Pullen for the Party

AZGOP EVENT WITH GOPAC CHAIRMAN MICHAEL STEELE A SUCCESS

Former Maryland Lt. Governor raises AZGOP $25,000

Phoenix, AZ - Focusing on building and training the Republican “farm team,” former Maryland Lt. Governor and Chairman of GOPAC, Michael Steele, was in town yesterday to lend his support to Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen and help the party raise over $25,000 at a fundraising reception at Donovan’s of Phoenix.

“We must recommit to building our base and undertake the responsibility to recruit, field and train Republicans at the local level, so that down the road we have qualified candidates ready and waiting to run for office on the statewide or federal level,” said Steele.

Steele continued, “In any community, whether it be here in Arizona, or Maryland where I’m from, or New York, or Florida, or Illinois, I think the real rising stars in the Republican Party are the men and women who are running for local office in 2008. Whether it be those running for mayor, or state legislator, or county supervisor the party has to focus on grooming its candidates for the future, grooming the next generation of leaders as Newt Gingrich did in 1986.”

“I think it’s great that Chairman Steele was able to join us in Arizona. I appreciate all of GOPAC’s efforts around the country to help elect Republicans and I look forward to our continued partnership as we work to grow the party and win election after election throughout Arizona,” said Pullen. “Michael Steele is a committed, effective, and very charismatic leader. I believe he is the right spokesman to deliver the Republican message of lower taxes, stronger families, safer communities, and secure borders throughout the country.”

GOPAC was originally founded in 1978 by Pete Du Pont as a vehicle to elect Republicans to state and local office. Newt Gingrich later took the helm of the organization and laid the groundwork for the eventual Republican takeover of Congress in 1994. Michael Steele took the reigns of the organization earlier this year.

For more information, please contact Brett Mecum at 602.957.7770 or at bmecum@azgop.org.

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Sydney Hay Announces Candidacy for Arizona's Congressional District 1

Arizona's Most Successful Advocate for Change Will Bring Change to Congress
-- Wins Congressman Trent Franks Immediate Endorsement --

MUNDS PARK, ARIZONA - Citing a need for systemic change in Washington DC and in Congress, Sydney Hay, Arizona's most successful advocate for conservative change, announced her candidacy today for Arizona's Congressional District 1.

Said Sydney Hay,
"Politics and government in America are broken. Washington DC is broken. That's why, now more than ever, Arizona's First Congressional District needs an advocate, with a proven record, ready on day-one, to be our champion of change. I'm running to be CD-1's advocate for change because I've been one of Arizona's most successful advocates for change."

Sydney Hay brings to the race an impressive record of success for conservative causes, including:
Tax Relief- After Arizona saw eight years of tax increases, Sydney Hay led the ballot initiative to require a 2/3's vote at the Legislature in order to enact a tax or fee increase. Arizona has since seen 15 years without a legislatively-enacted income, sales or property tax increase.

Education Reform - As the leading advocate for education reform, Sydney Hay's successful efforts have included charter schools and the nation's first public/private education tax credits. With these victories and more, Arizona now leads the nation in educational choices and the public/private tax credits have become a model other states are following.

Ethics in Government - In the aftermath of AzScam, where Legislators were discovered to be taking bribes from undercover law enforcement posing as casino lobbyists, Sydney Hay launched a campaign for strict ethical reforms, forcing the Legislature to pass prohibitions on gifts from lobbyists, on personal use of campaign cash and on fundraising while the Legislature is in session.

Sydney Hay is the President of the Arizona Mining Association, (whose members employ thousands of Arizonans and contribute several billion dollars annually to Arizona's economy, with most of their operations being within CD-1). She is the former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resources and has served for the past thirteen years as Executive Director of AMIGOS (Arizona Mining and Industry Get Our Support, a trade association of small to mid-sized businesses that supply Arizona's vital copper mining industry) - all firsts for a woman in the male-dominated industry. A small business owner, she owns her own public affairs and association management firm and has managed numerous political campaigns from local to national in scope.

Continued Hay,
"I have worked on behalf of the people and issues that CD-1 is all about: taxpayers, small businesses, natural resource employers and the jobs they create, and parents wanting the best education for their children. I've made a real difference for Arizona. I'm ready to fight for real change in Congress."

Wins Congressman Trent Franks Immediate Endorsement

The Sydney Hay for Congress campaign was immediately bolstered today with the endorsement of Congressman Trent Franks, who said,
"For me, this marks day-one of doing everything I can to see that Sydney Hay is the Republican elected to fill that seat. My strong commitment to Sydney Hay is due to her strong commitment to principled conservative reforms. I've known Sydney Hay for more than 20 years and in those 20 years she has amassed a tremendous record of accomplishment on issues that are vital to the citizens of Congressional District 1, vital to Arizona and to vital America. As an advocate for taxpayers, small businesses, natural resource industries, and parents seeking educational opportunities for their children, Sydney Hay hasn't just pushed for change, she's made change happen."

Franks continued, "With America facing thorny issues like protecting our borders, fighting international terrorism and promoting rural economic opportunities, Arizona's CD-1 cannot afford a new member who needs on-the-job training. We need a Member of Congress, Sydney Hay, who is ready on day-one to bring her experience as a principled conservative reformer to the halls of Congress -- someone who has never wavered in her defense of life, liberty and limited government. Sydney Hay is ready to go to work to fix what's broken in Washington. And I'm ready to go to work to help ensure Sydney Hay wins this race."

Thanking Congressman Franks for his support Sydney Hay said,
"Congressman Franks' support means so much to me because we share the belief that much of what government does, it has no business doing. It spends too much, wastes too much, taxes too much, regulates too much. Much of what government is supposed to do it does poorly or not at all. Bloated bureaucracies and destructive government policies invite incompetence and frustrate common-sense. Now, more than ever, we need advocates in Congress for bedrock American values: individual responsibility; entrepreneurial spirit; economic opportunity; -- all within the framework of limited government. I've made advocacy for change my life's work. Now I want to take that advocacy to Congress. That's what the Sydney Hay for Congress campaign is all about."

Sydney Hay previously ran for this Congressional seat, losing narrowly in the 2002 Primary to Rick Renzi.

Sydney and her husband Dan divide their time between homes in Munds Park and Scottsdale with their two dogs, and a lovable old quarter horse named Earl. Her son Andrew is an airline pilot and her daughter Sarah and her son-in-law Ron are the proud parents of Sydney's three grandchildren Andrew, Caleb and Sophia.

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McCAIN, ROMNEY, GIULIANI AND THOMPSON BEST HILLARY RODHAM-CLINTON IN A HEAD TO HEAD ARIZONA MATCHUP

PHOENIX, AZ – The results of the new KAET poll are in and Arizona voters prefer Republican candidates over Democrat frontrunner Hillary Rodham-Clinton. Arizona’s United States Senator, John McCain bests Mrs. Rodham-Clinton by a margin of 48% to 36%, while former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani wins 49% to 27%. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson both beat out Rodham-Clinton by 43% to 41% and 43% to 40% respectively.

“It’s clear that it’s the Republican message of lower taxes, less government, strong families, a secure border, better education and safer communities that resonates with the people of Arizona,” said Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party. “Arizonans and Americans are not interested in higher taxes, they are not interested in socialized healthcare, they are not interested in surrendering in Iraq, they are appalled by Rodham –Clinton’s latest fundraising scandal, and they are certainly not interested in another Clinton in the White House.”

Pullen continued, “The results of this new poll show that Arizona will play a pivotal roll in the selection of the next President of the United States and that it is Republicans that have the best ideas and have the best candidates and are prepared to lead tomorrow’s America.”

The full results of the poll can be found here: http://www.azpbs.org/horizon/poll/2007/8-28-07.htm

For more information, please contact Brett Mecum at 602.957.7770 or at bmecum@azgop.org.

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Sec. of State Brewer Gains Clear Victory in Prop 200 Court Battle

Court Rules in Favor of State on a Vast Majority of Legal Claims Against Prop. 200

Phoenix – Secretary of State Jan Brewer today announced a sweeping victory in her ongoing legal defense of voting requirements passed into law by over one million voters in 2004 as part of Proposition 200. The U.S. District Court of Arizona granted the legal motion sought by Secretary Brewer by granting summary judgment on a majority of legal claims against Proposition 200.

“I am extremely happy to have earned this sweeping court victory on behalf of the citizens of Arizona,” stated Secretary Brewer, “yet again Arizonan’s are able to retain their inherent right to properly establish proof of citizenship when registering to vote and require proper identification when voting at the polling place.” “I am very pleased by this decision, and pledge that I will not waiver in my defense of the will of our voters.”

Today’s court decision specifically noted,” …citizenship is material in determining whether an individual may vote and Arizona’s decision to require more proof than simply affirmation by the voter is not prohibited…”

The U.S. District Court sided with Brewer on the following areas:

• the National Voter Registration Act does not prohibit requiring voters to prove citizenship when registering to vote
• Prop. 200 is not an unconstitutional poll tax
• Prop. 200 identification requirements do not create two classes of voters
• Proof of citizenship is material in determining an individual’s eligibility to vote
• the Secretary of State’s submission of pre-clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice on Proposition 200 was in proper form
• The Secretary of State makes available the federal voter registration form as required by law
• Requiring proof of citizenship does not conflict with other Arizona laws
• The Secretary of State has met her statutory obligations required in performing the duties of her job

Added Brewer, “having spent so much time over the last several years drafting the procedures, gathering substantial election materials for the case, and spending hours preparing testimony and affidavits, it is extremely gratifying to gain this summary judgment.” “My staff and the lawyers from the Attorney General’s office assigned to this case worked cooperatively and extremely hard on this case,” added Secretary Brewer.

“The Arizona voters have openly embraced these voting requirements, and as a result of the strong education efforts of my office and the county election officials, over 99 percent of the voters had absolutely no problem complying with the new law during the 2006 election,” said Secretary Brewer.

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Yeah, but my daddy's a Congressman

According to Espresso Pundit, Democrat Arizona Congressman Ed Pastor sent out a franked mailer, that is a mailer at taxpayer expense, designed to coincide with the early ballot process for the Phoenix City Council Elections. Ed Pastor's daughter , Laura, is a candidate for the Phoenix City Council and the council district she is running for is entirely within her father's congressional district. I guess Ed Pastor is taking his cues from Harry Mitchell on how to effectively use taxpayer dollars for political mailings. For more on this story jump to http://www.espressopundit.com/

Acting Republican Governor Jan Brewer Takes Action

Acting Governor Brewer Declares State of Emergency in Santa Cruz County
Threat of Additional Flood Damage Requires Immediate Funding from State

PHOENIX – Acting Governor Jan Brewer signed a State of Emergency declaration today which authorized and put into effect state funding and emergency response plans to help address the Nogales Wash Flood problems in Santa Cruz county.

With Governor Napolitano currently out of state until early September, Secretary of State Brewer continues to serve as Acting Governor pursuant to Article V, Section 6 of the Arizona Constitution.

“I want to thank the Governor’s staff for keeping me apprised of the situation down in Nogales,” stated Secretary Brewer, “I do believe this emergency declaration is necessary given the damage to public infrastructure and continued flooding problems in Santa Cruz county.”

While several local, state and federal agencies are responding to emergency threats in the area, Secretary Brewer’s declaration also authorized the Adjutant General to mobilize or activate Arizona National Guard personnel as necessary.

“The public health and safety of our citizens is of primary concern, and I will continue to closely monitor this situation,” said Brewer.

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PULLEN CHIDES GIFFORDS’ “SPIN MACHINE”

State Dems on another “fishing expedition.”

PHOENIX, AZ – “Tim Bee has been an outstanding Senate President for Arizona and is far better in touch with the people of southern Arizona and the needs of Arizona’s 8th Congressional District than Gabrielle Giffords will ever be,” said Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party. Gabrielle Giffords did little while she was in the state legislature and now is doing more harm than good by voting with liberal Speaker Nancy Pelosi 94% of the time.“ This early preemptive strike on Senator Bee by the state Democrats is further proof that Gabrielle Giffords is frightened by the prospect of a Tim Bee candidacy.

“The record could not be more clear. Tim Bee in the Arizona Senate was instrumental in passing the largest tax-relief package in Arizona history, while Gabrielle Giffords, in her short tenure in Congress, voted for the largest tax increase in U.S. history. Giffords also supported stripping away workers right to privacy, voted to surrender in Iraq, received poor marks for her votes against ‘earmark’ reform, kept her ‘earmarks’ secret until public outrage forced her to disclose them, and helped Democrats spend ‘pork’ at record levels.

“Giffords and the Democrats cannot run from their poor record or intimidate a stand-up guy like Senator Bee with bogus inquiries and “fishing expeditions.”

“If Senate President Bee opts to run for Congress, it would be a great day for the citizens, families and job providers of the 8th District. But I hope that the 434 days until Election Day aren’t marred by the Democrats’ politics of hate like we’re seeing today. I’d hope that this new Hillaryesque tendency of all Democrats to make personal attacks so they don’t have to debate the issues won’t dominate Miss Giffords entire campaign. Arizona voters deserve so much better, even from a politician who has already broken so many of her campaign promises. Ms. Giffords only need look to herself for an explanation as to why the Democrat controlled Congress has attained the lowest approval rating in history.

“While Giffords and her Democrat playmates try and play the politics of ‘gotcha,’ Tim Bee is talking about the issues important to Arizona, such as tax relief, and less government spending; stronger families and secure borders, and better education and safer communities,” concluded Pullen.
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CHAIRMAN PULLEN’S STATEMENT ON RICK RENZI’S RETIREMENT

PHOENIX, AZ – Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, today issued the following statement:

“Since being elected in 2002, Congressman Rick Renzi has served the people of Arizona ably and effectively. The people of the First District, which encompasses almost half our state, has seen their lives improve thanks to Congressman Renzi’s efforts and representation. Congressman Rick Renzi has worked to lower taxes, protect our nation, safeguard our beautiful state and make a difference in the lives of Arizona families and children through meaningful legislation that has improved schools, health care, and created jobs. We thank him for his service and his leadership and for all the good he has done on behalf of the people of his district and our state.

“The families of the First District believe in the Republican message of lower taxes and less government, secure borders and better education, strong families and safe communities. They believe as we do that the American Dream is still alive and well and within reach for all people willing to work hard and dream big. That’s the message of our Republican candidates and our Arizona Republican Party, and that’s why we are confident that the voters of the First District will elect one of several solid republican candidates to fight for them in Washington.”

For more information, please contact Brett Mecum at 602.957.7770 or at bmecum@azgop.org.

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PULLEN CONGRATULATES FLAKE, FRANKS, AND SHADEGG;

CHIDES MITCHELL AND GIFFORDS ON ANNUAL CLUB FOR GROWTH “RePORK” CARD

PHOENIX, AZ – Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, congratulated Arizona Members of Congress Jeff Flake, Trent Franks, and John Shadegg for their efforts in combating wasteful “pork” spending in Congress. Flake, Franks, and Shadegg were part of a group of just 16 out of 435 Members of Congress who earned perfect 100% ratings on the annual Club for Growth “RePORK” scorecard.

“The outstanding scores, earned by three Republican members of our congressional delegation, show very clearly that when it comes to reducing wasteful government spending, it’s Arizona Republicans that are leading the nation,” said Pullen. “I congratulate Jeff Flake, Trent Franks, and John Shadegg for the amazing work they are doing on behalf of the people of Arizona. Please keep up the great work.”

In contrast, Arizona freshmen members of Congress Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords earned an abysmal 2% scores from the Club for Growth, having voted for only one out of the fifty anti-pork measures.

“It is disappointing that both Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords are two of the biggest offenders in the United States Congress when it comes to reckless earmark spending,” said Pullen. “During the campaign last year, Democrats like Mitchell and Giffords promised to change Washington. Then, as soon as they arrived, they turned their backs on the very people that elected them. Clearly, Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords have no respect for the office, their constituents, or the hard-earned dollars of the Arizona taxpayers whose trust they are betraying. With report cards like these, it’s no wonder that Mitchell and Giffords have helped to bring congressional approval ratings to their lowest point in history,” concluded Pullen.

For more information, please contact Brett Mecum at 602.957.7770 or at bmecum@azgop.org.

PULLEN TO DEMOCRATS: “JUST SAY NO TO TERRORISM"

Phoenix, AZ— Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen today called on Democrat presidential, congressional and local candidates and officeholders to “just say no to terrorism.” Pullen’s comments came after the Democrat presidential hopefuls gathered in Iowa to debate, with more than one candidate calling for cooperation with state-sponsors of terrorism.

“Pull everybody out and turn to the Iranians, who helped us defeat the Taliban initially. It was the Iranians. So if we don't bring the Iranians to help us, or the Syrians, or Saudi Arabia, of course it's going to be a disaster,” said former US Senator Mike Gravel (D-Alaska).

“An all-Muslim peacekeeping force. Get Turkey, get Jordan, get Egypt. Talk to Iran and Syria. Bring them in,” said New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

Pullen countered, “You have Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid surrendering to terror every chance he gets. You have Democrat House Speaker visiting with state-sponsors of terror abroad, against the wishes of our own diplomatic corps, all the while attempting to de-fund our troops. You have some of our Democrat presidential candidates calling for terrorists to be included in peace negotiations. Just say no, folks.”

Pullen also chided Senator Hillary Clinton for her John Kerryesque flip-flop of the debate. Moderator George Stephanopoulos had just finished asking Senator Rodham-Clinton whether she had reversed her position on the use of nuclear weapons when the Senator did it again, on camera: “No option should be off the table, but I would certainly take nuclear weapons off the table,” she said on Sunday.

“The Democrats are for something, then they’re against something when the polls change,” Pullen said. “That isn’t leadership – it’s frightening and it’s dangerous. This isn’t what we need in a president – it’s what they make Ritalin to cure.

“Republican candidates like US Senator John McCain, Governor Mitt Romney, Mayor Rudy Giuliani and prospective candidates like former US Senator Fred Thompson and the rest of the Republican field are united in many ways – but an important way today is that none of them, as President, would ever negotiate with, or surrender to, a terrorist,” Pullen said.

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