Center for Arizona Policy Action, Aftermath of Election 2022

 

Pity Party Over   More than a week after the election and there is no question that the results brought significant disappointments to our pro-life, pro-family community. It’s not an easy time and it’s a rough road ahead. I usually give myself a day to bemoan a political loss, then it is time to look ahead. The pity party is over.   Let me assure you that CAP and CAP Action will march forward determined to stand for our values. We’ll thoroughly analyze what happened and chart a path ahead. We’ll put up a vigorous defense against any anti-life and anti-family proposals by a presumed Governor-elect Katie Hobbs.   We’ll work with our slim majority in the state Legislature to do right by Arizona families. We covet your prayers and support.   The election is not our demise nor our salvation. We do not despair because we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. As always, we will trust in our Lord.   Overview - General Election Results:   The Good Arizona Congressional delegation flipped from four Republicans and five Democrats to six Republicans and three Democrats. The two new Republicans helped flip the U.S. House to the bare Republican majority. Our delegation now will have a strong conservative majority. Eli Crane, a former Navy Seal, defeated incumbent Tom O’Halleran. Juan Ciscomani defeated former state senator Kirsten Engel. Arizona Statewide saw Kimberly Yee retained as Arizona State Treasurer. Republicans Kevin Thompson and Nick Myers won their races for Corporation Commission. Arizona Senate and House retained a bare pro-life, conservative majority. The Senate again will have 16 Republicans to 14 Democrats. The House again will have 31 Republicans to 29 Democrats. However, both chambers have more solidly conservative members than the last two years. They will be needed to counter a presumed Governor-elect Hobbs.  Arizona School Boards in several districts elected parent activists who will make a difference. CAP Action-endorsed candidates won seats in six school districts, including one in Paradise Valley, one in Peoria, and two in Scottsdale. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell defeated radical leftist Julie Gunnigle.   The Bad S. Senate Sen. Mark Kelly defeated Blake Masters. Arizona Statewide Offices - For the next four years Katie Hobbs apparently will be Arizona Governor and Adrian Fontes will be Secretary of State. Hobbs has vowed to do all she can to allow abortion up until birth. Fontes has not been supportive of measures to ensure election integrity. State Senate/State House bare majority. Redistricting of state legislative districts did not seem to produce a stronger conservative majority. Our pro-life champion Sen. Nancy Barto lost a very close race to Sen. Christine Marsh. Nancy, a woman of faith, courage, and integrity, left everything on the field. Her district is more of a swing district following redistricting. Other swing districts elected only one Republican to the House rather than two.   Still Counting - As of Thursday afternoon, both races for Attorney General and Superintendent of Public Instruction appear headed to a recount. On Thursday afternoon, for Attorney General, Democrat Kris Mayes led Republican Abe Hamadeh by a few hundred votes. For Superintendent, Republican Tom Horne has a .4% lead over Democrat Kathy Hoffman. Should those margins hold, both will be in for a recount. While the votes aren’t final in the governor’s race, the margin is slightly outside the margin required for a recount.   Ballot Propositions had mixed results. Arizonans voted in favor of establishing a Lt. Governor office, requiring a 60% vote for any ballot measure that increases taxes, and granting in-state tuition to any undocumented individual who has lived in the state for two years. The measure to implement voter identification appears to have lost by about 20,000 votes. Arizonans did vote to require groups like CAP Action to disclose donors in certain types of campaigns but that one will be subject to several court challenges on constitutional grounds.   CAP Action Record CAP Action Endorsed Candidates Overall, 77% of CAP Action endorsed candidates won their races (will be 79% should Abe Hamadeh win the Attorney General’s race). Won Six of eight federal races Four of seven statewide 16 of 18 state senate 31 of 39 state house Maricopa County Attorney Seven of twelve school districts   General thoughts   Several factors contributed to Arizona not seeing a red wave. At times, elections represent a perfect storm, and you can pick which factor or factors you think made a difference. While it will take a while to unpack and verify the reasons for these results, here’s what I see at this point in time: Redistricting helped in the congressional races but may not have helped in state legislative races. Republicans lost in the swing state legislative districts. Changing demographics as our state’s growth may be affecting voting. Lower Republican voter turnout in more conservative counties. Democrat money and strategy. Trump effect The Republican primary resulted in wins for the more conservative and Trump-endorsed candidates. That may have been off-putting to Independents and some Republicans. Even voters who support President Trump’s policies are weary of him primarily because of his verbal attacks and behavior. Several candidates, including State Treasurer Kimberly Yee and Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, were not identified closely with President Trump and won their races handily. Party dynamics on the Republican side Lack of permissible coordinated efforts between state party and candidates. Lack of party unity. Lack of field staff to counter the Democrat’s efforts.   Finally, a word on whether abortion made a difference: I’m not ready to buy that argument. It’s one being shouted loudly by the pro-abortion crowd and others who wish the life issue would go away.   That’s not going to happen on our watch.   Our polling showed more voters were horrified by the Left’s support for abortion up until birth than they were by our support for life from its very beginning. Polls consistently showed and I continue to believe voters were more concerned about other factors. Pro-life candidates did not lose their races because of their pro-life positions.   ICYMI Read or listen here about the profoundly deceptive “Respect for Marriage Act” that federal lawmakers are poised to pass. Read here about the national call for a pro-life GOP presidential candidate in 2024. Read here how proclaiming “God created Adam and Eve” got one prominent sports figure a jail sentence in Greece. Read here about an important religious freedom case being heard at the U.S. Supreme Court next month.

MoveOn.Org Moral Panic Over Mark Finchem Calling out Corrupt Election 2020

 MoveOn.org has yet another meltdown, this time about Mark Finchem, the candidate for Arizona Secretary of State, who looks as if he's going to run away with the race!

Dear MoveOn member, 

In a shocking new interview with Time magazine, Mark Finchem, the Republican candidate running to oversee elections in Arizona, was asked if he would certify Joe Biden as the winner in 2024 if Biden earned the most votes. 

Finchem replied, "you're proposing something that, quite frankly, is a fantasy."¹

You read that correctly: Finchem—who attended the January 6 insurrection as a member of the white supremacist Oath Keepers militia—is openly declaring that he will not certify the election results if a Democrat wins, no matter the true will of the people.²

Mark Finchem simply cannot become Arizona's secretary of state this November. But right now, Democrat Adrian Fontes is trailing Finchem in the polls by 5 points.³

That's why MoveOn has launched an unprecedented, multimillion-dollar campaign to defeat MAGA extremists like Finchem this November and prevent them from overseeing elections.

Will you chip in $3 today to MoveOn's democracy defense campaign? MoveOn is one of the only progressive groups in the nation that is working to defeat MAGA secretary of state candidates in battleground states.

Arthur, in battleground states across the country, MoveOn-endorsed candidates are facing unprecedented opposition from the America First Secretary of State Coalition.

The coalition was formed by radical MAGA candidates who are running for secretary of state in key battleground states. In most states, the secretary of state oversees elections—including determining who is eligible to vote and with the power to kick voters off the rolls, throw out votes, and declare the winners of elections.

The goal of the America First Secretary of State Coalition is to elect Trump puppets to the top elections administration position in critical swing states so that when the 2024 election comes, they will have the power to declare Trump the winner—no matter the true will of the voters.

Steve Bannon, who is closely tied to the America First Secretary of State Coalition, said it outright: "We're taking over all the elections."⁴

This is an existential threat to our democracy. But thankfully, MoveOn has been working for months to defeat MAGA candidates for secretary of state and elect honest Democrats who will protect our democracy and count every vote.

But in order to ensure our campaign is running pedal to the metal from now until Election Day, we need your help.

Will you join me and chip in $3 today to power our democracy-saving campaign?

Thanks for all you do.

–Chris, Jayne, Arvin, Erik, and the rest of the team

Kari Lake for the Win: The Problem is the Whole System

Arthur,   What is it with the establishment elites HIDING from the people?   Joe Biden's been in the basement for months.    He pops out - delivers a massively unpopular plan for student loan forgiveness - and goes back to avoiding the public.    That peek-a-boo act must be written into the official Democrat playbook because my opponent, Katie Hobbs, is doing the exact same thing!    She refuses to debate. She refuses to show her face to the people of Arizona. If she's not making a plea to the radical left for more Soros money to fund her campaign, no one hears from her at all.   This unaccountable, ridiculous behavior is so typical of a political establishment that does not value the voice of the people. FIGHT BACK >>    Now, it should be clear by now...    I'm not hiding. That's because I'M NOT AFRAID.   I speak with the people every day because I believe that WE THE PEOPLE deserve to hear from both sides and get a fair idea of who will stand for you and who won't.   The silence is deafening.    While conservative leaders like me on the NEW RIGHT are open books...   The failing establishment elites are closed doors.  It's time for us to say OUT WITH THE OLD, and in with the NEW (RIGHT) so we can SAVE AMERICA from these out-of-touch narcissists. Are you with me?

SUPPORT KARI LAKE NOW >>

I'm telling you right now that I am a strong conservative who can get things done. I'm the transformative leadership we need. But you don't need to just take my word for it.    I'm endorsed by: President Donald Trump Governor Ron DeSantis Rudy Giuliani Marjorie Taylor Green Sheriff Joe Arpaio Richard Grenell  General Michael Flynn, and more...

JOIN PRESIDENT TRUMP: SUPPORT KARI LAKE >>

Together, we're going to unite to solve the problems America is facing right now. And trust me... there's a lot to do.  But I know I can make it happen because I've always been able to do anything I set my mind to. And that's not going to stop now!

I grew up in Iowa. There's not a lot to do there, but that's where I honed my work ethic.    I worked hard. I learned to fight. I gained that fighting spirit the old establishment GOP never had - that's what makes me a part of the NEW RIGHT.    I developed that backbone of steel - that "BDE" that President Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis have. And frankly, that we want all of our elected leaders to have.   Someone even recently told me "Kari, you're going to be the DeSantis of the West."    Other than being called "Trump in a Dress - which is my favorite compliment of all - that is the greatest compliment you could pay me.   To me, that means that you know when you elect me, you're going to get someone who fights for you every single day.    We are going to be so effective in Arizona.

SUPPORT KARI LAKE >>

Arthur, I promise you this, as the governor of Arizona, I will be the biggest pain in the ass Joe Biden's ever experienced.    I will unite with conservatives across the country to protect Arizona from this out-of-control federal government. We will save our states and return the power to WE, THE PEOPLE, where it belongs.   This is our moment to make it happen.

Arthur, let's not forget that the race for Governor of Arizona is one of the most important fights in the entire country.   It's our chance to prove to corporate media that we are stronger than the lies.    It's our chance to prove to the establishment elite that the NEW RIGHT is here to stay.   And it's our chance to SECURE OUR BORDER, defend our small businesses, defeat inflation, end leftist indoctrination and get our nation back on track.   Though the results took longer than they should have, Arizonans who have been forgotten by the establishment already delivered a POLITICAL EARTHQUAKE in the GOP primary. We won every single county in Arizona!   Now, all eyes are on us.    It's game time.   And I need you on my side.   Will you support our momentum?

Now, I don't care if you're with the Democrat Party, the Independent Party, the Republican Party, the Pizza Party, or the Pool Party - our policies are going to help every American.   We have to stand together and defeat the left so we can save America.    I hope that you will chip in now to support my campaign for Governor of Arizona.

SAVE AMERICA: SUPPORT KARI LAKE >>

Sincerely,

Kari Lake Candidate for Arizona Governor

The McCainiacs Panic as MAGA Candidates Win Big in Arizona

Trump-backed candidates won big across the country yesteday. The GOP Establishment, the Swamp, the Big Business-Big Government RINOs were hoping to stop the Trump train triumphing throughout the USA.

Nowhere was Trump's endorsement prowess more on display than in Arizona.

Blake Masters stomped on the GOP competition in his bid to challenge Democrat incumbent Mark Kelly. It wasn't even close, and his challengers included Mark Brnovich, the feckless Attorney General who refused to defend the "No Promo Homo" legislation in the school district's and refused to prosecute rampant voter fraud and other election irregularities.

Gov. Ducey and his political establishment were angling for a whole array of already-elected candidates to move into statewide office. They all crashed and burned.

Their biggest defeat is the rising star of former news anchor and star MAGA candidate for governor Kari Lake.

Election Wizard made the protection as of this afternoon:

RACE CALLED: Kari Lake will win the GOP nomination for Arizona Governor and face Katie Hobbs in November. pic.twitter.com/feNBvvcfrJ

— Election Wizard 🇺🇸 (@ElectionWiz) August 3, 2022

Meghan McCain was none too thrilled with Lake's ascent into the general election, and Lake gleefully rubber her victory in baby McCain's face:

This ain't your daddy's Arizona.

The state belongs to the people now.

And they chose @KariLake to move Arizona forward. https://t.co/QDB0szHCPX pic.twitter.com/s0yWmqO4Sn

— Kari Lake War Room (@KariLakeWarRoom) August 3, 2022

Meghan McCain is a RINO sellout who sold her presence and name so she could make some money while being repeatedly humiliated and vilified on The View with the other liberal Karens. She is part of the long dynasty of McCain politicos, with Daddy McCain, who have pushed for Big Military, Big Government, Big Amnesty conservatism for the last twenty years.

This kind of country club Republicanism turned off voters in 2012, men and women in rural and working-class districts who had been abandoned by the perennial bipartisan uniparty political class. Trump disrupted the easy gravy train for establishment politicians and their consultant cohorts.

Kari Lake continues that legacy.

I suspect that the only reason we have witnessed upset Democratic victories in Arizons, first in the two US Senate races and then in the 2020 Presidential election, is that the McCainiacs refuse to go along with the new direction of the Arizona and the National Republican Parties. The best way for them to maintain business-as-usual corruption was to help elect Democrats to federal office. McCain's successors in the Grand Canyon State have no problem maintaining onto what little power they have in Maricopa County or in other precinct committees throughout the state. They have no problem depriving the conservative insurgencies in the state party with loss after loss, as long as those defeats discourage America First conservatives in the short term and allow McCain's acolytes to take back control of the state party and the local offices.

It's really disgusting, how politicians within the GOP have no qualms about screwing over their own party, their base, and the constituents at large because they are sore losers in the shadow of Trump's growing election and policy victories through election 2022.

The latest slate of primary winners in Arizona has really put the McCainiacs into a panic, and they deserve it!