Category: Governor

Matt Salmon Failing to Gain Traction

On By AZ ConservativeIn GovernorLeave a comment

Matt Salmon recently released his own Border Security Plan, months after the other candidates released theres and containing many of the same ideas. Too little too late seems like the appropriate way to describe not only this plan but the Matt Salmon for Governor campaign as a whole.

Matt Salmon is a former Congressman and State Senator who is running to replace Republican Governor Doug Ducey who is termed out in 2022. Early on many believed Matt Salmon was going to be the frontrunner of this race and run away with it but recent and ample polling has shown that he is not resinating with voters.

Matt is endorsed by the powerful advocacy group Club for Growth and early on in the campaign they released a poll with Matt Salmon well ahead of competitor Karrin Taylor Robson, however, recent polling shows that both political newcomers Karrin Taylor Robson and Kari Lake are beating Matt badly and repeatedly.

Other competitors such as Steve Gaynor have already seen the writing on the wall; that this is a two person race, and exited to live to fight another day.

However, Matt Salmon has shown no indication that he is leaving the race and that may become a factor in how the race turns out. It also brings up a good questions, who would benefit from Matt Salmon leaving the race, business leader Karrin Taylor Robson or longtime journalist Kari Lake.

Another Difficult Week for the Lake Campaign

On By AZ ConservativeIn Arizona, Conservatism, Constitution, Faith & Freedom, Governor, Second AmendmentLeave a comment

Arizona may be the most second amendment state in America. Many open carry proudly and many more conceal carry or have weapons in the home. As a result, membership to the National Rifle Association has become a campaign issue and a litmus test for candidates support for the second amendment. The National Rifle Association is the largest guns rights advocacy group in the world and provides lifetime membership opportunities. Most republican candidates are and have been lifetime members of the NRA.

That is probably why it has become a campaign issue in the Arizona gubernatorial race that Kari Lake, the Trump endorsed candidate, seems to have not joined the NRA until her campaign started last year. This has lead many to believe that Kari Lake only became a member of the NRA because she was running for election.

Politicos pushed the other candidates Steve Gaynor, Matt Salmon and Karrin Taylor Robson to disclose their membership dates. Gaynor joined in 2018, Salmon joined in 2006 and Robson in 2009. Salmon used the opportunity to go after Lake saying Lake’s donations to Democrats including John Kerry and Barack Obama over a decade ago call into question her support of gun rights — a bedrock issue for the Republican party.

Membership to the NRA probably is not a deal breaker for republicans but this week’s revelations come on the heels of Kari Lake’s policy missteps, bad fundraising numbers and sinking polling results which could spell trouble for the candidate.

Big Changes in AZ Gov Race Poll: Trump Candidate Kari Lake Sinking

On By AZ ConservativeIn Arizona, GovernorLeave a comment

Arizona polling outfit OH Predictive released a poll last week on the Arizona Governor’s race and many were surprised.

gop primary az jan 22

Kari Lake the Trump endorsed candidate in the race is already losing support. More traditional republican candidates, businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson and former lobbyist and congressman Matt Salmon are picking up steam. They’ve added 5-6 pts each over the last few months. With that being said the majority are still unsure and its anybody’s race. However, these are indications of how this race will turn out.

Money is going to be a major factor as well. Below are the most recent fundraising numbers. Unfortunate again for the Kari Lake campaign, they are also struggling in this area. Below shows that Kari Lake burned through most of her campaign cash already. Why that matters is because she is going to have a tough time defining herself. Steve Gaynor on the other hand waited until the last minute to donate $5 million to his efforts and could be the dark horse candidate in the race. Compare his $5,000,000 and Karrin Taylor Robson’s $3,000,000 to Matt Salmon’s $500,000 and Kari Lake’s $300,000. The big difference in campaign cash is going to have a major impact on who can stay alive in this competitive battle.

Many candidates are looking to distinguish themselves in the race while they simultaneously define their opponents. With Steve Gaynor’s large commitment we could see the mud start flying. On social media we have already seen the campaigns go after Lake for her previous support of Obama and Kerry, Salmon for his lobbying and Steve Gaynor and Karrin Taylor Robson for being outsiders with no political experience.

It’s still early though and a lot can happen but we’ll keep you posted.

Digging In: Kari Lake Spends 55k on 10k fundraiser at Trump’s Mar-a-lago Resort

On By AZ ConservativeIn Arizona, Governor1 Comment

Last week Arizona gubernatorial candidates filed their first campaign finance reports. These reports detail the campaign’s contributions and expenditures. Every cycle media and pundits will dig through these reports to identify things that give insiders an indication of how well campaigns will fair in the future.

Most money spent on campaigns is used for what they call “Direct Voter Contact”. That’s your canvassing, phone banking and advertising. Of course there are always costs to your initial fundraising but you should make money off of every event. That is why some of the details in Kari Lake’s campaign finance report are causing so many concerns among her supporters.

The financial disclosure revealed many things about the campaign. Kari Lake is spending heavily on expensive consultants from DC, $145,000 on campaign merchandise and 52,000 on an event at mar-a-lago. That event is the one conservatives are scratching their head at.

When looking at the campaign finance reports it looks like Kari Lake raised only $9k for the over $50,000 event. One might say, “well not all events are successful” but this event was at attended by President Trump at his resort leading people to believe that either they don’t know how to fundraise effectively even with the President’s backing or that there is just not as much support for Kari Lake as some thought

The Governor’s race has several months to go and there are several MAGA candidates running. It will be important to pay attention to who is able to sustain fundraising through the second quarter and who isn’t. That and air time are the key factors at this time in the election cycle.

Gov Candidate Invests Big

On By AZ ConservativeIn Arizona, GovernorLeave a comment

Steve Gaynor, a republican candidate for Arizona Governor put a large sum of money in to his campaign. 5 million dollars to be exact and with almost all of it still on hand Gaynor now has more money available than the other campaigns combined.

The Gaynor campaign released the below graphic yesterday and it’s been making its rounds through the Arizona Republican Party back channels. Things should be heating up between these candidates soon.

Center For Arizona Policy Says Governor’s Veto Disregards Parents’ Rights

On By AZ ConservativeIn Arizona, Children, Culture, Family, Freedom, Governor, LegislatureLeave a comment

A Statement from Center for Arizona Policy President, Cathi Herrod, Esq.

Governor Ducey today sent a clear and deeply disappointing message to parents: The government knows better.

After 31 House Republican and 16 Senate Republican, pro-family lawmakers stood in the face of opposition for the rights of parents to guide the education and upbringing of their own children, Governor Ducey vetoed SB 1456.

SB 1456, sponsored by Senator Nancy Barto, would have ensured parents are given ample access, and time, to review sex education curriculum before deciding whether to opt-in their child. It also would have prohibited sex education through the fourth grade.

It did not prohibit or dictate any curriculum in grades 5-12; it merely would have ensured parents opt their children into instruction on human sexuality.

Parents have the fundamental right and responsibility to raise their children. Exactly what they are taught regarding human sexuality, and when, is up to parents, not the government.

In his veto letter, Governor Ducey expressed concern about child abuse prevention education. Abuse prevention is not sex education and would not have been blocked by any provision in SB 1456. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, this concern was not brought to the attention of lawmakers by the executive branch prior to the veto.

Our team will review Governor Ducey’s veto letter and his Executive Order on parents’ rights. An executive order is not the same as a duly enacted law. Further, at a minimum, the Executive Order fails to implement the prohibition of sex education prior to fifth grade.

Make no mistake, the need to advocate for the parents’ ability to guide the education of their children, especially with regard to matters of human sexuality, will continue to be a key priority for us, and the many Arizonans who supported SB 1456.Get Involved

Governor Ducey Issues Executive Order Mandating Transparency In Sex Education

On By AZ ConservativeIn Arizona, Children, Culture, Education, Faith & Freedom, Family, GovernorLeave a comment

PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey today issued an Executive Order that requires all sex education curriculum to be posted online for parents to review, without exception. This Executive Order includes more aggressive transparency requirements than Senate Bill 1456, which was vetoed by the Governor. Under that bill, posting sex education materials online would have been optional.

Arizona already has among the most pro-parental choice laws in the country around sex education. The state is one of only five across the nation that requires a parental “opt-in” on sex education, rather than “opt-out,” no matter what grade in which their child is enrolled. With this added transparency, parents can now make a more informed decisions, and school districts will be held accountable for inappropriate curriculum.

The order requires the State Board of Education to adopt the following requirements by June 30, 2021:

  • All meetings held for the purposes of reviewing and selecting the sex education course of study must be publicly noticed at least two weeks before occurring and be open to the public.
  • Any proposed sex education course of study must be available and accessible for review and public comment for at least sixty days before the governing board or governing body decides whether to approve that course of study.
  • At least two public hearings within the sixty-day period before the governing board or governing body approves any course of study must be conducted. 
  • Once a course of study has been approved, a school district or charter school shall make the sex education curricula available for parental review, both online and in-person at least two weeks before any instruction is offered. 
  • Any existing sex education course of study must be made available and accessible for review both online and in person.

“Arizona is and will remain a national leader in parental rights,” the Governor said upon issuing the Executive Order. “Too often, parents are left out of this process, and the importance is even greater when it comes to educating students about deeply personal matters like sex education. This Executive Order ensures that parents are in the driver’s seat when it comes to overseeing the education of their children.”

Concurrent to the issuance of the Executive Order, the Governor vetoed Senate Bill 1456. He called the legislation overly broad and vague, which could lead to unintended consequences, including concerns it could put vulnerable children at risk by limiting discussion around sexual abuse prevention. 

The parental rights and transparency measures included in the bill are upheld and even go further in the Governor’s Executive Order by requiring that all material be posted online and available for review. 

View the Executive Order HERE. 

View the Governor’s veto letter HERE.

Gov. Ducey, Gov. Abbott: Biden Created Border Crisis

On By AZ ConservativeIn America, Amnesty, Arizona, Biden, Big Government, Borders, Corruption, Democrats, Governor, Illegal Aliens, Lawelssness, National Defense, The LeftLeave a comment
Washington Post: Arizona And Texas Governors: The Border Crisis In Our States Was Created By The Biden Administration
Governors Doug Ducey & Greg Abbott
Washington Post
April 14, 2021
The Biden administration recently made an astonishingly out-of-touch statement: “The border is secure.”

The president himself needs to take a trip to our states.

Unlike President Biden, we’ve both been to the U.S. border in our respective states, Texas and Arizona, and the situation is much different from what Washington politicians and bureaucrats are telling Americans.

The U.S. Border Patrol is overwhelmed. Local law enforcement and mayors are calling out for help. Citizens in border communities are concerned for their safety. And nonprofits, left to pick up the pieces of a broken federal policy, are trained.

In typical Washington fashion, the federal government has thrust this man-made crisis on states. But for the people we represent, this isn’t a political issue — it’s a real-life issue.

What’s happening at the border shouldn’t come as a surprise.

The president and Vice President Harris campaigned on a platform of relaxing border security. They supported health care for undocumented, illegal immigrants. Biden’s pathway to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants offered amnesty for those who circumvented the legal process.

They also rushed to repudiate policies of the Trump administration, including repealing the Migrant Protection Protocols — a policy that required asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for their court dates and that we fought to uphold.

These actions have led to the unprecedented surge of migrants who are overwhelming the border.

ABC News’ Martha Raddatz visited both of our states recently. She aired footage last month of interviews with people attempting to enter the country illegally. “Would you have tried to do this when Donald Trump was president?” she asked. “Definitely not,” said one asylum-seeker. “So did you come here because Joe Biden was elected president?” Raddatz asked. “Basically,” said the man.

It’s no wonder Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has called Biden the “migrant president.”

The administration’s policies and communications have encouraged thousands of people to make dangerous trips to our southern border. This has caused a humanitarian crisis that is endangering the lives and welfare of U.S. citizens, as well as those attempting to come here.

Apprehensions at the border in March reached the highest monthly level in two decades.

Many of these migrants are kids.

In fact, Customs and Border Protection has more than 18,000 migrant children in custody — the highest number in the history of the agency. Many of these children are in overcrowded federal facilities and face a significant chance of contracting covid-19.

The crisis at the border has also threatened the safety of Texans and Arizonans.

Yet, aside from two trips by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the administration has been nowhere to be found. Biden showed his apathy for this crisis by passing control of the administration’s response to Harris. Her record includes voting against funding for border security, comparing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to the KKK and calling efforts to secure the border “a distraction from the real issues.” It’s clear that this administration does not take this issue seriously.

So how can America fix this crisis?

To start, the administration needs to immediately reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols, which disincentivize migrants from making the dangerous journey to the border by ending the policy of “catch and release” for those seeking asylum. Law enforcement officials and leaders in border communities are concerned that repeal of these protocols is a major factor behind the surge in illegal border crossings. Reinstating them would go a long way toward alleviating the crisis at the border.

Next, administration officials at all levels should state clearly that our country’s borders are not open and that immigrants seeking a better life or more economic opportunity should not be attempting to utilize the asylum process. The State Department should be heavily engaged in this strategy, as the Mexican president’s continued statements blaming this crisis on Biden are concerning.

We’ve already begun to activate our states’ National Guards to the border to assist, but border enforcement is a federal responsibility. So we are requesting federal reimbursement to support this mission to resolve a problem of Washington’s creation.

We continue to support legal immigration. But what’s happening now is not legal, and it needs to end.

The president and his team should resolve these issues as soon as possible — for the protection of Arizonans, Texans, these migrants and our entire country.

Back Off! Arizona Governor Warns NFL Not To Mess With His State’s Election Bills, Super Bowl

On By AZ ConservativeIn Arizona, Democrats, Election Integrity, Elections, Governor, Left-Stream Media, Socialism, The LeftLeave a comment

By Jay Maxson, Newsbusters

Calling all sports bullies to back off, Arizona’s governor says they shouldn’t even think about pulling a “Georgia” and blackmailing his state over voting legislation reform. Critics of pending state legislation on election integrity are already starting a drumbeat to remove major sports events from Arizona, just as Major League Baseball did in removing the All-Star Game from Atlanta.

Multiple election reform laws are being debated in the Arizona Legislature, potentially placing the state in the same crosshairs that subjected Georgia to hysterics about “voter suppression.” Gov. Doug Ducey, an Arizona Republican, said he will not be intimidated by any threats from the NFL to remove Super Bowl LVII (in 2023) from State Farm Stadium in Glendale.  

NBC Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports that the owner of the Arizona Cardinals, Mike Bidwill, is turning up the heat on Ducey. Thirty years ago, the NFL took a Super Bowl away from Arizona over the state’s balking on an MLK Day holiday declaration. In 2014, the NFL intimidated Republican Gov. Jan Brewer into vetoing a religious liberty bill so the state would not suffer the loss of a Super Bowl for the second time. Lying media and LGBT pressure groups distorted the bill as “anti-gay”, and the NFL got in line with them.

Bidwill signed onto a letter by the Greater Phoenix Leadership group calling Arizona legislation “‘solutions’ in search of a problem. They are attempts at voter suppression cloaked as reform — plain and simple. . . . Arizonans already have confidence in the integrity of our elections and, by and large, find it easy to vote.”

This assertion is flat-out bogus. Confidence in Arizona’s election integrity is actually very low. That’s why a court is allowing the GOP-controlled Arizona Senate to audit 2.1 million votes in Maricopa County, the state’s most populous county.

Gov. Ducey said, “I think Major League Baseball made a big mistake … . I’d like to keep politics out of baseball. . . . I report to the people of Arizona, not a major sports league. And I’m going to make decisions on the policies that are put in front of me. And if good policy’s put in front of me, I’m going to enthusiastically sign it.”

The three voting laws in play in the Grand Canyon State would require voters to go to the polls to cast votes if they haven’t cast their absentee ballots in two consecutive elections. The number of days someone could obtain an early ballot would be reduced. Early voting would require an affidavit with a birth date or voter ID number.

According to Florio, the NFL “has given no indication that voting reforms in Arizona will jeopardize Super Bowl LVII. After dealing with strong criticism that arose from the national anthem controversy in 2016 and that has flashed from time to time since then, the league would surely prefer to keep its head low on matters of this nature.”

Nevertheless, the media likes to dangle these carrots in front of Big Sports. It worked for the Boston Globe and Los Angeles Times, both of whom last month demanded that baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred pull the plug on Atlanta. The city now stands to lose $100 million in revenue from seeing the MLB All-Star Game moved to Denver.

The Arizona Cardinals are clearly willing to use scare tactics to torpedo the pending legislation in their state. “Whether the NFL would do the same by repositioning the Super Bowl to be played in early 2023 remains to be seen,” Florio wrote.

The NCAA also has a very bad habit of sticking its nose into the politics of state legislation opposed by the radical Left. In 2016, it took postseason events away from North Carolina merely for protecting women and girls from predators in public restrooms.

Arizona is hosting the 2024 men’s Final Four and the 2026 women’s Final Four, and it could meet the same ridiculous fate that befell North Carolina. Ducey is term-limited out in 2022, and if he doesn’t bend a knee to the blackmailers now, his successor could do just that prior to NCAA and NFL events.

CAROLYN ALLEN OBITUARY

On By AZ ConservativeIn Arizona, Big Abortion, Border Invasion, Children, Culture, Elections, Governor, Left-Stream Media, Legislature, Life, Marriage, Media, Planned Parenthood, Sanctuary cities, Taxpayers, The Left1 Comment

Former Arizona Senator Carolyn Allen has died at the age of 78, after suffering many years from the scourge of rheumatoid arthritis.

The late senator was hailed as a heroine by the left-stream flag carrier for our state, The Arizona Republic, and leftists on both sides of the political aisle. Allen was praised for her support of the arts and for warring against conservatives.

Allen also deserves credit for helping Democrat Janet Napolitano defeat conservative Matt Salmon in the 2002 governor’s election. She helped suppress Republican support for Salmon in Scottsdale by criticizing him in public, and he lost by one percent of the vote. Napolitano, who spent Arizona into massive debt, over-performed among Republicans in Scottsdale and that made the difference in her election.

Planned Parenthood lost a great friend in Allen. In a state legislative biography booklet, she described herself as a “Planned Parenthood activist.”

Intolerant of her opponents, Allen once saw the executive director of Arizona Right to Life in the state Senate lobby and bluntly exclaimed, “I didn’t know they allowed crooks in here.”

Allen was also a friend of Big Government, amnesty and homosexual pressure groups. While she faithfully clung to her “Republican Party” affiliation, it was the GOP platform principles she distained.

Amid a long absence from the legislature due to illness, The Arizona Conservative expressed concern about her constituents being disenfranchised and called on Allen to resign and devote herself to getting well. She later sent an email to our editor threatening him with physical harm.

The former chairwoman of the GOP legislative district in Scottsdale exhorted Allen to train up current Secretary of State Michelle Reagan, then a state representative. But Reagan was already comfortably established in Planned Parenthood’s abortion camp.

Conservatives repeatedly tried to beat Allen at election time, but the liberals in Scottsdale kept re-electing her until she retired from public office.