Charter school executive Jerry Lewis is poised to enter the race to oust Senate President Russell Pearce from his seat.
But at this point, the central theme of his campaign is that he is not Pearce - and that he would focus on more than just illegal immigration that has given the incumbent national name recognition.
But Pearce said while he has focused on border security, he has a record of cutting taxes and reducing regulation to stimulate the economy. More to the point, the man who has represented the west Mesa district since the 2000 election said residents will take his record over anyone else's campaign promises.
"They do know who I am," he said.
Lewis has scheduled a formal announcement for Wednesday morning at The Wright House, a 1930s Mesa home that has been converted into a site for parties and weddings.
During an interview with Capitol Media Services, about the only thing Lewis would commit to is that he would seek donations for a race and not depend on public financing. That move may make sense: A candidate would get only $21,533 in public dollars; Pearce is not only raising money with help from lobbyists but will have the benefit of the help of a national political action committee organized by former Congressman Tom Tancredo.
Pretty much everything else in terms of specifics on where Lewis stands on significant issues is up in the air.
Abortion?
"This is certainly a decision that should not be taken lightly," Lewis said. "I believe we have to protect life." But he also said "we have to respect people who may be raped or may be victims of incest."
Does that mean he would support a ban on abortion except in cases of rape or incest?
"I would be very, very open to that type of legislation," he responded.
Lewis is no more specific on whether the state should give tax dollars to parents to send their children to private or parochial schools.
"I would like to hear all sides of the issue and, using the leadership abilities that I have, formulate an opinion that I believe that we can all live with," he said. Lewis did say vouchers might make sense "if that was in the best interests of the people and the students of Arizona."
On the subject of gun regulation, Lewis said he believes in the right of people to bear arms. But he would not say whether he believes guns should be allowed on the campuses of universities and community colleges.
"I believe that we need to look at all of the issues involved and make sure that we bring a solution that promotes the welfare of all stakeholders involved in such a weighty decision," Lewis said.
And what about guns on the campuses of public district and charter schools?
"We need to have leadership that is open to all the ideas so we can have better ideas put forth, and we can debate those ideas in an open and respectful way," he said, similar to the process that resulted in the U.S. Constitution, where Lewis said all ideas were considered and no one was "bullied."
Lewis did admit to voting last year for the temporary one-cent hike in the state sales tax - as did about two out of every three Arizonans who went to the polls, a tax hike that Pearce opposed. But Lewis stopped short of saying he might support future tax hikes if the state is still running a deficit when the current levy ends in 2013.
So why should someone vote for him?
Lewis said he has been approached by district residents seeking "a fresh start." More to the point, he said, they want attention paid to issues beyond illegal immigration.
"The voters of District 18 seem to be saying that we probably have not spent enough time and effort on the economy, on jobs creation, on education issues, on making Arizona academically a leader," he said.
Pearce told Capitol Media Services that efforts to paint him as a one-issue candidate will fail.
"Do I believe in securing the border? Yes," he said. "We owe it, based on the blood of the revolution, to never support those who break our laws."
But Pearce said he is "famous for working on economic recovery."
He specifically cited the package of tax cuts approved earlier this year, saying that when fully implemented it will be the largest tax reduction in state history, a reduction he believes will encourage new business growth. And Pearce said "nobody has worked harder for less regulation" of business.
Pearce also said he has a record of supporting vouchers for parents to use tax dollars for private and parochial schools, an A-plus rating from the National Rifle Association and describes himself as "100 percent pro life."
One thing Pearce intends to use in his campaign is the fact that this is not a regular election where those who disagree with him have the opportunity to convince voters to choose someone else, but a special mid-term recall - and a recall where the organizers, while getting more than 10,000 valid signatures of residents, did not even live in the district.
"Good people can disagree," he said. "But don't overturn a legitimate election."
Rich posted at 2:18 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
How about a candidate who would just say 'It's none of my business or the governments' ' on most of these issues.
rouse2 posted at 2:36 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
he's a straw dog. pearce can not be beat, at least not in a recall sponsored by outside open borders hippies, 'they' know that. a liberal can't win, a conservative is not going to through away their political future by running in this farce. at least it will bring in allot of out of state money on both sides.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 2:47 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS........REPORTER ???
HE NEVER ASKS............"MORMON BISHOP JERRY LEWIS"
ONE QUESTION ABOUT...........ILLEGAL ALIEN....".A.M.N.E.S.T.Y."
INSTEAD....THE REPORTER ONLY ASKS.....MORMON BISHOP JERRY LEWIS....ABOUT THE .............."B.O.R.D.E.R."
FOLKS.........THIS .......RECALL ELECTION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH.........."THE BORDER"......IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH...."EDUCATION"....WITH THE .."ECONOMY".....WITH...."JOB CREATION"
THIS RECALL ELECTION HAS BEEN BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE MORMON CHURCH ON ONE ISSUE AND ONE ISSUE ONLY.....
"ILLEGAL ALIEN AMNESTY"......
THE MORMON POLITICIANS THAT ARE CANDIDATES FOR THE 2012 ELECTION
MATT SALMON FOR .....CONGRESS
JEFF FLAKE FOR.....US SENATOR
MITT ROMNEY FOR...PRESIDENT
DON'T WANT THE FATHER OF SB 1070.....RUSSELL PEARCE.....ARIZONA'S ANTI-ILLEGAL ALIEN LAW TO BE OUT THERE GETTING INTERVIEWED BY....CNN...MSNBC...NBC...ABC...C-SPAN...FOX NEWS...THE NEW YORK TIMES....THE LOS ANGELES TIMES....AND SAYING ANYTHING ON NATIONAL NEWS THAT MAY COST THESE...........MORMON POLITICIANS....THEIR ELECTION.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 3:01 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
Only one question do we need to ask anyone running against Russell Pearce, do you support amnesty?
NothingButTheTruth posted at 3:07 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
You are right Leon. The Mormon church wants illegals to be given amnesty. Their favorite candidates that you state are republican in name only and as soon as they gain office they will fight for what they will call comprehensive immigration amnesty. As a lifelong republican who's ancestors helped found Arizona, I will vote for a democrat before voting for either of those three you mentioned. My grandfather was the second white baby born in Safford, AZ - his older brother was the first - and he would turn over in his grave if he knew what these Mormons are up to.
Dale Whiting posted at 3:08 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
I'm for ABP, Anybody But Pearce. Oh my gosh! Is there some change that Sheriff Joe might move to Mesa and we would have to put up with him in 18?
azconan posted at 3:18 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
Leon is a genius. DO you NOT KNOW Pearce is as Mormon as they come? He is an active member of his church. This has nothing to do with the Mormon church you idiot. it has to do with the fact that Pearce has done NOTHING for his district BUT chase illegals. NOTHING about housing, NOTHING about jobs NOTHING about imrpoving his state or district. He has done NOTHING but be a racist !
NothingButTheTruth posted at 3:19 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
You fools are worried Russell Pearce might retain his seat and serve out the remaining year as President of the Senate? If I were you I'd be making plans to defeat him when he runs for Governor after Brewer's term ends. lol
NothingButTheTruth posted at 3:22 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
"But at this point, the central theme of his campaign is that he is not Pearce" What he is is a Mormon Bishop. A Bishop in the Mormon church? Is that what he people of dist 18 want? lol
AmericanPatriot posted at 3:28 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
Lewis is a nobody who's main claim to this race is that he's not Pearce. Gee, I can hardly wait for the political ads.
cacrobert posted at 4:39 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
The rhetoric has really got out of control. I just read on Azcentral (http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2011/07/26/20110726rmesa-russell-pearce-opponent-struck-groin-jerry-lewis0726.html) that Jerry Lewis was struck in the groin this morning by a pro Pearce supporter. This is wrong and you guys know better.
devils66 posted at 5:39 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
nothing but the truth I bet he's already turned over in his grave and became a mormon. LOL!
AmericanPatriot posted at 6:06 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
An interesting story from the Arizona Pearce hating Republic cacrobert. However, it doesn't say that Jerry Lewis was struck in the groin this morning by a pro Pearce supporter. It say police don't have enough information to determine the motivation for the attack. They don't know what nut did this crime. You don't do your cause well by outright lies.
rukidding posted at 9:24 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
Is this a news article or an op/ed? Howie sounds like he's heading the "Re-Elect Pearce" group. Tell us what he said, not what he didn't say. If you're trying to tell us that he isn't an experienced politician, that's not a negative.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 11:28 am on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
VOTE FOR ME, I'M NOT PEARCE!
In_God_We_Trust posted at 6:32 pm on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
rukidding, you're saying inexperience as a legislator is not a negative? I'll bet you voted for the community organizer Obummer for president. Remember when he was barely a Senator and he voted against raising the debt? lol What we need are experienced leaders like Pearce who have been around the last 16 years and know what is going on. Of course. Lewis will spend his 2 years as senator, if he should win, sitting on his hands watching as the adults do the job. The rest of the senate will tell him when to raise his hand and say present.
Masterrogue666 posted at 11:55 am on Fri, Jul 29, 2011.
I know where my vote's going. It's not to this person...
AmericanPatriot posted at 9:01 pm on Fri, Jul 29, 2011.
Vote for me! I'm not Pearce!
AmericanPatriot posted at 2:17 pm on Mon, Aug 1, 2011.
Is he still not Pearce yet?