Arizona's Historic Recall Campaign Reaches Final Lap: Will Senate President Pearce Step Down?

In one of the most surprising and inspiring grassroots campaigns this year, the Citizens for a Better Arizona will make history next Tuesday, May 31st, when they present Secretary of State Ken Bennett with more than twice as many signatures needed to recall notorious state Senate President Russell Pearce (R-Mesa).

Defying all expectations, the once powerful Pearce will become the first Senate president to be recalled in American history, according to campaign supporters, if 7,756 valid signatures from Pearce's District 18 in Phoenix-area Mesa are verified over a rigorous 90-day period.

Take note: The other Arizona -- the real Arizona, for a rapidly growing statewide movement -- has re-emerged to reclaim its state from one of the nation's most controversial and embarrassing right-wing hardliners.

Appearing in Tucson yesterday, Phoenix-based campaign organizer Randy Parraz and a crowd of bipartisan supporters urged volunteers to turn out this holiday weekend for the final canvassing of signatures in the Mesa-area district. The symbolic number: 17,553 signatures -- one more than the total Pearce received in his low turnout victory in 2010.

Hundreds of supporters in Pearce's district and around the state have taken part in an extensive door-to-door campaign that many had doubts would ever succeed.

Randy Parraz and former Sen. Luis Gonzales at news conference, photo by Jeff Biggers

Stating Pearce's "indefensible" actions are out of step with the values and interests of Arizona voters, the bipartisan Citizens for a Better Arizona have listed four major reasons for their historic recall:

1. Voted to terminate health care for seniors, struggling families and people with a disability.

2. Opposes the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

3. Voted to require American citizens show a Government ID for emergency care.

4. Opposes access to public education for all Arizona children.

Most recently, Pearce has been at the center of a scandal over improper Fiesta Bowl gifts and favors. As the architect of the controversial SB 1070 immigration law, Pearce has attracted national attention for his calls for punitive crackdowns on the state's immigrant communities. Last fall he accused President Obama of "waging jihad" on America. Earlier this week, FOX News Phoenix explored Pearce's widely denounced connections to neo-Nazi hate groups:

Russell Pearce: Pioneer Against Illegal Immigration or Racist?: MyFoxPHOENIX.com

At the press conference, retired Tucson businessman Ed Booth criticized Pearce's dominant role in the state as an "extreme negative distraction" that has derailed legislative efforts for economic development and education. As Pearce and the state legislature passed draconian cuts in education this spring, Booth reminded participants, former Intel CEO Craig Barrett warned the state that major businesses were overlooking Arizona due to its poor education commitment.

Declaring that Pearce's national role on immigration and other issues transcended his district in Mesa and Arizona state politics, Parraz told participants in Tucson to prepare for a national campaign.

"Pearce and his machine are going to do anything they can to stall and stop this recall," Parraz said.

He clarified recent reports that an error in the recall timetable by the Elections Directors might delay any subsequent election until next spring. Parraz explained the 90-day process of signature verification by the Secretary of State's office, the Maricopa County Recorder's Office, and the governor's final 15-day period to call for new elections. Citizens for a Better Arizona has hired the Perkins Cole law firm to monitor the verification process.

"We can't sit idly by," warned former state senator Luis Gonzales, calling on all Arizonans to save the state's reputation, and revamp its commitment to education and the economy.

 

 

 

Comments

[rockyrococoAZ]

03:23 AM on 05/31/2011

I understand the recall petitions will be turned in today. There WILL be a recall election. Don't expect Pearce to step aside. If a solid Republican candidate steps forward to challenge him, he can and will be defeated.

[azlegalcitizen]

03:34 AM on 05/28/2011

Get a few facts now, not the b s in this biased article. He opposes free access to American schools for ILLEGAL KIDS. NOT ALL AMERICAN KIDS. He wanted anyone who went to e r to show proof of legal residency. If one has no insurance you are probably, not positvily but probably not a legal citizen. He voted to terminate health care for any illegal of any age. He did not vote to cut off all senior citizens. He wants to eliminate the 14th amendent that lets any illegal's kid born here become an instant American citizen that we then would have to support forever. I do not think the recall will have enough VALID citizens who live in his district to recall him. If they were successfull the Mormon voters and the citizens who are delighted with the scotus ruling about employers not hiring illegals will vote him right back in office again..

[arizonapride]

04:45 AM on 05/28/2011

Just a bit off on your facts:

"He opposes free access to American schools for ILLEGAL KIDS. NOT ALL AMERICAN KIDS."

Fact: He opposes children born to immigrants in the US attending school. These children, despite what you wish about the 14th Amendment, are US citizens. His real goal is to get to the parents, through their children.

"He wanted anyone who went to e r to show proof of legal residency."

Fact: Hospitals are not immigration offices; they are for treating people.

"If one has no insurance you are probably, not positvily but probably not a legal citizen."

Fact: Over 60,000,000 US Citizens do not have medical insurance.

"He voted to terminate health care for any illegal of any age."

Fact: Illegal immigrants are not entitled to receive Medicare. They don't.

"He wants to eliminate the 14th amendent that lets any illegal's kid born here become an instant American citizen that we then would have to support forever."

Fact: He believes the 14th Amendment to have been interpreted incorrectly and wants the interpretation changed. Though I've no doubt if he could rid us of that pesky Amendment he would (along with a couple others). Secondly, the children born to these immigrants, for the most part, go to school, get educated and go to work. They become productive citizens who put far more back into the country than whatever may have been given to them. To say they will be supported forever it outright foolish.

[Nishnabe]

09:22 AM on 05/28/2011

Your use of the hot button rhetoric needs some corrections. People who come across the border from Mexico are also Americans. In fact, since history is not your strong suit, in the Mexican American war, the US illegally took tens of millions of acres from Mexico. Politicians know that if you can't get a job, it is not your fault, it is the fault of brown people. So you merrily go along with that twisted logic in order to absolve yourself of blame. If health care is through the roof, it is not the fault of the medical industry, it is the fault of brown people. After all, we are much more visible than the CEO's of drug and medical companies who dress nice and live in 10 thousand square foot homes. As long as politicians can keep us squabbling over each other instead of them, they can do whatever they want for their rich friends. Brown and black people are much more visible than the real culprits in these messes. Think about it.

[PsykoTek]

11:27 PM on 05/28/2011

I lovbe trhe post

what I WANT TO HIGH LIGHT IS A IS HALF THE GLOBE
NORTH, SOUTH
IT'S ALL AMERICA
we are the united states of america
everybody in this hemisphere is american
so I guess Illegals are americans fore america?

[azlegalcitizen]

11:57 PM on 05/28/2011

I suppose we will have to refer to all the south of the border intruders as Yankees or Rebels to make someone like you accept the fact that American is universally used to refer to ONLY CITIZENS OF THEUSA. American is universall­y know not to refer to anyone excepting citizens of the USA. Ask any mexican, guatamalan­, brazilian, chilien what is their country and they DO NOT SAY AMRICAN.

[manyamile]

02:13 AM on 05/28/2011

wasn't JT ready the crackpot , with his own little shock troops, took it upon himself to patrol the desert around Gila bend last year, heavily armed with semiautomatic weapons, in camou gear, etc. etc?

[manyamile]

02:09 AM on 05/28/2011

the shortlist above fails to mention all of the many ways Pearce and his 'forced birth' gang have restricted women's reproductive rights in this state.

[edejan]

02:09 AM on 05/28/2011

Thanks for this info. I wasn't even aware this was happening. Go Arizona Dems and Libs. Take back your state for sanity!

[manyamile]

02:08 AM on 05/28/2011

awesome! Pearce has been an egotistic extremist and an embarrassment to the state. Legislation drafted and passed under his leadership has been crazy, and irresponsible. His 'reign' has been destructive for both the state and it's residents, and opened the floodgates for every crackpot rightwing vendetta that ever lived. buh, bah Pearce. You wielded a huge amount of power, but thank goodness ,Arizonans are finally waking up.

[Rastageneral]

10:45 PM on 05/27/2011

Russell Pearce actually defends himself somewhat well in this interview.

Pearce is at least admirable in denouncing JT Ready on the record; however, the interviewer quotes Ready directly for posing multiple questions yet Pearce has no reason to answer for JT Ready. Pearce needs to answer for his leadership and his track record; I'm glad the recall effort is going forward.

Though he may comport himself lawfully and civilly, his legislation is some crafty and well-wordsmithed racism; he does a great legal job of maquerading it.

[stevestrange]

10:28 PM on 05/27/2011

Wow,..I had no idea that this was taking place. I only knew of recall efforts in wisconsin. I hope these folks are successful! Pearce seems to be a hateful guy,..Very informative article.

[azlegalcitizen]

03:09 AM on 05/30/2011

Don't believe but 10 % of the bile you read here put out by the bloggers, who aren't in AZ and don't really know the senator's district and his actual views and votes. He won't be recalled and if so he would be re-elected in any special election. read something other than this ill-informed and overly libb pack of lies on any nes from AZ that isn't all pro libb.

[Boereworsrocks]

10:22 AM on 05/31/2011

He will be recalled. The Recall committee collected more signatures than Pearce received to vote him into office in the first place. If Pearce had conducted himself in a manner that showed respect to ALL Arizonans he would not be facing a recall. He would not! He refused to listen to "We The People" in his District and now we will replace him. It's called Democracy - God Bless America!

[Santiago Chavez]

08:32 PM on 05/27/2011

Great article.

[jbvbwysu]

06:22 PM on 05/27/2011

Great! Look out Brewski, you're next!

[sunflwer1975]

07:45 PM on 05/27/2011

Brewer should be impeached

[goodpyr]

05:55 PM on 05/27/2011

Every journey begins with the first step.It will be a long journey for Arizona to
become a functioning state again.
Best of luck with your Recall of this......Cancer in your State Senate.

[Sean777]

05:23 PM on 05/27/2011

Google or youtube Russell Pearce JT Ready

[Texas rebel]

05:23 PM on 05/27/2011

Hopefully this as well as the Wisconsin recalls fail.

[Happylib]

01:08 PM on 05/29/2011

They won't. Thanks for playing.

[Petey131]

03:22 PM on 05/27/2011

AZ was once a great state many years ago. But now, it has become a gully for...well you know what kind of people and politicians.

[azlegalcitizen]

06:26 PM on 05/31/2011

We have become a haven for patriots and foks who value their American citizenship and see no reason to throw it away or throw it to people who don't deserve that honored citizenship.

[hrpmap]

02:22 PM on 05/27/2011

And when the recall fails will the articles read We were wrong at the election Peirce was vindicated? Of course not. It will simply read Voters retain Peirce.

[Rastageneral]

04:47 PM on 05/27/2011

Old man yells at kids to "get off the lawn!". Old man yells at the TV. Old man yells at pets. Old man yells at clouds. Old man yells at slippers. Old man puts on a tri-cornered hat and yells at everything.

[hrpmap]

09:06 PM on 05/27/2011

While others like yourself yell illegal is oky, and yell don't worry it not my lawn, and break tje law.

[DantesE]

05:19 PM on 05/27/2011

Do you really want to go there? Do you really want us to start listing outright teabaglican lies that are retracted some days or months later if at all in a little side note? How about the non-apology apologies?

Out of curiosity will the recall fail because of voter support for this person or because of the type of election rigging teabaglicans are so famous for? Maybe the sort of troops I mean groups he claims not to be a part of will "encourage" voter participation?

[hrpmap]

09:08 PM on 05/27/2011

Maybe because you don't have Acorn any more so an honost election will be in process.