I’d be lying if I said I was not extremely disappointed by being voted out in a recall election. It has been an honor to serve the people of Arizona in the Legislature for the last decade and I am sad to go under these circumstances.
There is still much to be done, even though we lead the nation in many areas, such as economic recovery, safer neighborhoods, job creation, quality education, Second Amendment freedom, lower taxes, less regulation, defense of the unborn, protection of property rights, and yes, a return to the principles laid down by our Founding Fathers. We have changed the national debate in a good way. More than 34 states are modeling legislation after Arizona. WOW, who would have ever thought we could have had that kind of an impact? I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to serve and to have made a difference.
The World War II pilots had a saying; “If you’re not taking flak, you’re not over the target,” Well apparently I’ve been over the target for some time.
The left have said terrible things, the media have manufactured their own truth and with NO basis in truth at all and others an extreme spin on the truth. It is sad and hurtful. Like I tease, if I believed half of what the media said, I wouldn’t vote for me. I have never broken my promises, I have been faithful to my oath of office, and I have done nothing immoral, illegal or dishonest and will continue to do what I believe is right and good for this constitutional republic. If the price for keeping promises is a recall, so be it. The left will continue to attack these moral values and the rule of law. I proudly take the arrows of the left and consider it a badge of honor.
One state Senate race would not be national news were it not for the fact that for the last several years, I have led the successful battle against illegal immigration on the state, local and national level, most notably by authoring Arizona’s SB 1070. It has made a difference here and nationally.
My critics claim that my defeat shows the voters oppose immigration control. Libertarian open border advocate Tamar Jacoby wrote, “Demagoguing immigrants looks like a sure vote-getter. But as Russell Pearce just proved, it’s not.” The pro-amnesty lobbying organization America’s Voice wrote: “The people of Mesa have spoken — and they have sent a message to Arizona and the nation: Anti-immigrant extremism doesn’t work”
I will not retreat from this fight, and the movement that I helped create is going strong.
Pretty much all political observers acknowledge that I would have not lost the race in a normal election. In 2010, at the height of the controversy over SB 1070, with high turnout, I was elected with nearly two thirds of the vote. What made this race different?
In a recall election, there is no primary. So my opponents put up Jerry Lewis, by design a nominal Republican, against me. In a normal election, he would have had no chance in the primary getting the Republican nod and with a registration edge to GOP voters in my district; I would have won easily against the Democrat in the general election. They knew that. However, the Democrats did not put up a candidate, they endorsed the Republican. Instead, the Democrat Party and left-wing groups like the SEIU and MoveOn.org all supported Lewis.
Additionally, there was a prolonged smear campaign against me for accepting (with dozens of other legislators) free college football tickets that loomed over the campaign. These attacks are groundless and I did nothing illegal or unethical and I followed legal councils advice. However, the main point is that this had nothing to do with my positions on illegal immigration. In fact my opponent barely discussed the issue.
Combine all these factors with the low turnout in a special election, and it is hard to see my defeat as a referendum on SB 1070.
While I am sad to have to leave office, I can look at the progress Arizona has made on the illegal immigration issue with pride.
In 2004, I authored and put Prop 200, The Protect Arizona Now Act, on the ballot. Compared to SB 1070, it was an incredibly modest bill that merely restricted public benefits to illegal aliens and protected against voting fraud. Nonetheless, virtually every politician in the state opposed the measure, and we were outspent 3-1. Still, the voters of Arizona passed it overwhelmingly.
In 2007, I introduced the Legal Arizona Workers Act to require that all employers in the State use E-Verify to ensure they do not hire illegal immigrants. After building enormous grassroots support across the state, the bill passed and then-Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano signed it. This past May, the Supreme Court upheld it.
More than a dozen states passed E-Verify laws, and without having to worry about expensive litigation, we can expect even more to follow suit next year.
In 2010, I introduced SB 1070. John McCain and Jeff Flake both opposed Prop. 200 and both have been prime sponsors of amnesty, I knew where the people of Arizona stood and began to champion SB 1070. Now, most of our Republican congressmen and both U.S. senators at least give lip service to supporting SB 1070. More importantly, polls still show that Arizona voters support the law by a 2-1 margin.
This past year, Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia all passed bills modeled after SB 1070.
There is no doubt that movement against illegal immigration on the state level has become bigger than me, and bigger than Arizona.
I have not decided whether or not I will run for the state Senate or another office in the future. However, I am confident that legislators and activists in Arizona and across the country will continue to pass laws to fight illegal immigration. I will do everything I can as a private citizen to assist them.
• Russell Pearce represented Mesa in the Arizona Legislature and was president of the state Senate until last week’s recall election.
DavidNichols posted at 12:32 pm on Sun, Jan 8, 2012.
Mr. Pearce I hope you are charged with your Phony Candidate "Sham" /Ringer Scam.
This was a class five Felony for you , your Brother, your Two Nieces, The Tea Party Officials involved, and even for the Hundreds of you Fellow Mormons in L.D.S.18 that knowingly signed your Fraudulent Ballot Petition for the wonderful Mrs. Cortez.
You have shown a Total lack of Respect for the U.S. Electoral Process, and for "We the People".
You will no doubt get away with your Felony because the majority of this State is run by Mormons, including Attorney General Horne, and Governor Brewer.
Mrs. Brewer got her knife point Rapist son Ron seventy-five thousand dollars fraudulently from Social Security, a reward for his time as a Criminal in the Funny Farm, instead of Prison where he belonged!
Kind of like your Fiesta Bowl Bribes?
You failed to report them on your Financial Statements, did you also Defraud the I.R.S. regarding this vast Money?
In any case I hope you and your Neo-Nazi Pals are doing good.
Awe Arizona, Mormons , and Nazi's.
True Racism at its finest.
Moderation posted at 2:09 pm on Tue, Nov 29, 2011.
Mr. Pearce,
I have not been a supporter of you on many fronts recently. However I am sure that this has been a personally trying time for you for the last several months. I always give thanks to anyone who serves our community, state, and nation despite my personal beliefs on the individual. To be a public servant is difficult and to this end thank you for your efforts and service.
WakkoWarner posted at 7:48 pm on Mon, Nov 28, 2011.
Thank you for your service, Mr. Pearce. It is amazing how many people fell for the lies that were told about you. You have always worked hard for the people & addressed my concerns whenever I contacted you. I truly hope that Randy Parraz and his ilk do not succeed in their future recall conquests. If they do, then be prepared for an America that will fail.
davidflucier posted at 3:36 pm on Fri, Nov 18, 2011.
I don't understand why there has to be ONE thing that Mr. Pearce did or didn't do to go down in defeat. Perhaps it was many things...some large, some small, but, it did appear to be several things that led to his undoing.
samkat posted at 10:41 am on Sun, Nov 13, 2011.
I was surprised to note that MSNBC did in fact acknowledge that over 70% of Arizonans still support SB 1070. Obviously, it was not SB 1070 that caused Russell to be outed.
samkat posted at 4:02 pm on Sat, Nov 12, 2011.
I would not trust MSNBC to provide an accurate immigration poll if they were the only ones conducting one. We know how the majority of Arizona voters really feel about illegal immigration and amnesty for people who jumped the line, not to mention their use of fraudulent and or stolen identities (a felony offense I might add). The apologists fail to acknowledge such trivial details.
Now, would the pro amnesty folks care to elaborate on how amnesty is going to preclude another 20, 30 or 40 million illegals from jumping the fence? As soon as the word gets out, there will be a run on the border that will pale 1986 in comparison.
Now, why is it that certain pro amnesty bloggers also oppose a mandatory E-Verify program?
Obviously, there are some neo-con liberals who want to white wash illegal immigration as a non event. :-)
Accuracy posted at 10:29 am on Sat, Nov 12, 2011.
You are right cacrobert..... Arizona Legislative District18 includes Mesa west of Gilbert Road to Tempe, but excluding Dobson Ranch , Fiesta Mall area, Mesa Community College, and Desert Sam hospital. Meaning, all of south-west registered voters (in the city of Mesa) are listed in the Chandler District 21. Very indiscriminately mixed for Mesa voters.
chatmandu002 posted at 9:09 am on Sat, Nov 12, 2011.
Sorry Sen Pearce, the people of LD18 have decided that they wanted to have a person, Mr Lewis, that would vote for illegal immigration and most likely will vote for amnesty also. Mr Lewis will vote according to his religious beliefs and follow his church in allowing and supporting illegal immigrants.
Much like my state senator, Steve Yarbrough LD 21 a traitor to his constituents, Mr Lewis will vote along the lines that the Chamber of Commerce requires and exploits illegal immigrants for their cheap labor.
Dale Whiting posted at 8:25 am on Sat, Nov 12, 2011.
P.S.
The % of Republicans in Arizona now supporting what is in effect comprehensive immigration reform, i.e. a pathway to citizenship, provided difficult steps are undertaken by the illegal alien applicant, is 69, better than 2/3rds, this according to our own Morrision Institute.
Will the neo-cons fall in behind? I doubt it! But if all Independents and all Democrats join in with 2/3rd of us Republicans, our Republican Machine may have to drop its support of SB1070 and maybe even Joe Arpaio and Russell Pearce. Those numbers are imposing! ! !
Pat Mytush posted at 8:21 am on Sat, Nov 12, 2011.
Tootles Rusty. Nice job congratulating your opponent. On the bright side you now have more time to find those cancelled checks
Arizona Willie posted at 8:21 am on Sat, Nov 12, 2011.
Where can I donate to the Russell Pearce for Governor Committee?
Dale Whiting posted at 7:27 am on Sat, Nov 12, 2011.
MSNBC, that notoriously liberal "news media," reports this morning that a majority of Arizona Republicans now support a pathway to citizenship for those illegal aliens already here! Initially it was Governors Rick Perry, George W Bush and Senator John McCain [version 1.0] and now it's the majority of us AZ Republicans.
Russell, did you hear that? You've lost your constituency! Perhaps you ought to ask Little Bopeep where to find them?
Masterrogue666 posted at 10:12 pm on Fri, Nov 11, 2011.
Mr. Pearce: You are correct. This was about ILLEGAL ALIENS and their supporters. The don't have the morals or honor to admitt it. I look forward to you to continue what you started, and will gladly vote for you again....
Rich posted at 9:50 pm on Fri, Nov 11, 2011.
Mr. Pearce,
Eventually even slaves resent being dictated to. And most people resent being tricked, you tried and got caught. Actually my opinion of any elected official is that he has to make it better, if he doesn't there is no reason for his existence. You had a shot, more than most of us get, and you made it worse for too many people. Now get an honest job and leave the rest of us alone.
cacrobert posted at 7:19 pm on Fri, Nov 11, 2011.
@accuracy
Voters in the Dobson Ranch and all the south-west of Mesa were able to vote for Russell Pearce during the November 2, 2010 Arizona State Senator election. huh?
I am an elected PC in Mesa LD 18 and Dobson Ranch, Fiesta Mall area, Desert Sam hospital, MCC and the rest of southwest Mesa are covered in LD 21 not LD 18. I do not know where you got your information. But accurate you are not.
abimopectore posted at 6:21 pm on Fri, Nov 11, 2011.
Russell, Russell, Russell...
You still don't get it. You lost because of your fault and now you're trying to besmirch other names (i.e., Senator John McCain and Rep. Jeff Flake) by continuing to espouse your single-minded and single-focused angle on politics, which is immigration. That's all you talk about. I notice you couldn't list any other accomplishments except ones that are immigration-related in your editorial. Maybe if you sought to fight as hard for our economy, jobs, heath care, education, etc... you would still be in office. The game is over... Go into retirement and enjoy your life instead of continuing to make other people's lives miserable.
TruthSeeker posted at 5:53 pm on Fri, Nov 11, 2011.
Thank you for your service, Mr. Pearce! You're a good man, and you can't keep a good man down. I can hardly wait for your return. You've done more positive things for the state of AZ than any other politician has. Kudos to you!
Rational Human posted at 5:31 pm on Fri, Nov 11, 2011.
JMJ, still asleep at the wheel I see. lol How many posts do you have with nothing but zzzzzz....'s in it now? Great argument though. Actually it's your best to date.
JMJ posted at 5:20 pm on Fri, Nov 11, 2011.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.........................................
Rational Human posted at 5:18 pm on Fri, Nov 11, 2011.
Thank you Dale for finally admitting that it is all about SB1070. It had nothing to do with anything but that. Sockrat seems to think it was about the economy, jobs, education and tourism when in fact all of those are improving under the control of a conservative republican administration and legislature. SB1070 is the model that has been and will be used to finally end illegal immigration for good, and the only people who are embarrassed by it are libertard socialists like yourself.
Rational Human posted at 5:10 pm on Fri, Nov 11, 2011.
My my Carolyn, your hatred is so strong you can't even take time to check your spelling? Don't look for this great leader to be gone for long. The state owes him 260k, and he could easily use that to beat the bishop in the next upcoming republican primary for district 18 if he should choose to. He lost by around 14%. That means he didn't get any of the dumbocrat, Pearce hating voters and about 14% of the republican voters. That 14% represents the moderate conservatives that lent their support for the bishop. Now, I don't know about you but I think the majority of conservative republicans in district 18 are not going to look to favorably on a man who gained office with the help of extremist socialist, supports amnesty and not SB1070, and compared Arizona to the racist era of the civil rights movement. Don't count your chickens to soon Carolyn. They haven't even hatched yet. lol
sockratties posted at 5:06 pm on Fri, Nov 11, 2011.
Mr. Pearce – During your time in office you didn't hear your constituents asking you to focus on those things that were important to us... the economy, jobs, education and tourism. You construed your actions as addressing those issues while you pursued your own agenda. There is no reason we should expect you to interpret your recall as the will of the people, but is is.
Your letter indicates that you still don't get it. We could go over your letter line by line but you would still feel persecuted and blame everyone but yourself. You had your shot, now please leave with what little dignity you have left.
Dale Whiting posted at 4:57 pm on Fri, Nov 11, 2011.
Russell,
When SB1070 passed, I found it necessary to e-mail my out-of-state friends and family to explain it to them. Constitutional law is not something the everyday casual citizen appreciates. Apparently whomever actually drafted this bill for you does not understand Constitutional law either.
Yes, there is a slim chance that a very short line of cases could become the basis for the exception to the rule making such state laws as SB1070 unconstitutional. And much of what conservative/not legislating from the bench Judge Bolton wrote in her opinion was aimed at explaining why that line of cases should not apply.
SB1070 has become a black eye on the face of Arizona. All the rest of the hooplaw surrounding you is irrelevant. You were recalled because of SB1070. Without SB1070, there would have been no controversey.
There are better ways to solve problems like illegal immigration. In this case, it's Federal Comprehensive Immigration Reform. That is something championed by Ronald Reagan, George Bush and even John McCain [version 1.0] So if you care to run for Jon Kyl's seat, look me up and I'll help you come to understand.
Carolyn posted at 1:38 pm on Fri, Nov 11, 2011.
To Russell Pearce: GOOD BYE and GOOD RIDDANCE. Please, please, just fade into the woodwork and quit embarrassing your church, your supporters, and the district that ginally got RID of you.
Accuracy posted at 1:23 pm on Fri, Nov 11, 2011.
The pro-amnesty lobbying organization America’s Voice wrote: “The people of Mesa have spoken — and they have sent a message to Arizona and the nation: Anti-immigrant extremism doesn’t work”
------------------------------------------------
Correction: “The people of Mesa have spoken?” . . . But not the people in all of the west Mesa areas have spoken. Due Legislative District change for the recall-election, Mesa’s Legislative District 18 has excluded the Dobson Ranch, Fiesta District and all of the south-west side of the City of Mesa.
Voters in the Dobson Ranch and all the south-west of Mesa were able to vote for Russell Pearce during the November 2, 2010 Arizona State Senator election, but not in the Mesa recall-election this year.