by Matthew Holloway | Nov 14, 2024 | Education, News
By Matthew Holloway |
A post-election letter obtained by AZ Free News from Arizona Education Association (AEA) President Marisol Garcia to union members, saw the labor leader address AEA members as if reacting to a great catastrophe. Rather than remarking on a largely peaceful and uncommonly decisive national election that provided an unambiguous mandate to the incoming government, she spoke of families and students being “directly in danger,” and that “no one is coming to save us.”
In the text of the letter, Garcia speaks in disturbingly combative terms, suggesting that there are individuals, either teachers or students, they will need to “protect,” because they “are being targeted.”
She also told Arizona educators, “We are going to be the union thugs that we were meant to be…” and added instructions that they “Drink some water, get some rest, get off social media and surround yourself with joy and get ready. Because, it’s on y’all.”
AZ Free News independently confirmed the letter was sent to Arizona educators and the language is consistent with Garcia’s post to X on November 6th when she wrote, “Join your union—Unbreakable Solidarity, and “OK take a deep breath, find some space the rest, and know the way through this is through it TOGETHER. Elections are one tactic. Organizing for solidarity and power is another. ✊🏾”
In the full letter Garcia wrote:
AEA,
First, how proud we must be for all the efforts that everyone put into this year’s election work. We all have to be proud of the new leaders that we saw step up. The goals that brave locals made and worked hard to reach, many of which they broke, too much shock to themselves. Ballots continue to be counted in every county and so many of our focus races are yet to be called—so as usual the work continues.
In that vein, our labor work, our power building work must continue as planned, with more clarity on the importance of unbreakable solidarity. The talk, the words, now more than ever become the walk and the work.
I won’t sugar coat this, many of us, our families and our students are directly in danger. You might recall, last year I reminded the delegates that no one is coming to save us — we have to save ourselves. The mechanism to which we can save ourselves is through good old fashion local organizing work.
Building our smaller circles into bigger circles. Embracing the things we have in common to find solution for the things that threaten all of us. Small group meetings, engaging in difficult conversations and above all listening. Our union knows how to do this, we have the ability to not just work through this, but lead through this, together.
On a personal note, as a product of ancestors who survived hundreds of years of institutional impacts, including genocides, starvation, and military attacks. I’m still here. My great great grandmothers did not give up. They fought back and organized collectively to survive, sharing food, housing, powerful stories and safety. This resilience was passed to their next generations and will continue with my son.
We will not comply in advance, we will not shirk, we will not forget the fights we have survived nor will we not prepare to protect those who are being targeted.
We are going to be the union thugs we were meant to be… we will fight, because together we are always stronger and whether we like it or not, it is our destiny to be in the fight.
Drink some water, get some rest, get off social media, and surround yourself with joy and get ready.
Because, it’s on y’all.
Unbreakable solidarity.
Marisol Garcia, President.
Arizona Education Association
Turning Point Action Field Representative and VP of Greater PHX Republican Women, Alyssa Goncales shared an image of the letter in a post to X, writing, “The AZ teachers union is an obvious branch of the Democratic Party. @MarisolGarciaAZ doesn’t care about the rights of all teachers and students. She’s just spreading fear and pushing the lefts agenda. It speaks volumes to what public school is trying to do to our children. Great push for AZ parents to homeschool.”
Notably in the union’s recommendations for the 2024 ballot, all of the recommended candidates in partisan races were Democrats.
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 Corinne Murdock | Nov 14, 2024 | News
By Staff Reporter |
Attorney General Kris Mayes has ended her investigation into president-elect Donald Trump over his speech.
Mayes began an investigation into Trump over his argument that former congresswoman Liz Cheney should have to fight in a war before advocating for bringing the U.S. into another one. Mayes claimed to the Arizona Republic that this recent change of heart from her office came from their sudden realization that Trump’s remarks were protected by the First Amendment.
During a Halloween day event in Arizona, Trump had called Cheney a “radical war hawk” and a “deranged person” whose desires for war were rooted in her lack of intimate understanding of it. The topic of her had come up after conservative pundit Tucker Carlson had asked the president-elect how he felt about Cheney campaigning against him despite her father, Dick Cheney, having been a Republican and former vice president.
“Let’s put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK?” said Trump. “Let’s see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face. They’re all war hawks when they’re sitting in Washington in a nice building saying ‘Oh gee, let’s send 10,000 troops into the mouths of the enemies.’ She always wanted to go to war with people.”
Cheney responded by calling Trump a “dictator” who had threatened her life.
“This is how dictators destroy free nations,” said Cheney. “They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant.”
The next day, Mayes announced her investigation into Trump over his remarks. Mayes claimed at the time that Trump’s speech may have been a death threat.
“I have already asked my criminal division chief to start looking at that statement, analyzing it for whether it qualifies as a death threat under Arizona’s laws,” said Mayes. “I’m not prepared now to say whether it was or it wasn’t, but it is not helpful as we prepare for our election and as we try to make sure that we keep the peace at our polling places and in our state.”
Mayes made the announcement of her investigation just days before Election Day.
Although Mayes dropped her investigation into Trump’s remarks, she said her office wouldn’t be dropping its case against him and his 2020 electors, who face multiple felonies related to conspiracy and forgery. Trump is an unindicted co-conspirator in that case.
“We’re going to stay focused on the case we brought,” said Mayes. “Those are serious charges, they are state charges and they are not affected one bit by Donald Trump’s reelection to the presidency.”
Mayes also claimed in a recent press conference that Trump presents a threat to the state and federal constitutions, especially the Project 2025 plan drafted by the Heritage Foundation in 2023.
“I do not believe that in electing Donald Trump Arizona voters voted to shred the U.S. and Arizona constitutions,” said Mayes. “If Donald Trump tries to do that [Project 2025], he will have to go through me first.”
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Nov 13, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
A series of polls released over the past year have shown that public support for the mass deportation of illegal immigrants represents a majority-driven mandate from the American people which cuts across racial, political, and economic lines. Congressional leaders from Arizona have emerged as the most fervent voices reflecting the widely accepted viewpoint.
As noted by Cronkite News, President-Elect Donald J. Trump drew direct attention to this in remarks he made announcing his victory when he touted “an unprecedented and powerful mandate.”
“They’re coming by the thousands,” Trump warned in a video posted on Truth Social. “We will secure our borders. And we will restore sovereignty.”
A Scripps News/Ipsos survey presented findings that approximately 54% of the American public, including 25% of Democrats, an overwhelming 86% of Republicans, and even a strong majority of 58% of Independents agreed that they “strongly,” or “somewhat” support “Deporting those who are in the country illegally.”
Similarly, an Axios Vibes survey by The Harris Poll released in April found conclusively that 51% of the American public, with 42% of Democrats, 68% of Republicans, and even a 45% share of Latinos and 40% of Black Americans polled found they “support mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.”
Finally, a Fox News Poll, by Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research released in mid-October in the final weeks of the election cycle made it quite clear that “Since 2015, support for deporting those living in the U.S. illegally is up across the board, but most notably among nonwhite voters (+24 points favor), Republicans (+21 points), rural voters (+20), urban voters (+19), and men (+16). Democrats are also more likely to favor this now but by a smaller 8-point margin.” The increase over time in acceptance of mass deportation has been profound.
Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ) has consistently criticized the Department of Homeland Security under the Biden administration and frequently sparred with Secretary of the Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. In April, Crane was reported by Forbes as scorching Mayorkas.
Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ) shared a video of Trump explaining his mass deportation policy in a post to X in March 2023 with the caption: “We need mass deportations and NO AMNESTY.”
Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) posted likewise in January 2023 writing, “All illegal aliens must be deported. Period.”
Trump’s selection of former acting director of ICE, Tom Homan, as “border czar,” has further energized the conversation around the mass deportation plan Trump promised during his campaign.
The morale of Border Patrol agents has also improved significantly according to reports. National Border Patrol Council President Paul Perez told Fox News in an interview that the agency’s morale is “through the roof,” adding, “We’ve received hundreds of calls, texts, emails, just saying how happy the agents are.”
“There are a lot of agents that had originally said that they would retire if President Trump did not win. And now those same agents are saying they’re going to hold back on their retirement because they want to serve under this administration again, because they know exactly how it was during this first administration, and they know this one’s going to be even better,” he said.
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 13, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona voters overwhelmingly approved a border security proposal in the November General Election.
Last week, Proposition 314 passed in the state of Arizona with more than 62% of the vote. The measure, which was referred by the Arizona Legislature earlier this year “makes it a crime for persons not lawfully present in the United States to submit false information in applications for public benefits and employment, and to enter Arizona outside ports of entry, or refuse to comply with orders to return; [and] criminalizes selling fentanyl that causes the death of a person.”
Republican state Senator Janae Shamp, who was instrumental in the policy within the proposition, issued a comment after the result, saying, “Our state law enforcement asked me to create this measure because their hands were tied when it came to protecting our communities from the atrocious Biden-Harris border crisis. When Governor Hobbs chose to ignore our laws, our law enforcement, and our state’s citizens by vetoing the Secure the Border Act, I knew sending it to the ballot was necessary. It’s what the people of Arizona wanted, and now, they’ve spoken.”
Shamp added, “The people of Arizona want safe communities again. Communities free of crime, deadly drugs, sex trafficking, murder, and harmful fraud. I’m proud to have sponsored this measure and to have seen it through to pass at the polls, but I was merely doing what I promised to do when I was sworn into office. I will always fight for what’s best for Arizonans! In this case, I believe it’s also what’s best for our country.”
After a state superior court judge ruled against efforts to keep the measure from the ballot in July, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen reacted to the decision in a statement, emphasizing the importance of the proposition being enacted by voters. He said, “It’s unthinkable Democrats and our Governor would stand with Biden and radical left activists, instead of the hardworking Arizona families who are begging for their elected leaders to secure our border and promote safety within our communities. As expected, the court ruled in favor of sanity instead of chaos, and we’re grateful we are able to provide this opportunity to voters to have the final say on.”
In June, former President Donald J. Trump was asked about this ballot measure when he was in Arizona for a campaign stop. He replied, “I endorse anything that is going to make it more difficult for people to come into our country illegally.”
The efforts from Arizona legislators to send this referral to state voters came months after Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed SB 1231, the Arizona Border Invasion Act, which would have “ma[de] it unlawful for a person who is an alien (unlawful immigrant) to enter Arizona from a foreign nation at any location other than a lawful port of entry and outline[d] penalties for violations of illegally entering Arizona and provide[d] immunity from civil liability and indemnification for state and local government officials, employees and contractors who enforce this prohibition” – according to the purpose from the state Senate.
Senator Janae Shamp, the sponsor of SB 1231, had vowed in the aftermath of the governor’s veto that members of her party would continue to push forward solutions to combat the border crisis. Republicans in both the Arizona House of Representatives and Senate came together to pass HCR 2060 in the spring, sending the border-related policies to the November General Election ballot.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 13, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona Republicans pulled out some key victories in extremely competitive districts to expand their control of the state legislature.
Entering the 2024 General Election, Republicans had a very narrow control of the Arizona Legislature. Over the past year, local and national Democrats poured millions of dollars into specific districts, hoping to flip one or both chambers.
Instead of a party shift, however, Republicans did more than maintain their control of each legislative body; they may have slightly expanded their numbers, as the makeup looks today with most of ballots counted across the state.
In District 2, Republican Senator Shawnna Bolick staved off a ferocious challenge from Democrat Judy Schwiebert, winning by almost four percent.
Bolick said, “I cannot thank our family, friends, and supporters enough for helping to push us over the finish line. I am fortunate to have had helping hands to complete our post card writing campaigns in both the primary and the general elections. We also had to deliver campaign literature to voters in all the precincts targeting registered voters across all political parties. We had volunteers from all over the state making phone calls and sending positive text messages to our district’s voters. Thank you to everyone who reached out to help us, maximizing our efforts to reaching our goal of winning this seat.”
In District 4, Republican newcomer Carine Werner unseated incumbent Democrat Senator Christine Marsh, emerging victorious by more than 3.5%.
Werner issued a statement after her race was called, writing, “We were successful because we worked hard and listened to voters in District 4. I say ‘we’ because it isn’t about me, it’s about finding solutions for small businesses, families, our schools, and first responders. I will legislate the same way I campaigned and have served on school board – with integrity, transparency, and accountability. I want our district to feel like their hard work and entrepreneurship means something. I want people to get more for their hard-earned dollar, because we can help reduce prices and keep taxes low. And I want parents to feel empowered to make the best choices for their kids. This election is about all of us and the future of our state – I’m honored to be part of it and to know that voters have trust and faith in me. Now it’s time to deliver.”
Incumbent Republican state Representative Matt Gress easily won the top spot in this district to return to his chamber for a second term in office. His running mate, Pamela Carter, held off Democrat Kelli Butler by less than one percent to capture the second House seat.
Gress stated, “The latest batch of votes are in, and we are WAY up in #LD4! I am so grateful you have re-hired me as your state representative with wide support across our community. I’ll continue working for YOU! On this campaign, we talked about common sense — we didn’t sling mud. I can’t wait to get back to work, delivering more results for our community and state. In short: THANK YOU, #LD4!!!”
Carter added, “WE DID IT! We have been victorious in winning the final seat in the Arizona House of Representatives in LD 4! Great news for Arizona! Thank you to my Lord Jesus Christ, my team, and all of my supporters and volunteers for making this possible. Congratulations to President Trump, our 47th President of the USA! Together, we will make Arizona and America strong, healthy and vibrant again!!”
In District 13, Republican Senator J.D. Mesnard won reelection with a margin of over six percent.
Republicans Jeff Weninger and Julie Willoughby won both House seats for the district. For Willoughby, this upcoming term will be her first full one in office. For Weninger, this victory marks a return to the state legislature after a brief hiatus from public service.
Weninger said, “We had to counter an enormous amount of campaign spending coming from out-of-state special interest groups. In the end, they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars supporting my opponent. But we responded even stronger and again sent a message that the people of this district value real relationships and real results. Desperate money from DC liberals won’t fool them. In fact, it appears this will be my biggest win yet for the State Senate!”
In District 17, Republican candidate and former legislator Vince Leach has a razor-thin lead of approximately 1,500 votes over Democrat John McLean.
In District 23, Republican incumbent state Representative Michele Peña finished atop the field of candidates for House, ensuring another term in the Arizona Legislature.
As of Monday night, Republicans appear to have secured 17 of 30 Senate seats and 33 of 60 House seats. There are still thousands of votes outstanding throughout the state.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Nov 12, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
With the retention of Arizona Supreme Court Justices Clint Bolick and Kathryn King assured, the effort to nominate the next Justice of Arizona’s highest court is underway after Justice Robert Brutinel announced his retirement on October 31. The pool of possibilities begins with 17 candidates and will eventually be whittled down to three, which Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs will choose from, according to The Center Square.
Applications, which ran through the month of October, were closed on Nov. 1. As the outlet noted, applications held three constitutional requirements; that prospective jurists be attorneys in good standing, under 65-years of age, and a resident of the state for at least ten years.
The judicial standards lay out that, “The judge shall demonstrate command of relevant substantive law and procedural rules, impartiality, clarity of oral and written communications, judicial temperament and professionalism upholding public confidence in the legal system and demonstrating appropriate respect for everyone.”
“Furthermore, the judge shall have possession of the administrative and management skills and work ethic necessary to be productive and efficient.”
Brutinel was appointed by former Republican Governor Jan Brewer in 2010 and was named to the post of Chief Justice by his peers in 2019. He stepped down as Chief Justice at the end of his five-year term to present-Chief Justice Ann Scott Timmer.
“After 42 years as a lawyer and 28 years as a judge, I believe more strongly than ever in the rule of law and that everyone is equal before the law,” Brutinel wrote in a statement on his retirement. “Arizona’s judicial branch is truly committed to the idea that our courts and the law are a positive force for protecting our rights and improving the lives of our fellow citizens.”
“The decision to leave the court has not been easy and I will greatly miss the Court’s interesting and challenging work and particularly all the wonderful people with whom I have had the pleasure of working,” he wrote.
Brutinel’s replacement will be the first Democrat appointee since Justice Scott Bales stepped down in 2019.
The slate of candidates to replace him includes:
- Sheena S. Chiang, a Phoenix criminal defense attorney featured in Phoenix Business Journals’ 40 Under 40 in 2020.
- Ann B. Ching, a Clinical Professor of Law at ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law who served on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Asian American Bar Association (2018-present) and as its President (2023-2024).
- Janette C. Corral, a Commissioner of the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County, and former Maricopa County Deputy Public Defender – Criminal Mental Health.
- Maria Elena Cruz, Judge of the Arizona Court of Appeals Division One, and former prosecutor in the Yuma County Attorney’s Office.
- Nicole C. Davis, a commercial litigation attorney in Phoenix.
- Monica N. Bellapravalu Edelstein, a Maricopa County Superior Court Judge assigned to the Criminal Department in Phoenix, a Reserve Assistant Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Air Force at Luke Air Force Base, and former Assistant United States Attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Phoenix.
- D. Andrew Gaona, as noted by The Center Square, Gaona has been known to provide legal advice to the Hobbs administration, and is one of the more likely choices.
- Andrew M. Jacobs, a judge of the Arizona Court of Appeals Division One, graduate of the University of Illinois and Harvard Law School, and former research assistant to radical anti-Trump legal Professor Laurence Tribe, who wrote to X after Election Day, “The comprehensive nature of Trump’s victory suggests that alongside the large core of voters thrilled by his misogyny, xenophobia, bullying, and mendacity, many more are at least not repelled by his ever more extreme indulgence in those sadistic pleasures.”
- Shalanda M. Looney, an attorney practicing juvenile law with the Gates Law Firm.
- Doreen N. McPaul, an assistant legislative attorney working for the Tohono O’odham Nation.
- Robert J. McWhirter, a practicing private attorney specializing in criminal law.
- Regina L. Nassen, the principal assistant city attorney for the Tucson City Attorney.
- Alexander W. Samuels, the principal deputy solicitor general of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
- Amy D. Sells, an appellate and civil attorney for the prominent Phoenix law firm, Tiffany & Bosco
- Mikel P. Steinfeld, a Supervisor with the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office overseeing the appeals unit.
- Barry G. Stratford, a partner at the private firm Perkins Coie. This firm was also home to Clinton-operative Marc Elias and was at the center of election controversy in 2016 when Fusion GPS, an opposition research firm, was hired to develop a false-dossier about Donald Trump’s alleged ties to Russia.
- William R. Wingard, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge appointed by Gov. Hobbs in 2023.
The Arizona Commission on Appellate Court Appointments is moving forward with these candidates, investigating their backgrounds and holding public interviews. Three of them will make the ‘short-list’ of recommendations to Hobbs after taking public comments in a meeting scheduled for Nov. 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.
