Mesa charter school executive Jerry Lewis became the first challenger to submit signatures that would get him on the ballot in the recall election targeting state Senate President Russell Pearce.
Lewis filed 1,187 signatures Thursday morning, about double the 621 valid signatures required for the Nov. 8 election. Lewis spoke briefly before filing his papers with the Arizona Secretary of State and offered mixed reviews of Pearce's signature issue, SB 1070.
Lewis called it "a good start."
"SB 1070, I think, did a lot to heighten our awareness of immigration needs and it's a start," Lewis said.
But Lewis said the same thing about the Utah Compact, which residents of that state crafted in response to what they saw as intolerance in the immigration debate. The compact calls for a more civil tone in the discussion but is seen by some as soft on illegal immigration.
Lewis said a wider spectrum of people needs to work on immigration policies, including the federal government.
"We need to secure the borders. We definitely need to bring all the stakeholders involved in this process or this issue to the table to work out a solution that will not be debated in the courts for the next 20 years," he said.
He wouldn't say how he would have voted on the bill, which makes it a crime for illegal immigrants to be in Arizona. Lewis said he's "a practical person. That's a hypothetical situation."
Lewis said he wants to focus on the economy while also addressing education and health care. He said he'd bring a new leadership style that would represent constituents' values.
Clint Smith, one of the campaign co-chairs, said the group planned to raise $100,000 for the election and to be heavily outspent by Pearce and his supporters. So far, the campaign has raised funds by having Lewis and a few others making phone calls.
"Mostly it's going to be a very personal thing, just like the rest of the campaign is going to be very grassroots," Smith said.
Lewis is a Republican with no prior political experience. He's been active with the Boy Scouts and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He is one of three potential candidates to date who could challenge Pearce, a Republican. Mesa resident Olivia Cortes and attorney Michael Kielsky have also filed paperwork to begin campaigns. The deadline to file and submit signatures to the Secretary of State is Sept. 9.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 1:04 pm on Thu, Aug 18, 2011.
Well Accuracy I think you misrepresent Pearce when you say he is for HB 497. HB 497 may be a watered down version of SB1070, but it is not even close enough to SB1070 to say Pearce supports it. Have you heard Pearce say he supports giving ID cards to illegals who pass a background check, pay a fine and are employed? Do you even remotely think Pearce would back allowing illegals to be employed here in Arizona whether they have committed a crime or not by paying a fine? Dude, I respect you but I have to say you are very wrong here. There are differences between these two people. Lewis would poor more of your money down the black hole of public education and he would get that money by closing prisons and releasing criminals to raise crime in our state.
Accuracy posted at 12:49 pm on Thu, Aug 18, 2011.
The HB 497 immigration law in Utah includes a guest-worker amnesty bill (H.B. 116), authorizes a guest-worker program beginning in two years that will allow undocumented people to pay fines and stay.
But, HB 497 is also is an Arizona-style (SB 1070) immigration enforcement bill, that made changes to laws relating to the enforcement of federal and state immigration laws . . which Russell Pearce is famous for.
Kwaayesnama posted at 12:28 pm on Thu, Aug 18, 2011.
Jerry Lewis is good man running to unseat a man who practices corrupt, bully politics. The citizen of LD 18 have the opportunity to bring positive change to Arizona politics because one republican and one democrat worked together to organize people to work together for change. I love this! I hope this revolutionary concept keeps spreading nationwide. [smile]
NothingButTheTruth posted at 12:20 pm on Thu, Aug 18, 2011.
Accuracy, I have to take exception with one thing you said about Pearce. I do not believe he favors Utah’s HB 497 immigration law. That law essentially allows illegal aliens to remain in the state if they work and don't commit crimes. It would give a legal identity card to illegal aliens who pass a background check, pay a fine and are employed. That is amnesty. Pearce is not for amnesty.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 12:13 pm on Thu, Aug 18, 2011.
Dad, I noticed another of your comments that was directed towards me but I missed earlier. In it you stated, "Although, I don't think anyone knows the exact number, the estimate I have heard is that there are over 12 million in this country who are not here legally. My question is: How do you deport over 12 million people? Just asking.
By the way, just to put that 12 million figure into perspective, the combined population of the cities of Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia and Phoenix is about 11.5 million"
I heard there are over 4 million illegals in LA County alone.
In answer I have to say that is a very low estimate. Since they are illegal and as such they are hard to count, the estimate is probably closer to 20 to 40 million and growing everyday. Of course very little can be done until we secure the border so that no more human and drug smuggling can happen. Please don't be a bore by saying that cannot be done. Once we have illegal immigration under control we will continue to deport as we have been doing for some time. Even the Obozo has been a stronger than would have been believed deporter of illegals to the point that Latinos are actually asking themselves. "why are we supporting him?" Good question. We know why blacks will support him by over 94% but why do Latinos support a man who is nothing but Bush in black face and a bankster puppet just like Bush.
But the question was how do we deport all those people. We don't. We don't have to. All we have to do is dry up all the support functions that make living here illegally so easy to do. You know, stuff like jobs and social services like food stamps and free health care, and even welfare housing, and drivers licenses and so many other things that we American citizens use to make our lives easier. You know, stuff that Pearce strove to deny them cause you think he hates all brown people. The answer to the problem is simple and Pearce has addresses most of them ALREADY. You are closing the barn door after the horse has run out. This recall is all about what Pearce has done to get control over illegal immigration. And since what he did is ALREADY done, it's more about teaching any other would be anti-illegal immigration legislators from even thinking about trying to do anything else about illegal immigration. When the US Supreme Court finally hears sb1070 and finds it to be constitutional as we are sure it is, you will see a flood of biblical proportions of anti-illegal immigration laws across America and the self deportation of tens of millions of illegal aliens. I hope I was able to answer your question and amuse you too. I like to throw a little humor into the mix. I really do find the human condition to be too funny to be believed. It never ceases to both amaze and amuse me to see what people are saying and doing everyday.
Accuracy posted at 11:40 am on Thu, Aug 18, 2011.
Jerry Lewis files signatures to run in recall election, targeting Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce. Even though, there is still a chance the Nov. 8 recall election could be halted by the courts.
∙ Lewis is a resident of District 18 in Mesa and running as a Republican. So is Pearce.
∙ Lewis is a Mormon of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church, colloquially known as the Mormon church). So is Pearce.
∙ Lewis favors Utah’s HB 497 immigration law that was passed by Mormon-controlled legislature this year in Utah. So does Pearce.
∙ Lewis says "We need to secure the borders." So has/does Pearce.
∙ Lewis says he will focus on a wide range of issues. So has/does Pearce.
Two distinct differences?
NothingButTheTruth posted at 11:34 am on Thu, Aug 18, 2011.
Glad I was able to amuse you Dad. After Pearce is gone will the cycle of love now attack Sheriff Arpaio with greater love and affection?
DemocraticDad posted at 11:22 am on Thu, Aug 18, 2011.
NothingButTheTruth, LOL!
NothingButTheTruth posted at 11:07 am on Thu, Aug 18, 2011.
DemocraticDad, The only cycle of hate that exists is from illegal aliens and their supporters against those who have found the courage to fight the illegal invasion of America. With Lewis replacing Pearce you can be sure the illegals will stop the hate, and look forward to further excursions into American soil. Arizona could once more become a mecca for illegal aliens invading from the south.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 10:56 am on Thu, Aug 18, 2011.
"But Jerry Lewis also said broader action is needed on illegal immigration and border security, and he declined to say whether he would have voted for the law known as SB1070."
Code words for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, also known as amnesty. Soon we will hear about how we need to let more prisoners out of prison so we don't have to build new prisons and can spend all that extra money on public (babysitting) schools and organ transplants for hepatitis infected drug addicts. Man it's going to be so much better when Pearce is gone lol.
This advertisement paid for by the coalition to remove no good gringo, Nazi, Klan, brown people haters from congress. Thank you.
Dale Whiting posted at 10:53 am on Thu, Aug 18, 2011.
And to add to DemocraticDad,
remember, the more challengers there are, the less chance Pearce will be recalled. So let there be no more!
DemocraticDad posted at 10:42 am on Thu, Aug 18, 2011.
Fantastic news! The voters in LD18 have an excellent choice with Jerry Lewis. He is an educator, businessman and respected member of the community. Becasue of this, he has garnered support from Republicans, Democrats and Independents who want to change the cycle of hate that exists due to Russell Pearce's agenda. Jerry Lewis is the kind of leader that LD18 needs and he will be successfull on November 8th!