1-11-18 Briefs

REPUBLICAN BRIEFS

Secretary of State Announces Official CD8 Candidates: Special election Feb 27, 2018 to elect Congressman Trent Franks replacement.Deadline to file candidate petition challenges January 18, 2018 at 5p.m. Deadline to file as a write-in candidate for Special Primary Election January 18, 2018 at 5 p.m. Voter Registration Deadline: January 29, 2018 @ 11:59 p.m. Early Voting: January 31, 2018, Official candidates:

· Chad Allen (Rep)

· Kevin Cavanaugh (Rep)

· Brenden Dilley (Rep)

· Stephen Dolgos (Rep)

· Debbie Lesko (Rep)

· Dave Lien (Rep)

· Phil Lovas (Rep)

· Richard Mack (Rep)

· Steve Montenegro (Rep)

· Bob Stump (Rep)

· Christopher Sylvester (Rep)

· Clair Van Steenwyk (Rep)

· Mark Yates (Rep)

· Brianna Westbrook (Dem)

· Gene Scharer (Dem)

· Hiral Tipirneni (Dem)

Bookmark www.Arizona.Vote/CongressionalDistrict8 to keep up with the race.

Review The Proposed Maricopa County Republic Bylaws Amendments at /MCRC-Bylaws-Proposed-Amendments-10-03-17.pdf

Maricopa County Republican Committee Mandatory Precinct Committeeman Jan 13 Call Letter/Proxy: http://maricopagop.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018-Call-Letter.pdf

ATTN PCs:Confusion has been reported due to an error on the proxy sent out with the original Maricopa County Republicans call letter for the Jan 13 mandatory meeting. The original proxy failed to mention that a proxy carrier must be from the same voting precinct as the person for whom the proxy is carried. It also referred to MRC as the Maricopa County GOP. An updated/revised Jan 13 proxy form can be found at http://maricopagop.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018-Call-Letter.pdf

LD17 Chairman Bert Moll has confirmed the MCR credentials panel will accept the LD17 proxy form sent out with recent LD17 emails. The LD17 proxy is not valid for other LDs.

Influenza Update: Reported Cases Continue to Rise Statewide - ADHS Urges Everyone to Take Precautions to Prevent the Spread As Kids Return to School: The Arizona Department of Health Services data yesterday that shows influenza activity continues to rise statewide. There have been 11,515 cases of influenza reported this season, with 2,455 reported between December 31, 2017 and January 6, 2018. Compared to the 2016-2017 flu season, there were 1,109 total cases and 275 weekly cases reported for the same time period last year. “As kids return to school from winter break, we expect influenza cases to significantly increase,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the AZDHS . “Parents should make sure their kids are vaccinated and keep them home from school if they have flu-like illness or symptoms. Due to the severity of this year’s influenza season, it is critical that everyone is taking precautions to prevent the spread, including getting vaccinated right away, staying home when you’re sick, washing your hands frequently, covering your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, and avoiding touching your face.” Arizona hospitals statewide continue to experience long emergency room wait times due to the increased number of sick Arizonans. ADHS is advising ill people to only seek emergency medical care if they are at high risk for serious complications or are experiencing severe symptoms. People with mild symptoms or at lower risk from complications from influenza should stay home and rest or call their healthcare provider. “If you’re at high risk or have symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, dizziness, confusion, persistent vomiting, cannot drink fluids, or have flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever or worse cough, seek emergency medical care immediately,” Dr. Christ said. People at high risk of serious complications from influenza are:

Children younger than 5 years old
Adults aged 65 and older
People with chronic disease, especially heart and lung disease
People with immunosuppression, including that caused by medications or by HIV infection
Women who are pregnant or postpartum (within 2 weeks after delivery)
People younger than 19 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
American Indians/Alaska Natives
People with extreme obesity
Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.

For weekly reports go to azhealth.gov/flu. Or For vaccination contact the ADHS Immunization Program Office at (602) 364-3630 or your County Health Department

Yesterday afternoon, House Homeland Security Border, and Maritime Security Subcommittee Chairwoman Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), and House Judiciary Committee Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee Chairman Raúl Labrador (R-Idaho, held a hold a press conference to unveil the Securing America’s Future Act. This bill secures the border, makes important reforms to our legal immigration programs, bolsters enforcement of existing law to bring illegal immigration fully under control, and provides a legislative solution for the current beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Watch LIVE on Congresswoman McSally’s Facebook Page

NOTES FROM READERS

Editor’s Note: Please keep opinion pieces to 400 words

Activist Christy Charles response to Frank Riggs: I arrived at 6:30pm for the Sept 2017 Tea Party meeting. Supt of Public Instruction candidate Frank Riggs was talking to Francine Romesburg and there were at least 8 people at meeting when I got there. He was not friendly. I came specifically to hear him. I was not impressed as he got a phone call at or about 6:45. The meeting started shortly and others were coming in and I was wondering as to when he would come back in, he was outside on his phone. I looked out about 7:10pm and he was gone. I thought this is crazy! Editor’s Note: Charles is the host of Are You Listening on Holy Spirit Broadcasting.

Archie Dicksion: Just to keep you up to date on the status of the Resolution that I submitted for the limitation of proxies. As you will recall from prior notices, I requested from Chairman Barry Wong that he provide me with all rules required for the submission of a resolution for consideration by the committee and submission to all the state committeemen at that Mandatory Meeting. I specifically inquired as to whether there were in rules or requirement other than those set forth in the Bylaws. I was advised by Mr. Wong that I only had to comply with the requirements as set forth in the Bylaws. Since you have been provided with a copy of the resolution, you can do a word count and determine that it complies with the Bylaws. At the committee meeting to consider all of the resolutions presented which I believe were 22 in number, Chairman Wong instituted a new rule not included in the Bylaws. That rule was the before the committee would consider a proposed resolution, it first had to be presented to the resolutions committee as a whole on a MOTION by one of the members of the rules committee.

Mr. Wong now advises that if I want the Resolution considered at the Mandatory Meeting, I must introduce it from the floor. That, by the Bylaws, requires that I obtain the signature of 20% of the State Committeemen present in person at that meeting. The question now is does the Party have form they require to be used to gather those signatures? Hence the following:

Mr. Wong: Can you provide me with a copy of the form to use to obtain signatures of state committeemen to have my resolution considered at the Mandatory Meeting. I understand that the State has a form for that purpose?

Will Chairman Wong respond with all of the necessary rules and forms? Will there be new rules put in place at the Mandatory Meeting to again prevent the consideration of this proposed resolution?

Nancy Plencner: Gulp.....Oprah for President? Only among the fawning, screaming Hollywood crowd can you don a pair of large eye glasses and be considered a smart, serious candidate for President of the United States. Really Oprah the glasses seemed out of place with the black evening gown and if you recall, adding eyeglasses didn't work all that well for Governor Rick Perry's failed run for President! Get a grip Oprah, and try to consider that the 2020 election is not about playing a President, it’s about electing the best American possible to sit in the Oval office. I believe we already have a Great President, who will continue to serve America and the American people through a second term. Nancy Plencner, Fountain Hills .

LD22 PC Ron Gosselin: In Debbie Lesko's article, 1-10-18-briefs she mentioned that she changed state laws to eliminate photo radar cameras on state highways including the one on Grand Ave. She might have done so on Grand Ave but these cameras were moved to Thompson Ranch Rd in El Mirage which is now a radar trap with heavy fines. She voted on SB 2184 amended by Kelli Ward, voted on SB 1469 stripping the authority of the Supt. of Public Instruction both Bills violated the Arizona Constitution, violated her Oath with all the Republicans Senators which also violated their Oath. I can not see where she could be trusted in Washington. That is as I see it.

LD20 State Committeeman Wes Harris to former Congressman Trent Franks: Thank you for the explanation surrounding your resignation from Congress. While I appreciate your reasons, I think that the rapidity of your leaving has done a great disservice to the constituents of CD 8 and our Great State as a more restrained and orderly withdrawal would have been , in my opinion, a better approach since your hasty withdrawal has left CD8 and our State with one less voice in the People Business and our State Republican Party forced into a panic mode to find your replacement. That being said, your endorsement of Former State Senator Montenegro , while a historically fine conservative, ignores his support of the National Popular Vote in 2016...a vote that you will admit if that bill had passed the Senate would have removed the last vestige of our State's sovereignty. For your information joining Senator Montenegrowere the following 'staunch' conservatives: Reps Ackerley, Allen J., Borrelli, Boyer, Campbell, Cobb, Coleman, Finchem, Gowan, Gray, Kern, Leach, Livingston, Mesnard (the current Speaker), Pratt, Robson, Shope, Stevens, & Thorpe. This vote made Arizona unique as being the only Republican Legislator to introduce this travesty from the Left. The other states, 10 in all, voted Democrat in the last 6 presidential elections.I am the first to acknowledge that we all make mistakes but I personally find this MISTAKE one of the most serious and indicating a complete lack of understanding the U. S. Constitution which all of these gentleman swore to uphold. There should be no "Mulligans" on votes of this severity as if successful could never have be undone, evidence the 17th Amendment. Also, to my knowledge, none have come forward to offer an explanation nor an apology for departing from our Sovereignty. We, as a nation, abandoned 1/2 (or more) of our respective State's Sovereignty with the passage of the 17th Amendment...a move that every State's Legislature is still smarting from. Why would this House Legislative body ever think of further expanding on the abandonment of the 10th Amendment? All the best in your retirement.

Former Congressman Trent Franks to Wes Harris: First, may I thank you from the core of my heart for all of the kind, loyal and sacrificial support you have given me over the years. I am at a loss to find the words to express the gratitude I truly feel. I have been especially touched by the warm words, thoughts, and prayers so many of you have relayed to Josie, Joshi, Gracie and me in recent days. You must know that the developments of the last few weeks have been deeply painful. Without belaboring the issue, I do hope you will avail yourselves of my previously published statements on the subject. I want to sincerely assure you those statements represented the absolute truth. Notwithstanding, I remain convinced my decision to leave Congress -- which was based on many important considerations including personal responsibility, the present media environment, family health concerns and the noble causes I believe in – was the right decision. My time in Congress serving you, America, her national security and Constitutional foundations, and the cause of human freedom and dignity is and will remain one of God’s very greatest gifts to me in this life. The fight to save our families and our country, and to restore our Constitutional Liberty has not ended, and we must not let the swamp or the media pick our next Member of Congress. When I made my decision to return home, I called State Senator Steve Montenegro and encouraged him to run. I’ve known Steve more than a decade, and he is both, one of the finest human beings, and one of the most committed American Statesmen, I have ever known. In years past he has worked in my district office here in Arizona. Many of you have grown to know him and have worked with him on issues that were important to the district or to you personally. He has also spent the last 9 years in the Arizona Legislature where he has built an absolutely stellar record on border security, the 2nd Amendment, Life and Family issues, Constitutional issues, cutting taxes, spending and regulations, and so much more. The Special Election is going to be on February 27th. Ballots will go out January 31st. That means we have 7 weeks for an entire campaign to occur and people will be voting in only 3 weeks. 1 – Click HERE to donate to Steve’s campaign. 2 –click HERE to volunteer for his campaign.
In less than seven weeks our district will elect a new Member of Congress to represent us who could well serve for a very long time. President Trump, the House Freedom Caucus, indeed the entire Republican House Majority, all need Steve Montenegro’s guts, backbone, and principles by their side, and they all need it ASAP.

Phil Francis - Retired Chairman & CEO of PetSmart; I am a strong supporter of Governor Doug Ducey, his commitment to conservative Republican principals, and his willingness to champion the education funding priorities we share such as teacher pay, high quality full day kindergarten, and closing Arizona's achievement gap. Research shows and experts agree that the best investment we can make to position Arizona's students for reading success is expanding high quality Full Day Kindergarten. I'm pleased that for the second year in a row, our Governor, included Full Day Kindergarten on his list of targeted investments for Arizona's education future. I look forward to working with Governor Ducey and our state legislature to make voluntary Full Day Kindergarten an option for every family in Arizona in the future. Thank you, Governor Ducey!

CANDIDATE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Candidates Are Welcome to e-mail their announcements and a photo to Briefs at repcomm@cox.net or frostytaylor@cox.net for posting so readers can learn who the candidates are. Editor’s Note: Please keep announcement at 400 words. Longer announcements subject to editing to conform. - ft.

UPCOMINGEVENTS

Congressman Martha McSally will make special announcements at

· 9 am., Fri., Jan 12 at the Tucson Jet Center - Bert Lopez Hangar, 6720 South Plumer Ave. in Tucson,

· 11:20 am in the Swift Aviation Hangar, 2710 E Old Tower Road, in Phoenix and

· Phoenix, AZ 85034

· 1:45 pm on the Yavapai County Courthouse Steps, 120 S Cortez St in Prescott.

Prescott, AZ 86303

Congressman Paul Gosar’s staff will hold office hours in The Wickenburg Library Conference Room, 164 E Apache St in Wickenburg between 10 am and noon, Jan 26. For more information call (480) 882-2697.

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission will meet at 8 am, Fri., Jan 12 in GF Department headquarters, Quail Room, 5000 W. Carefree Hwy, Phoenix, 85086. The meeting can be attended in person or viewed live at azgameandfish. The meeting also can be viewed at any of the department’s regional offices statewide.

A Meet the Game/Fish Commission meeting will be open to the public at 3 pm., Sat., Jan 13 at the Point Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, Courtroom, 11111 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, followed by the annual awards banquet.

Palo Verde Republican Women’s Club will hold its next luncheon at 11:30 am., Wed, Jan 17 at Grayhawk Golf Club, Fairway House, 8620 E Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale. Check in at 11 am. Nationally known comedian, Eric Golub will be entertaining the group. Reservations required by midnight, Thurs, Jan 11 at pvrwlunch111@yahoo.com Check, cash or credit card at the door.

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas will host a Statewide Broadband Sign-Up Day between 9 am-4 pm., Thurs., Jan 11 at the Family Resource Center in the Flagstaff Unified School District, 4000 N. Cummings St, Flagstaff.

The Arizona Corporation Commission Workshop on Code of Ethics is scheduled at 10 am., Thur., Feb 8 inHearing Room One, Arizona Corporation Commission, 1200 W Washington St, First Floor in Phoenix. For a live broadcast feed or archived videos: http://www.azcc.gov/livebroadcast.

Sat, Jan 13, 2018– Maricopa County Republicans Mandatory Meeting: All Precinct Committeeman encouraged to attend In-person or by Proxy at the Church for the Nations, 6225 N Central Ave, Phoenix. Credentialing: Starts 7:45am, Ends 9 am. Meeting time: Starts 9 am, Ends (planned) 2:30pm. Agenda: Hear update from MCR chair and from Elected Officials, Elect 5 Members-at-Large to Executive Guidance Committee of MCR, vote on Bylaws changes, review proposed Resolutions, meet Candidates and mingle with fellow Republicans. More info; website: http://maricopagop.org/mm2018/

Fri, Jan 26, 2018 – AZGOP Chairman’s Awards Dinner recognizing Republican outstanding PCs and volunteers throughout the state. Cost: $60 for PCs (discounted price; regularly $100 for public) at the Camby Hotel (formerly Ritz-Carlton), 5:30pm Reception, 6pm Dinner/Program, 2401 East Camelback Road, Phoenix. www.2018-chairmans-dinner.eventbrite.com

Sat, Jan 27, 2018– Arizona Republican PartyMandatory Meeting. All State Committeeman encouraged to attend -In-person or by Proxy at theChurch for the Nations, 6225 North Central Avenue, Phoenix. Credentials/Sign-in: Starts 7:45am, Ends 9am. Meeting time: Starts 9am.

Outgoing Pima County Republican Women’s Chairman Mary Preble opens a set of tea cups she received at the Silver Tea Anniversary. Club photographer– David Blevins.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JAN 11

CD8 Special Election Informational Meeting between 5-7 pm., Thur. Jan 11 in the Surprise City Hall, Council Overflow Room (16000 N Civic Center Plaza, Surprise, AZ 85374) RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/public-meeting-on-polling-places-cd8-special-election-tickets-41967118782

JAN 13

Sat, Jan 13, 2018– Maricopa County Republicans Mandatory Meeting: All Precinct Committeeman encouraged to attend In-person or by Proxy at the Church for the Nations, 6225 North Central Avenue, Phoenix. Credentialing: Starts 7:45am, Ends 9 am. Meeting time: Starts 9 am, Ends (planned) 2:30pm. Agenda: Hear update from MCR chair and from Elected Officials, Elect 5 Members-at-Large to Executive Guidance Committee of MCR, vote on Bylaws changes, review proposed Resolutions, meet Candidates and mingle with fellow Republicans. More info; website: http://maricopagop.org/mm2018/

TheParadise Republican Women's Club will meet with John Hansen, author of "The Bluesuit Chronicles", who transitioned from Vietnam Navy to police officer in July 1970. Today he volunteers in law enforcement for Search & Rescue work on horseback with Maricopa County Mounted Sheriff's Posse in Phoenix, AZ. Travel back in time as John shares his experiences in two careers wearing THE BLUE SUIT at an 11 am brunch, Sat, Jan 13 at Gainey Golf Club, 7600 E Gainey Club Drive in Scottsdale. Penny Miller, a social worker the Health Care for Homeless Veterans programs for the Phoenix VA HealthCare System since 2008, will also speak. She has served as the Community Resource & Referral Center (CRRC) Coordinator since November 2016, where she values the opportunity to work with a diverse team to serve homeless and at-risk Veterans. Prior to the CRRC, Penny had served with the Veterans Justice Outreach Program since 2009. $28 per person. Click here to RSVP Online & Pay at the Door. Contact Ardith Hildebrant at (480) 861-7170.

The Mohave County Republican Committee will conduct its’ quarterly meeting on Jan 13 in Lake Havasu City, under the directorship of Chairman Laurence Schiff.

JAN 15

LD22 Is Hosting A CD 8 Candidate Forum for Republican Precinct Committeemen and party volunteers at 6 pm., Mon., Jan 15 at the Westbrook Village Association Recreation Center, 18825 North Country Club Parkway in Peoria. LD1, 13, 15, 20, and 21 are all invited. Doors open for PC sign in at 6 pm., program begins at 6:30 pm. RSVP not required. Contact: Chairman Rae Chornenky at rlc@chornenkylaw.com

The Leisure World Republican Club will meet at 7 pm., Mon., Jan 15 in the Ballroom at 908 S. Power Road in Mesa. Speakers will be former AZRA President Jim O’Conner, a candidate for Corporation Commission; Tim Horn who will address the National Popular Vote and Joe & Jinny Perron with the East Valley Pro Life Alliance. Free refreshments and a 50/50 drawing. Diane Andersen, azpatriot13@yahoo.com, 480 395-5515.

JAN 16

Pima County Tea Party Patriots are hosting US Senate candidate Dr Kelli Ward, between 5:30-7:30 pm., Tues., Jan 16 at the ElMolinito Restaurant private meeting room, 10180 N Oracle Road in Oro Valley. Ward is running for former Sen Jeff Flake’s senate seat. Open menu, cash bar. TO RSVP CLICK HERE

JAN 17

JAN 18

The Colorado River Tea Party – Yuma will host author Tom Morrissey at 6 pm., Thurs., Jan 18 at the Community Christian Church, 6480 E Hwy 95. Chairman Sally Kizer 928-210-1219.

Tea Party Scottsdale will meet at 6:30 pm.,Thurs., Jan 18 at 8600 E Anderson Drive in Scottsdale featuring 2016 Senate Primary Candidate, Arizona State Fair Tax Director and Radio PersonalityAlex MeluskeyContact: Pat Shaler: Patriots@TeaPartyScottsdale.com | (480) 946-8069.

Fountain Hills Az Tea Party. (3rd Thursday - January 18) 6:30 PM, Fountain Hills Unified School District Learning Center, 16000 E Palisades Blvd. (Palisades Blvd. & Golden Eagle Blvd.): This month's meeting on Thursday, January 18 will address the state legislative session with LD23 State Senator John Kavanagh, State Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, & State Rep. Jay Lawrence. They will provide a preview of upcoming issues in the state legislature. As always, there will be ample opportunity for Q&A. All interested parties are invited to join your neighbors and bring a friend to this and all of our meetings. Admission is free; donations welcome. Richard Rutkowskicontact@fhteaparty.us or www.fhteaparty.us

Due to Mandatory GOP meetings, LD24 will not hold its regularly scheduled Jan 18 meeting. LD13 will meet again on Thur., Feb 15 at AZGOP HQ, 3501 N 24^th St in Phoenix., according to Chairman Barry Wong. LD24 will have at least one table reserved for the Jan 26 AZGOP Chairman’s Award Dinner scheduled at the CambyHotel, (formerly Ritz-Carlton), 2401 E Camelback in Phoenix. $60 per person. Reservations to Wong at barry@barrwong.com

ELECTED OFFICIAL COMMENTS

Congressman Andy Biggs’ on Latest Judicial Activism Regarding DACA: U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup blocked the Trump administration's decision to end the unconstitutional Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Biggs: “Former President Obama ignored Congress's constitutional responsibility when he unilaterally bestowed a protected legal status to these illegal aliens. President Trump was well within his right to end this program and return immigration policy decisions to the legislative branch. It is Congress's responsibility to write legislation, and appointed judges must follow the spirit and letter of the law. Judge Alsup's decision further demonstrates the need to reshape our judicial system to prevent activist judges from imposing their political views on rulings of this magnitude.”