It looks like the embattled president of the state Senate is going to have to fight to keep his seat in the Legislature.
Maricopa County Elections Director Karen Osborne said Wednesday her office has reviewed about 13,500 signatures on petitions calling for the recall of Russell Pearce. At this point she said more than 8,250 have been determined to be valid, far more than the 7,756 required to force Pearce into a special election.
And Osborne said still has close to another 3,000 signatures to review.
Pearce, a Mesa Republican, told Capitol Media Services he is not surprised.
“You know, when you pay people to get signatures and when they tell the kind of stories they’re telling, people sign almost anything,’’ he said. “I understand that.’’
Pearce, first elected to the Legislature in 2000, also said he is not afraid of being forced to defend his seat in a special election, saying he is an old hand at winning races.
“They’ve elected me 16 times, counting primaries,’’ he said.
“I trust the voters of Mesa, I know the voters of Mesa,’’ said Pearce. And he said the reverse also is true.
“I’m born and raised there,’’ he said. “They know me. They know who I am.’’
Osborne stressed that this is simply an interim report. She said even after all the counting is done the final numbers need to be audited.
Lisa Hauser, an attorney who represents Pearce, said even if Osborne’s office does verify there are enough valid signatures, that does not automatically mean an election.
Hauser said county officials are verifying the signatures only of those who signed the front of the petitions as wanting a special election. What they have not verified, she said, is whether those who circulated the petitions -- and signed a notarized statement on the back -- were qualified to circulate the petitions in the first place. Instead, the Secretary of State’s Office, which does the preliminary review of the petitions, only yanked the petitions where there were obvious problems with the notarized statement.
“And there are a variety of other things to look at as well,’’ Hauser said. “We want to make sure that we think the county and the secretary of state have removed everything that we think they were legally required to remove.’’
When a special election would occur depends, at least in part, on how quickly Osborne’s staff finishes its work -- and in part to the whims of Gov. Jan Brewer.
State Elections Director Amy Bjelland said having the vote in November requires that all the formalities be completed by Aug. 10.
Osborne’s office has through Aug. 2 to complete its verification. But Arizona law then allows the governor up to 15 days to issue the formal call for the election.
That means if the county finishes its work before late July, the election automatically will be in November.
But if her office takes the full time, Brewer could delay the election until March simply by taking the full 15 days to make the call.
Until now, Pearce has been a political ally of the governor. But that relationship was strained this week when Brewer said Pearce did not deliver promised Republican votes for her proposal to change state law to keep about 15,000 Arizonans eligible for extended unemployment benefits.
Pearce said he warned a Brewer aide last week, before the failed special session began, that the votes were not there, but that she insisted on going ahead anyway.
Gubernatorial press aide Matthew Benson has brushed aside queries of how quickly his boss intends to act on an election call, saying the question is premature.
AmericanPatriot posted at 6:54 pm on Sun, Jun 19, 2011.
vickiln, very impressive comment you wrote. You write a lot like many Hispanics I know talk. I'm sure you can write better in Spanish. Talk about agendas sweety.
vickiln posted at 6:52 am on Sat, Jun 18, 2011.
Pearce lied (again) when he said that the people were payed to sign the recall.
I signed and certainly wasn't paid, either were the others who were there signing.
Pearce lied to get elected when he said that the economy and jobs would
be his and the legislative priority. No jobs bill at all. Instead we got silly birther bills,
guns in bars, a state gun and fireworks, etc. Brilliant! Last year he gave us that poorly written SB1070, which continues to be worthless.
Pearce also lied when he said he had paid for all his Fiesta Bowl goodies. Oh and lets not forget one of his first Known lies, his little friendship with that neo natzi guy,Readty or Readdy. He forwarded bigoted emails and then made excuses for his part in that,also.
Mean spirted little man who has his own agenda and it's not for the people. Keeps enriching private prisons for profit people but won't give a needed hands up to the unemployed and others who are struggling, not to mention the sick without health care.
His legislation has hurt and will continues to hurt this state. Not just my opinion but
those of the top business people here, who are so alarmed at what he is doing, that
they sent him a formal letter to stop doing it. If those big business people lived in this district, they would be signing the recall and voting against him next time. Google that letter to Pearce and read it.... these are the smartest and best whose
lives depend on the success of Arizona and so do our lives.
HIs community and church should be embarassed by him, if not, they will be.
tompendergast posted at 11:18 pm on Thu, Jun 16, 2011.
I am in his district and I personally signed the petition. I have not read other biased news columns about Pearce. I know him and most people that live around me, signed the petition.
I don't care who is in, just as long as they accomplish things that make sense and work to the residents benefit. Pearce fails in this regard. Having tunnel vision on very few issues does not help the majority of people. This is where Pearce excels.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 5:26 pm on Thu, Jun 16, 2011.
The Ninth Circuit granted an en banc review after a three-judge panel, which included retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, ruled Arizona could not require persons registering to vote to provide proof of citizenship. So tell us again how even the uneducated people from Mexico know you have to be a citizen to vote in another country's elections CopperG. All they have to do is say they are citizens and no one can call them on it. Happens all the time here and elsewhere.
AmericanPatriot posted at 2:23 pm on Thu, Jun 16, 2011.
Military/Veterans
Stop Arming Iran Act (H.R. 1441)
* Prohibits the Department of Defense from selling any parts for the F-14 fighter aircraft.
* Status: Passed the House on December 12, 2007, in Section 1035 of the conference report for the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4986), which was signed into law on January 28, 2008.
Combat Troops Tax Relief Act (H.R. 3808)
* Increases the Standard Tax Deduction by $1,000 for all members of the Armed Forces who are called up for active duty, and permanently fixes a flaw in the tax code that penalizes our soldiers for serving in combat zones.
* This provision will allow soldiers to qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Care Tax Credit—affecting as many as 10,000 soldiers currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
* Status: The EITC provision passed the House as part of H.R. 3997, the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act on November 6, 2007, and was signed into law as part of H.R. 6081 on June 16, 2008.
National Security Culture and Language Training Act (H.R. 6037)
* Would provide the Secretary of Defense with the authority to establish an incentive bonus to encourage individuals in officer training programs such as the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and the service academies to engage in the study of “critical” foreign languages and cultural education.
* Status: Important provisions were included in the FY 2009 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 5658).
Solar
Solar Energy Research and Advancement Act of 2007 (H.R. 2774)
* Creates a research and development program into thermal energy storage technologies for concentrating solar power (CSP);
* Conducts a report regarding the integration of concentrating solar power plants and regional electricity transmission systems, including how to send electricity from high solar resource areas (such as Arizona) to areas with less solar power.
* Analyzes how to reduce the amount of water consumed by concentrating solar power systems; andCreates a program to create and strengthen solar industry workforce training and internship programs in order to ensure that current and future employees obtain the necessary skills to install, operate and maintain solar energy products.
* Status: Passed the House in H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act on December 18, 2007 and was signed into law on December 19, 2007.
Renewable Energy Assistance Tax Act (H.R. 3807)
* Extends the 30% commercial solar property and residential investment tax credit for eight years;
* Extends the existing energy-efficient appliance credit and extend this credit for three years (through the end of 2010), and
* Extends the energy-efficient doors, windows, and insulation consumer tax credit for eight years.
* Status: Provisions have passed the House four times: in H.R. 2776 on August 4, 2007; in H.R. 6 on December 6, 2007; in H.R. 5351 on February 27, 2008; and in H.R. 6049 on May 21, 2008. The bill was finally included in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act which became law on October 3, 2008.
Conservation/Natural Resources
The Levee-like Structures Consideration Act (H.R. 4050)
* Requires FEMA to create a process for considering the effects of levee-like structures when revising or updating flood maps.
* Status: Passed the Committee on Financial Services on December 4, 2007, but the issue was resolved through negotiations with FEMA.
Health
Safe and Effective Drug Development Act of 2007 (H.R. 2592)
* Creates and funds public-private partnerships between the FDA and universities or non-profits to work on drug safety.
* These partnerships expand the FDA’s ‘Critical Path Initiative’ by working to solve the problems facing drug safety and new drug development, and the research areas that provide the greatest opportunities for rapid improvement and public health benefits. These partners will modernize the medical product development sciences, accelerate innovation and enhance safety.
* Status: Adopted as an amendment to the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act (H.R. 3580) in the Energy and Commerce Committee on June 21, 2007. It was signed into law by President Bush on September 27, 2007.
Other
Honor the International Year of Astronomy (H. CON. RES. 375)
* Honors the goal of the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) to celebrate astronomical discoveries and encourages the public to participate in IYA celebrations and activities, and discover more about the Universe and the science of astronomy.
* he Resolution also applauds the efforts of the employees, centers, and laboratories of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) in promoting public understanding of the astronomical sciences during the IYA celebration.
* Status: Unanimously passed the House on July 9, 2008.
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month (H. Res. 339)
* Designates May as "Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month" and encourages motorcycle riders to always wear helmets and other protective gear, to never drink and ride, and to be properly licensed and trained.
* It also serves as a reminder to all riders and motorists to always share the road respectfully.
* Status: Unanimously passed the House on May 21, 2008.
National Day of the Cowboy (H. Res. 984)
* Officially designates the “National Day of the Cowboy” on July 26, 2008, and encourages Americans to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
* Status: Unanimously passed the House on July 14, 2008.
AmericanPatriot posted at 2:19 pm on Thu, Jun 16, 2011.
He balanced the budget.
azconan posted at 1:52 pm on Thu, Jun 16, 2011.
You racist pigs. Name 2 things this Natzi racist did for the state of Arizona that arent immigration related. Name 2 things he did for the people of his district that arent immigration related. Pearce is a one trick pony and its time to make glue out of him. He is done. Goodbye you Hitleresque loser ! Maybe you and Weiner can start a campaign together !
NothingButTheTruth posted at 1:22 pm on Thu, Jun 16, 2011.
So CooperG, is it then your actual belief that there aren't any signatures on the petitions that weren't absolutely genuine and not put there by fraudulent criminals intent on making sure there were more than enough signatures necessary to fulfill the obligations of the petition drive? Even the most trusting minds would have trouble buying into that delusion.
"The plain and simple truth is even the uneducated people from Mexico know you have to be a citizen to vote in another country's elections..." You are talking about the same criminals who violated our borders to come here to steal our jobs, welfare or both? Ya they are so smart they figured out how to steal American's identities too. I wonder how many people are on those petitions that never signed them personally. Wouldn't be too hard to gather information about everyone on your block and put them on the petitions. Oh but I'm sure these criminals would never do an unthinkable crime like that cause that would be fraud and everyone knows that even uneducated people from Mexico are smart enough to know not to commit fraud like stealing other people's identifications. Besides, is it really fraud to open the freaking telephone book and just copy everyone's name onto the petitions? After all, they all probably would have signed the petition if they weren't so busy, right?
AmericanPatriot posted at 10:26 am on Thu, Jun 16, 2011.
I called all 15 county recorders and they all said you're an idiot CooperG.
Poorman posted at 7:36 am on Thu, Jun 16, 2011.
Oh well let them have their fun,we will just elect him again! Its a shame so much money has to be wasted though.
CooperG posted at 5:36 am on Thu, Jun 16, 2011.
NothingButTheTruth - I hate to challenge your conspiracy-littered mind, but as a matter of fact (and here I'm talking about fact in the world where the sky is blue) there have been plenty of elections where there has been zero voter fraud. But you see, I'm talking about voter fraud that is r-e-a-l, not perceived, like what you and the Sonoran News article wish existed.
Before you shoot off your mouth on something you don't understand, maybe you should take the time to call up the 15 County Recorders in Arizona and ask them if there has been voter fraud in Arizona. If you knew anything about elections, you would know they are in charge of making sure this stuff never happens (it doesn't) and every single one will tell you it hasn't.
The plain and simple truth is even the uneducated people from Mexico know you have to be a citizen to vote in another country's elections and only uninformed, uneducated, bigoted and conspiracy-theory-believing know-nothings think otherwise. After you have called all 15 county recorders, let us know what you find out. I already know the answer, but I'm curious if you have the guts to back up your claim with actual Arizona instances, not wishful thinking and baseless and unproven accusations from here or other states.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 4:24 am on Thu, Jun 16, 2011.
Accuracy that article reveals just how pathetically desperate these open border monkeys are to ruin this great American, Senator Pearce. I wont be surprised if this attempt fails to gather enough REAL signatures of REAL citizens. Senator Pearce was the first AMERICAN to show us the way to rid ourselves of this parasitical invasion from the south and the open border monkeys hate him more than any others that followed in his path. Americans all across this great country owe Senator Pearce a debt of gratitude for his brave leadership.
CooperG, zero fraud? I rather doubt there has ever been an election that had zero voter fraud. Your statement just shows you to be a deluded moron filled with hate.
CooperG posted at 10:02 pm on Wed, Jun 15, 2011.
That Sonoran News article is pure nonsense. There is zero voter fraud there. None. It's fantasy and innuendo. I'd like to see the voting record of the person named there. Better yet, I'd like to see the woman named there sue the Sonoran News for libel and defamation. She'd win in a minute.
Pearce also lies out his teeth when he hypocritically claims that using paid circulators is somehow cheating, Gee, it was just peachy when he was pushing the Arizona Civil Rights Initiative back in 2008. Furthermore, CBA only got a third of their signatures with paid people, the other two-thirds were volunteers.
But I guess Howie couldn't be bothered to report that little bit of news, could he?
Leon Ceniceros posted at 9:52 pm on Wed, Jun 15, 2011.
8, 450 MORMON FROM MESA.........SIGNED ON THE DOTTED LINE FOR THE PETITION GATHERERS IN THE WARDS.
Tithe-ing must be down because of the Recession.....now they are going after the ..."under the table" salary dollars paid by the .....Fast-Food Franchise groups in Arizona...the "stare-ing Bankruptcy in the Face" Supermarket chain, the Desert Ranches and Farms and Companies to the.....400,000 MEXICAN ILLEGAL ALIENS IN ARIZONA.........to tap.
az2008 posted at 8:48 pm on Wed, Jun 15, 2011.
I'm no fan of Pearce, but this seems like an abuse of the political process. Pearce hasn't done anything that would be considered unexpected by voters 10 months ago. This is just sour grapes. Opponents lost at the poll, and are now using the recall for non-recallable behavior to have an impact they couldn't have at the poll.
No different than the borderline violent people who threatened Harry Mitchell into using teleconference bridges to communicate to his constituents. (And then, those borderlines errected signs around Mitchell's saying "hides from voters.").
There's a certain point where this stuff doesn't look like free and fair elections. Just perverting the process to have an impact they otherwise wouldn't. (Both sides are guilty.).
Accuracy posted at 8:11 pm on Wed, Jun 15, 2011.
Petitions enough to force Pearce recall election??
------------------------------------------------
Randy Parraz, head of Citizens for a Better Arizona, said that he was told by the county on Wednesday morning that 8,239 signatures had been verified.
But County officials said the results are still unofficial -- Not that the petitions had enough to force Sen. Russell Pearce, in his Conservative District 18, recall election.
Rampant voter registration fraud.
Sen. Russell Pearce recall petitions indicate massive voter registration fraud – None of these purposes is served when individuals who are not citizens register to vote.
Click on Link: http://www.sonorannews.com/archives/2011/110615/frontpage-Petitions.html
Slabside posted at 7:17 pm on Wed, Jun 15, 2011.
091468mr, judging by your inflamitory racist comments you must be a liberal. Why don't you do us all a big fat favor and guzzle a pint of Draino ok?
091468mr posted at 7:00 pm on Wed, Jun 15, 2011.
Worthless mormon can't get the FEDERAL money to those unemployed who need it most. Next time vote Christian or Jewish. Gibby is Jewish and a credit to her constituents in Tucson. Hopefully, she'll return soon. We need more of her kind and much less of his kind.