Michael Bryan Tim Bee stunned the Arizona political scene with a completely unexpected announcement that he is challenging Gabby Giffords for the CD 8 Congressional seat.
Seriously, though, Tim made it official — he’s in. I know, I was there. And, no, I didn’t get tazed, Bro.
It was the kind of non-news news event one expects in the kabuki dance of American politics. But there were a few interesting bits.
Much more after the flip…
Link: Montana Governor Foments Real ID Rebellion. "Today, I am asking you to join with me in resisting the DHS coercion to comply with the provisions of REAL ID, " Schweitzer wrote. "If we stand together either DHS will blink or Congress will have to act to avoid havoc at our nation’s airports and federal … Read more
Link: Employer sanctions law challenged by sponsors.
Looks like a number of Republicans are getting crosswise on the employer sanctions law now that it has taken effect and real enforcement actions seem imminent, threatening to put good, upstanding (and possibly Republican) businessmen on skid row.
This issue just screams DEMOCRATIC WEDGE ISSUE FOR 2008 STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES at the top of its lungs. I hope it’s not too much longer before every other word coming out of the Arizona Democratic Party’s mouth-piece is "employer sanctions." You don’t get monumental political fuck-ups like this dropped in your lap every day, you know.
Much more after the flip…
UPDATE 12pm: The Board voted 4-1 (Ray Carroll being the dissenter, as he so frequently is) to select Nancy Young Wright as the new State Representative for LD 26. Interestingly, even though Jorgenson got the most support among the PCs of 26 (not to mention Lena’s) the Board nominated Nancy immediately, and Ray Carroll couldn’t get a second when he suggested that Don deserved an up or down vote on the record before considering Nancy. Nancy is going to file papers to run today, so she will definitely be seeking re-election. She also said that she will be resigning her current job with the county, as she was a direct employee, not a contractor. Don Jorgenson and Cheryl Cage were both in attendance at the Board’s meeting and were very supportive of Nancy once the vote confirmed what everyone expected. Don is certainly still running as Nancy’s running mate. I don’t know whether Cheryl Cage will also run, or if she will return to running the LD 26 campaigns. I will be sitting down with Nancy as soon as her schedule allows to give everyone a feel for her priorities for this and future sessions.
I recorded some of the speeches from the LD 26 meeting the other night, and I thought some might be interested to listen. I apologize for the sound quality. The levels are rather too low, so crank up your volume.
First is Lena’s speech, in which she outlines the reasons for her resignation and indicates her views on who should replace her:
Each of the candidates was given 5 minutes to address the meeting and make their case. I present only those candidates selected for nomination to the Board.
Don Jorgenson (in which my boneheaded mistake about the age of Don’s children becomes the stuff of political humor):
Nancy Young Wright:
Cheryl Cage: