Arizona’s de facto governor ‘King’ Russell Pearce defeated in historic recall

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The headlines from this morning:

East Valley Tribune Unofficial results show Pearce ousted in historic recall election:

West Mesa voters have ousted state Senate President Russell Pearce in a historic recall election.

On Tuesday night, with early ballots and all precincts counted, unofficial results showed challenger Jerry Lewis with 53 percent of the vote in a race that's being watched nationally.

If Lewis' lead in legislative District 18 holds, it will represent the first time in Arizona history that voters ousted a state elected official.

Unofficial results showed Lewis with 53.4 percent of the vote and Pearce with 45.36 percent. Olivia Cortes had 1.24 percent even though she had withdrawn from the race.

Pearce's defeat represents a blow to the more conservative wing of the Republican Party.

The Arizona Republic Russell Pearce on verge of historic loss in recall:

Russell Pearce, one of the most influential state politicians in the nation and a powerful voice on illegal immigration, was on the verge of losing his Senate seat in Tuesday's unprecedented recall election.

If the vote totals hold, Pearce becomes the first sitting Senate president in the nation and the first Arizona legislator ever to lose a recall election. He would be required to step down immediately once the results become official.

The Arizona Daily Star Loss a stunning reversal for Pearce:

Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce – architect of some of the nation's toughest state laws against illegal immigration – was ousted by voters Tuesday in an unprecedented recall.

Results late Tuesday showed challenger Jerry Lewis, a political newcomer, with a 53-to-45 percent margin over Pearce in his east Mesa district. Both are Republicans. A small percentage also cast ballots for Olivia Cortes, although she withdrew from the race.

Pearce conceded defeat. . .

The Arizona Capitol Times Pearce ousted in historic recall:

On top of the world a year ago when his landmark immigration bill became law, Senate President Russell Pearce saw his political career turn to dust tonight when he lost his legislative seat to a political neophyte, despite significantly outspending his opponent.

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Pearce, lost 53 percent to 45 percent with all 16 voting precincts reporting, according to unofficial Maricopa County Elections results. There are still thousands of early and provisional ballots yet to be counted but even Pearce seemed to nearly concede the race shortly after 9 p.m.

Just how historic was this recall election? The Recall Elections Blog: What to expect when you're expecting a recall — Arizona Senate Regicide edition:

Pearce is the third state legislative leader to face a recall. The first was California President Pro Tempore David Roberti in 1994. The second was Michigan House Speaker Andy Dillon in 2008. Both men triumphed. See the details here.

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Pearce is the first recall of a state official in Arizona history.

This was not just a rejection of "King" Russell Pearce but the Tea-Publican establishment that lined up behind Pearce to support him in lockstep. Let this be a warning to each of you as well.

ALL of the political pundits and media villagers in Arizona said it couldn't be done (except for The Phoenix New Times and liberal blogs). But thousands of dedicated grassroots volunteers proved these guardians of the status quo wrong! We will be serving them crow for breakfast this morning.

I want to personally thank each and every volunteer who gave of their time, efforts and money to make this historic recall election possible. Special thanks to Randy Parraz and Chad Snow and your army of volunteers at Citizens for a Better Arizona for your dedication and heroic efforts. And thanks to Jerry Lewis for having the courage to stand up and to challenge the most powerful, and most corrupt, member of the Arizona legislature. Special thanks to each of your dedicated campaign staff and volunteers.

You have earned this: I want you all to get up and to do your happy feet dance!!!