by Matthew Holloway | Sep 23, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Democrat Senator Ruben Gallego is postponing town hall meetings in Tucson and Yuma and canceling one in Nevada, citing security concerns and alleged threats to his life. Gallego announced the cancellation just days after the assassination of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk in Utah.
Gallego’s office told AZCentral that they have received threatening phone calls and that the senator’s social media accounts have received threatening posts and messages. The threats have been reported to the U.S. Capitol Police, according to Gallego’s team.
Gallego’s Press Secretary, Taylor Tasler, told KAWC in an emailed statement, “This was not a decision made lightly, and as Senator Gallego has said, we need to condemn all political violence. Unfortunately, out of an abundance of caution due to recent security threats.”
Gallego said in a statement, “I’m deeply grateful to everyone who helped plan these events and to the Arizonans who were ready to show up, but I do not want to put anyone’s safety at risk. I remain committed to maintaining freedom of speech in our democracy. Intimidation and violence cannot be allowed in our country.”
Several outlets reported that threats against Gallego ranged from posts to X warning him to “watch his back,” with another saying, “Better watch your six… just sayin.” One message from September 9th reported by AZCentral asked, “How’s your neck feeling? You starting to feel that itchy feeling that the hangman is slowly creeping up behind you?”
The outlet reported that other Democrats, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), also canceled public appearances, with two opting to move press conferences scheduled for outdoor venues into the Capitol.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) told reporters on September 11th that Congressional leaders are reviewing member security, according to Axios. “We have got to protect people running for public office, or nobody will,” Johnson said.
House Administration Committee ranking member Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) added, “Sadly, these kinds of things I think change peoples’ perspectives in the moment, so I’m sure people will be thinking about it.”
“People are scared to death in this building,” Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) told Politico Thursday. “I mean, not many of them will say it publicly, but they’re running to the speaker talking about security.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Sep 22, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Legislative District 10 Republican Committee in East Mesa has unanimously censured Councilwoman Julie Spilsbury for using her non-partisan office to campaign for Democrats in 2024. The censure also condemned her for voting in favor of allowing men to use women-only facilities.
Spilsbury, who is facing a recall challenge this year, became embroiled in a scandal after making public endorsements of Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 Presidential Election, in addition to endorsing Arizona Democrats Congressman Greg Stanton, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and Senator Ruben Gallego. The recall campaign, supported by Turning Point Action, submitted the 5,000 required voter signatures in May. Spilsbury is facing a challenge for her seat from conservative Dorean Taylor.
The censure from the LD10 Republicans lays out a case against Spilsbury for her endorsements of Harris, Stanton, Fontes, and Gallego despite her membership in the Republican Party, as well as her vote for “a non-discrimination order that allows men in women’s private spaces, and potentially penalizes business owners, forcing them to disregard or contradict their religious convictions and compromise their religious freedom and rights or be fined due to the ordinance,” according to a statement from the Committee.
The Committee also alleges that Spilsbury, “has benefited from her endorsements and publicly announced the offer of support and assistance in the current recall election, including Democrat Senator Ruben Gallego, the Democrat CD4 Representative, Greg Stanton, and the Democrat Secretary of State, Adrian Fontes.”
Spilsbury told Axios in July that the three Arizona Democrats have reached out to her to offer their support in her recall. She openly acknowledged the likely outcome of her endorsement of Harris in the 2024 Presidential election, telling the outlet, “I did what I did with my eyes wide open. I knew it wasn’t going to be popular.”
In the text of the censure, the committee resolved, “The Republican Committee of Legislative District 10 calls on Republican voters in Mesa to heed this vote of no confidence, cease recognition of Recalled Councilwoman Spilsbury as a Republican in good standing and cease support for Julie Spilsbury in any elected or appointed capacity, or future election for any prospective office.”
Earlier this month, the Arizona Freedom Club PAC officially endorsed Dorean Taylor in the Mesa Recall Election. Scot Mussi, Chair of the Arizona Freedom Club PAC said in a statement posted to X, “Dorean Taylor is exactly the kind of leader Mesa needs—someone who will stand up for taxpayers and put families first. Her vision for safer communities, responsible government, and protecting hard-working families from higher taxes aligns with the values we fight for every day.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Sep 21, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
In a key vote on Wednesday, the Arizona Corporation Commission, led by Commissioner Rachel Walden, unanimously repealed the state’s Energy Efficiency (EE) and Demand Side Management (DSM) Rules. The regulations, now 15 years old, have been expired since 2020, and according to the board, have cost Arizona ratepayers more than $1 billion in additional surcharges since inception.
Both APS and TEP have exceeded the requirements, the board noted, with Commissioner Márquez Peterson explaining, “The current standard required the accumulated savings of 22% of retail sales by 2020. We’ve had(sic) reconfirmed that as of 2024, APS is at 26.2% and TEP is currently at 28.52%. Both utilities have exceeded the standard which is out of date.”
“I cast my vote to repeal the rules because the rules were not based on any cost-effectiveness tests, nor did they contain any other ratepayer protection requirements. The mandates instead passed all program costs in support of the few on the backs of all ratepayers, especially onto those who can least afford it—our low- and fixed-income ratepayers, and our hardworking Arizona families,” Commissioner Walden said in a statement Thursday.
“I fully support the use of EE mechanisms and DSM programs, which have demonstrated energy savings, especially during peak summer heating days when our energy needs have stressed the electrical grid. What I do not support is the cost shifts and economic burdens these mandated programs have created, costing ratepayers in excess of $1.1 billion.”
Commissioner René Lopez noted during the meeting that the rules “were written over a decade ago.” He added, “We’ve had a lot of changes in technology, and a lot of changes in demand are coming, It served its purpose, everyone has met the requirements, now it’s time for them to go away.”
The commission explained that the repeal of the rules does not eliminate the EE/DSM program; instead, Arizona utilities will now be required to use All-Source Requests for Proposals when they create plans to address forecasted energy demands, with EE and DSM programs continuing as two categories of solutions that can be proposed for the utility’s consideration.
“I urge technology stakeholders to continue to propose these types of solutions to offset utility generation needs,” Walden added. “The solutions must be cost-effective, and the Commission will continue to evaluate these programs on a case-by-case basis during rate cases. I recently offered an amendment to approve a Bring Your Own Device DSM program for APS customers that did not create a cost shift, and that amendment was adopted by majority vote by this Commission.”
Commissioner Márquez Peterson added in a statement, “As a Commissioner, I will continue to communicate to utilities my support for effective EE programs in future rate cases. These programs can save ratepayers on their electricity bills and help us ensure we have reliable energy during peak times of the day.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Sep 21, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
On Tuesday, the Cochise County Supervisors voted to ask U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate the certifications and laboratory accreditation of the county’s voting systems ahead of the 2022 election.
In a letter from Cochise County Board Chairman Frank Antenori, the board requested that “information from the United States Department of Justice concerning the accreditation of the voting system test laboratories (VSTLs), the certification of ES&S electronic voting systems, and the use of engineering change orders during the 2022 Arizona general election.” He added that “these matters present material statutory and constitutional questions that relate directly to the integrity of the electoral process in Arizona.”
Antenori also observed that the Board has “a constitutional and statutory obligation to ensure compliance with election law,” citing Article 7, Section 7 of the Arizona Constitution that governs the tabulation of “legal votes.”
He explained that the United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC) “has invoked 52 USC § 20971(c)(2) to argue that accreditation remains valid indefinitely absent formal revocation. Respectfully, the plain text of the statute requires renewal on a biennial basis.”
The Chairman went on to point out that the accreditation had lapsed in March 2020 and stated, “The EAC’s interpretation appears inconsistent with both the statutory language and congressional intent.”
In particular, Antenori observed that A.R.S. 16-442 (B) requires the following: “Machines or devices used at any election for federal, state or county offices may only be certified for use in this state and may only be used in this state if they comply with the Help America Vote Act of 2002 and if those machines or devices have been tested and approved by a laboratory that is accredited pursuant to the Help America Vote Act of 2002.”
The accreditation question led two Republican supervisors to delay the county’s election certification in 2022 until they were ordered to do so by a judge. A state grand jury later indicted the two supervisors on charges brought by Arizona’s Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes. Supervisors Tom Crosby and Peggy Judd, both Republicans, faced charges of conspiracy and interference with an elections officer. Judd pleaded guilty while Crosby awaits trial.
As reported by VoteBeat’s Jen Fifield, the letter to AG Bondi was proposed by Crosby after he was reelected last year. The executive session in which the letter was discussed was closed to the public; however, Fifield reported that Crosby attached a 30-page document to the meeting minutes, providing the board with additional details and even a piece of grand jury testimony from his case.
On Monday, Fifield reported that a judge rejected Crosby’s request to delay his case, and his trial date will still be set on Sept. 22.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Sep 20, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona AG Kris Mayes’ Communications Director Richie Taylor deleted his X, Bluesky, and LinkedIn accounts after screenshots of his alleged posts surfaced on “groypers” and “violence on the right.”
Corey A. DeAngelis, a Senior Advisor with Americans For Fair Treatment, shared a screenshot allegedly taken from Taylor’s X account, which read, “Lots of people learning about groyper’s tonight because of violence on the right in this country.”
The post appeared to advance the unsubstantiated theory that Charlie Kirk’s assassin, Tyler Robinson, is a member of online commentator Nick Fuentes’ fan base, known as “groypers,” who have rhetorically feuded with Kirk and Turning Point USA over the years.
As reported by the Associated Press, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray revealed Tuesday that evidence, including a text confession and a note, shows the suspect targeted Charlie Kirk, stating, “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out,” and “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
The comments would seem to preclude the assassin from views that could be “on the right,” as Taylor’s alleged post suggested. Gray declined to address whether Kirk was targeted due to his views on transgenderism on Tuesday, telling reporters, “That is for a jury to decide.”
Last month, Taylor came under public scrutiny for “vicious ad hominem attacks” against Jenny Clark, founder of Love Your School, a nonprofit that advocates for parental rights, school choice, and resources for Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA) and special education students.
Following the incident, Clark posted an update saying, “Update: the Head of Communications for @AZAGMayes, @richietaylor – has deleted posts against me which were extremely aggressive, untrue, unprovoked and vicious ad hominem attacks. I make policy arguments supported by available facts, they prefer to personally attack people.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
