Lincoln Republican Club member Lois Fitch can use your prayers. She is in Honor Hospital at Shea. Room 2107. She had another stroke and is unresponsive. Her niece flew in last night to be with her. Contact: Susie Wheeler 602-390-5717.
Would you believe that AZGOP Chairman Jonathon Lines has yet to acknowledge former AZGOP Secretary Gabby Mercer’s resignation letter? No wonder she is glad to “get out of there.”
The Arizona AMERICAN African Republican Committee will meet at 7 pm., Thur., July 26 at AZGOP headquarters, 3501 N 24th St. in Phoenix. Guests scheduled: America’s toughest Icon Sheriff Joe Arpaio for US Senate and Michael Nudo standing in for CD9 candidate Dr Steve Ferrara. Contact: Chairman Rev Clyde Bowen, 602-309-6016 aaarc6@centurylink.net
The Estrella Mountain Republicans and LD4 will meet with gubernatorial candidate Ken Bennett at 7 pm., Wed., July 25 at Estrella Foohills High School, 13033 S Estrella Parkway. Contact Chairman Dick Newcomer at 623-398-5638.
Iowa State Footballhad a different team building event scheduled this past weekend, instead the whole team went to Marshalltown to help clean up after a tornado devastated the Iowa town a couple of days ago. Well done, Cyclones. See SoundOFF NationTwin twisters were photographed by residents/newsmen that hit Pella about the same time.
Grassroots Tea Party Activists have quite a line up of candidates who will appear at their 6:30 pm., Wed., July 25 meeting scheduled at Denny’s Restaurant, 9030 N Black Canyon Hwy (Hwy I-17/Dunlap) in Phoenix. Yard signs and literature available at this “Meet & Greet.” Candidates include: Robert ‘Bob’ Branch– Supt of Public Instruction candidate, Brian Lesinski– LD15 Senate candidate, Justin Olson- incumbent Corporation Commission candidate, Jeff Fine– Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court candidate, Sandra Dowling– CD8 candidate and Steve Gaynor– Secretary of State candidate. Contact: www.grassrootsteapartyactivists.com or grtp@grassrootsteapartyactivists.com
The Fountain Hills Republicans will meet at 6 pm., Tues., July 24 at the All American Sports Grill, 16872 E Ave of the Fountains in Fountain Hills. No Speeches, just socializing. Candidates and elected officials welcome. Bring a friend or neighbor. No host bar, no host hors d'voeuvres, snacks and/or dinner. GOP Socials will continue through the Summer with the last one of the year on Oct 23.
Radio host Alex Meluskey will be the speaker at the 6:30 pm., Mon, July 23 Arizona Project meeting at 3375 E Shea Blvd in Phoenix.
Concerned Citizens for America (CC4A) will meet at 6:30 pm., Thurs., Aug 2 at the Canyon Trails Cowboy Church, 3132 White Bear Road in Sedona to watch “Agenda 2, Masters of Deceit” produced by former Idaho Representatative Curtis Bowers who also produced “The Agenda, Grinding America Down”. Supt of Public Instruction candidate Frank Riggs will also speak. All voters are welcome. Desserts provided. Contact: Andrea Kadarandreakadar7@yahoo.com
Andrea Kadar, Ambassador of Hope for Shared Hope International, will make a presentation on “Human Trafficking On The Navajo Nation: What Are The Facts And What Can We Do To Stop It?” at 6 pm., Thurs., July 26 at the Gateway Community Church, 1588 Hwy 264 in Tse Bonito, New Mexico. She’ll be discussing human trafficking in Arizona, particularly on the reservation, and how to stop it. The sex trafficking talk is in a town near Window Rock so will include a lot of Arizona residents. Kadar sasid, “We must protect these extremely vulnerable Native American children from sexual exploitation on our Arizona Reservation(s).” The meeting includes a film exposing sedition in school and churches. Supt of Public Instruction candidate Frank Riggs has been invited to address charter schools. Contact: Andrea Kadarandreakadar7@yahoo.com
Early Ballots Are Notforwarded by the Post Office, so if you will be out of town and want to participate in the election, you need to send a signed letter to the Maricopa County Recorder, at 111 S. 3rd Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85003 stating your name, your current address, your date of birth, and Voter ID # (if known) and the address to which you want the ballot sent. It must have a written signature that can be matched with that on the voter registration card on file. If you are not on the Permanent Early Voter List and want a mail-in ballot, you can request an early ballot for the Aug 28 Primary election by phone or mail. Call 602-506-1511, Mon-Fri between 8 a and 5 pm. to do so by phone or send the written request to the address listed above.
Important election dates:
· July 30 – Deadline to register to vote in the Aug 28 Primary election.
· Aug 1 – Early ballots mailed out for the Primary Election
· August 29 - Election Day. Mailed in ballots must be received at elections office by 7 p.m.
· Oct 9 – Deadline to register to vote in November General Election.
The 30th Anniversary Goldwater Institute Annual Dinner is scheduled at7:30 pm., Fri., Nov 9 at JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa - Arizona Ballroom, 5402 E. Lincoln Dr. in Scottsdale, featuring Prof Hugh Hewitt and Charlie Kirk. $50 off early bird tickets through Sept 30 here. Reception at 6:30 pm. Contact Austin Jack at 602-633-8988 or ajack@goldwaterinstitute.org
CBL& the Tri-County Committee has scheduled a "Meet & Greet/Fund Raiser" between 6:30-8:30 pm., Fri., July 27 at 120 Norton Lane in Duncan, AZ (Greenlee County) for Republican candidates running for local and state offices in the in up-coming Primary Election. Participants are asked to part at the Hay Barn, 3181090 W Hwy 70 in Duncan for a shuttle ride to the Norton Lane address. Contact/RSVP Cindy Thomas at 602-363-6519 or Richard Kaler at 928-651-5922.
A Second Tri-County Committee gathering in Greenlee County will be held between 9 am-noon., Sat., July 28 at the First Baptist Church Rock Building, (Main Street – across from the park), followed by a noon BBQ in the park. Bring your own folding chairs to the BBQ. Brisket provided by Richard Kaler’s Ranch (with all the trimmings) Meet candidates, elected officials and guests for discussions concerning your water issues. Open meeting – all welcome. Contacts: Cindy Thomas - 602-363-6519 or Richard Kaler - 928-651-5922.
Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL), has posted the voting records of all state legislators on key pro-rights firearms bills for the 2017 and 2018 Legislative sessions on its website's Voting Records page. You can find who your State Senator and Representatives are here (scroll to the bottom of the page). These alerts are a project of the Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL), an all-volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan grassroots organization
The Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation, together with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, will induct two individuals and three organizations into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame during the Sat., Aug 18 banquet at the Embassy Suites, 5001 N Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. The Hall of Fame event will include a social hour and silent auction beginning at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $70. A table for 10 is $700. A table of 10 and a full-page ad in the full-color banquet brochure is $1,200. The options for ordering tickets are: Download a ticket reservation form at www.wildlifefortomorrow.org, fill in the requested information, and either scan and e-mail to rebeccabouquot@gmail.com or mail Wildlife For Tomorrow, c/o Rebecca Bouquot, 14852 S. Luna Drive, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340 or (602) 501-4788.
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NOTES FROM READERS
Opinions expressed by readers are not necessarily those of the Briefs. Commentary running over 400 words is subject to editing. Briefs posts candidate announcements, but does not endorse candidates, nor do we post endorsement statements. - ft.
Former LD2 Chairman Don Woolley: As the first and former LD2 Republican Chairman, who was intimately involved with writing the district bylaws after the 2010 redistricting, I know exactly what is in them. I resigned my Chairmanship to help a candidate in a contested primary. As with any district in the state, the bylaws prohibit collusion with candidates by any member of the executive committee, during the contested primary. But, that is exactly what is going on in LD2. Any contested office requires the Chairman and other members of the executive committee to remain neutral during the primary campaign. I am ashamed of the current collusion taking place, and if this is what is taking place in other LDs around the state, then the system is badly broken. What has happened to the honor and integrity of those who have been elected to their committees by their district PCs? IF you are guilty, you should be ashamed, and I call on the AZGOP and Chairman Lines to investigate, beginning with LD2.
Former Maricopa County Republicans Executive Director April & Jon Riggs: We appreciate all you and John do for the “ real” news “ we get from you.
Activist Teresa Mendoza: So great to have the Briefs back!! Missed you and all the great info!!
LD24 Activist Tristan Manos: Welcome back!
Chris DeRose, Clerk of the Superior Court for Maricopa County: Glad to see the Briefs back up and running. Thank you for all that you do.
Activist Yale S. Wishnick: Gov Doug Ducey does nothing to protect the border. Every day illegals come into AZ. How about asking people that live on the Border?
Activist Andrea Kadar: Thank you for all you do!
Diane Anderson, Leisure World Republican Club Chairman: I just said a prayer of thanksgiving that you are back! I hope things go well for you and John. Keep up the good work. We would be lost without this service and your fine, honest editorials.
Activist Archie Dicksion: In the spring and summer of 2017 I gathered the signatures of approximately 800 Republican P.C.’s and State Committeemen requesting that the use of proxies at Republican party meetings be limited to no more than two (2) per person. I introduced a resolution to that effect at the state party meeting in January 2018. The matter was not considered because the meeting ran out of time. Subsequently, I, and others were able to convince a couple of members of the legislature to introduce a bill to limit the use of proxies by amending the Arizona law. We asked our legislators to help us in this endeavor because the Republican Party blocked our efforts at every step. It seems our pleas fell on deaf ears when it came to three of our politicians - T. J. Shope as chair of the rules committee, J.D. Mesnard as Chairman of the House, and Governor Doug Ducey. These three individuals collectively or individually decided that the request of 800 of their constituents was not important to them and they blocked our efforts without any explanation. These same individual are now seeking to be re-elected to office. Now, they are urgently seeking our support to return them to office so they can continue their outstanding representation of our interests. My suggestion to you before you caste your ballot for either of them is to remember what they did for us in defeating HB-2012. If they will not support you, why would you want to support them?
AZGOP Treasurer Bob Lettieri:As I have reported at the State meeting in January and the Ex-Com meeting in April, the Party has been fined and settled with the FEC, issues that occurred in the 2015 -2016 election cycle. We are currently working with the FEC to resolve and come to a settlement on filing issues that occurred in the 2013 - 2014 election cycle. It’s not practical to review a 40 and 60 page audit finding report from the FEC at a party meetings. As pointed out by Joe Neglia in the Briefs in May, anyone can read the fines and settlement details at http://eqs.fec.gov/eqsdocsADR/18190304918.pdf As I have worked with the FEC auditors the common thread that runs through the findings is that a timely response to the FEC’s “Request for additional Information” could have prevented the fines imposed and to be imposed on the party. During my current tenure as treasurer I have received several RFAI’s. Working with our accounting firm, that are specialist in FEC reporting, we have resolved the RFAI’s and there should be no residual effects form these issues. The AZGOP has moved on from the FEC specialist and staff who were paid to prepared the 2013 -2014 and 2015-2016. I have suggested to the Chairman and to our attorney that we should hold the firm that prepared the FEC reports accountable for the fines being levied. I can assure you that this Treasurer is on the job. My email log for the week of July 9-13 has 36 saved emails. The emails covered:
· Coordinating the by-law mandated audits of the 2014 election cycle and 2016 cycle. Notating that the audits will be completed by August of 2018.
· Authorizing new Executive Director as an authorized signer
· State filing for the quarter ended June 30, 2018
· FEC filing for the month ended June 30, 2018
· Post-Primary information for state filing
· Responding to Current RFAI
· Responding to FEC personnel coordinating the Settlement of audit findings from the 2013-2014 election cycle findings.
· Expense authorization
· Compiling the monthly treasurer report for the Chairman and others
This outline is not a complaint of the work required, its intended to keep you informed that while I am not very visible, I am working at keeping the business of the AZGOP properly accounted for and compliant. I am a fulltime CFO and fully accountable for my duties to the CEO and BOD’s, the work I perform as a volunteer for the AZGOP is on my personal time. As has been pointed out to me, no one at the AZGOP works for me, however it is my choice to work for the people who are paid.
LD 23 PCChristine Stange to Rep Rita Ugenti: I am a Republican constituent in your Legislative District. I am sending this note primarily because I want you to know that many of us appreciate your years of conservative work in the statehouse on our behalf. I also want you to know about a concern I have regarding your primary opponent that you should know about. Your opponent in the Republican primary, Timothy Jeffries, positions himself as a 'Proven Conservative Leader'. There is little evidence of that, but there IS evidence that this claim is NOT true. His 'proof' as a Conservative is that he worked on a project for Governor Ducey The Governor is not considered a Conservative by MANY in your District. 'Republican', yes; but a 'Conservative Republican'? No. I was alarmed to find out who Jefferies' campaign advisor is and wanted you to know in case you did not. His advisor is the man primarily responsible for the State Legislature voting to approve the Left Wing, Anti Freedom and likely Unconstitutional National Popular Vote Compact. I am told that this guy was paid by Left Wing operatives to go to Republican Legislators who trusted him as a campaign advisor, and convince (lobby?) them to vote FOR the NPV. If passed, this legislation would have put Arizona's Electoral votes for President of the United States into a pool with a group of Democratic states to be awarded to whichever candidate had the most popular votes in the national election. This would make it so no one but a Democrat could ever be President again! Thank You for your vote against it and for Andy Biggs stopping it in the Arizona Senate. I have to wonder how Jefferies would choose to have this disgraced lobbyist guide his campaign. How can he be trusted as a Conservative when he makes decisions like that one? Jefferies is 'proven' alright: to be a Non Conservative and a Non Leader! He has chosen to put his money and his trust in someone that actual Conservatives will not.
Former Maricopa County Republican Chairman Lyle Tuttle to the Dennison, IA newspaper – regarding Iowa-Woman-Ticketed-For-Patriotic-Display-‘I-Have-A-Veterans-Garden-That-I-Put-My-Heart-And-Soul-Into’ As a veteran, I am sorry you value my personal four- year sacrifice to stand up for YOUR freedoms as NOTHING!! As I read the info sent me, I also have a question: the photos seem to show the tribute that Jane's Tribute Garden is located on private property? It seems to be on the 'other side' of the sidewalk that typically is the border twixt "right of way" and private property. Of course, I am not privy to the 'overview' of the area, so you may well be correct in your assessment off right of way. If so, my point is moot. Does her "garden" create a safety hazard? Is it obscene? It's been there for 11 years; during that time, how many complaints has the city received? Could you not "grandfather" her in after 11 years? Frankly, I find the City's actions shameful, and hope that you can/have rectified this pitiful situation. - US Navy Veteran
Former Maricopa County Republican Chairman Rob Haney told The Wanderer that border deception is nothing new. “The records of Republican politicians in Arizona who give short shrift to border enforcement and the illegal-alien invasion are legion,” Haney said. See Beltway Wizards… Deepen Cynical Swamp By Promoting Porous-Borders Candidate As A Hard-Liner“Republican Senators John McCain, Jon Kyl, and Jeff Flake, as well as Representatives John Shadegg, Matt Salmon, David Schweikert, and Paul Gosar, have become experts on speaking out of both sides of their mouths on the subjects. “In 2013, Schweikert, Salmon, and Gosar co-authored a piece entitled, ‘What Immigration Reform Must Entail’,” Haney said. “It began with ‘America is a nation of immigrants,’ and contained all the red-flag words one would expect in a liberal columnist’s piece in opposition to strong enforcement of our immigration laws: melting pot, American Dream, immigration system not working, 11 million illegal immigrants trapped in the shadows, etc.”
ActivistArt Olivas: I was asked by a teen if I was afraid of what the Obama and the Democrats were trying doing to us conservatives? I said, “ Please listen and pay close attention to what I will say to you! Hell No!! But I am terrified and extremely afraid of all these GOP RINOs traders who have been in charge and running the offices in D.C., our State, county, city and legislature districts. For the last 20/25 yrs. from John McCain and all his lap doggies that he has bought -- they are the ones that screwed us conservatives!! With our vote hell we pay attention to idiots from in and out of state that know what is better for you. The same idiots that want to get rid Sheriff Joe Arpaio - people who have done nothing for the GOP party or Arizona. The only thing that they prove is that they have diarrhea of the mouth. While Sheriff Joe been doing his Joe thinge, all the others were getting us in the mess we are in. What in the hell have they done, if anything? The idiots say the sheriff has cost us thousands of dollars -- it was the county supervisors and Mary Rose Wilcox kissing all the illegals a**es giving them the money while the Az. GOP was aiding and abetting by their silence just like they did when the Democrats passed the bathroom law where a man could go to a women bathroom in our city. All these RINOs and know it all idiots should tell us to research in as much as their endorsements got us in this mess. I will ask them to kindly shut the hell up!! If the idiots can prove me wrong let me know and I will post it -- the truth has to come out. This I believe. Arthur Olivas Jr. Waiting to hear from any body.
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ELECTED OFFICIALS COMMENTARY
Congressional Western CaucusChairman Rep. Paul A. Gosar after H.R. 6147, the Department of the Interior, Environment, Financial Services, and General Government Appropriations Act of 2019, passed the House of Representatives: Gosar stated, “I applaud the good work of Members of the Western Caucus who were instrumental in passing an Interior Appropriations Bill that includes our priorities and yields significant benefits for local communities. This important legislation streamlines and improves multiple processes within public land management agencies and reverses numerous burdensome regulations from the Obama Administration, including the job-killing Waters of the United States Rule (WOTUS). WOTUS adversely affects normal farming practices, places massive swaths of land and water under the control of the federal government, and tramples on state water rights. I am extremely proud of the Caucus for getting our WOTUS repeal language and a plethora of other priorities through the House.” This bill contains numerous provisions that are important to the Western Caucus including:
· Repealing the Obama Administration’s Waters of the United States Rule (WOTUS).
· Delisting gray wolves range-wide as well as delisting of Great Lakes and Wyoming gray wolves.
· $500 million for “Payments In Lieu of Taxes” (PILT) program.
· $3.9 billion for wildland firefighting and prevention programs.
· Providing funds to combat the bark beetle epidemic that is devastating forests throughout the United States.
· The prevention of federal land closures for Hunting, Fishing, and Recreational Shooting.
This appropriations bill provides designated funding for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forest Service, and several independent agencies.
The text for the Department of the Interior, Environment, Financial Services, and General Government Appropriations Act of 2019, H.R. 6147, can be found HERE.
Western Caucus Chairman Rep. Paul A. Gosar and Chief Regulatory Reform Officer Andy Biggs, both of Arizona, released the following statements after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Fisheries published three proposed rules to improve & modernize the Endangered Species Act: Gosar stated, “Today, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, Deputy Secretary Bernhardt, the Service and the Department made it clear that they are dedicated to modernizing the Endangered Species Act of 1973. While we are still reviewing all of the details, I like what I see at first glance. These proposed rules aim to help address the lack of clarity, transparency and consistency associated with the ESA listing and delisting processes as well as the designation of critical habitat. Furthermore, these proposals build on the strong legislative package that Western Caucus rolled out last week to comprehensively address the many inefficiencies of the Endangered Species Act. The abuse of the litigation process by the Center for Biological Diversity, the Sierra Club, and other extremist organizations for the sole purpose of receiving massive taxpayer-funded settlements in order to finance their radical agenda is inexcusable and un-American. The Congressional Western Caucus will continue to work hard to ensure the passage of our common sense bills that will update the nearly 45 year old Endangered Species Act. I am grateful to the Secretary, Dep. Sec and Service for their continued leadership on this critical issue.” Congressman Biggs said, “Secretary Zinke’s actions to modernize the Endangered Species Act (ESA) are a good step in the right direction. However, Congress must ultimately codify these changes to resolve the outdated, bureaucratic challenges that weigh down local communities and partners. I urge all my colleagues in the House to join the Western Caucus’s efforts as we continue our quest to modernize the ESA.” The proposed rules are available here.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JULY 24
The Fountain Hills Republicans will meet at 6 pm., Tues., July 24 at the All American Sports Grill, 16872 E Ave of the Fountains in Fountain Hills. No Speeches, just socializing. Candidates and elected officials welcome. Bring a friend or neighbor. No host bar, no host hors d'voeuvres, snacks and/or dinner. GOP Socials will continue through the Summer with the last one of the year on Oct 23.
July 28.
Canceled: The Yuma Tea Party Senate Candidate Forum, scheduled for Sat., July 28, has been cancelled. Contact Chairman Sally Kizer at 928-210-1219 coloradoriverteaparty@yahoo.com
Pima County Republicans willhost a premier showing of Dinesh D’Souza’s latest film “Death of a Nation – a historical perspective on racism in America, at 6:30 pm., Tues., July 31 at the El Con Theater, 3601 E Broadway Blvd in Tucson. $15 per person. Tickets available on line at www.PimaGOP.org. Limited seats available
July 31
Pima County Republicans willhost a premier showing of Dinesh D’Souza’s latest film “Death of a Nation – a historical perspective on racism in America, at 6:30 pm., Tues., July 31 at the El Con Theater, 3601 E Broadway Blvd in Tucson. $15 per person. Tickets available on line on July 1 at www.PimaGOP.org. Limited seats available.
The Pima County Republicans Blood Drive is scheduled between 9 am - 1 pm., Wed., July 31 at 1740 E Ft. Loowell in Tucson. Contact the Pima GOP office at 321-1492 for appointment. Bring your ID, drink plenty of water. Receuve a Red Cross T-shirt while supplies last.
LD10 Rep Todd Clodfelter (R-10) will host “Deseg 101,” an open meeting to inform the community of the status and future of the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) desegregation court order. The meeting will take place July 31st at 6 p.m. at Tucson Baptist Church, 1525 S. Columbus Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85711. Guest speakers will include Dr. Gabriel Trujillo, TUSD superintendent, and Sean McCarthy, senior research analyst at the Arizona Tax Research Association. Members of the public and other elected officials are welcome and encouraged to attend. Contact: Matthew Specht Director of Communications House Republican Caucus 602-926-5518 www.mspecht@azle
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