Recall Pearce Update

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

E.J. Montini has an opinion in today's Arizona Republic, De facto Gov. Russell Pearce is (or is not) the boss of us (excerpt):

Pearce's extreme agenda led a few determined folks in District 18 to take action.

They started collecting signatures to force Pearce into a recall election. It's the first time anything like that has happened to such a high-profile politician since the days of former Gov. Evan Mecham. And it looks like they might succeed.

"A lot of good people just stayed quiet," said Randy Parraz, co-founder with Chad Snow of the bipartisan Citizens for a Better Arizona, the group working to recall Pearce. "They didn't get involved. And that allows someone like Russell Pearce to get to where he is.

"This man doesn't represent the majority of people in his district. What we're trying to do now is to stay on track and stay focused."

Recall petitions can be signed only by voters in Pearce's district. The group needs 7,756 valid signatures by May 31 to force an election. It would most likely take place next March.

"We're boxed in by geography," Parraz said. "It has been a gradual campaign, not a sprint, but we have begun to peak at the right time."

Recent revelations about game tickets and high-priced trips that Pearce accepted from the Fiesta Bowl have helped, Parraz said, adding, "But it is more than that. We've had people sign the recall petitions when they learn about the Fiesta Bowl stuff. But a lot of people come to us who have been bothered by his extremism. When someone uses immigration as Pearce has done, it can give him short-term victories. But in the end, you still have to deal with other problems. He has been out of touch with the people out here on a lot of things."

Parraz believes that if Pearce were forced into a recall election, he would be vulnerable to a candidate that Parraz described as a "moderate Republican who is LDS," meaning a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

But that is getting ahead of the game.

"You can't underestimate him," Parraz said. "You have to give him credit for the branding he has done to promote himself and his agenda. But now citizens are seeing that he can't tone that down, can't control himself, and they are responding."

Forcing Pearce into a recall election would be a victory, even if he were to retain his senate seat. It would let the nation know that he doesn't speak for everyone in Arizona. It also would divert Pearce's attention during the legislative session, allowing more moderate voices to be heard. And a message would be sent to other zealots.

Or as Parraz said, "If you can recall Russell Pearce, you can recall anybody."

What you can do to help make history: See Citizens for a Better Arizona's web site http://recallpearce.com/ and volunteer for boots on the ground or contribute what you can.

When:         Saturday, May 21, 10am – 4pm

Where:        Mesa Public Library, 64 E 1st Street, Mesa

Description: Meet at the Library to collect petitions and materials to go out and canvass neighborhoods. Also volunteer to man the table for all or part of the day.