A judge won't stop Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio from running "re-election'' ads for himself for the 2012 race that state attorney general hopeful Tom Horne said are really aimed at his own campaign this year.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge John Buttrick did not address the claims by Horne that Arpaio's commercials are a "sham'' aimed not at getting the sheriff a new term in 2012 but instead designed to help Andrew Thomas, Horne's foe in the Republican primary. Arpaio and Thomas, who was Maricopa County attorney until he resigned earlier this year, are long-time political allies.
Instead, Buttrick ruled Wednesday that he lacks the power to force Arpaio to cancel the ads. He said the Legislature, in setting up election rules, never gave courts the power to halt anyone's electioneering.
Arpaio, who is not up for election this year, has been running a series of televised commercials. All urge viewers to vote for him in 2012.
But the sheriff's ads also make comments about those running for other offices this year. That includes both Rick Romley, running for Maricopa County Attorney, and Horne.
In his lawsuit, Horne said Arpaio is saying falsely that Horne is in favor of "amnesty'' for illegal immigrants. Horne said that has never been the case.
Horne, however, didn't file his suit based on the veracity of the claim. He said that the commercials, which he said cost more than $317,000, are really an illegal contribution to the campaign of Thomas.
Buttrick said all of that is legally irrelevant.
He said the Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that the exclusive remedy in state law for campaign finance violations is a civil fine. That would be up to the Secretary of State's Office to investigate.
Accuracy posted at 7:25 pm on Wed, Aug 11, 2010.
TOM HORNE FAVORS AMNESTY
ROMLEY OPPOSED SB1070
Tom Horne, Republican candidate for Attorney General and County Attorney Rick Romley did not comment on Maricopa County Superior Court Judge John Buttrick’s ruling.
Furthermore, there is limited time for an appeal by eaither one of them with the August 24th primary election fast approaching.
So, keep Sheriff Joe Arpaio's ads on TV.
Poorman posted at 8:03 am on Thu, Aug 12, 2010.
HooRay for the judge!!
Masterrogue666 posted at 9:09 am on Thu, Aug 12, 2010.
What's that saying? Oh, yea, "You can't keep a good man down."