically modified foods.

- Representative Initiatives, 201400149, supporting an as-yet unidentified initiative or referendum petition drive.

- United Republican Alliance of Principled Conservatives, 201400140, seeking to overturn the lege's recent restoration of Medicaid eligibility levels via a referral to the ballot.

- Arizonans for Sensible Health Care, 201400167, opposing the proposed ballot measure above.  Fronted by the CEO of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association.

- We The People AZ Against Common Core, 201400168, seeking to refer to the ballot a part of the state's budget that increased the bonding limit for school districts.  Fronted by Wes Harris, one of the state's more infamous tea party types.

- Equal Marriage Arizona, 201400163, supporting an initiative petition drive for a measure that would recognize same sex marriages.  Fronted by LGBT Republicans.

- Arizona Taxpayers Protection Committee, 201400171, supporting an as-yet unidentified ballot measure.  At least, that's how the AZSOS has them categorized on the SOS' website.  However, a perusal of the group's website shows that their goal is to support primary challengers to Republicans who supported Medicaid restoration.  Fronted by Tom Husband, former chair of the MCGOP and Shane Wikfors, a long-time GOP operative and blogger.

- Protect Your Right To Vote Committee, 201400177, seeking to refer to the ballot and overturn HB2305, the anti-voter measure passed by the Republicans in the waning moments of this year's session of the legislature.  Fronted by Julie Erfle.

- Safer Arizona, 201400153, supporting an initiative petition drive for a potential measure legalizing marijuana.  Fronted by Dennis Bohlke, a computer programmer who has run afoul of narcotics-related laws in the past.

Steve at Arizona Eagletarian has coverage of the ballot questions committees here.


Maricopa County level -

Nothing significant yet.


Municipal level (Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa) -

Nothing in Tempe or Mesa as yet.  There are a couple of filings of interest in Scottsdale, however.

- Michael Auerbach, operator of a personal chef for hire business, member of Scottsdale's Neighborhood Advisory Commission, and a Republican PC in LD23 (north Scottsdale), filed for a run for City Council.

- John Little, a former Scottsdale City Manager, has filed for a run for City Council.

Little was city manager of Scottsdale until he was fired, allegedly because of "conflicts" with the Council.  The interesting part of that firing was the fact that, seemingly, the only people who had a conflict with Little were the four members of the City Council who voted to fire him.  I haven't followed Little's career since the firing, but if he still has the same sort of community support, the race will be tough.

For the other candidates.

John Washington of Scottsdale Trails offers his take on Little's candidacy here.

Happy Birthday, America!

Pic courtesy ABCNews.go.com

Eight years, or one complete term limits cycle, worth of blogging

The year was 2006, and I was becoming more active politically (the combination of having the highly embarrassing JD Hayworth as my representative in Congress and the highly respected Harry Mitchell challenging him motivated me to get off of my ass).  The 2006 election was the first election in Arizona where I paid close attention to most of the races on the ballot.

Earlier this week, I was thinking about term limits (8 years for legislative and statewide offices) and thinking about their impact.  Doing the math, I realized that anybody who was first elected to a legislative or statewide office in 2006 and has continuously held that office since would now be term-limited out of that office.

Planning to write up a post on the term-limits status of current electeds, I began by looking at the results of the 2006 election.  Anybody who was first elected to a legislative or statewide office that year and has continuously held that office since would now be set to be term-limited out of that office in 2014.

During that research, I was struck by two things:

1. How few of the people elected that year will actually be affected by term limits this time around.  By my count, only five people elected that year will be affected by term limits on the office that they were elected to in 2006..

2. And how much pure turnover there has been in those offices since that election.

Much of that turnover has been self-inflicted (AZ does seem to have a number of politicos with domestic violence "issues"), but some is indirectly related to term limits - when one office holder is term-limited out of a particular office, another office holder who isn't term limited out of their own office may choose to run for the soon-to-be vacant office (i.e. - legislators running statewide)

To whit:

Governor - Janet Napolitano easily won reelection in 2006 and would have been termed-out in 2010, but she resigned in 2009 to accept a position in the cabinet of Barack Obama, the newly-elected president of the United States.

Secretary of State - Jan Brewer.  She *is* termed out of office this cycle, but not from the SOS job.  Her ascension to the governor's office in 2009 started the term limits clock on that office.

Attorney General - Terry Goddard.  He won reelection in 2006 but was termed-out in 2010.  That year, he ran for governor in a race eventually won by Brewer.  Has made noises about running for office in 2014 (SOS or AG).  Interestingly, the Republican he defeated in the general election, Bill Montgomery, went on to become Maricopa County Attorney and is now rumored to be mulling another run for AG in 2014.

State Treasurer - Dean Martin.  After a 2009 family tragedy (his wife died during childbirth), he challenged Brewer for the R nomination for governor, but came up short in the primary.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction - Tom Horne.  He was termed-out of that office in 2010, so he ran for AG and won.  He was rumored to be eyeing a 2014 run for governor, but his term as AG has been marked by scandals.  Now, he seems to be focused on holding on to the AG spot, but is likely to face strong opponents in both the R primary and the general election.

State Mine Inspector - Joe Hart.  First won election to the office in 2006, reelected in 2010, and termed-out next year, and...Who cares?  The job is less about inspecting mines than it is about padding an elected official's pension (and hobnobbing with mining industry lobbyists and execs).  It isn't in the line of succession for governor in the event of a mid-term vacancy.  Bottom line:  this shouldn't be an elected office.

State legislature (while the district numbers and lines changed with redistricting after the 2010 census, any member elected to a particular chamber during the 2006 election and still holding office in that chamber now is term-limited in 2014):

Using old LD numbers -

LD1 State Senate - Tom O'Halleran (R).  Lost a primary challenge mounted by Steve Pierce in 2008, who campaigned on a platform of "O'Halleran is a liberal!".  Ironically, Pierce is facing the same diatribes now over his support of Medicaid restoration.

LD1 State House - Lucy Mason and Andy Tobin (Rs).  Mason was termed-out in 2010 and hasn't run for a state-level office since.  Tobin is now Speaker of the House, but is termed-out next year.  There have been rumors of interest in either a run for Congress or for governor.

LD2 State Senate - Albert Hale (D). Was previously termed-out of the Senate; currently in the House.

LD2 State House - Ann Kirkpatrick and Albert Tom (Ds).  Kirkpatrick ran for Congress in 2008 and won, was swept out of Congress in the 2010 Republican wave, and swept back into Congress in the 2012.  Tom lost a 2010 primary and remains out of office.

LD3 State Senate - Ron Gould (R).  Termed out in 2012, ran for Congress.  Lost in the R primary, last seen: fronting an effort put the recent restoration of Medicaid eligibility to previous levels on the 2014 ballot, hoping to overturn it.

LD3 State House -Trish Groe and Nancy McLain (Rs).  Groe ran into a DUI-related issue and lost in the 2008 primary.  Last seen: moved to Gilbert (I think) and was/is active in the LD Republican party organization there.  McLain ran for the state senate in 2012; lost in the primary.

LD4 State Senate - Jack Harper (R).  Termed out of the Senate in 2010, ran for and won a seat in the House.  Chose not to run for a second term in the House.  Currently out of office.  I miss him.  :)

LD4 State House - Tom Boone and Judy Burges (Rs).  Boone was termed out of the House in 2010 and was later caught up in scandal involving conflicts of interest and misuse of funds at the Deer Valley Unified School District, ultimately resigning from the district's governing board.  Burges ran for and won the senate seat after now-former legislator Scott Bundgaard (R) was involved in a domestic violence incident by the side of a Phoenix freeway in 2011.

LD5 State Senate - Jake Flake (R).  Passed away in June 2008.

LD5 State House - Jack Brown (D) and Bill Konopnicki (R).  Brown retired in 2010 after close to four decades in the AZ lege.  Konopnicki ran for the Senate seat in 2010 but lost in the R primary.  He passed away in 2012.

LD6 State Senate - Pamela Gorman (R).  Ran for Congress in 2010, losing in the primary.  Last seen lobbying for Big Tobacco.

LD6 State House - Doug Clark and Sam Crump (Rs).  Crump ran for Congress in 2010 and came up short in the primary.  Crump is working as a lobbyist, based in San Francisco.  Clark isn't in office, but I don't know his story.

LD7 State Senate - Jim Waring (R).  Ran for Congress in 2010 and lost in the primary.  Ran for Phoenix City Council in 2012 and won.

LD7 State House - Nancy Barto and Ray Barnes (Rs).  Barto is now in the senate, continuing her work as Big Insurance's chief Arizona lobbyist.  Barnes ran for the Senate in 2010 and lost to Barto in the primary.  Barnes was colorful, to say the least.

LD8 State Senate - Carolyn Allen.  Termed out in 2010 and retired from electoral politics.  The last real "moderate" in the Republican caucus.  Current GOP "moderates" in the lege make Barry Goldwater, the man who, in 1964, was considered to be to crazy conservative to be president, look like a bleeding heart liberal.

LD8 State House - Michele Reagan and John Kavanagh (Rs).  Reagan moved up to the Senate when Allen retired after the 2010 session.  She is likely running for SOS in 2014.  Kavanagh is termed out of the House, but it likely running for the Senate seat.

LD9 State Senate - Bob Burns (R).  Served as President of the State Senate.  Termed out after the 2010 session.  Won a seat on the Arizona Corporation Commission in 2012.

LD9 State House - Rick Murphy and Bob Stump (Rs).  Murphy is currently in the Senate but may be facing term limits of the practical, not statutory, variety - he's facing allegations that he sexually abused some of the foster children placed in his care.  Stump ran for and won a seat on the Arizona Corporation Commission in 2008 and won reelection to that body in 2012.

LD10 State Senate - Linda Gray (R).  Retired from elected office after 2012.

LD10 State House - Jackie Thrasher (D) and Jim Weiers (R).  Thrasher served one term in the lege, falling victim to some Republican dirty tricks in 2008.  Weiers, a shill for the payday loan industry, was termed out after 2012.

LD11 State Senate - Barbara Leff (R).  Ran for State Treasurer in 2010, coming up short in the Republican primary.

LD11 State House - Adam Driggs (R) and Mark Desimone (D).  Driggs is in the Senate now.  Desimone resigned from office after an arrest on charges related to a domestic violence incident.

LD12 State Senate - Bob Blendu (R).  Did not seek reelection in 2008.  Occasionally makes noises about running for office again.  Still keeping his hand in, for fun and profit.

LD12 State House - John Nelson and Jerry Weiers (Rs).  Nelson moved over to the Senate for a couple of terms, but after redistricting, fellow R senator Don Shooter picked up his carpetbags and left his competitive district and moved to the other side of Yuma, which was placed in a safe R district.  He ultimately chose to step aside.  Weiers was termed out of the House and is now mayor of Glendale.

LD13 State Senate - Richard Miranda (D).  Was eventually termed out of the Senate and ran for and won a seat in the House.  He resigned from that office in 2012, citing health and family reasons.  Later pleaded guilty to federal fraud and tax evasion charges and sentenced to prison.

LD13 State House - Martha Garcia and Steve Gallardo (Ds).  Garcia remained in the House until 2010.  Gallardo is now in the Senate.

LD14 State Senate - Debbie McCune-Davis (D).  The long-time legislator is now in the House.

LD14 State House - Chad Campbell and Robert Meza.  Meza is now in the Senate.  Campbell is now Democratic leader in the House and is termed out in 2014.  Considering a run for governor in 2014.

LD15 State Senate - Ken Cheuvront (D).  Termed out after 2010.  Ran for a Justice of the Peace spot.  Lost the primary.  In 2012, ran for a return to the Senate.  Lost the primary.

LD15 State House - David Lujan and Kyrsten Sinema (Ds).  Lujan ended up in the Senate, ran for Attorney General in 2010 (lost in the primary), and is running for Phoenix City Council this year.  Sinema also ended up moving over to the Senate and then won a seat in Congress after redistricting in 2012.

LD16 State Senate - Leah Landrum-Taylor (D).  Still in the Senate, currently serving as Democratic leader.  Termed out in 2014, exploring a run at SOS.

LD16 State House - Cloves Campbell, Jr. and Ben Miranda (Ds).  Campbell served two terms in the House before being defeated in the 2010 primary.  Last seen: publishing the Arizona Informant.  Miranda left the House after the 2010 session.  Last seen: practicing law in Phoenix.

LD17 State Senate - Meg Burton Cahill.  Served in the Senate through the 2010 session.  Now serving as a Justice of the Peace in Maricopa County.

LD17 State House - Ed Ableser and David Schapira.  Ableser is now serving in the Senate.  Schapira moved to the Senate after the 2010 election, and ran for Congress in 2012, coming in second behind Sinema in the D primary.  Currently working as the Assistant Superintendent of the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT).

LD18 State Senate - Karen Johnson (R).  Served through the 2008 session.  Retired after that.  Occasionally flirts with running for something.  Last seen: living in Show Low.

LD18 State House - Mark Anderson and Russell Pearce (Rs).  Anderson served through 2008, ran for Congress in 2008 and lost in the primary.  Currently a Justice of the Peace.  Pearce moved to the Senate after 2008.  Became president of the Senate after the 2010 elections.  Became the first Arizona legislator ever recalled from office in 2011.  Making noises about attempting to return to office in 2014.

LD19 State Senate - Chuck Gray.  Briefly ran for Congress in 2012.  Last seen working for the eventual victor in that race, Matt Salmon, as Salmon's district director.

LD19 State House - Kirk Adams and Rich Crandall (Rs).  Adams later became Speaker of the House, eventually resigning to run for a seat in Congress.  He lost to Salmon in that primary.  Crandall eventually moved to the Senate and will soon be moving to Wyoming for a job.

LD20 State Senate - John Huppenthal (R).  Ran for and won the office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2010.

LD20 State House - John McComish and Bob Robson (Rs).  McComish is currently in the State Senate.  Robson termed out after the 2008 session, took a term off (resetting his term limits clock) and returned to the House after the 2010 elections.

LD21 State Senate - Jay Tibshraeny (R).  The then-former mayor of Chandler served in the Senate through 2010, then made a return to the mayor's office in Chandler.

LD21 State House - Steve Yarbrough and Warde Nichols (Rs).  Yarbrough moved to the Senate, where he continues to undermine public education funding.  Nichols termed out after the 2010 session.  Last seen working as a lobbyist "business consultant".

LD22 State Senate - Thayer Verschoor (R).  Left the Senate after the 2010 session.  Ran for State Treasurer in 2010, losing in the primary; also spent time working as the executive director of the Arizona Republican Party.

LD22 State House - Andy Biggs and Eddie Farnsworth (Rs).  Verschoor and Farnsworth later faced off for the Senate seat, with Verschoor winning.  Farnsworth later returned to the House.  Biggs ran for the Senate in 2010 and won.  He is the current President of the State Senate.

LD23 State Senate - Rebecca Rios (D).  Swept out of office in the 2010 GOP wave.  Last seen working as a lobbyist/executive for a copper mining multinational.

LD23 State House - Barbara McGuire and Pete Rios (Ds).  McGuire was also swept out in the 2010 GOP wave, but has returned to the lege in the State Senate.  Pete Rios served in the House through 2008, later going on to serve on the Pinal County Board of Supervisors.

LD24 State Senate - Amanda Aguirre (D).  Held the Senate seat until 2010 when she was swept out of office by the GOP wave that year.  In 2012, she ran for Congress, losing in the primary.

LD24 State House - Lynne Pancrazi and Theresa Ulmer (Ds).  Ulmer lost her bid for reelection in 2008 but remains politically active.  Pancrazi is now serving in the State Senate.

LD25 State Senate - Marsha Arzberger (D).  Served in the Senate through 2008 and retired.  Still politically active.

LD25 State House - Jennifer Burns (R) and Manny Alvarez (D).  The relatively moderate Burns was hounded into not running for reelection in 2008 by the extreme wing of the Republican Party.  Burns is active with the Arizona Bar Association.  Alvarez moved to the Senate in the 2008 elections, but was swept out in the 2010 R wave.  Now apparently retired.

LD26 State Senate - Charlene Pesquiera.  Chose to not run for reelection in 2008.

LD26 State House - Lena Saradnik (D) and Pete Hershberger (R).  Saradnik resigned from office due to medical issues.  Hershberger ran for the Senate in 2008; lost in the primary to eventual general election victor "Atomic" Al Melvin.

LD27 State Senate - Jorge Luis Garcia.  Served as Democratic leader until he was termed out after the 2010 session.  Ran for Arizona Corporation Commission in 2010, but passed away suddenly during the campaign.

LD27 State House - Olivia Cajero Bedford and Phil Lopes (Ds).  Cajero Bedford moved to the Senate in 2010.  Lopes is retired from elected office, but is still politically active, serving as a Vice-Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party.

LD28 State Senate - Paula Aboud (D).  Stayed in the Senate through the 2012 session.  Briefly ran for Congress in 2012.

LD28 State House - David Bradley and Steve Farley (Ds).  Bradley was one of the Democratic nominees for Arizona Corporation Commission in 2010 (have I mentioned that was an R wave year? :) ).  He returned to the lege this year, winning a Senate seat last November.  Farley remained in the House, until he also won a seat in the Senate in November 2012.  Yes, due to redistricting, the House seatmates ended up in different districts for the 2012 elections.

LD29 State Senate - Victor Soltero (D).  Retired after the 2008 session.

LD29 State House - Linda Lopez and Tom Prezelski (Ds).  Lopez moved to the Senate after the 2008 election.  Prezelski was defeated in a wide-open 2008 primary.  Among other things, he has picked up blogging at the blog his brother started, Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion, cross-posting (like me) at Blog for Arizona.

LD30 State Senate - Tim Bee (R).  Served as President of the Senate, until he chose to run for Congress.  He lost in the primary.  Last seen: working as a lobbyist for U of A.

LD30 State House - Marian McClure and Jonathan Paton (Rs).  McClure ran for Arizona Corporation Commission in 2008, losing in the general election.  Paton moved over to the Senate, then became a perennial candidate for Congress, losing in the primary in 2010 and losing in the general election in 2012.


Looking at this, is it any wonder that the professional lobbyists make up the institutional memory at the Capitol?

State Sen. Jack Jackson leaving to take a job in D.C.

From the Arizona Republic, written by Mary Jo Pitzl -

Sen. Jack Jackson Jr. is trading in his legislative credentials for a newly created post in the U.S. Department of State.

The second-term state senator is moving to Washington, D.C., to become the first-ever liaison to Native American tribes on environmental issues. It’s a presidential appointment, and one that came looking for him.

Jackson, D-Window Rock, started the year by taking the oath of office for his second term as a state senator. About the same time, a colleague in Washington mentioned the State Department was looking for a Native American to fill a new senior-adviser position that would serve as the go-between for the Obama administration and tribes on environmental and cross-boundary issues.

Jackson's LD7 covers a significant portion of northern Arizona, extending from a small part of Mohave County east to the New Mexico border and encompassing part of Flagstaff and the portion of the Navajo reservation that's within Arizona.

Good luck to Sen. Jackson with his new job...except that I hope he fails in any effort to push the Keystone XL pipeline.

State Senator Rick Murphy under investigation over sex abuse allegation

Picture courtesy AZCentral.com

From the Arizona Republic, written by Mary K. Reinhart -

Arizona Sen. Rick Murphy, a foster and adoptive parent who identifies himself as a leader on child-welfare issues, is under investigation by Peoria police and state Child Protective Services for allegations he sexually abused children in his care, according to police records.

Police said the investigation was launched Saturday, after an older teen reported repeated incidents of alleged abuse by Murphy going back at least six years. The teen also self-reported his own inappropriate sexual contact with another child in the home, the reports show.

The article goes on to chronicle the fact that this isn't the first time that Murphy has been the subject of similar allegations - in 2011, there was an investigation into abuse claims from another teen who was being fostered by Murphy and his wife.  At the time, the investigation was closed for insufficient evidence; according to the article, that investigation has been reopened in light of the current allegations.

It's too soon in the investigatory process for much specific comment ("allegations" aren't "facts" until they are proven), but here are a few general comments:

1.  I hope the allegations are untrue.  Not because I like Murphy; never met him.  Not because I like his politics; his politics are appalling.

Because if the allegations are true, that means there are more victims of sexual abuse in the world.  Not something that the world needs.

2.  If, however, the allegations turn out to be true, he should be tossed into the general population of the darkest, dankest hole that the Arizona Department of Corrections has to offer.  Something the world needs.

Having said all of that, I have to ask:

WTF is in the Kool-Aid that the friends and allies of Russell Pearce drink?

- Rick Murphy - see above.

- JT Ready - friend and protege of Pearce; multiple murders and suicide.

Ready (left) and Pearce, in happier days.  Pic courtesy the Phoenix New Times

- Chris Simcox - anti-immigrant ally of Pearce; arrested on child molestation charges.

- Scott Bundgaard, formerly majority leader and one of Pearce's chief allies in the state senate; ultimately resigned from the state senate after being involved in a domestic violence incident by the side of a Phoenix freeway.  Last seen suing the City of Phoenix and the Phoenix PD over their audacity in holding him responsible for his actions.

- Joshua Pearce, son and convict.  Who has faced child abuse allegations of his own in the past (all non-sexual, so far as I know).  Has some "interesting" tattoos.

Joshua Pearce mugshot, courtesy Phoenix New Times

- Don Shooter, current state senator and ally of Pearce while he was in the state senate; facing charges over his rampage in his grandson's charter school.


Don't know what "special ingredient" is added to the Kool-Aid at Pearce machine gatherings but they may wish to consider reducing the dosage.  It doesn't seem to be working out too well.

As for the Murphy allegations, those will shake out as they will.  Stay tuned...

Donna at Democratic Diva offers her significantly more Murphy-focused take here.

Republican State Sen. Rich Crandall taking job in Wyoming

From KPHO.com (Phoenix Channel 5), written by Phil Benson -

An Arizona state senator has been chosen to run the Wyoming Education Department.

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead late Wednesday afternoon announced his choice of Richard Crandall, of Mesa, who co-owns two nutritional service companies.

 This isn't exactly breaking news - it's been common knowledge for months that Crandall was leaving to "pursue other opportunities".

In my previous post covering this topic, I predicted that Crandall would catch on with a (potential) Jeb Bush presidential campaign.  This would seem to show that prediction to be incorrect, however, the job in Wyoming may be a temp job.

From the KPHO article -

Mead and the Legislature enacted a new law this past winter removing the statewide elected superintendent of public instruction as head of the Education Department. Instead, the department will be administered by a director appointed by the governor.

The change occurred in the middle of Superintendent Cindy Hill's four-year term. Hill is challenging the constitutionality of the change.

The press release from Wyoming's governor is here.

So far as I can tell, Crandall has yet to submit his resignation from the state senate.  Once he does, however, the fun will start.

Former state senator Russell Pearce, the subject of a historic recall election in 2011 appeared on KTVK's Politics Unplugged this past weekend.  When asked about future political aspirations, he responded coyly and ambiguously, neither confirming nor refuting plans to run for office next year.  However, there have been rumors that he is looking at a return to the senate, either by challenging incumbent LD25 senator Bob Worsley or by moving a little east into Crandall's current district, LD16.

If Pearce does make that move, it will be an exercise in irony.

Crandall made the same move after the redistricting process placed him in the same district (LD25) as Pearce, a longtime political adversary (just because they're Rs doesn't mean they like each other).  Crandall chose to move into LD16 to avoid a primary battle with Pearce.  In LD16, Crandall defeated Pearce ally John Fillmore, avoiding Pearce but still deepening the bad blood between the two camps.

However it works out in LD16, it probably won't be as entertaining as what happened at the Texas lege on Tuesday, but it will still be fun to watch in a "get your popcorn and put up your feet" kind of way.

Texas: The People's Filibuster derails The Great Texas Screwjob...for now, anyway...

By now, most people who care about this sort of thing are aware that in Texas, State Sen. Wendy Davis filibustered their SB5 yesterday.  SB5 would have all but completely banned abortion services in Texas.

The Republicans in the Texas lege tried and failed to pass the provisions of the bill during the regular session of the legislature.  Upset by that failure, they called a special session to railroad through all of the provisions in one measure.

However, under the rules governing specials sessions in Texas, they have a limited amount of time to pass bills and once that time is gone, any unpassed bills die.

Davis was attempting to hold the floor until the time for the special session expired.

The Republicans in the Texas state senate pulled out all the stops in their attempts to break the filibuster.  They used hyper-technical interpretations of the rules of the Senate, openly ignoring those rules, and just plain cheating.

They forced her off of the floor but the other Democrats in her caucus took up the fight, mostly using points of parliamentary inquiry to run out the clock.  Call it "legislative stall ball".

And when it looked like that the Rs we just going to ride roughshod over democracy and women in TX, hundreds of citizens in the Senate gallery just started cheering.

Loudly enough to drown out the Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, the conductor of the railroad chair of the Texas State Senate.

And long enough to finish running out the clock on the special session.

From the Dallas Morning News, written by Christy Hoppe and Claire Z. Cardona -

A bill that would have given Texas one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country died amid chaos at the end of the special legislative session overnight.

After Republicans used strict interpretations of Senate rules to knock Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, off her marathon filibuster intended to block a vote on the measure before the midnight Tuesday deadline, abortion-rights advocates watching the session erupted in a loud protest.

{snip}

Shortly after 2 a.m. Wednesday, a very upset Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst finally came to the dais to address the press and chamber on the fate of Senate Bill 5 and the crowd that at times drowned out the proceedings.

“Members, the constitutional time for the first called session for the 83rd Legislature has expired,” Dewhurst said. “Senate Bill 5 cannot be signed in the presence of the Senate at this time and therefore cannot be enrolled. It’s been fun, but, uh, see you soon.

"This is the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen in my life," Dewhurst continued. "An unruly mob using Occupy Wall Street tactics has tried all day to derail legislation that has been intended to protect the lives and the safety of women and babies. So I’m very frustrated."

I didn't watch the entire filibuster, tuning in to the live feed at the website of The Texas Tribune with around two hours to go (got to see the "People's Filibuster" part though; more than a little proud of my fellow citizens for that).

During the period that I watched the proceedings live, the best line was actually delivered by State Sen. Leticia Van De Putte.  After repeatedly trying to gain recognition so she could speak, but repeatedly being ignored by the chair, she was finally granted leave to speak.  Upon which, she asked -

"At what point must a female senator raise her hand or her voice to be recognized over her male colleagues?” she asked as the chamber erupted in cheers.

Lydia DePillis of the Washington Post has a good summary of the events surrounding last night's happenings here.

The New York Times has coverage here, including video links.

Texas blog Juanita Jean's| The World's Most Dangerous Beauty Salon, Inc. has coverage here.

However, almost even before the echoes of the cheers of the protesters faded at the Texas capitol, Gov. Rick Perry (R-Good Hair), like would-be tinhorn despots everywhere who find their wills thwarted, threw a tantrum and called a do-over.

From CBS News -

Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday called a second special session of the Texas Legislature to pass widespread abortion restrictions across the nation's second-largest state, after the first attempt by Republicans died overnight following a marathon one-woman filibuster.

Perry ordered lawmakers to meet again on July 1 to act on the abortion proposals, as well as separate bills that would boost highway funding and deal with a juvenile justice issue. The sweeping abortion rules would close nearly all the state's abortion clinics and impose other widespread restrictions.

 Let women, the Texas Democrats, and all of us, enjoy Tuesday's victory.  The hard work starts again Monday.

Russell Pearce: Putting another nail in the coffin of his political career

From AZFamily.com (aka - Channel 3 in Phoenix), written by Dennis Welch -

Days after one of the men who led a national border vigilante movement was arrested on accusations of child molestation, former Senate President Russell Pearce had this to say about Chris Simcox: “good people do stupid things sometimes.”

{snip}

Pearce was speaking after appearing on the station’s weekly public affairs show, Politics Unplugged, which airs at 5:30 Sunday.

The video -



Pearce is right about one thing - good people do stupid things occasionally.

However, bad people do evil things, and molesting children qualifies as "evil", not "stupid".

If Pearce ever runs for an elected office again, expect this to seriously haunt him.

Maybe they should take some of the proceeds from the fundraiser to buy a clue...

We live in Arizona, a place where we've seen incidents where...

...six people are murdered and more than a dozen others injured, including now-former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, in a mass shooting in Tucson...

...a four-year old shot and killed his father in Prescott Valley with a gun left out in the house of a family friend...

...6700 acres (and counting) burn up near Prescott in a wildfire apparently caused by some target shooters who carelessly disposed of some spent shells...

And more, many more; the litany of gun-related tragedies seemingly never ends, with a new one grabbing our attention even before the echoes of the last one fade from our hearing.


Most of America realizes that a problem with firearms exists here, and the problem isn't that there is too little shooting and too few guns.

Most of America.

From the website of the LD26 Republicans -

{snip}

Gun movies (I'm not certain of their meaning of the phrase "constitutionally correct", but I expect that it is somewhere close to "propaganda"), "cute" guns, "interesting" guns, prizes, and goodies - it seems like "guns as entertaining toys" will be the event's theme.

Not "gun as dangerous tools".

Wonder if they are going to invite former state legislator Lori Klein to give safety instruction?  If that doesn't happen, maybe she can enter her pink pistol in the "Cutest Firearm" contest.

You know, the one with a laser sight and without a safety.  The one that she pointed at a reporter, just to show it off.

Hmmm...on second thought, if she attends the event, maybe *teaching" gun safety should take a back seat to *learning* gun safety for now.

Gun violence: It's a health crisis. Treat it that way.

This has been a tough post to write.  Not because there is nothing to say, but because there is so much to say, it's been difficult to keep it down to a readable length.  However, since there have been more than 5000 gun deaths since the mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, and nothing has been done...

In the wake of December's mass shooting in Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, there were a number of ideas floated to stem the epidemic of gun violence sweeping the country - reinstituting the assault weapons ban, closing the gun show loophole in background check laws, and banning ammunition magazines/ammo clips that are larger than a certain size, among many others - all of which have been strenuously opposed by the gun industry's lobbying group, the NRA, and most of which won't become law.

Witness Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and 44 of his colleagues banding together to block a proposal to close the "gun show loophole" in the federal law requiring background checks for firearms purchases.

Even though 90% of Americans, across all demographics - Ds, Rs, gun owners, liberals, conservatives, whatever - supported the common-sense move, 45% of US Senators were cravenly swayed by the NRA's campaign contributions.

In addition, in states where the NRA's tools hold sway over the political structure, they've actually passed laws to put more guns on the streets of America.

Witness Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signing HB2455 into law.

HB2455 requires municipalities and counties, with a few very specific exceptions, to sell any firearms that come into their possession.  The bill is targeted at gun "buyback" programs, where gun owners turn in weapons, usually for a small financial compensation, and then the local or county police agencies have the weapons destroyed.

This offended the tender sensibilities of the gun industry, their lobbyists in the NRA, and their lackeys in the Arizona so much that they passed a law to override the wishes of gun owners and to usurp local control.

The proposals that have been offered up in an effort to reduce the number of gun deaths will help, but all have the same underlying flaw that would ultimately limit their effectiveness, if any of them are ever enacted -


None of them seek to address the underlying causes of the epidemic of gun violence that's sweeping the country - a societal affinity for using violence as the first, not last, resort for resolution of conflict.

Nor do they address the "guns as toys" mentality that suffuses the gun subculture in America.


While easy access to firearms is a significant contributing factor in the torrent of violence, a bigger factor may be the attitude that firearms are toys that can be used or handled in any way without the user bearing any responsibility for the results of their handling or use of the firearms.

That can, and should be, addressed in a way that doesn't infringe on anyone's "rights".

Even if the gun fetishists (who, it should be noted, are not part of the group of *responsible* gun owners, who make up the majority of gun owners) don't like it, and they sure as hell won't.

Perhaps the people who are leading the efforts to reduce the number of gun deaths should take a page from the way that a previous behavioral health crisis was address.

That previous crisis?  Drunk driving.


In the early 1980s, when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started tracking the numbers, more than 21,000 people per year died as a result of alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents.

By 2011, that number had dropped to a little less than 10,000.

Why did that happen?

In large part due to a concerted effort, started in the early 1980s, to reduce both drinking and driving and the social acceptability of drinking and driving.

That effort included raising the legal drinking age (at the time, most states set that age at 18) to 21, changing the culture of enforcement (bars that served people until they were so intoxicated that they could no longer drive safely would lose their license and be subject to lawsuits, and police officers who let drunk drivers go with a warning would be held financially liable when one of those drivers would later get into an accident after being released) and increasing the penalties for those convicted of driving while under the influence (license suspensions became almost mandatory, as did jail sentences and hefty fines.  And that was even in cases where there were no injuries or property damage).

In short, the problem was addressed by addressing irresponsible behavior.

Drinking alcoholic beverages wasn't outlawed (they tried that with Prohibition.  It didn't work.  In fact, it failed miserably.).

Driving a motor vehicle wasn't outlawed (good luck with that one, not that anyone I know of is crazy enough to even suggest that, much less try to implement it).

Drinking and driving, on the other hand, while already against the law, was no longer winked at.  Because of the death toll that they inflict upon society, drunk drivers are now treated like the danger to society that they are.

To be sure, deaths due to intoxicated drivers haven't been reduced to zero, and won't be, but a huge dent has been made in the problem.

A similar approach may be the most effective way to address the epidemic of gun violence in the United States.

Completely banning guns, and no one with any credibility is pushing that as a solution, wouldn't "solve" the problem, any more than banning alcohol during Prohibition stopped all production and consumption of alcoholic beverages (or any more than the so-called "War on Drugs" has done anything to reduce the availability or use of narcotics, but that's a topic for another, very long, post).

However, there are a few approaches that can be taken that will address anti-social behavior without diminishing civil rights.  Though the gun industry, NRA, and gun fetishists will scream otherwise.

Offered, but not in any order of importance -

1. Roll back the legal shields created for gun manufacturers. If they start having to pay for their actions to make it easier for people who shouldn't be allowed near firearms to gain access to them, perhaps the industry will think twice about mass manufacture and mass marketing of handheld weapons of mass destruction such as the Bushmaster rifle and large capacity magazines.

2. Place as much emphasis on the *responsibility* that goes with possessing firearms as the NRA places on the "right" to possess them in the first place.  As with the example of drunk driving, intent to harm others wouldn't be relevant - everything from accidental discharge of a firearm with no harm to humans or property thru accidentally causing the death of another human should result in prison time.  Leaving a firearm in position, and condition, where it can be found and fired by children, should also result in prison time.  Incidents where such a firearm is actually fired would result in more prison time, and incidents where someone is actually harmed would result in even more prison time.

3. Quit messing around and expand background check requirements to cover all sales of firearms, not just those involving licensed dealers.

Some will argue that it is unfair to criminally and civilly punish people and businesses for accidents or for acts made in "good faith".

I would argue back that even if it is, it's less unfair than sacrificing the lives of thousands of innocent men, women, and children every year upon gun fetishists' (and profiteers') altar of fear of civil society.

2013 Legislative round up: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

In normal years, the three categories above are enough to cover the activities of the lege.  There hasn't been "good" coming out of West Washington for years, so everything that could be labeled as "Well, it coulda been worse" (surprise vetos, watered-down bad ideas, bad bills that actually failed, etc.) were lumped into the "good" category.

This year, some actual "good" happened at the Capitol.

Which is good, of course, but it creates a dilemma -

Is it better to put the "coulda been worse" items into the "good" category, and possibly diminish the perception of the actual good items, or put the "coulda been worse" items into the "bad" category, and risk raising the perception of the truly bad items?

This was a vexing matter, until I remembered one thing -

I'm not Sergio Leone, so I'm not restricted to three categories.

Did keep the title though - "The Good, The Coulda Been Worse, The Bad, and The Ugly" just doesn't pack as much oomph. :)


On to the meat of the post...

The Good:

Medicaid restoration. Possibly the most "good" thing to come out of the Capitol in decades.  Signing scheduled for Monday morning.

Personal note: Let me now thank the lege's entire Democratic caucus for standing tall and standing united for the people of Arizona.  Additionally, there are 15 Republican electeds who, amazingly (to the rather cynical me, anyway) did the same thing.  I may never have cause to say or write anything complimentary about them again, but today, credit will be given where credit is due -

Governor Jan Brewer
Sen. John McComish
Sen. Steve Pierce
Sen. Adam Driggs
Sen. Rich Crandall
Sen. Bob Worsley
Rep. Doug Coleman
Rep. Jeff Dial
Rep. Frank Pratt
Rep. TJ Shope
Rep. Ethan Orr
Rep. Kate Brophy McGee
Rep. Heather Carter
Rep. Doris Goodale
Rep. Bob Robson


The Coulda Been Worse (mostly bad bills that died or were vetoed):

SB1439, a neo-secessionist measure to make gold and silver bullion legal tender; vetoed by the governor on 5/2/2013

SB1371, messing with local bond and tax elections; vetoed by the governor on 5/2/2013

SB1178, making a citation of religious belief a blanket exemption from all state laws and regulations; vetoed by the governor on 5/23/2013

A striker to SB1069 that would have placed all sort of onerous requirements on the operation of abortion clinics; passed by the House Appropriations Committee but died in the House this past week

Strikers to SB1432 and SB1045 aimed at legalizing some discrimination toward the LGBT community, known as the "show your papers before you pee" bills.  Run by Rep. John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills) at the behest of the Center for Arizona Theocracy Policy which aghast at the City of Phoenix' passage of a non-discrimination ordinance. Also passed by the committee but died for lack of further consideration.


The Bad (some of these could move up or down a category based on their final disposition):

SB1465, under certain circumstances, exempting solid waste operators from specific ADEQ requirements and oversight; signed by the governor on 4/16/2013

SB1370, messing with local franchise elections; signed by the governor on 4/10/2013

SB1363, expanding Sen. Steve Yarbrough's revenue stream school vouchers; awaiting action by the governor

HB2617, a smaller expansion of Yarbrough's revenue stream, specifically relating to corporate "contributions"; awaiting action by the governor

SB1346, making "class action" status for lawsuits more difficult to attain and retain; awaiting action by the governor

SB1288, barring federal projects and agencies from receiving any funding through the Arizona Water Protection Fund; awaiting action by the governor

HB2645, expanding the exemption from unemployment insurance laws accorded to churches and church-affiliated organizations; awaiting action by the governor

HB2446, expanding the property tax exemption accorded to religious organizations; awaiting action by the governor 

HB2305, an election "reform" bill that makes it more difficult for citizens to place initiative questions on the ballot; awaiting action by the governor (will definitely qualify as "ugly" if the governor signs it into law)

SCR1015, The legislative Republicans' love letter to the NRA in the wake of the Newtown massacre.  Would be in the "ugly" category, but it has no real impact, other than embarrassing the state.


The Ugly:

HB2593, the lobbyist shakedown bill, drastically raises or completely removes limits on campaign contributions; signed by the governor on 4/11/2013

HB2326, barring cities and towns from keeping records relating to ownership of firearms (a Newtown massacre memorial measure?); signed by the governor on 4/29/2013

HB2147, raises adminstrative barriers faced by workers applying for unemployment insurance benefits; signed by the governor on 3/28/2013

SCR1016, a proposed amendment to the AZ constitution that would purport that the state could ignore any federal law, regulation, rule, action, or anything else that it doesn't like; will be on the ballot in 2014.  I was going to put this in the "bad" category because of its pending status, until I realized that the presence of this proposal on the ballot next year means that we will be faced with scads of TV and newspaper ads...and mailers...and radio spots...and emails...and so on... from tea party types and other Koch Brothers-funded astroturf groups.

Given that fact and the content of the proposal itself, this one is definitely in the "ugly" category.


Note:  The above lists are not meant to be comprehensive, but I think that I've covered the worst of the worst, and in the case of Medicaid restoration, the best of the best.