It's official: Voters in west Mesa will go to the polls to decide whether to keep Russell Pearce as their state senator.
Gov. Jan Brewer late Tuesday formally signed the proclamation to have the election Nov. 8. Brewer, a political ally of Pearce, admitted that she really had no choice: Once the Secretary of State's Office certified on Friday that foes of the Senate president had gathered enough signatures to force a recall, her signature became just a formality.
At this point the only thing that could short-circuit the vote would be a successful challenge by Pearce to the process.
In a prepared statement, Pearce said his lawyers are still reviewing the process that county and state officials used to determine that there were at least the 7,756 valid signatures required to force him to defend his office. The final official tally actually came in far higher, at 10,365.
Pearce has through Monday to file suit if he decides to mount a legal challenge.
He reiterated his intent to fight to serve out the balance of his current two-year term, saying that, despite the number of signatures gathered, most of his constituents support the positions he has taken on issues ranging from state spending to border security.
Gubernatorial press aide Matthew Benson said his boss will back Pearce in his fight to retain his seat.
"He's been an efficient and effective leaders on issues like border security, the economy and the budget,'' Benson said. "And he's somebody that the people in the district know well.''
Pearce was elected to the state House in 2000, moving to the Senate after the 2008 election. His Republican colleagues chose him as Senate president after last year's election.
Would-be foes have until Sept. 9 to gather at least 621 signatures on petitions to run against Pearce, whose name appears on the ballot automatically. There is no primary, meaning whoever gets the most votes on Nov. 8 will fill out the balance of the term which runs through 2012.
AmericanPatriot posted at 8:33 pm on Thu, Jul 14, 2011.
National liberal groups are pouring thousands of dollars into the effort to remove Senator Russell Pearce from office. He needs your immediate financial support. Please donate as much as you can to support a true American Patriot, the author of SB 1070, and a leading voice to secure our borders.
http://protectanamericanpatriot.com/
In_God_We_Trust posted at 5:21 pm on Thu, Jul 14, 2011.
Senator Russell Pearce the author of Senate Bill 1070 is under attack from the liberal left for giving the state the authority to enforce the laws President Obama and Secretary Nappy refuse to enforce.
These liberal leaders, who support Amnesty for those who broke our laws, are recalling Senator Pearce because of his leadership to secure our border.
You can help to retain this American hero by donating to his campaign.
http://protectanamericanpatriot.com/
AmericanPatriot posted at 5:44 pm on Wed, Jul 13, 2011.
Hey azconan, getting rid of Pearce isn't going to magically make your home prices higher, it wont create jobs , it wont fix the tax and budget issues, it wont fix our education system, it isn't the answer to all your problems. I'd rather hear from a trained monkey than this racist azconan who only is concerned with amnesty and open borders.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 10:43 am on Wed, Jul 13, 2011.
azconan bluntly states the real issue that is the motive for this recall and why Pearce will be reelected all in the same comment. "Illegals" He and all of Pearce's detractors want everyone to believe that Pearce is a racist or an active member of some Neo-Nazi conspiracy to do mean things to non-whites when in fact Pearce is acting to help all Arizona citizens, including every race.
azconan says he's tired of reading that illegals don't pay taxes and cost us money and that 50% of LEGAL U.S. citizens don't pay taxes and are on the government dole. That's who the government dole is for azconan. and not for the illegal aliens that are taking away resources that should be going to our poor AMERICAN citizens. Most of the people of district 18 and Arizona are behind Pearce and will not let you illegal alien promoter, open border, Anti-Americans take over our state like you did to California.
Informed2 posted at 7:26 am on Wed, Jul 13, 2011.
What is just as important is Pearce's pattern of corruption. The Fiesta Bowl scandal and his lies about it are a clear example. This man is a disgrace, and an arrogant one at that.
Juggernaut6000 posted at 6:57 am on Wed, Jul 13, 2011.
I'm going to run for his seat and my goal, once elected in, will be to get rid of each and every illegal immigrant in Arizona. After I achieve this goal, I will run for president of the US and my new goal will be to get rid of each and every illegal in the US.
azconan posted at 6:47 am on Wed, Jul 13, 2011.
Well a few weeks ago all his supporters were saying we would never get enough signatures. Well we got MORE than enough. Just like his district, this state, and this country have ha MORE than enough of Pearce and thos like him. WE have real issues in this disctrict and this state. Illegals are NOT the only problem we have. Getting rid of all illegals isnt going to magically make your home prices higher, it wont create jobs , it wont fix the tax and budget issues, it wont fix our education system, it isnt the answer to all your problems.
Im tired of reading the illegals dont pay taxes and cost us money. 50% of LEGAL U.S. citizens dont pay taxes and are on th government dole ! I imagine those are his supporters. His district is a mess. His kid in jail AGAIN, he illegally took monies from the Fiesta Bowl and I am sure many other bribes.
Its time to fix this state and Russell Pearce is exactly what we DONT need. Vote him out ! Id rather get a trained monkee than this racist!
k33j88 posted at 3:55 am on Wed, Jul 13, 2011.
Maybe we can have an iilegal fill the post. Besides , we all know the're here for a better life.
chick posted at 10:11 pm on Tue, Jul 12, 2011.
Howie, this statement reads, "admitted she had no choice"? Come on. It says no such thing.
Statement by Governor Jan Brewer
Recall election
“Today, in accordance with state law, I issued an order calling a special recall election. This action is mandated under ARS Section 19-209.
“Under Arizona law, the Governor must call a special election once the Secretary of State’s Office has certified that a sufficient number of valid recall petitions have been submitted. The special election will be November 8, 2011, as determined by ARS Section 16-204.”
NothingButTheTruth posted at 10:10 pm on Tue, Jul 12, 2011.
Ok now the fun begins, show us who you have to run against Pearce.
chick posted at 10:07 pm on Tue, Jul 12, 2011.
Howie, "admitted she had no choice"?
Wish you'd put as much of your time into reporting the biases of the recall organizers.