PHOENIX, Arizona – State Representative Diego Rodriguez (D-Phoenix) has joined the attorney general race. Rodriguez made the announcement as the Arizona House convened once more to discuss the budget. As The Arizona Sun Times reported this week, House Democrats staged a walkout on Tuesday in protest of the budget.
“For too long, corporate lobbyists have been the ones calling the shots in our AZ. It’s time working families have someone fighting for them,” wrote Rodriguez. “I’m running for Attorney General to bring integrity, accountability and compassion to our justice system.”
For too long, corporate lobbyists have been the ones calling the shots in our AZ. It’s time working families had someone fighting for them. I’m running for Attorney General to bring integrity, accountability and compassion to our justice system. Join me➡️https://t.co/8CWBbqC8fp pic.twitter.com/2ndQrRK9gm
— Diego Rodriguez (@Diego4Justice) June 24, 2021
Arizona’s current attorney general, Mark Brnovich, is running for the U.S. Senate in 2022.
Rodriguez has consistently been critical of the current attorney general. About a week before announcing his run for attorney general, Rodriguez hinted that he would be the attorney general that Brnovich wasn’t.
“Arizona needs a real Attorney General who fights for the people and the rule of law,” wrote Rodriguez. “The people have a right to know what their government is doing and who is pulling the strings. CHANGE IS COMING.”
Arizona needs a real Attorney General who fights for the people and the rule of law. The people have a right to know what their government is doing and who is pulling the strings. CHANGE IS COMING. https://t.co/5zUaL54mqY
— Diego Rodriguez (@Diego4Justice) June 18, 2021
Although Rodriguez’s campaign page doesn’t include where his focuses will lie as attorney general, some of his criticisms of Brnovich may provide insight.
Rodriguez retweeted the state of Ohio’s lawsuit against an alleged Medicaid payment scheme conducted by Centene, a company that acts as an intermediary for government-sponsored and privately insured health care programs.
“These are the types of lawsuits the state Attorney General in our state should be filing. Protective lawsuits that safeguard our health system’s financial stability and hold corporations accountable for their scams!” wrote Rodriguez.
These are the types of lawsuits the state Attorney General in our state should be filing. Protective lawsuits that safeguard our health system’s financial stability and hold corporations accountable for their scams! https://t.co/MP7Lmp2JiD
— Diego Rodriguez (@Diego4Justice) March 16, 2021
Rodriguez has repeatedly said that the attorney general is too partisan. Additionally, Rodriguez criticized Brnovich’s opposition to the federal legislative attempt to federalize elections, the For the People Act.
Wednesday, Brnovich led 23 states in submitting a merits brief before the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS). Brnovich challenged a federal court decision allowing officials to invalidate laws they disagree with politically.
The only other Democrat in the race currently is Kris Mayes: an Arizona State University (ASU) scientist and former journalist.
On the Republican side of the race are three candidates thus far: Lacy Cooper, a former state and federal prosecutor and Border Patrol agent; Andrew Gould, recently retired Arizona Supreme Court justice; and attorney Tiffany Shedd.
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Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Arizona Sun Times and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Arizona Capitol” by JoeAuH2O CC BY-SA 3.0 and photo “Diego Rodriguez” by Arizona State Legislature.
