by Matthew Holloway | Oct 24, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Democratic Candidate for Congressional District 1 Amish Shah has found himself facing demands from the Tempe City Attorney.
According to the Arizona Agenda, Tempe City Attorney Eric Anderson contacted the Shah campaign and ordered the candidate to cease using a mailer that depicts a retired Tempe Police officer in full uniform including his sidearm. The advertisement shows Shah speaking with the officer and claiming he “stood up to his own party to crack down on fentanyl trafficking” or that he “voted to increase funding for border security,” forwarding a narrative that he is at least pro-law and order if not pro-law enforcement.
The ad naturally came to the attention of incumbent Republican Congressman David Schweikert who forwarded it to the city attorney. The mailer appears to be in violation of Arizona law A.R.S. 9-500.14, which forbids the use of city resources to influence an election, including: “monies, accounts, credit, facilities, vehicles, postage, telecommunications, computer hardware and software, web pages, personnel, equipment, materials, buildings or any other thing of value of the city or town.” In this case, the city’s logo represents a “thing of value.” Anderson also confirmed to the outlet that city policy also forbids the practice.
“Accordingly, my office has directed correspondence to both the former officer as well as Dr. Shah’s campaign demanding that any such use be discontinued,” he wrote, adding that if the Schweikert campaign sees him use it again, they should tell the city “so further action can be considered.”
As of this report, the advertisements haven’t stopped. Schweikert campaign consultant Chris Baker told the Arizona Agenda that one more mailer hit homes just a day after the letter from the city attorney, which could have already been in process. But a few days later, another was deployed, leading the campaign to alert the city.
Responding to the allegations, Shah told the outlet that he passed the city’s letter on to his attorney and if his campaign had indeed violated the law, he would update the ad. He did note though that his team had contracted with a major national firm for the mailers and were told by both the company and the retired officer that use of the photo was “kosher.”
Shah told the outlet, “We’re checking with our team and our lawyers to see if what they allege to be a violation, was indeed a violation. And if we are found to be out of compliance, then we will take corrective action, meaning, blur it out.”
National Republican Congressional Committee Spokesperson Ben Petersen reacted in a statement saying, “Lawbreaking liberal Amish Shah thinks he’s above the rules and will do anything for power. Shah shamelessly doubling down on his illegal behavior despite being warned shows his contempt for the rule of law.”
In a post to X, Petersen even noted, “Let’s not forget Shah clearly forgot Tempe is not even in #AZ01.”
According to the law, “For each violation of this section, the court may impose a civil penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars plus any amount of misused funds subtracted from the city or town budget against a person who knowingly violates or aids another person in violating this section.”
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 Staff Reporter | Jul 10, 2024 | News
By Staff Reporter |
A poll of voters conducted late last month revealed that the Democratic primary for Arizona’s District One congressional race remains highly competitive.
Leading candidates Andrei Cherny and Amish Shah reflected 16 percent support, with Marlene Galan-Woods trailing slightly at 14 percent, then Connor O’Callaghan at 11 percent.
Those numbers were low because a majority remained undecided on their preferred candidate.
The poll, conducted by Noble Predictive Insights (NPI), found that 35 percent of the over 400 Democratic voters didn’t know if they were going to support Cherny, Shah, Galan-Woods, or O’Callaghan.
NPI Chief of Research David Byler opined in a press release with the poll results that the lack of voter enthusiasm for any one candidate was due to the race being “a mess” and none of the Democratic primary candidates being well known.
“On the Democratic side of the aisle, there’s no single issue that focuses and divides up primaries,” said Byler. “Many Democrats haven’t tuned in, and those who have are split and unsure.”
Certain candidates turned out higher likeability scores among undecided Democratic voters. Cherny had a net favorability rating of 43 points, followed by Galan-Woods at 41 points and then Shah at 34 points.
Cherny was endorsed by former President Bill Clinton; congressmen Adam Smith (Washington), Brad Schneider (Illinois), Mike Levin (California), Seth Moulton (Massachusetts), and Wiley Nickel (North Carolina), Senate Democratic leader Mitzi Epstein; former State Representatives Debbie McCune Davis and Kelli Butler; mayors Ginny Dickey (Fountain Hills), Kate Gallego (Phoenix), Jerry Bien-Wilner (Paradise Valley); former Congressman Harry Mitchell; Central Arizona Project and Arizona’s List board member Heather Macre; Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo; former Vice Mayor of Tempe Lauren Kuby; former Attorney General Terry Goddard; AFSCME; Brady PAC; Foreign Policy for America; League of Conservation Voters; Moms Demand Action; New Politics; Serve America; Taking the Hill PAC; and VoteVets.
Shah’s endorsements are mainly Democratic lawmakers: House Minority Leader Andrés Cano, House Minority Leader Lupe Contreras; House Assistant Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos; House Whip Nancy Gutierrez; and Representatives Analise Ortiz, Stacy Travers, Stephanie Stahl-Hamilton, Cesar Aguilar, Christopher Mathis, Keith Seaman, Patty Contreras, Myron Tsosie, Seth Blattman, Mae Peshlakai, Deborah Nardozzi, Charles Lucking, and Senators Eva Burch and Flavio Bravo. His other endorsements include Councilman Kevin Robinson, former Representative Lorenzo Sierra, César Chávez, and Aaron Lieberman; and former senators Robert Miza and Sean Bowie.
Galan-Woods has a diverse array of endorsements among Democratic leaders. Among them are Congressman Raúl Grijalva; attorney general Kris Mayes; State Representative Laura Terech; former Arizona Governor and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, former Senator Dennis DeConcini; former Congressman Ron Barber and Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick; former State Representative Marcelino Quiñonez; former Mayor of Tempe, Neil Giuliano; former Arizona Democratic Party Chair Felecia Rotellini; and 2014 Democratic nominee for Arizona governor and Deputy Chief of Protocol for former President Bill Clinton, Fred Duval.
Galan-Woods’ list of endorsements from organizations also has diversity: Emily’s List, Bold Democrats, Elect Democratic Women, Moms Fed Up, Latino Victory Fund, Moms Demand Action, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 104, Ironworkers Local 75, American Federation of Government Employees, United Food and Commercial Workers, National Education Association, Arizona Education Association, Professional Firefighters of Arizona, International Association of Fire Fighters, Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, and Communications Workers of America.
O’Callaghan’s endorsements generally cover a more national scope, with some more local Arizona endorsements. Those Arizona endorsements include State Representative Mariana Sandoval; elected Central Arizona Water Conservation District board members Ylenia Aguilar and Ben Graff; pro-tem Justice of the Peace in Maricopa County Ayensa Millan; Scottsdale Unified School District board member Julie Cieniawski; Phoenix Elementary Governing Board member Regional Carrillo; Paradise Valley Unified School District Governing Board member Kerry Baker; former Scottsdale Education Association President Eric Kurland; former Nogales Mayor Marco Lopez; former Maricopa County Democratic Party Chair Steven Slugocki; activists Tony Moya, Shea Najafi, and Mark Ashley; former Turning Arizona Blue host Ron Williams; former congressional candidate Bernadette Greene-Placentia.
O’Callaghan’s endorsements outside Arizona list among them several A-list celebrities: Kate Walsh, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Laura Benanti, Beth Dover, and Cissy Jones. Other endorsements were Congressmen Dan Goldman (New York), Brendan Boyle (Pennsylvania), Val Hoyle (Oregon); former New York Congressman Max Rose; political scientist and author Rachel Bitecofer; former senior advisor to former President Bill Clinton, Justin Cooper; Obama 2012 State Director Miguel Medrano; former Bernie Sanders Deputy Director Roy Tatem Jr.; TNT reporter and host Allie LaForce.
O’Callaghan also had a number of organization recognitions: BlueAmerica, Common Defense, Patriotic Millionaires, Stonewall Democrats of Arizona, Penjamo Yaqui Pueblo, Power PAC Plus, Down with Tyranny, Vote Common Good, American Promise, and Moms Demand Action.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Feb 18, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Another lawmaker has been appointed to serve in the Arizona Legislature.
On Wednesday, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors appointed Charles Lucking to serve in Legislative District 5, filling a vacancy from former legislator Amish Shah. According to a press release from the Arizona House Democrats, Lucking is a fourth-generation Arizona native who is employed by Community Legal Services.
Lucking said, “I’m very excited and honored to be representing LD 5 in the legislature. Arizona is facing a mountain of very complex challenges, such as our housing crisis. I’m eager to get started doing the hard work as a servant of the people to implement real solutions for all Arizonans.”
Bill Gates, the District 3 Supervisor on the Maricopa County Board wrote, “Charles Lucking is not only a long-time resident of LD-5, he is also a fifth generation Arizonan with a deep commitment to serving his community. When interviewing him, it was clear that he will be laser-focused on creating more affordable housing and addressing the budget deficit head on.”
Arizona House Democratic Leader Lupe Contreras added, “With the appointment of Charles Lucking, Arizona and our caucus has gained a passionate champion who is committed to use his legal expertise to address pressing social issues, including the housing crisis and environmental conservation. Deep roots and unwavering dedication to service, advocacy, and community empowerment will make Representative Lucking an impactful addition to our caucus.”
Lucking was sworn in to the State House of Representatives on Thursday.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
