Pearce puts toe in congressional race waters

Republican state Rep. Russell Pearce took the first formal step toward running for Congress on Wednesday, saying he will offer voters a clear voice against “amnesty” for illegal immigrants.

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Pearce announced the formation of a congressional campaign exploratory committee, which will allow him to raise money for a run at the federal office while retaining his office in the state House of Representatives. He also rolled out a campaign Web site: www.pearce2008.com.

If he chooses to run in the solidly Republican 6th Congressional District, he will face fellow GOP party member Jeff Flake, who will be seeking a fifth two-year term in 2008.

Pearce said he agrees with Flake about 80 percent of the time, particularly on Flake’s signature issue of earmark reform, his ongoing battle against public funding of pet projects.

However, Pearce said he differs sharply with Flake concerning immigration issues.

He noted Flake supported the Senate’s compromise border security and immigration reform bill that fell apart earlier this year.

Pearce opposed that measure and was the driving force behind the state’s new employers’ sanctions law that punishes employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.

“What needs to be done is resources, enforce the law. We don’t need immigration reform. That’s just the code word for amnesty,” Pearce said. “I mean, everybody that uses that term, they’re not looking at it honestly. It’s deceitful. It’s dishonest.”

When asked if he feels Flake in particular has been less than honest about immigration issues, he replied, “Jeff has been less than honest, yes. But the truth is, Jeff has been, from Day One, pro-amnesty, pro-open borders.”

Flake said, “If Russell decides to run for Congress next year, I look forward to what I’m sure will be a spirited campaign.”

Both Flake and Pearce are sincere in their beliefs and well-known in the district, said Doug Cole, vice president of High Ground, a Phoenix-based political consulting firm.

That combination could present the conditions for a political showdown the likes of which neither has seen in years, he said. Immigration certainly would be the touchstone issue, he said.

“That’s an ongoing debate, not only in that district, potentially, between those two gentlemen, but within the party nationwide. And that could be a microcosm of that debate,” Cole said.

Pearce said he will need at least $500,000 to mount a serious campaign, though he expects Flake will outspend him by as much as 3-1.

“You can’t compete with the Washington, D.C., lobbyists and the big bucks that will come that direction in terms of dollars. I know that,” Pearce said.

Flake’s latest Federal Election Commission filing showed he had more than $581,000 in his campaign chest.

The 6th District includes parts of Mesa and Chandler, plus all of Gilbert, Queen Creek and Apache Junction.