Political notebook: Shadegg, Flake endorse fellow Republican Lane

U.S. Reps. John Shadegg and Jeff Flake have chimed in on the Scottsdale mayoral campaign with endorsements of Councilman Jim Lane, becoming the first federal officeholders in this election to make an endorsement.

In a press release sent by the Lane campaign Tuesday, Shadegg, R-Ariz., said: "Jim Lane embodies independent, common-sense leadership that we need. His background and experience give him the tools he needs to be a great mayor."

Flake, R-Ariz., said: "From keeping taxes down to cutting through red tape, Jim Lane's reform agenda will bring common-sense values to Scottsdale City Hall."

Shadegg represents District 3, which includes central and east Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Carefree and Cave Creek, while Flake represents the state's Sixth District, which includes Gilbert, Queen Creek and Apache Junction, plus parts of Mesa and Chandler.

The press release avoids the word "Republican," although it's obvious that Lane, a Republican, is hoping that receiving the endorsement of two GOP congressmen will play well in Scottsdale against Mary Manross, who is a Democrat.

The Scottsdale race is nonpartisan in that the party affiliation will not be listed next to each mayoral and council candidate's name on the ballot.

However, Manross' and Lane's party affiliations are no secret, and Lane is hoping to capitalize on his party's registration advantage.

It also explains why Manross has given special importance to being endorsed by Republican state Sen. Carolyn Allen of Scottsdale.

Lane said Shadegg's and Flake's endorsements are based on their support of his fiscally conservative principles and his governing philosophy.

Lane and Manross, Round II, is set for Nov. 4. Lane finished the Sept. 2 election with 367 more votes than Manross out of more than 29,000 cast but did not gather the needed majority to clinch the seat.

DEBATING THE DEBATES

There have been debates raging about scheduled debates since it became clear that Manross and Lane would be advancing to the November runoff.

First, Manross sent out a press release saying she wanted two in-depth debates moderated by the Scottsdale Tribune and Scottsdale Republic.

Lane answered, sending a press release calling for four debates - including two in town hall format.

He then questioned whether he wanted to participate in a Republic-moderated debate because the newspaper endorsed Manross before the Sept. 2 vote. The Tribune does not endorse candidates.

Lane now has agreed to a Republic debate.

But Manross bashed Lane for raising issues with the Republic debate. Manross said she attended a Community Council of Scottsdale debate before Sept. 2 and will be attending the group's debate again next month. The group includes a number of south Scottsdale activists who oppose Manross.

"I didn't complain even though they were extremely negative with the last one," Manross said. "I speak honestly even though Jim Lane's supporters are running it."

The debate surrounding the debates spread to the council race as well and may cost the Republic a chance to televise its council debate on Scottsdale's Channel 11.

Scottsdale spokesman Pat Dodds, who oversees the city's CityCable Channel 11, said at this point the city is not planning a Republic council debate on Channel 11 because all the candidates cannot agree that the Republic can offer an "impartial moderator" for a debate on the taxpayer-funded channel, which is required as part of the guidelines.

He said a Republic mayor's debate is planned, although similar issues have been raised about that forum as well that are being considered.

The Tribune and Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors, neither of which has endorsed candidates, plan to host mayor and council debates that will air on Channel 11.

ELECTION COUNTDOWN

Early ballots will be available for the Nov. 4 election next week. Early voting starts Oct. 2, while the last day to register to vote is Oct. 6.