Author: Neil Jones

Kari Lake Sits Down with Brandon Straka to Discuss Plans If Elected as Arizona Governor

Neil Jones

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona – Kari Lake, the Trump-endorsed Republican candidate for Arizona governor, sat down for a Saturday interview with #WalkAway Campaign PAC (WACPAC) founder Brandon Straka about how she will handle important policies if elected. It was the first-ever such event.

“It’s like we’ve [America has] got wounds and we’re bleeding; we’ve got to stop the bleeding. But the thing that caused the wounds and the bleeding is a stolen election,” Lake said when asked by Straka about election integrity. “Let me tell you, none of these people I’m running against on the Republican ticket even wanted to touch that. It’s the third rail. And I even had people in politics say, ‘Don’t mention the 2020 election.’ I said, ‘Are you kidding me?’ I went out, I touched that rail, and I have not stopped talking about it because that’s the reason we have the problems we have.”

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Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs Introduces a Resolution Condemning Chuck Schumer for Rhetoric that may Endanger Government Officials

Neil Jones

Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) and other House Republican colleagues introduced a resolution on Thursday to condemn Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for inflammatory rhetoric that may have contributed to the assassination attempt on Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

“Rhetoric that incites violence toward any elected or appointed member of the three branches of our constitutional government is dangerous and condemnable,” Biggs said in a press release. “Unfortunately, Senator Schumer does not understand how his volatile language may potentially incite violent conduct, something that is made more likely as he is the leader of his party in the Senate.”

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Paul Gosar and Other Arizona Reps. Blast the New Gun Restriction Bill That Passed the U.S. House

Neil Jones

Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ-04) released a statement opposing a new gun restriction House Rule (HR) that passed through the US House yesterday, calling it “unconstitutional.”

“It didn’t take long for Joe Biden and House democrats to use the tragedies in Buffalo and Texas to push for more gun control measures. They blatantly disparage our God-given and Constitutionally protected right to self-defense. As crime rises to record levels across our country, thanks to democrat socialists who run our major cities, self-defense is more important than ever. In Washington, D.C., the democrats suggest with a straight face that if it wasn’t for a gun, these murderers would be well-adjusted individuals. Millions and millions of people are law abiding gun owners, knife owners and car owners. If a knife, car or gun is used in a crime, it is the person using those tools that should be prosecuted for their actions. Punishing law abiding gun owners is non-sensical and I won’t stand for it,” Gosar said.

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Arizona State Sen. Mesnard Speaks About Onsite Tabulation for Mail-In Voting Bill

Neil Jones

Arizona State Senator J.D. Mesnard (R-Chandler) spoke with The Arizona Sun Times about the effect SB 1632 – a newly-signed bill he sponsored – may have on the perception of mail-in voting. The measure aims to provide onsite tabulation for early ballots.

“I think the issues, the oppositions, the concerns surrounding mail-in ballots are wide and vast and that this [law] may help mitigate some of it, but those issues are much more fundamental.

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Arizona Executes Frank Atwood 35 Years After Conviction for Kidnap and Murder of 8-Year-Old Vicki Lynne Hoskinson

Neil Jones

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich (R) today announced the execution by lethal injection of death row inmate Frank Atwood.

“The execution took place at 10:16 a.m. at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence. Atwood was sentenced to death nearly 35 years ago and exhausted all appellate remedies after lengthy and numerous post-conviction proceedings,” Brnovich said in a statement. 

Brnovich shared words expressing his condolences to the family of Vicki Lynne Hoskinson, the 8 year old Tucson-area girl Atwood kidnapped and murdered in 1984.

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Arizona State Rep. Walter Blackman Slams Abortion Industry for Targeting the Black Community

Neil Jones

State Representative Walter Blackman (R-Phoenix) spoke at a press conference yesterday held by Lori Zee Gray, slamming the abortion industry for targeting the black community.

“By the end of World War II, six million Jews were exterminated,” Blackman said. “From the time of Roe v. Wade in 1937, 20 million black lives have been killed – 20 million. But we have not acknowledged that as an extermination. We have not acknowledged that as eugenics. We have not acknowledged that as a mass slaughter on a population.”

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Sen. Townsend’s Bill Aims to Change Federal Voter Registration Form to Include Proof of Citizenship

Neil Jones

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey (R) signed State Senator Kelly Townsend’s (R-Mesa) Senate bill (SB) into law on Monday, which aims to update the federal voter registration form to include Arizona’s proof of citizenship instructions.

“Current statute requires that in order to be eligible to vote in Arizona, a registrant must be a citizen of the United States. The United States Election Assistance Commission [EAC] oversees the federal voter registration form, which does not currently contain Arizona’s proof of citizenship instructions. SB 1013 will now require the Secretary of State [Katie Hobbs (D)] to submit a request to the U.S. EAC to include Arizona’s state specific proof of citizenship instructions on the federal voter registration form by Dec. 31, 2022,” Townsend noted in a statement.

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Cochise County Woman Sentenced to Probation for Casting Her Deceased Mother’s Ballot

Neil Jones

A Cochise County Judge has sentenced a woman to probation for casting her dead mother’s early ballot. 
A Cochise County Judge sentenced a woman to probation for illegally casting her dead mother’s early ballot in 2020.

“Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced that 56-year-old Krista Michelle Conner of Cochise County was sentenced today (June 6, 2022) by Judge Timothy Dickerson of Cochise County Superior Court to three (3) years of supervised probation on one count of illegal voting, a class 6 felony, for illegally casting the early ballot of her deceased mother during the November 2020 general election. Conner’s voter registration was also revoked and may be reinstated upon completion of probation. As a condition of that probation, Conner was ordered to pay $890.00 in fines and surcharges and was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service,” according to a press release from the Attorney General’s Office (AGO).
“Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced that 56-year-old Krista Michelle Conner of Cochise County was sentenced today (June 6, 2022) by Judge Timothy Dickerson of Cochise County Superior Court to three (3) years of supervised probation on one count of Illegal Voting, a Class 6 felony, for illegally casting the early ballot of her deceased mother during the November 2020 general election. Conner’s voter registration was also revoked and may be reinstated upon completion of probation. As a condition of that probation, Conner was ordered to pay $890.00 in fines and surcharges and was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service,” according to a press release from the Attorney General’s Office (AGO).

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Ducey Orders Flags Fly at Half-Staff to Honor a Fallen Police Officer

Neil Jones

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey (R) ordered flags at half-staff Monday to honor the loss of White Mountain Apache Police Officer Adrian Lopez.

“This is a heartbreaking loss. Officer Adrian Lopez served with the White Mountain Apache Police Department for just five months when he lost his life in the line of duty,” Ducey said in a statement. “There is no greater act of selflessness than for one to lay down his life for another. Officer Lopez will be remembered as a selfless and brave protector. This is a sobering reminder of the danger our law enforcement officers face every day to keep others safe. Acts of violence and lawlessness against our law enforcement is unacceptable. In this time of mourning, our prayers are with Officer Lopez’s wife, child and loved ones as well as the White Mountain Apache Tribe.”

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Karen Fann Pushes Plan Aimed to Support Forest Management: ‘We Have Dealt with Catastrophic Fires’

Neil Jones

Arizona Senate President Karen (R-Prescott) defended House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 2038 this week, which would express support for proper forest management.

“Arizona is in a unique situation,” said Fann. “We have dealt with catastrophic fires, and they are getting worse over the last 20 – 30 years. The Rodeo Chediski Fire, if you remember that horrible fire, part of the reason it was so bad and got so out of control is because of a lot of the underbrush that was never allowed to be cleared out.”

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Arizona State Senator Speaks Against Gun Control Bill: ‘Criminals Do Not Follow Gun Laws’

Neil Jones

Arizona State Sen. Warren Petersen (R-Gilbert) spoke against a proposed suspension of Senate rules to revote on a previously failed gun control Senate Bill (SB) on Tuesday.

“The reason why this bill should not be supported is because it will stop law-abiding citizens from protecting themselves. Criminals do not follow gun laws. They will not abide by this law. Only law-abiding citizens will abide by this law, so you will simply restrict more opportunities to protect people,” said Petersen when explaining his vote.

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Arizona Free Enterprise Club Releases Endorsements for the 2022 State Election

Neil Jones

The Arizona Free Enterprise Club (AFEC) recently released endorsements for the 2022 Arizona State Election.

“It is critical that Arizona elects leaders and policymakers who are able to articulate and stand up for individual liberties, free-market policies, and conservative values. We believe that these candidates are up to the challenge,” said Scot Mussi, AFEC club president.

AFEC endorsed 24 candidates from multiple legislative districts (LD) across Arizona. Five are running for State Senate, and the rest for the Arizona House of Representatives. The Arizona election is on November 8.

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Arizona U.S. Rep. Lesko Blasts World Health Organization Pandemic Treaty

Neil Jones

Arizona U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ-08) told The Arizona Sun Times late Thursday that she is “deeply concerned about the World Health Organization’s new pandemic treaty.”  The congress member joins a growing number of lawmakers and healthcare professionals pushing pack against the Biden administration’s plan to forfeit the United States’ decision-making power over its healthcare policies to the World Health Organization (WHO).

“I heard from hundreds of constituents who voiced their concerns and their strong opposition to this treaty,” Rep. Lesko said.

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Former Mayor of San Luis Pleads Guilty to Ballot Harvesting in Arizona 2020 Primary Election

Neil Jones

Guillermina Fuentes, the former mayor of San Luis, pleaded guilty this week to illegally collecting early ballots in the 2020 Primary Election as a part of a ballot harvesting scheme.

“Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced that Guillermina Fuentes of San Luis pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count of Ballot Abuse, a Class 6 Felony, for her role in an August 2020 Primary Election “ballot harvesting” scheme where early ballots from other voters were collected and deposited into a ballot box on primary Election Day,” according to an Attorney General Office (AGO) press release.

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Attorney General Mark Brnovich Indicts Man Arrested for Illicit Drug Trafficking

Neil Jones

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich (R) announced the indictment of a man recently arrested on drug trafficking-related charges.

“On May 11, 2022, law enforcement arrested [Jose Luis] Montoya Miranda on suspicion of trafficking illicit drugs. Law enforcement located approximately 140,000 fentanyl pills, over 11 pounds of fentanyl powder, 2.11 pounds of heroin, 2.9 pounds of methamphetamine, and a handgun. The charges are based on an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA),” according to a statement by the attorney general’s office.

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Arizona Gov. Signs Election Integrity Bill That Aims to Prevent Felons from Registering to Vote

Neil Jones

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey (R) signed a Senate bill (SB) into law last week ensuring that felons cannot register to vote.

“There is this misconception that only lawfully eligible people are voting within the state of Arizona, and we’ve seen plenty of evidence that this has not been the case, especially most recently during the 2020 election,” said State Senator Kelly Townsend (R-Pinal) while addressing the bill. “We have a lot of work to do when it comes to cleaning up our voter rolls, and I believe this is a step in the right direction. I’m thankful that this loophole within our system was brought to light, and that we’ve been able to pass commonsense legislation that forces us to use the tools that we already have to strengthen the security of our elections. Our vote is the most sacred action we can take as an American citizen, and I will continue to fight to ensure only legal votes are counted.”

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New Arizona Law Prohibits Mask Mandates on Government Property

Neil Jones

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey (R) signed a bill recently banning mask mandates on Arizona government property.

“Citizens should not be required to wear a mask to access government services,” said the State Representative Neal Carter (R-Phoenix), who sponsored the measure.” This law prevents policy setting by unelected bureaucrats which, in my own experience, led to the public being denied entry to some county buildings that continued to impose mask requirements long after such mandates had been widely dispensed with or prohibited around the state.”

House Bill (HB) 2453 received “unanimous support from House and Senate Republicans.”

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Arizona Attorney General’s Office Warns That Cartels Use Social Media to Recruit Teenagers in Smuggling Operations

Neil Jones

Monday, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office (AGO) released a press release stating the cartel recruits American Citizens, including teenagers, to smuggle undocumented immigrants into the country through social media.

“Ads on social media intercepted by law enforcement are now offering load drivers up to $2,000 for each passenger picked up at the border and driven north to a specified location. The lucrative deal is not only attracting people as young as 14 years old from the greater Phoenix area but also men and women of all ages and even drivers from out of state, who come to Arizona to cash in on the commute for the cartel. Nearly all of the drivers stopped are U.S. citizens,” according to a press release from the AGO.

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Arizona House Passes a Bill Prohibiting Teachers from Promoting Judgment Based on Race or Ethnicity

Neil Jones

The Arizona House Floor passed a bill Wednesday that addresses how teachers can discuss topics of racism in classrooms.

“We’ve heard that this [Senate Bill (SB) 1412] is going to keep us from teaching real history. Later language in the bill specifically says that this [bill] does not prevent teachers from identifying and discussing historical movements, ideologies, or instances of racial hatred or discrimination, including but not limited to slavery, Indian removal, the holocaust, or Japanese American internment. If a teacher can’t teach these things without placing blame or judgment on the basis of race, they shouldn’t be teaching,” said State Representative Michelle Udall (R-Mesa) in defense of SB 1412.

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State Reps. Share Support for the Victims of the Texas Shooting, Urge Action on Bills Enhancing School Safety in Arizona

Neil Jones

Arizona State Representatives Shawnna Bolick (R-Phoenix) and Kevin Payne (R-Sun City) shared a statement of support for the victims of the recent Texas school shooting.

“Like all Americans, we stand with the victims, survivors, and grieving families of the horrific tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. We are grateful for the heroic members of law enforcement whose actions helped prevent any greater loss of life,” said Bolick and Payne said in a joint statement Thursday.

The two also highlighted current legislative efforts to boost school safety across Arizona.

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Arizona Senate Fails to Pass Ballot Box Ban, Among Other Election Integrity Bills

Neil Jones

A number of election integrity bills addressing ballot boxes and ballot harvesting failed to pass the Senate on Monday.

“If you think it’s a problem. If you think ballot boxes contribute to ballot harvesting and can be manipulated, you would ban them. Not require that we tape them. It’s too late at that point,” said State Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita (R-Scottsdale) while explaining her floor amendment to HB 2238.

According to HB 2238, sponsored by State Representative Jake Hoffman (R-Phoenix), “a county recorder or other officer in charge of elections may not use an unmonitored drop box for receipt of voted early ballots.”

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Democratic Candidate for Arizona Attorney General Says She Will Not Prosecute Abortions

Neil Jones

The lone Democratic candidate for Arizona attorney general on Friday said she would not follow the state’s abortion laws if elected.

“I am the only candidate running for Arizona attorney general who is saying, even when Roe falls – and it’s probably going to fall this summer – we will not prosecute women or doctors in the state of Arizona for seeking an abortion or providing an abortion,” said Kris Mayes on KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show.

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Arizona Representative Shares Plans to Hold Biden Administration Accountable Amid Border Crisis

Neil Jones

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) began sharing his plans to make the Biden Administration secure the border on Saturday during an appearance on Newsmax’s “The Benny Report.”

“We’re going to have to basically use every leverage point we have, and we’ve got a few coming up here, even in the minority. But we have to use every leverage point against Joe Biden and say you’re not going to get any spending; you’re not going to get anything you want unless you secure our border,” Biggs said.

Biggs also shared other plans he has for Biden administration officials.

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Arizona Abortion Rights Group Files Long-Shot Ballot Initiative to Add Reproductive Rights to the State Constitution

Neil Jones
Arizona Capitol

An abortion rights group filed a long-shot initiative for the Arizona November ballot.

“Women in Arizona, they don’t have two years to wait,” said Shasta McManus, treasurer of Arizonans for Reproductive Freedom, the group that wants to add an amendment to the Arizona Constitution to protect reproductive rights and prohibit any state or political restriction on those seeking abortions or physicians performing abortions.

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Election Honesty Organization Director Praises Arizona Senate for Passing New Voter Law

Neil Jones

The Arizona Senate passed a new bill on Tuesday aimed at improving election integrity.

“Number one, only eligible, qualified citizens can vote in elections, and that means when you are going to a voter registration process, you have to give election officials time to be able to actually review the registration and make sure someone is qualified to vote. When you do same-day or Election-Day voter registration, that takes away that time to actually be able to conduct that check,” Jason Snead, the Director of the Honest Elections Project told The Arizona Sun Times.

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