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Mesa Democrat Schneider to run against Flake
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Rebecca Schneider
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A Mesa Democrat has launched her second bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake by attacking him for one of his signature issues — congressional earmarks.
Rebecca Schneider announced her candidacy Tuesday, saying Arizona has lost out on federal money because of Flake’s opposition to earmarks. Flake hasn’t done anything for Arizona, she said, because he has fought against so many bills while representing Arizona’s 6th Congressional District.
“He really has no claim to fame whatsoever other than his stance against earmarks,” Schneider said Tuesday.
Flake has voted against bills that would fund equipment for police, benefits for military veterans and unemployment benefits, she said.
Flake is a libertarian-leaning Republican who has gained national attention for opposing earmarks as wasteful spending that’s politically driven.
Schneider ran against Flake in 2008 and got nearly 35 percent of the vote while having no campaign staff, a bare-bones Web site and almost no money. This time, she’s assembled a staff to wage a more aggressive fight.
District 6 covers most of Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa and Queen Creek while stretching into Pinal County and Apache Junction.
Flake campaign manager Mike Haller responded Tuesday by saying “Congressman Flake looks forward to a spirited campaign.”
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