Chuck Coughlin

Phoenix Country Club Tells Rusty Brown to Get Lost. Who's Next?

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STATE SECRETS

WOODS AND SYMINGTON HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON, AFTER ALL: BOTH DISCOURAGE OPEN GOVERNMENT

WHO KILLED KING?

THE VALLEY'S HOTTEST POLITICAL STRATEGISTS TEAMED UP TO PUSH MLK DAY. NO WONDER IT FAILED.

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THE VALLEY'S HOTTEST POLITICAL STRATEGISTS TEAMED UP TO PUSH MLK DAY. NO WONDER IT FAILED.

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THE VALLEY'S HOTTEST POLITICAL STRATEGISTS TEAMED UP TO PUSH MLK DAY. NO WONDER IT FAILED.

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THE VALLEY'S HOTTEST POLITICAL STRATEGISTS TEAMED UP TO PUSH MLK DAY. NO WONDER IT FAILED.

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THE VALLEY'S HOTTEST POLITICAL STRATEGISTS TEAMED UP TO PUSH MLK DAY. NO WONDER IT FAILED.

The Devilish Deeds of John Kaites

THE VALLEY'S HOTTEST POLITICAL STRATEGISTS TEAMED UP TO PUSH MLK DAY. NO WONDER IT FAILED.

The Work of Art Hamilton

For years, House minority leader Art Hamilton has used every trick in the book--the House rules book--to influence the Republican majority; now he's running for secretary of state

Why Growing Smarter Will Grow Old Fast

The so-called Growing Smarter measure would prevent the state from enacting strict growth controls. At the same time, however, it would free up $220 million for land preservation.

Cracking the Code

The so-called Growing Smarter measure would prevent the state from enacting strict growth controls. At the same time, however, it would free up $220 million for land preservation.

Jan Brewer's Transition Team Includes a Photo Enforcement Bigshot

  For all you Republicans out there hoping that a new governor means the end of Janet Napolitano's highly irritating plot to balance the state budget by putting photo enforcement cameras everywhere, we have a little warning for you: Don't get your hopes up. We couldn't help but notice tha ... More >>

Governor Jan Brewer Relocates Fundraiser to Distance Herself From Key Figure of 2000 Alt-Fuels Fiasco

Governor Jan Brewer at her inauguration ceremonyGovernor Jan Brewer insisted on relocating a campaign fundraiser this week to distance herself -- both figuratively and physically -- from a key figure in a 2000 state subsidy scandal. Brewer could have anticipated problems with this o ... More >>

Governor Brewer's Campaign Manager: Too Many Spending Cuts May Mean Election Probs for Republicans; Says "Temporary" Tax Needed

An interesting little spat is brewing over at the right-wing Sonoran Alliance blog, where our favorite, furry whipping post, the anonymous "Chewie," has upset the elephant cart.Chewie has inside info, supposedly, that Governor Jan Brewer's campaign manager, lobbyist and public relations expert Chuck ... More >>

Chewie Stays on Attack, Opens Full Blasters on HighGround Lobbyist Chuck Coughlin

Chuck Coughlin, the Republican heavyweight lobbyist of the HighGround PR firm, is a liberal-leaning, tax-supporting, poll-twisting propagandist -- says the anonymous "Chewie" today on the right-wing blog Sonoran Alliance.The pachyderm rumble we've been covering is still rolling along, to our amu ... More >>

April Fool's In Blogs: Obama on Noggin, Amazon's Top 100 Indie Albums, Paper Trails and More

We understand that in the 24-hour news cycle it can be difficult to keep up. Worry not! We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries: Valley Fever: Obama on Noggin Channel for Kids is No April Fool's Day Joke Chewie St ... More >>

Tax Increase Message From Brewer Pushed by Lobbyist Who Represents Anti-Tax Lawmakers

Chuck Coughlin The wrestling match between Governor Jan Brewer, her veteran political consultant and other Republicans is breaking out of the cage. A conservative blog site, Gila Courier, points out that High Ground, the lobby group run by Brewer's consultant, Chuck Coughlin, has several Republican ... More >>

Code Squawkers

Unions and developers battle over proposed building regs

Skipping to Re-election

Three men and some babies, or how Phoenix is choosing its next mayor

Arpaio Investigating Governor Jan Brewer, Source Says; Guv's Campaign Manager Also Under Scrutiny

Image: Ray Stern​Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's criminal investigation into potential misdeeds by county leaders includes Governor Jan Brewer, a source close to the investigation tells New Times.The source, who did not want to want to be identified, did not want to elaborate on the subject o ... More >>

Chuck Coughlin, Governor Brewer's Campaign Strategist, Tied to Demand Letter to Thomas on Stapley Case

A couple of weeks ago, we heard about a demand letter received by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office from a local lawyer, Leonard Aragon, concerning the attempted prosecution of County Supervisor Don Stapley.Aragon insisted in his November 2 missive that County Attorney Andrew Thomas repay the mo ... More >>

Governor Jan Brewer's CCA Ties Burn Like Neon, and News for Liberals: J.T. Ready's Still a Neo-Nazi

A couple of weeks ago, we heard about a demand letter received by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office from a local lawyer, Leonard Aragon, concerning the attempted prosecution of County Supervisor Don Stapley.Aragon insisted in his November 2 missive that County Attorney Andrew Thomas repay the mo ... More >>

Jan Brewer's U.N.-Bashing PR Stunt, and Its Sliver of Truth

courtesy of Dennis GilmanJan finds the State Department's mention of 1070 "downright offensive." Governor Jan Brewer's political operatives are by no means as dumb as their candidate. Evidence the PR stunt they let drop Friday, berating the U.S. State Department for daring to mention Arizona's brea ... More >>

Jan Brewer's Chuck Coughlin, CCA, KPHO, and the Nearly $14K Canceled Ad Buy

KPHO.com Coughlin: Squealin' like a stuck javelina Last night's report from KPHO's Morgan Loew on the ties between private prison behemoth Corrections Corporation of America and Governor Jan Brewer has drawn some serious plasma from Brewer's camp. Specifically, the hemorrhage i ... More >>

Jan Brewer's Campaign Advisor, Chuck Coughlin, Posts Half-Assed Apology After Gay-Baiting Smear

  Chuck Coughlin, Governor Jan Brewer's campaign advisor, spread a rumor that Terry Goddard is gay. He's sorry if the rumor offended you. ​An apology for offending people with a political smear isn't the same as apologizing for the smear, but that's the best anyone's getting out C ... More >>

Oct. 13 In Blogs: Geishas, Mostly Bears, Cupcakes, and Teamsters

​​​In the 24-hour news cycle, it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries:

Terry Goddard Tells Jan Brewer to Give Campaign Manager the Boot After Gay Remarks

​Since the moment Governor Jan Brewer's campaign manager suggested that her opponent in the gubernatorial election, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, was gay, Goddard has insisted that he's not (insert standard "not that there's anything wrong with that" comment here).During a no-holds-barre ... More >>

Jan Brewer Defies Russell Pearce, Republinuts, Vetoes Birther Bill, Others

Jan Brewer puts the smack down on Russell Pearce and his wing-nut pals, at least on three bills...Chalk up another embarrassing defeat for state Senate President Russell Pearce and his fellow Republinuts on three bills they desperately wanted: the birther bill, the guns on campus wackiness, and a bi ... More >>

Morning Poll: Should Arizona AG Tom Horne Turn Over Entire Fiesta Bowl Investigation Over to Another Agency

James KingArizona Attorney General Tom Horne​Yesterday, Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne turned over some of the investigation into the Fiesta Bowl corruption fiasco to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office citing a conflict of interest that exists because many of the people being investigated a ... More >>

Governor Jan Brewer Holds Ceremonial Signing for Law Striking "Retarded" and "Crippled" From Statutes

​Governor Jan Brewer held a ceremonial signing in her office on Thursday for a new law that strikes the "R-word" from state statutes.When it takes affect on September 30, the law will replace "mentally retarded," "retardation" and "crippled" in state code with gentler phrases like "children wi ... More >>

Russell Pearce's Desert Divas Connection and Chuck Coughlin's Threats

Give and give generously, lobbyists, or feel the wrath of KhanI have to give a nod to the Arizona Republic's Mary Jo Pitzl for nabbing a little item I'd been sitting on regarding a fundraising e-mail to fellow lobbyists sent from Mike Williams of the Phoenix firm Williams & Associates. This, on ... More >>

July 20 In Blogs: Russell Pearce, Scorpious Dance Theatre, Dear and the Headlights, Habit Burger, and Matt Salmon

​​​In the 24-hour news cycle, it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries:

Russell Pearce Recall Committee Formed by "Outside Interests"

Non-Arizonan Tom Tancredo comes to Russ' rescue with an out-of-state anti-recall committeeAh, sweet irony.State Senate President Russell Pearce's supporters love to prevaricate about Citizens for a Better Arizona, the committee that's collected enough signatures in Legislative District 18 to force a ... More >>

Russell Pearce Challenger Jerry Lewis Formally Announces Candidacy in LD 18 Recall Race

Southwest Pictures, LLCJerry Lewis announces, as Supervisor Don Stapley (far right) looks on As Eddie Albert liked to say in The Longest Yard (the original, not the Adam Sandler remake), "His-to-ry."That's what Arizona witnessed this morning in Mesa in the garden room of the Victorian-style Wright H ... More >>

Russell Pearce's Recall Downfall May Come in the Form of Jerry Lewis, One of LD18's Good Guys

Southwest Pictures, LLCJerry Lewis announces, as Supervisor Don Stapley (far right) looks on As Eddie Albert liked to say in The Longest Yard (the original, not the Adam Sandler remake), "His-to-ry."That's what Arizona witnessed this morning in Mesa in the garden room of the Victorian-style Wright H ... More >>

Peggy Neely, Who Vows to Strengthen Ethics at Phoenix City Hall if Elected Mayor, Exhibited Questionable Ethics to Help Financially Friendly Developer

Peggy Neely, Phoenix Mayoral Candidate​Phoenix mayoral candidate Peggy Neely pledges to rein in the influence of developers at City Hall to strengthen ethics in government -- but certain of her past actions as a public official don't conform with her new political message ... More >>

Russell Pearce's Challenge to Recall Shot Down, Dismissed by Judge Hugh Hegyi

Pearce's challenge to the recall has been shot down in superior courtSuperior Court Judge Hugh Hegyi just issued a ruling in state Senate President Russell Pearce's legal challenge to his recall, dismissing the complaint brought by the legal beagle working on his behalf, Lisa Hauser.Hegyi agreed wit ... More >>

Phoenix Mayoral Candidate Peggy Neely Displayed Ethically Questionable Favoritism with an Out-of-Town Developer and Campaign Contributor

Pearce's challenge to the recall has been shot down in superior courtSuperior Court Judge Hugh Hegyi just issued a ruling in state Senate President Russell Pearce's legal challenge to his recall, dismissing the complaint brought by the legal beagle working on his behalf, Lisa Hauser.Hegyi agreed wit ... More >>

A Kafka-esque Catch 22 Keeps Kini Seawright Off the AHCCCS Rolls, Thanks to Governor Brewer and the State Legislature

Pearce's challenge to the recall has been shot down in superior courtSuperior Court Judge Hugh Hegyi just issued a ruling in state Senate President Russell Pearce's legal challenge to his recall, dismissing the complaint brought by the legal beagle working on his behalf, Lisa Hauser.Hegyi agreed wit ... More >>

Russell Pearce's "Sham" Candidate Olivia Cortes Sued by LD 18 Voter

Mesa resident and vote-diluter Olivia Cortes, now being sued for her candidacy Hot off the presses: A lawsuit brought by elections law attorney Tom Ryan on behalf of Legislative District 18 voter Mary Lou Boettcher, challenging the legitimacy of Olivia Cortes, the so-called "sham" recall candidate p ... More >>

Cortes-gate Unravels, and All Arizona Needs Is a Prosecutor Willing to Do His Job

Mesa resident and vote-diluter Olivia Cortes, now being sued for her candidacy Hot off the presses: A lawsuit brought by elections law attorney Tom Ryan on behalf of Legislative District 18 voter Mary Lou Boettcher, challenging the legitimacy of Olivia Cortes, the so-called "sham" recall candidate p ... More >>

Russell Pearce's Lobbyist Pal Greg Patterson and the Ties That Bind

espressopundit.comLobbyist Patterson: Licking Pearce's boots clean is just the price of doin' business...The first thing you need to know about Greg Patterson of the right-wing Espresso Pundit blog is that he is a lobbyist. According to the Arizona Secretary of State's website, he has been a re ... More >>

Phoenix Mayoral Candidate Wes Gullett's Story Is More Complicated Than It Looks

espressopundit.comLobbyist Patterson: Licking Pearce's boots clean is just the price of doin' business...The first thing you need to know about Greg Patterson of the right-wing Espresso Pundit blog is that he is a lobbyist. According to the Arizona Secretary of State's website, he has been a re ... More >>

Russell Pearce Recall: Yellow Sheet Admits Senate President Is On the Ropes

Pearce loyalist Dan Grimm: Did he commit perjury, and if so, will the MCAO hold him accountable? The Arizona Capitol Times' Yellow Sheet costs $250 per month? Crikey, that equals my liquor store tab for September. Well, almost.Which is why I won't be subscribing anytime soon to YS, the dai ... More >>

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer Removes Redistricting Chair, Calls Special Session

Our near-illiterate governor, Chuck Coughlin's water-bearer, with her right paw on the state constitution Governor Jan Brewer, no doubt under direct orders from her puppetmaster consultant Chuck Coughlin, has removed Colleen Mathis as chair of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, ... More >>

Prediction: State Senator Russell Pearce Will Be Kissing His Political Career Goodbye on November 8

Our near-illiterate governor, Chuck Coughlin's water-bearer, with her right paw on the state constitution Governor Jan Brewer, no doubt under direct orders from her puppetmaster consultant Chuck Coughlin, has removed Colleen Mathis as chair of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, ... More >>

Greg Stanton Wins Keys to Phoenix Mayor's Office, Enjoys Double-Digit Lead Over Wes Gullett

Phoenix mayor-elect Greg Stanton​Phoenix mayoral candidate Wes Gullett conceded the Phoenix mayor's race to Greg Stanton, who ended the night with 56 percent of the vote -- a 13-point lead over his opponent.Stanton, caught up in a frenzy of hugs, handshakes and media interviews, missed the c ... More >>

Activist Randy Parraz Led an Army of Non-Partisan Warriors to Take Down Russell Pearce

Phoenix mayor-elect Greg Stanton​Phoenix mayoral candidate Wes Gullett conceded the Phoenix mayor's race to Greg Stanton, who ended the night with 56 percent of the vote -- a 13-point lead over his opponent.Stanton, caught up in a frenzy of hugs, handshakes and media interviews, missed the c ... More >>

Joe Arpaio Pleads for More Millions, as Juan Farias Mendoza's Ghost Looks On

Consider this the first anti-Arpaio ad for 2012, ironically produced by Arpaio's goons, and censored heavily by them as well....He's cost taxpayers $100 million in swiped county funds, has the blood of unfortunates such as Juan Farias Mendoza on his hands, was forced to settle to the tune of $1 mill ... More >>