Unofficial results show Russell Pearce is facing his second election defeat in a row — once again to a political newcomer who vowed not to pursue divisive illegal immigration legislation.
SkyMall Founder Bob Worsley is leading Pearce with 56 percent of the vote in the Republican primary, according to early ballots and 54 percent of precincts reporting.
Pearce’s potential loss is a huge blow to a man who some had once considered Arizona’s most powerful politician.
He lost a historic November 2011 recall to charter school executive Jerry Lewis.
In both cases, Pearce lost to fellow Republican members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who were recruited to run against him.
Worsley campaigned as a more moderate Republican, primarily on immigration, in Mesa District 25.
Worsley said Pearce was part of a legislature that wasn’t pragmatic — and that voters kept telling him they wanted a different approach.
“This new District 25 was ready for a change, a breath of fresh air, something new and the 11-year history of Russell and what he had worked on had worn thin,” Worsley said. “And there was fatigue there.”
Worsley said he ran into Pearce on the campaign trail and had pleasant conversations with him. But he said Pearce was part of a legislature that was too vitriolic.
Worsley said even if people don’t like it, they need to acknowledge that Arizona must have a relationship with the federal government to improve immigration policies and enforcement without a state-focused enforcement-only approach.
“It’s constant confrontation, tit for tat and not a real solution,” Worsley said.
Pearce championed a so-called jobs bill the Legislature passed in 2011, school choice and reducing taxes and government regulation. His signature issue, the anti-illegal immigration bill known as SB 1070, suffered a setback when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down portions of the law.
Pearce’s campaign faced controversies over a Facebook comment he posted that questioned why the suspect in the July 20 Colorado movie theater shooting wasn’t stopped by somebody in the audience. The gun rights proponent later apologized.
Questions were also raised when a group called the “Arizona Teacher’s (sic) Association” endorsed Pearce, as the otherwise unknown organization formed during the election.
Worsley enjoyed endorsements of the Arizona GOP establishment previously and in his recall battle. But Gov. Jan Brewer declined to weigh in this time.
Worsley promoted a more business-friendly environment to create jobs and stimulate economic development. While he didn’t appeal to tea party groups as much as Pearce, Worsley touted his work on social issues. He’s campaigned against same-sex marriage, and had supported a group that fought abortion and sex before marriage.
Pearce was endorsed by Mesa Mayor Scott Smith and the entire City Council.
Pearce avoided a rematch with Lewis because redistricting put Lewis in District 26, where Lewis was unopposed in the primary.
Worsley said he expects a number of new legislators will change the tone of the next session that begins in January.
“I think we’re seeing a sea change, and it’s heading toward civility and let’s work on important things instead of lots of symbolic, trivial legislation,” he said.
If Worsley’s lead holds when all votes are counted, he will face Democrat Greg Gadek in the Nov. 6 general election. District 25 is heavily Republican.
Contact writer: (480) 898-6548 or ggroff@evtrib.com
Arizona Willie posted at 9:49 am on Thu, Aug 30, 2012.
I notice that all the media in the area seems to practice very selective reporting.
So far, I have not seen any mention in the newspaper or on the online sites, that the Gay Sheriff of Pinal County blew his opponents away in the primary.
I was surprised at that result. I figured he didn't have a chance cause Pinal County is even more conservative than Maricopa County.
I wonder why the blackout on reporting that result.
samkat posted at 9:32 pm on Wed, Aug 29, 2012.
Who knows, maybe Pearce will still run as an independent. He could probably outflank the mormon bishops that way since the independents are not controlled by the church.
Accuracy posted at 6:11 pm on Wed, Aug 29, 2012.
Mormon Bob Worsley was recruited by Mormon Republicans to block Senate President Russell Pearce's attempted comeback to the state Legislature in a overwhelmingly Republican district.
But, Pearce lost the Republican Senate primary race in Mesa's Legislative District 25 race to political rookie Worsley.
JW Simms posted at 6:11 pm on Wed, Aug 29, 2012.
Certainly are a lot of illegals commenting here today. J.W. Simms.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 4:19 pm on Wed, Aug 29, 2012.
Well, the Utah "Powers-that-be" are raising perfectly-ironed, permanent-press, long-sleeved shirted arms...........ON HIGH...right about now.
They woke up the "Sleeping Dragon" of the Mormon Electorate in Arizona. They wanted a "Pro-Utah Compact" State Senator to water down or eliminate SB 1070, and the got one. So one of their own, Russell "The Father of SB 1070" was thrown under the bus. No big deal, politics are politics. Just imagine how many Hispanics Illegal Aliens could be "amnested" by the...UTAH COMPACT....all those new brothers and sisters, all those new tithes.
downtownresident posted at 12:55 pm on Wed, Aug 29, 2012.
sdjtaz,
This is a serious breach of journalistic accuracy!!! People who had not yet voted, might possibly have been swayed by the incorrect reporting that mayor and council supported Pearce.
I wonder how Olivia Cortez voted??? I really doubt that she votes, though.[beam]
sdjtaz posted at 11:11 am on Wed, Aug 29, 2012.
downtownresident,
I think that the writer simply had a brain burp. Council and Smith all endorsed Worsley in this race.
hillstreet posted at 10:57 am on Wed, Aug 29, 2012.
Finally. Crawl back under that rock Reichfuehrer Pearce and stay there. Don't go away mad, just go away.
Dale Whiting posted at 9:25 am on Wed, Aug 29, 2012.
Assuming that illegal immigration is a problem worth addressing with additional resources, resources over and above those now being used which are bringing more deportations that ever before while seeing slower immigration rates than ever before, then know this. There are better ways to address it, ways that are more effective, 'Supply side" ways if you will, ways Ronald Reagan would endorse.
So, hopefully we have seen and heard from the last of Russell Pearce. Maybe he should run for dog catcher? He'll need to loose some weight first! Dogs run fast.
retired03 posted at 8:11 am on Wed, Aug 29, 2012.
@ catskinner, if you think that is the nations number one problem you have a very telscopic view of things, just like pearce did.
retired03 posted at 8:08 am on Wed, Aug 29, 2012.
finally a voice of reason. Get the message pearce, people are tired of your single minded politics and over the top comments. If you don't change, your political career is over if not already.
CooperG posted at 7:06 am on Wed, Aug 29, 2012.
The country's biggest problem is the election of Neanderthals like Russell Pearce. The world has passed him and his supporters a long time ago and it's time he takes his two or three government pensions and joins the other whiners living in the past on the sidelines where gripping and nick-picking and telling lies can be heard but ignored.
catskinner posted at 4:14 am on Wed, Aug 29, 2012.
This is a sad day for America. Illegal immigration is the countries biggest problem. It drives everything else, failing economy, global warming, dwindling resources, and we need people like Russell Pearce in places of public authority to help the country move forward.
downtownresident posted at 12:19 am on Wed, Aug 29, 2012.
What have you been smoking????????
"Pearce was endorsed by Mesa Mayor Scott Smith and the entire City Council."
Of all the incredibly ignorant things to say, this could top the list.