Politics

Arizona’s Open Primary Means Independents Can Choose a Ballot and your vote counts during the upcoming Primary Election. If you are a registered voter in Pinal County and would like an early ballot, mailed to you, simply call the Recorder's Office at 520-866-6830 to request an early ballot. If you are a registered Independent or Party Not Determined, you have until August 17th, to request either a Republican Primary or a Democrat Primary ballot to be mailed to you as an early ballot. If you are a registered Independent and do NOT call the Recorder's Office, you will not receive a primary ballot.

The following profiles were provided by each candidate to the AJ News.  Profiles included are for both the Democrat Primary and the Republican Primary. There are two (2) candidates on the Democrat ticket - Glenn Millsaps & Kevin Taylor. There are four (4) candidates on the Republican ticket - Derek Arnson, Paul Babeu, Tom Bearup and Jack McClaren.

Arizona’s Open Primary Means Independents Can Choose a Ballot Pinal County Recorder Laura Dean-Lytle says that people are still asking questions about the Open Primary law enacted by the voters in 1998. The law allows people who are registered as an Independent to request a Democrat, Republican, Green, or Americans Elect Party ballot, including early voting ballots.

Voters can hear Republican contenders as they air their views on Aug. 2 John Fillmore (Apache Junction) and Rich Crandall (Mesa), who are facing each other for the Republican ballot slot for state senator, have confirmed they will appear at the Legislative District 16 Candidate Forum and Debate at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2.

Cites health reasons for decision as voter fraud allegations surface John Enright has withdrawn from the Republican primary race for Pinal County supervisor, citing health reasons, however, controversy is surrounding the Gold Canyon resident.

The Patriots of SaddleBrooke is hosting a “Super Meet Greet” candidates at the federal, state and county levels.  Bruce Ash has agreed to MC the event on August 7, 2012, at the Mountain View Country Club from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Voters can hear Republic contenders as they air their views on Aug. 2 This year’s countdown to the Aug. 28 Primary Election in Arizona sees the newly created Arizona Legislative District No. 16 field for state legislative seats crowded. This  race for one senatorial seat and two representatives’ seats has numerous Republicans vying for the right to represent their political party in the Nov. 6 general election.

Several Pinal County Sheriff candidates and hopefuls for Supervisor for District Two will be open to public questioning at a Town Hall Forum to be held tomorrow.  Clerk of the Superior Court, Chad A. Roche will be moderating the event by taking questions from the audience and fielding them to the candidates.

  Republican seeking votes in Aug. 28 primary   San Tan Valley resident Shon White is running as a write-in candidate for Pinal County constable in Apache Junction in the Republican primary on Aug. 28.

“Within hours of United States Supreme Court Justices upholding the main portion of Arizona’s SB1070 law, President Obama and Janet Napolitano with a wave of their hands have made what was illegal one day, legal the next. They can't pass their dream act, so they change enforcement  policies, which undermines the rule of law” stated Sheriff Paul Babeu.

Important to vote in the primary because some races are decided there The Arizona primary election, the precursor to the general election in November, is right around the corner. Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 28, to vote in the primary, the results of which will help narrow their political party’s candidates for the offices being decided in the general election.

Recently the current county attorney released two separate articles.  One article stated that the County Attorney’s office desires to “step it up in 2012”.  The second article admits that the County Attorney’s office is “in a planning stage this year”, and they requested 10-12 Victims Advocates.  Pinal County Attorney Candidate, Lando Voyles, in a race to unseat his opponent Jim Walsh, replied, “After 5 years on the job, it appears that due to political pressure, my opponent is stepping it up in 2012.”  Lando stated, “Despite the reason, stepping it up from the past 5 years is important.  This is law enforcement and there should not be a left or right, just a right or wrong.  We need to keep our families and neighborhoods safe, nothing less.”  Lando acknowledged, however, “This gesture is way too little and way too late to risk leaving our families’ and neighbors’ safety in the hands of this career politician,” referring to Mr. Walsh.

Former Pinal County Supervisor Bryan Martyn will moderate a Meet the Candidates forum at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, at MountainBrook Village’s Superstition Center. Expected to appear are: 

Pinal County Sheriff's Candidate, Tom Bearup will hold a press conference on Wednesday, June 27th, 2012 beginning at 10am.  The press conference will be held at Peart Park, 350 E 6th Street, Casa Grande, Arizona.

  Today, Derek Arnson, candidate for Pinal County sheriff, released the following statement in response to the United States Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a major component of Arizona’s immigration law, SB 1070, that allows law enforcement officials to determine the immigration status of individuals that have been stopped for questioning or arrest: