Saturday, October 29, 2016

A tale of two city council races and their IE's

The truth is out there
PHOENIX - The Phoenix City Council District 3 race has gone nasty, but not thanks to the candidates themselves - thanks to the independent expenditures.  Add to the nasty, the endorsements and party loyalties are criss-crossed.

DeRose, according to inside sources not wanting to be named,  is the target independent expenditure mailers from the Arizona Voter Education Project, reportedly heavily funded by the Phoenix Fire Fighters union, who is afraid DeRose may be another Sal Diciccio.  Councilman Diciccio is a public endorser of DeRose, along with Councilman Jim Waring, Congressman David Schweikert and some other prominent Republican officer holders.

The mailers have labeled DeRose a "Fraud," saying he stole research on one of his best-selling books, is not really a felony prosecutor, just works appeals issue in the Arizona Attorney General's office, doesn't really live in the District and he donates to Democrats.  Interestingly enough, residency is not a requirement to run, only to hold office. As for donating to Democrats, DeRose is a long time personal friend of Councilwoman Kate Gallego (he was the best man at her wedding to her husband Congressman Ruben Gallego).

Deb Stark's campaign, not to be caught without Republicans has outgoing County Supervisor Andy Kunasek endorsing her in a Stark mailer entitled "What Republican Leaders Are Saying About Councilwoman Deb Stark."  Stark, a lifelong Democrat, has been shunned by the Democratic party leadership, who is backing Jim Mapstead, who left the Democratic party and became a registered independent before running for council.  It seems Mapstead's campaign mail is going to Democrats and independents, not to Republicans - at least I haven't found a Republican getting his mailers.

Not to worry, thought, because the Conservative Families Support DeRose independent expenditure released its mailer stating DeRose is "The only Republican in the Race."


Mesa - vote for the church guy?

Jeremy Whittaker is running for Mesa City Council and in his campaign promotions, has a photo of himself and his wife embraced in front of Mesa's Mormon Temple.  Except Whittaker is not LDS.  In fact, LDS leaders for years have asked their members to avoid bringing the church into campaigns.

Whittaker is the owner of N2 Network Solutions, some type of electronic marketing firm.  Whittaker, as reported in his campaign finance statements, has loaned his campaigned several thousand dollars.  His campaign has also spent more than $6,000 with N2 Network Solutions for "digital ad creation and placement." Good plan - loan your campaign money, then pay the money to a company you own to do the electronic work.

Shelly Allen, a Republican, is running against Whittaker in the November 8th run off.  Allen is backed by the fire fighters - but the Mesa Firefighters play well with Republicans and their local president is a Republican.  Whittaker's independent expenditure attack piece, funded by the "Arizona Citizens United" hit Whittaker hard on his church photo and other fine points.

Confused?  It is just that kind of election year.

About Jon C. Altmann

Jon C. Altmann is professional educator, GOP PC, and a retired senior enlisted leader having served in Navy intelligence.  He has been a public safety consultant and past executive in emergency health care/rescue systems.  He serves in national leadership in a veterans organization and sits on both Federal and local commissions/committees serving the needs of veterans, military members and their families.  He has been a paid political consultants to several campaigns over the past several years.  Comments and opinions expressed by Jon C. Altmann are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of any government organization or any of the organizations he volunteers his time in helping others.  Distributed by Media News Services.  All Rights Reserved, 2016.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Donald Trump Jr. to Speak at ASU

Arizona,
Donald Trump Jr. is coming to Phoenix! Every vote counts and your vote is vital to ensuring that our country gets back on the right track.

Join us to hear him speak about his father's transformative message of America first.

Election Day is two weeks away and we need to do all we can to help Mr. Trump win the White House. Volunteer by calling and walking doors today to help make America great again!

With early voting in full swing, Arizona faces a crucial decision: continue empowering corrupt Washington politicians like Hillary Clinton who have spent their careers making a fortune off of collusion and pay-to-play schemes or elect a leader like Donald Trump who will bring jobs back for hard working Americans and keep our nation safe.

The event will take place at the following location on Thursday, October 27 from 2:00 - 3:00 PM:

Arizona State University
Sun Devil Recreation Center - Green Gym

400 E. Apache Blvd.,
Tempe, Arizona 85287

RSVP here to reserve your spot!

Doors will open at 1 PM.

Phil Lovas
Arizona Campaign Chairman 

Monday, October 24, 2016

AZ Senator John McCain’s advice? Worth exactly what we pay for it

The link to the NEVER McCAIN BRIEFS is at the bottom of this SEEINGREDAZ post.
Reliably classless and clueless John McCain is now giving advice on how to concede an election. This is a topic with which the twice failed presidential candidate has more than passing knowledge. Now in his 80s and arrogantly running for another 6-year term, McCain should brush up on his own advice. Armed with caches of lobbyist money, he routinely engages in deceit to attack his opponents. That’s his well honed modus operandi. Arizonans are slow learners, but growing numbers have had their fill and are refusing to vote for him this cycle.
The concession talk is an obvious slam aimed at Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, from whom McCain clumsily withdrew his lukewarm endorsement  
Writing about John McCains retaliatory actions after being censured by elected GOP state delegates —  including colluding with Obama donors to remove conservative elected precinct committeemen from their unpaid positions,  FrontPagemag correctly noted:
 “There’s something obviously slimy about a powerful senator using out- of-state money to try and purge local critics in his own party. It’s anti-democratic and exactly the kind of thing that McCain, who claimed to be for campaign finance reform, was expected to oppose.
Except he’s been doing it for a while.
This is the problem with McCain. He’s not only a liberal Republican, but he’s vindictive and ethically challenged. He doesn’t seem to represent Arizona. He represents a handful of wealthy out-of-state donors trying to manufacture voters still willing to blindly pull the lever for him.”
Just a few of the countless examples of why inveterate liar and dangerous bumbler John McCain needs to be replaced are herehere,hereherehere and hereTake time to acquaint yourself with the information contained in these short linked videos.  It’s never been more important.  Early ballots are in your hands. Close of voting is just 17 days away.

Briefing Number Nine in the “Never McCain” series is titled McCain’s Poor Leadership. Click link to view.