Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Press release from the Arizona Democratic Party:

Lobbyists ♥ Ken Bennett

New web site shows secretary of state loves 'em right back by letting 'em off hook

PHOENIX –Lobbyists love Ken Bennett. They really love Ken Bennett.

See for yourself at www.LobbyistsLoveKen.com, where you can learn about the large number of lobbyist campaign contributions lining Ken’s coffers. Nearly 60 percent of contributions to Bennett this cycle are tied to lobbyists.

Voters have a right to know how close the state’s top elections chief and lobbyist watchdog is to the very lobbyists he’s supposed to be regulating. Bennett is so close to lobbyists, he’s even running his campaign from a powerful lobbyist's office. Bennett boasted about the efficiencies of this arrangement in Sunday's Arizona Republic.

There's a reason lobbyists love Ken: One of his first acts after taking office was to give a free pass to 492 registered lobbyists for not following the rules [AZ Capitol Times, 5/1/09]. The taxpayers lost out as he made sure his friends in the industry would not have to pay fines for their actions.

Arizona deserves a secretary of state who cares more about the integrity of our elections than protecting lobbyists and special-interest friends. Bennett showed his priorities when he was unwilling to challenge fraudulent Green Party candidates despite overwhelming evidence they had been recruited by Republican operatives.

If you can judge a man by the company he keeps, then we have serious questions about Ken Bennett’s company…and his judgment…and his ability to serve as secretary of state. And so should you.

Learn more about lobbyists who love Ken, and take our candidate matchmaker quiz at www.lobbyistsloveken.com.

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