Politics

Phoenix City Council Adopts Ethics Policy for Elected Officials, Details Still In the Works

The Phoenix City Council adopted on Tuesday what officials are saying is one of the "toughest ethics policies in the nation," a set of rules that guide how elected representatives conduct themselves in office. Although some of the details are still being worked out, policy provisions will require ... More >>

Lobbyist Group Going for Its 36th Anti-Abortion Law: Surprise Abortion-Clinic Inspections

The local lobbying organization best known for its fanatical anti-abortion proposals has finally come around with some anti-abortion legislation, after staying quiet for most of the legislative session.CAP apparently has Republican Representative John Kavanagh on a leash, since Kavanagh introduced t ... More >>

Jessica Florez, Former Phoenix City Councilwoman, Dies in Scottsdale Over the Weekend

One month shy of her 40th birthday, former Phoenix City Councilwoman Jessica Florez died in Scottsdale on June 1. Although she reportedly died in her sleep, her cause of death has not been disclosed. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office says the death investigation remains open, and can n ... More >>

Ask a Mexican on Guns in Mexico

By Gustavo Arellano

Arizona's 20-Week Abortion Ban Is Unconstitutional, Says Federal Appeals Court

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says Arizona's law banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy is unconstitutional, citing just about every Supreme Court case on the subject since Roe v. Wade."The 20-week law is [an] unconstitutional under an unbroken stream of Supreme Court authority, begin ... More >>

Joe Arpaio Recall Suspends Paid Signature Gathering Campaign for Second Time

The roller-coaster campaign to recall Sheriff Joe Arpaio took another dive today. With just two weeks left before the recall's May 30 deadline, the on-again, off-again paid effort to gather signatures is off again. See also: -Joe Arpaio Recall: 14 Days Left, a New Dennis Gilman Video -Joe Arpaio R ... More >>

Joe Arpaio Recall Re-Ignites Paid Petition Effort with 22 Days to Go

With 22 days remaining, the effort to boot Sheriff Joe Arpaio from office has re-started the paid petition-gathering campaign it discontinued back on March 18. See also: -Joe Arpaio Fans Look a Little Desperate With Billboards Urging People Not to Sign Recall -Joe Arpaio Recall: Give Joe the Pink S ... More >>

John McCain Bucks the NRA, Supports Expanding Background Checks for Gun Sales

Republican Senator John McCain announced today his support for an amendment that calls for an expansion of the federal background-check system for gun sales, an amendment that's specifically being targeted for defeat by the National Rifle Association.According to all the newspapers in Washington, th ... More >>

"Gang of Eight" Immigration Deal Outline Released

An outline of the immigration bill formed by the so-called "Gang of Eight" -- which includes Arizona's Republican Senators, John McCain and Jeff Flake -- has been released.There's a whole lot of stuff in this outline, including some of the more specific details on immigration law, but it includes se ... More >>

Joe Arpaio-Henchman Bill Montgomery Milks CIR While Separating Parents from Children

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery is gettin' real popular with some in the pro-immigration reform crowd. Never mind that he collaborates with Sheriff Joe Arpaio in prosecuting undocumented workers, while ignoring those who hire them. See also: -Bill Montgomery's Victims Rot in Jail, While A ... More >>

Greg Stanton, Phoenix Mayor, Makes Third "Trade Mission" to Mexico

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, Councilman Michael Nowakowski and City Manager David Cavazos are jetting off to Mexico on a "trade mission" to strengthen economic ties with its southern neighbor. This is Stanton's third visit to Mexico since taking office.

Are "People Who Want to Secure the Border and Prevent Illegal Immigration" Racist?

According to poll results released yesterday by Rasmussen Reports, 11 percent of U.S. voters think that "people who want to secure the border and prevent illegal immigration" are racist.An additional 22 percent said they didn't know if these people are racist.See also:-Poll: One-Third of Voters Not ... More >>

Poll: One-Third of Voters Not Convinced People Who Want to "Secure the Border" Aren't Racist

Good news for people who talk up their desire for the country to "secure the border" and try to prevent illegal immigration -- most American voters don't think you're racist.The problem is, according to poll results, that still leaves one-third of American voters who still think you might be racist.

Republican Blogger Jeff Vath Fought for Sanity in the AZ GOP

Politico Mafioso's Jeff Vath, the GOP's "Badass Blogger," Dies following Ulcer Surgery

One of Arizona's most influential bloggers, Jeff Vath, the man behind the widely-read, GOP-centric Politico Mafioso blog, passed away Tuesday night at John C. Lincoln Hospital in Deer Valley. He was 52. According to his wife of 24 years, Mary Anne, Vath's death was due to complications from surgery ... More >>

Republican Lawmaker John Kavanagh's the Latest Person Targeted With Recall

Filing petitions to recall politicians is officially "in," now that yet another petition has been filed with the Secretary of State's Office, this one to recall Republican Representative John Kavanagh.Kavanagh's "bathroom birther" proposal is what sparked this one, according to a press release sent ... More >>

Arizona's the Best State for Gun Owners, Says Magazine Formerly Run by Man Who Shot and Killed Neighbor in Arizona

Arizona is "the best" state for gun owners, Guns & Ammo magazine says today.Believe it or not, Guns & Ammo magazine omitted the fact that the former editor of the magazine shot and killed a man in Arizona less than a year ago.See also:-Richard Venola, Former Editor of Guns & Ammo Magazine, A ... More >>

Joe Arpaio's Nemesis Rebecca Jimenez Leads in Guadalupe Mayoral Race, Run-Off Certain for May 21

Despite a last-minute slur campaign by her detractors and the surprise endorsement of the incumbent by Congressman Ed Pastor, one-time thorn in the side of Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Rebecca Jimenez, was leading a four person pack in the contest for mayor for the square-mile postage stamp of Guadalupe by d ... More >>

Joe Arpaio's Birther Buddies Say They'll Take Recall Effort to Court to Shut It Down

The people behind Sheriff Joe Arpaio's "birther" investigation are now trying to tell the Arpaio recall effort that they'll go to court to shut it down if they don't do it themselves.Spoiler alert: Fat chance, for Arpaio's friends.See also:-Why Sheriff Joe Actually Is Nervous About the Recall Effort ... More >>

'Til Death Do Us Part: Arizona's Dangerous Love Affair with Guns

Reverend Al Sharpton Reveals on National Television that the Emperor of Pinal County, Paul Babeu, Has No Clothes (ICYMI)

We all know the Danish tale about the emperor whose men and subjects stroke him in admiration over his new clothes. Of course, as the story goes, the emperor isn't actually wearing any clothes. Instead of questioning the obvious, everyone basks in a collective ignorance. Until a little boy in the c ... More >>

Jan Brewer's Third-Term Interpretation of Constitution Challenged by Democrat's Bill

Since Governor Jan Brewer hasn't given up on her interpretation of the Arizona Constitution that two terms really means three terms, Democratic State Senator Steve Gallardo has proposed changing the wording of that section.There's a big problem with Gallardo's proposal -- since he's proposing a chan ... More >>

Raul Grijalva Has a Word or Two for Jan Brewer Over Executive Order on Driver's Licenses

Democratic Congressman Raul Grijalva says it's pretty clear that deferred action beneficiaries should be allowed to apply for driver's licenses.Grijalva, and previously, the ACLU, have disagreed with the executive order issued by Governor Jan Brewer, in which she stated that Deferred Action for Chil ... More >>

Jan Brewer's Order Denying Driver's Licenses for DREAMers Challenged by Bill

While the ACLU is still suing over Governor Jan Brewer's order to deny driver's licenses to participants in the Obama Administration's deferred-action program, a bill has been submitted that would change the current policy.Democratic state Representative Catherine Miranda submitted House Bill 2032, ... More >>

Legislators Propose Forcing High School Students to Swear to Defend Constitution in Order to Graduate

"Finally, our state legislators are making sure Arizona's teenagers will ask for the Lord's help defending the Constitution before they're allowed to earn a high school diploma." --NobodyIf a handful of Republican state legislators have their way, high school students in Arizona would not be allowed ... More >>

Is Andrew Thomas Delusional?

(Regular New Times readers, feel free to skip to the bottom of this post and cast your vote immediately.)Local Republican blogger Political Mafioso was already questioning whether disbarred and disgraced former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas was delusional after Thomas said he was considerin ... More >>

John Leonardo, Arizona U.S. Attorney, Supports Obama's Gun-Control Plan

John Leonardo, Arizona U.S. Attorney, released a letter to the public today that expresses support for banning certain kinds of guns and requiring background checks for all sales of firearms. Leonardo begins his letter by explaining that the "political climate for a constructive discussion about gu ... More >>

Arizona GOP's Proposed Bylaws Revive Joe McCarthy, Witch Hunts, Loyalty Oaths

The Arizona Republican Party is the gift that keeps on giving. Last week, the Maricopa County GOP picked raging aggro gay-hater A.J. LaFaro as its chairman, a choice Dems are giddy over because it leaves the local Republican Party in the complete control of wigged-out moonhowlers, further alienati ... More >>

Arizona Deserves No Peace From Pro-Immigrant Forces

Lawrence Robinson Joins Race for Phoenix District 8 City Council Seat, Drama Follows

The race for the Phoenix City Council seat in District 8 -- a seat that has been held by African-Americans for the past 46 years -- has been further complicated for those who are determined to keep that streak alive.Phoenix School of Law professor and Roosevelt school district board member Lawrence ... More >>

Jan Brewer Protested, 3 Arrested: Video by Dennis Gilman

Kudos to Phoenix videographer Dennis Gilman for his latest video, which captures the drama of yesterday's demonstration at the state Capitol. There, as Governor Jan Brewer gave her state of the state speech to members of the Legislature, a coalition of activists protested Brewer's executive order ... More >>

Hugh Hallman for Governor: Yay or Nay?

Former Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman says he's thinking about running for governor."Over the next few months, I will be traveling the state of Arizona to speak with and listen to people from all walks of life about what's really important to them in their state government, and how we can address our prio ... More >>

Poll: Most Arizona Voters Support Medical-Marijuana Act; 59 Percent Would Legalize Pot

An increased number of Arizona voters support the 2010 Medical Marijuana Act, and most would vote to end marijuana prohibition, a new poll shows. The poll of 600 Arizonan residents was conducted on January 9 and 10 by Public Policy Polling on behalf of the National Cannabis Industry Association. T ... More >>

Gabrielle Giffords' and Mark Kelly's Call for "Laws to Require Responsible Gun Ownership": Yay or Nay?

Two years after the Tucson shooting in which six people were killed, and 13 others were injured, including then-Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Giffords and husband Mark Kelly used the date to call for Congress to do something."In response to a horrific series of shootings that has sown terror in ... More >>

Terry Goddard Wants to Be AG Again? Puh-lease

For Terry Goddard, it must be tough going from Mayor of Phoenix to state Attorney General to gubernatorial candidate to, um, Central Arizona Water Conservation District board member. To be accurate, Terry Goddard has run for governor three times, hoping to emulate his pop Sam Pearson Goddard, Jr., ... More >>

Jan Brewer Times Three? Ten Reasons Jan Should Run for an Unconstitutional Third Term

Jan Brewer cannot run for governor again. There is no wiggle room in the Arizona Constitution. And if she tries, she is guaranteed to kiss the canvas with her plastic-surgery-gone-wrong gob, slapped down by the Arizona Supreme Court. See also: -Jan Brewer's Sniveling New Memoir Laughably Paints He ... More >>

After Election Day, AZ's Far Right Now Has a Fight on Its Hands

Ken Bennett Says 192,337 Ballots Left, Democrat Mary Rose Wilcox Defends County Elections

There's light at the end of the tunnel, my friends. And I hope there's a beer with my name on it when we get to it. Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett has released his latest update on the ballot count. Currently, there are 192,337 ballots left to be counted statewide, 28,550 of them early ball ... More >>

Jan Brewer May Actually Be Serious About Running for (Likely Unconstitutional) Third Term

It appears that Governor Jan Brewer may be serious about seeking a third term, after reading that she said this for (at least) a third time, even though the Arizona Constitution says you only get two terms.The Arizona Republic published its way-too-early list of gubernatorial candidates for the 2014 ... More >>

Ken Bennett Says 342,936 Ballots Left, 215K from Maricopa County

Like the Beatles once crooned, "It's getting better all the time...." Both Maricopa County and the Arizona Secretary of State's Office updated their elections results this afternoon, and the number of remaining ballots is declining at a steady pace. SOS Ken Bennett reported that statewide 342,936 ... More >>

Rich Carmona 4.25 Points Down, Kyrsten Sinema Gains, and 524,633 Votes Left Statewide

As votes continue to be counted throughout Arizona, GOP candidate for U.S. Senate Jeff Flake's lead over Democrat Rich Carmona narrowed ever-so slightly, while in Maricopa County, Republican incumbent Joe Arpaio continued to dominate Democrat Paul Penzone in the sheriff's race. Both Carmona and Pen ... More >>

Jan Brewer "Isn't Interested" in Politics After Mark Kelly Slams Her Comments on Shooting

Yesterday, we reprinted the entire statement prepared by Mark Kelly, husband of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, which he read at the sentencing of Tucson shooter Jared Loughner.It was a damn good statement that included a pointed remark about Governor Jan Brewer's comments after the shootin ... More >>

Paul Penzone (Video), Rich Carmona Still in Play, and the Problem with Provisionals

Dennis Gilman and I talk to Penzone following his concession Above is a video from election night of Democrat Paul Penzone, shortly after he conceded in the sheriff's race to Joe Arpaio. Needless to say, Penzone looks like he's been through the proverbial ringer. I know there are those who disagre ... More >>

Joe Arpaio Triumphant and More Wreckage from Election Night

Last night was 2008 all over again: Obama wins, while those of us who must live in still deeply red Maricopa County lose. That is, those who want justice, racial and ethnic harmony, and competent, effective law enforcement. As in 2008, we are in the minority. Though percentage-wise, we may have g ... More >>

Maricopa County's Number of Remaining Ballots Unknown; Activists Urge Penzone, Carmona, to Retract Concessions

The Maricopa County Elections Department has given a straight answer about the number of ballots that still haven't been counted as of noon on the day after the election: they don't know.Citizens for a Better Arizona activists went to the elections office today to get a clear number, as media report ... More >>

Ann Kirkpatrick Called Winner in CD-1; Kyrsten Sinema and Martha McSally Sit on Leads

The Associated Press has called Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick the winner of the congressional race in CD-1, apparently defeating Republican opponent Jonathan Paton.For those waiting on the other congressional races -- Kyrsten Sinema v. Vernon Parker in CD-9, and Martha McSally v. Ron Barber in CD-2 -- ke ... More >>

Ken Bennett Says 602,334 Votes Left to Be Counted Statewide

Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett has just announced that as of late this afternoon, "an estimated 602,334 early and provisional ballots statewide" have not been counted. "State law gives the counties 10 calendar days to verify and process the remaining early and provisional ballots," the rele ... More >>

Arizona's Legislative Elections: Five Districts to Watch

As is the case with the congressional races in Arizona, not every race for Arizona's legislative seats is competitive -- just 17 of the 30 state Senate races have candidates from both major parties, and 20 of the 30 state House races have at least one Democrat and one Republican.Still, that leaves p ... More >>

Arizona Ballot Propositions: How to Vote Against (or With) Russell Pearce and His Ilk

Here's the thing about the propositions on the ballot for tomorrow's election: for the most part, they're boring, and at the end of the day, you may not really give a damn.Thankfully, people like ousted state Senate President Russell Pearce, Governor Jan Brewer, and the lobbyists from Center for Ari ... More >>

Linda Brickman, Water Board Candidate, Doesn't Think All Muslims are Bad

Two years ago, a slate of five tea-party candidates ran for the non-partisan, 15-member Central Arizona Water Conservation District board with the aim of promoting limited government. Two won: Cynthia Moulton and Mark Lewis. They added to a push by conservatives begun in 2008 to add more of their n ... More >>