by Matthew Holloway | Nov 19, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Congressman-elect Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ-8) released a new video via X in which he memorialized his victory against Democrat Greg Whitten in the November General Election.
In the video posted to X, Hamedeh told his supporters, “I’m ready to go to Washington, D.C. to fight. Fight with everything I’ve got for every single one of you here and everybody in this district and all across Arizona. Because despite the many problems we face, I still believe in America, because I believe in all of you. We took on so many powerful people in this race. And it showed us that the American people are stronger than the money that they have. And that’s what this victory is about. It’s a victory about all of you. It’s a victory for ‘We the people.’”
Hamadeh added, “I love you Arizona. I love my country, and I love you. And that’s why I’m with you now and forever. Thank you, Arizona. God bless you. God bless the United States. And let’s keep winning.”
As reported by the Arizona Daily Independent, Hamadeh pledged to “deliver real results, protect our freedoms, and restore America’s greatness.” He added, “This is a victory for every Arizonan who’s fed up with open borders, skyrocketing prices, and a political class that has sold our country out to the highest bidder. Arizona deserves a fighter who will go to Washington, drain the swamp, and actually put America First—and that’s exactly what I’m here to do.”
He remarked that his campaign “was a true grassroots movement fueled by Americans who believe our best days are still ahead.”
“After four years of Joe Biden in the White House and radicals trying to tear this country apart, we need strong, fearless leaders who will fight for the America we know and love. I am honored to be that fighter for Arizona’s 8th District,” Hamadeh said. “This isn’t just about policy; it’s about the courage to fight for the values that have made America the greatest country in the world.”
He told the outlet that his first priorities when he takes office are to deliver on his promises to “secure the border, bring down inflation, protect seniors and stand strong for America’s military and law enforcement.”
In a statement to AZ Free News Hamadeh said, “From day one of my campaign, I made a promise to Arizonans: to bring bold, courageous leadership to the table. As I set out to represent Arizona’s 8th District in Washington, my mission is clear—I will never stop fighting for my constituents, for future generations, and for the revitalization of the United States of America. Together, we will restore the strength and spirit of this great nation.”
In the Sunday post to X, Hamadeh wrote, “Arizona… I am with you, now and forever. Let’s roll.”
In the most up-to-date results from Arizona.vote, Hamadeh handily defeated Whitten by a thirteen-point margin or approximately 47,925 votes. That’s around the combined populations of Sun City West and New River, two of his smaller constituent cities.
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 Daniel Stefanski | Nov 18, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Another Arizona governing body has intervened in a critical issue in place of the state’s attorney general.
Last week, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) intervened in a matter at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), protesting BlackRock, Inc.’s Request for Reauthorization and Extension of Blanket Authorizations to own utilities. The Environmental Social Governance (ESG) – related filing was led by a coalition of state attorneys general from around the nation and the ACC.
The coalition requested that FERC decline to approve BlackRock’s application unless the following four conditions are met:
- “The Commission must require that Applicants, including all affiliates and subsidiaries, limit their collective ownership to 20% or less of the shares of each FPA-covered utility.
- “Applicants must function only as passive investors.
- “Applicants must hold the shares subject to their fiduciary duties to their investors, including the duty to act in the sole financial interest of the investors.
- “The Commission should require specific reports by Applicants of every instance when the asset managers voted contrary to the recommendation of utility management on a shareholder proposal or board of director nomination, as well as an explanation of how such votes were consistent with the asset manager’s commitments to FERC.”
Freshman Commissioner Kevin Thompson, who pushed hard for the commission to join the legal protest, told AZ Free News, “We need utilities to make decisions based on what makes the most sense for ratepayers and the integrity of our grid, not the policy goals of ESG-minded asset management cartels. This Commission is taking a more proactive role in federal matters that impact Arizona ratepayers and our grid because FERC and other federal agencies have rapidly been exerting their influence in matters that should be left up to state regulators and our utilities.”
Joining the Arizona Corporation Commission on the filing were the States of Utah, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wyoming.
The Corporation Commission’s involvement with this coalition mirrors the Arizona Legislature’s repeated efforts the past two years to join with other state officers in attempts to defend laws and protect the interests of their constituents. Both the Commission and the Legislature have been forced into acting as the state’s defacto attorney general due to Arizona’s top prosecutor, a Democrat, being unwilling to stand against certain infractions or questions of legality for state and federal laws.
The intervention into the ESG-related matter marks another instance of leadership by Arizona Republicans on this issue. The ESG movement has sought to advance an environmental agenda to bring an end to traditional and reliable energy investments across the country and world, and many have challenged the legality of such efforts in various industries. Before the current Democrat administration, the state had a Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich, who led a handful of early ESG skirmishes. Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee has also joined other state financial officers over the years to oppose pro-ESG actions.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Nov 18, 2024 | Education, News
By Staff Reporter |
Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) will no longer be using X to stay engaged with the community, with the given reason being a lack of a “family-friendly” environment.
SUSD made the announcement last week, also alluding to board policy necessitating their ceasing the use of X. The district will remain on Facebook and Instagram instead.
“In line with board policy IJNDB and our commitment to safety, SUSD schools are stepping away from X to prioritize family-friendly engagement,” said SUSD. “For updates, find us on Facebook, Instagram, or visit http://susd.org. Let’s stay connected in spaces that uphold our values.”
IJNDB refers to policy on the use of technology resources in instruction. Per that policy, the district implements technology protections against visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or content which may be discerned as harmful to minors.
Yet, the district allows children access to sexually explicit books and content in its libraries and classrooms.
In stepping away from the use of X, the district also remarked that X failed to align with its values. In addition to protections for sexually explicit materials, SUSD holds values such as transgenderism in minors, social emotional learning, and critical race theory.
SUSD made their announcement a week after Election Day, when Donald Trump won the presidency and Republicans secured a trifecta.
Tech billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk bought Twitter (now X) for the express purpose of preserving and supporting free speech following the 2020 election. During that election, the silencing of certain right-wing voices occurred under social media platforms such as Twitter and Big Tech companies.
SUSD lost nearly 500 students over the course of this past year, amounting to millions in lost revenue. The auditor general has scored the district as “high risk” due to its continued decline in enrollment. Enrollment has declined 10 percent under the tenure of SUSD Superintendent Scott Menzel, and reports have emerged of record staff turnover.
Additionally, SUSD spending on classrooms and teachers have hit another historical low for this school year: 54 percent versus nearly 64 percent from 20 years ago, just over the lowest fiscal year (2017, which amounted to 53 percent).
Parent watchdog group Scottsdale Unites for Education Integrity said the nine percent decrease signified a $40 million redirection of funds from academic achievement.
Menzel also enjoyed a pay raise earlier this semester despite falling short of academic performance goals: achievements in math, English-Language Arts (ELA), and science fell below desired outcomes. Over 8,000 students weren’t proficient in ELA, over 9,000 weren’t proficient in math, and over 12,000 weren’t proficient in science.
The only goals which Menzel accomplished were nonacademic, and they amounted to less than half of the goals set: increases in attendance rates, student participation in extracurricular and cocurricular activities, and certified staff retention; an establishment of a baseline for work-based learning opportunities and hours completed using Major Clarity; and production of a decision-making matrix and at least one proposal for action by June.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 18, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona’s Corporation Commission will be completely governed by Republicans after the party experienced a clean sweep of three contests during November’s General Election.
Republicans emerged victorious over their Democrat opponents for three Corporation Commissioner spots on the ballot. Those individuals were newcomers Rachel Walden and Rene Lopez, and incumbent Lea Márquez Peterson, finishing in that order. Márquez Peterson received 100,000 more votes than the fourth-place candidate.
After winning the election, Walden released a statement, saying, “It is a great honor to be elected to the Arizona Corporation Commission. Thank you. To all of the volunteers who knocked on doors, made calls on my behalf, and put up signs. I am so grateful for all of the grassroots efforts. But I am especially grateful for the hundreds of thousands of votes. Thank you for trusting me to serve on the Arizona Corporation Commission. I look forward to serving you to make sure our utilities are affordable and reliable.”
Lopez wrote, “Thank you to everyone for your vote and to: Jessica, Brianna, Andrew & family for your sacrifices in supporting me on this journey. All the PCs, LDs, clubs, Rep Women’s clubs for the opportunities, your work and support. Rachel and Lea for the year long grind. We did it!”
Márquez Peterson said, “Thank you to every campaign volunteer and supporter across the state. I’m honored to continue to serve at the Arizona Corporation Commission for a second term!”
In an exclusive statement to AZ Free News about the coup for Republicans, current Commissioner Kevin Thompson, said, “Despite liberal activist groups spending millions of dollars this cycle to defeat Republican Commission candidates, Arizona voters demonstrated they want Commissioners who will ignore activist politics and prioritize reliability and affordability for ratepayers.”
Thompson added, “The current Commission has focused on the long term reliability of our grid and doing what is best for Arizona, not the activists who want to turn us into another California at the expense of ratepayers. I’m confident the incoming Commission will build upon that work and make sure Arizona remains successful and affordable for the foreseeable future.”
Despite Democrats winning the major statewide offices in 2022 (Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State), Republican majority control of this Commission has been a bright spot for those attempting to keep leftwing policies from taking root and blossoming in Arizona. According to its website, the ACC works to ensure “safe, reliable, and affordable utility services,” and Republicans have been instrumental in directing policies to do just that for the state. Without a single Democrat on the panel going forward, starting in January, Republicans will have even more of an opportunity to enact their vision for Arizona utilities and other areas within their jurisdiction on the Commission.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 17, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Fresh off their successful efforts to keep a majority in the Arizona Legislature, Senate Republicans voted to keep their chamber’s leader for another term in office.
On Tuesday, Senate President Warren Petersen won reelection from his colleagues in the chamber. Petersen faced a brief challenge from another member, but earlier that day, it was reported that the incumbent president would have a clear field to the nomination.
In a statement after his victory, Petersen said, “My esteemed colleagues of the AZ Senate have re-elected me by acclimation as Senate President. I am grateful for their confidence. The media got something right. This is the most conservative legislature in history. We will continue to deliver a conservative agenda that will protect liberty and promote prosperity.”
Petersen added, “With our expanded majority we will make sure our communities are safe and that our kids have the best educational opportunities possible. We will continue to lower taxes and eliminate government waste. We will work with the Trump administration to make sure our border is safe. We will secure our water supplies and our elections.”
Senator Janae Shamp was elected as the Majority Leader, and Senator Frank Carroll as the Majority Whip.
Shamp wrote, “I am truly honored and humbled by the trust The Republican Majority Caucus has placed in me to lead the Arizona State Senate. Together, we will work toward policies that strengthen Arizona, promote opportunity for all, and ensure that our state remains a beacon of freedom, prosperity, and personal responsibility. We will move forward with a united vision, grounded in our shared values, and with a commitment to serving the people of Arizona with integrity and purpose.”
Both Petersen and Shamp are two of the most conservative members of the Arizona Senate. According to the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, Shamp has a 93% lifetime score, and Petersen has a 94% score. Senator Carroll also checked in with a 96% score in the 2024 legislative session.
The leadership elections for Republicans in the Arizona Senate this month marked a drastic change from two years ago, when Petersen faced large uncertainty due to races that had not been called yet and a very competitive challenge for the role of the chamber’s President. Since winning that election and becoming Senate President, though, Petersen has staked a claim to his leadership responsibilities, He has united his caucus in deft opposition to Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs’ radical agenda, managed to advance some conservative priorities in the face of a bitterly divided Arizona government, and joined state and national efforts to defend several laws in the absence of Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes.
Petersen also spent much of his time in the lead-up to the November General Election campaigning for vulnerable and new members of his conference, earning even more goodwill among Republicans. Despite vicious attempts from local and national Democrats to overturn control of the state legislature, Petersen’s efforts to keep the majority paid off in a big way as Republicans expanded their majority after votes across the state were eventually tabulated.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 17, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona House Republicans have chosen their new leadership team for the upcoming term of office.
Last week, Arizona House Republicans met to elect their new team of leaders for the next two years. Representative Steve Montenegro received enough votes to become the next Speaker of the House, replacing outgoing leader Ben Toma. Representative Michael Carbone was elected as Majority Leader, and Representative Julie Willoughby as Majority Whip.
In a statement to accompany the announcement of his victory for Speaker, Montenegro said, “I am deeply honored by the trust my colleagues have placed in me to serve as Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives. Together, we have a strong mandate from Arizonans to advance policies that uphold our principles, promote economic growth, and protect the freedoms and values that define our great state. This opportunity to lead is one I take with great respect for the role and with determination to address the challenges ahead. Our commitment to conservative principles will guide us as we work to secure a bright, prosperous future for every Arizonan.”
Representative Matt Gress posted a picture with the incoming leadership team, writing, “Congratulations to the next Speaker of the Arizona House, Steve Montenegro, along with our new party leaders, Republican Majority Leader, Michael Carbone, and Republican Majority Whip, Julie Willoughby. Under their leadership, the House will deliver common sense solutions for Arizonans. Let’s GOOOO!!”
Unlike the largely unified process and result in the Arizona Senate for Republicans this time around, their legislative allies in the state House of Representatives will have to heal from a speaker’s election that was divided and extremely competitive. To illustrate that point, at least one Arizona House Republican took to X in the aftermath of the speaker’s election to publicly decry the consequences of the result. A unified caucus will be critical to joining with Senate Republicans to stand against Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs’ continued attempts to advance her left-wing priorities in the state over the final two years of her first term in office.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
