Republican business executive Elijah Norton on Friday launched a GOP primary challenge against incumbent Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ-06).
In launching his campaign, Norton pledged to “fight to keep the bright light of America shining throughout the world and will fight to bring much needed change to Washington, D.C.”
Norton is electing to face Schweikert in a tough GOP primary due to past misconduct relating to ethics rules. The incumbent admitted to 11 rules violations and struck a deal with the House Ethics Committee to pay a $50,000 fine and accept a formal reprimand.
The two-year investigation revealed the Scottsdale congressman committed a host of ethical infringements, including campaign finance violations, pressuring staff into working on his campaign and a “lack of candor and due diligence” throughout the investigation.
The vote to reprimand Schweikert was unanimous — a rare form of bipartisanship.
Since launching his campaign, Norton has immediately taken aim at Schweikert and his past ethics complaints. In a video announcing his candidacy, Norton dubbed the congressman “Shady Schweikert.”
It’s official. I’m running for Congress because Arizona deserves better than Shady Schweikert. Join me>>> https://t.co/k7Z2BLTxrM pic.twitter.com/yjVeKCjF65
— Elijah Norton (@NortonforAZ) July 30, 2021
Furthermore, in a subsequent tweet, he slammed the violations.
“Today is the one-year anniversary of Shady Schweikert pleading guilty to 11 ethical violations and being forced to pay a $50K fine. He should have been fired for his crimes, and that’s why I’m running to replace him,” Norton said.
Today is the one-year anniversary of Shady Schweikert pleading guilty to 11 ethical violations and being forced to pay a $50K fine. He should have been fired for his crimes, and that's why I'm running to replace him. Read the report for yourself here: https://t.co/bIU8rmpElF pic.twitter.com/3L5n1ME8ij
— Elijah Norton (@NortonforAZ) July 31, 2021
According to his campaign website, Norton will focus on a host of issues; however, immigration is at the top of the list.
“We need to address these issues at their core, and that doesn’t just entail making a trip for show to South America as Kamala Harris did. Instead, we need to hold the governments of Latin America and Mexico accountable. We need to make sure that they establish and share their criminal databases with US law enforcement, so when we catch someone who has a history of drug and human trafficking, we can make sure they are arrested in the United States and sent to the proper authorities for detainment and trial in their home country—not simply released so they can hurt others,” Norton details.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for the Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
