by Matthew Holloway | Sep 25, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ06) sharply admonished Sen. Mark Kelly on social media Tuesday after the Tucson Democrat announced his Monday night appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Some critics online are accusing Kelly of angling for a 2028 White House run while neglecting his Senate duties, echoing similar concerns about Senator Ruben Gallego’s Iowa town hall this summer.
In a post to X, Kelly wrote, “Always a privilege to be on the @ColbertLateShow! Tune in tonight on CBS to see my conversation with @StephenAtHome.”
This move followed Colbert’s trivializing of the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel by ABC after that host made offensive remarks following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and amidst a tense congressional standoff that could lead to a government shutdown.
Sharing Sen. Kelly’s post to X, Ciscomani openly admonished him, writing, “Or, how about actually doing some *real* work, Senator? Avoiding a disastrous government shutdown is in the hands of Senate Democrats. Late-night TV interviews aren’t going to help make sure our border agents get paid, or keep the Grand Canyon open.”
He added, “This guy is AZ’s Senior Senator,” before following up with a reminder of Kelly’s duty to Arizona with a stern command: “Do. Your. Job.”
Nick Field of PoliticsPA pointed to Democrats feeling out a 2028 presidential run by “guesting” on Colbert throughout the week, writing, “Three potential 2028 Democratic candidates are guesting on Colbert this week: Mark Kelly on Tuesday, Gavin Newsom on Wednesday and Chris Murphy on Thursday.”
During the interview with Colbert, Kelly used about half of his time in the spotlight joining the host in bashing President Trump, telling Colbert he wishes that a Republican would “grow a spine and do something publicly,” about “the President and how he conducts himself.” He even attempted to lay the blame for the likely upcoming shutdown at the President’s feet.
“Let me make this perfectly clear to everybody. This is a fight over the cost of your health care,” Kelly claimed. “That’s all this is about. The president says no. He says he would prefer a government shutdown.”
The conversation with Colbert quickly turned to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, framed in Sen. Kelly’s experiences surrounding the attempted assassination of his wife, former Democrat Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, in 2011.
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 23, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Republican and conservative leaders gathered at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sunday for the Charlie Kirk Memorial, describing a unified scene filled with worship music and a spirit of revival.
In a radio appearance with James T. Harris of the Conservative Circus on 550 KFYI, Congressman Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ08) set the scene, telling the host, “James, the energy and the atmosphere was incredible. You know, Charlie was this 31-year-old man. His life was taken so short. Yet, you see so many people coming in, and there’s a sense of revival there, right? I mean the whole service was perfectly executed by Turning Point, especially given the quick turn around. I mean my God, they filled State Farm Stadium plus Desert Financial Credit Union Arena or Desert Diamond Area, rather, just across the street. So, you have almost 100,000 or over 100,000 people celebrat[ing] the life of Charlie Kirk. And it wasn’t just a political rally, James. I mean there was a prayer, there was worship music. I mean…the energy was different than any other rally I’ve been to.”
In an interview with Piers Morgan on Monday, Acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media Kari Lake said the feeling at the event was, “Definitely unity.”
She explained, “We were there to remember a friend, a great patriot, a great American, a great Christian, and it was extraordinary. I mean, the whole event started with hours of worship music by the biggest, you know, performers in Christian music…Getting there… was… it was almost impossible. I mean, every road going in was filled with standstill traffic, and people were walking from miles away.”
Lake added, “This was a group of Americans who love this country, a patriotic group, many of whom were Christians, all of whom love Charlie Kirk for the strong message he shared, for the peaceful way that he spread the word of our Constitution and our freedoms. And even the politicians that were there were talking about that. We’ve got to start coming together as a country, and that doesn’t mean we give up what we believe in, but we can no longer tolerate the crime, the violence that is coming at us, and we’ve sat down and taken it for a long time. Now we’re standing up, and we refuse to take it.”
Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ06) shared images to X from the event and wrote, “Charlie lived by prioritizing his faith — and he did so without hesitation while inspiring many. This allowed our youth the courage to lead with their faith and have a political position based on who you are as a person and what you believe in your heart. It’s a very important message. Today’s service is a reflection of who Charlie was — centered on his beliefs with strong conservative values.”
During the memorial, Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ02) shared a personal anecdote about his friendship with Kirk, writing, “Darkness will never be able to overcome light. There may be moments where it appears that all is lost. This story we live in will have many more dark moments, and I can promise you this, light will ultimately overcome it all.”
He added, “I’m grateful to have been able to call Charlie a friend. He inspired me and so many others. He showed us that places like academia weren’t lost but void of light. He became that light and started a movement that will eclipse in his death what he built in life. Though we will miss our friend and true patriot. We will never forget him, and we will carry on the work that fueled him. To be bold, speak truth, and point others to Christ.”
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen shared photos from the memorial, commenting, “With tens of thousands ready to remember, honor, and celebrate the life of Charlie Kirk. Never seen anything like this.”
State Senator T.J. Shope (R-LD16) shared them as well and wrote, “Truly amazing sights coming out of State Farm Stadium today! We’re watching at home like millions of others but am glad @votewarren and thousands of others are in the building to pay respects to the great @charliekirk11!”
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 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.
