Posted on 07/27/2005 9:26:42 AM PDT by hsmomx3
State Rep. Russell Pearce -- a business ally on taxes but adversary on immigration issues -- is considering a run for either governor or Congress next year.
Pearce, a conservative Republican from Mesa, is looking at either challenging Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano or East Valley Congressman Jeff Flake next year.
The conservative Pearce said he is "contemplating" a run against Flake in next year's GOP primary and is being encouraged by other supporters to take on Napolitano.
Pearce is a top advocate of tougher border and immigration controls, including denying state welfare benefits and other services to illegal immigrants and using federal troops and state police to secure the U.S./Mexican border.
Flake is cosponsoring a federal guest worker bill along with Sens. John McCain and Ted Kennedy. That measure allows illegal immigrants already in the U.S. to apply for legal status after paying a $2,000 fine and going through criminal, security and medical background checks. Business groups support the McCain-Kennedy bill, but it is opposed by conservatives such as Pearce who say it's a backdoor amnesty.
Flake's office declined to comment about a possible Pearce challenge.
At the state level, Pearce is highly critical of Napolitano on immigration and border issues. The governor opposed a successful ballot question last year denying state welfare benefits to illegals. Napolitano vetoed a number of conservative immigration bills earlier this year, including one that denies state child care subsidies to illegals.
Pearce said the governor is failing to deal with "illegal alien invasion" that is hurting the state. Napolitano's office also did not comment on a possible Pearce run.
The Republican legislator also has clashed with business groups over increasing penalties for employers that illegally hire undocumented workers. Pearce and some other conservatives favor a measure that could lead to employers losing their state business licenses if they habitually hire illegals.
Business groups oppose that effort which Pearce wants to get on the 2006 ballot. They worry it will result in draconian penalties against businesses for paperwork errors. But supporters of the Pearce-backed penalties say the hiring of illegals is widespread in Arizona and puts companies that play by the rules at a major disadvantage.
On issues other than immigration, Pearce has generally earned high marks from business interests for his support of low taxes and less government regulations.
He earned an 85 percent grade from the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance for his business-related votes during the 2005 session.
On a related note, McCain and fellow Arizona Republican Sen. Jon Kyl testified Tuesday before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on the immigration issue.
Kyl and Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn introduced their border plan last week. That effort calls for more Border Patrol agents and tougher enforcement against employers who hire illegals. The most controversial aspect of Kyl-Cornyn is a requirement that the estimated 15 million illegals already in the U.S. return to their native countries and then reapply for legal status.
McCain-Kennedy also offers tougher fines and enforcement at the employer level but does not have a mandatory exit provision.
This is the guy I wnat to be governor. For any of you who don't know much about this guy, check out his website at http://www.russellpearce.com
I e-mailed him a while back just to offer support and he actually wrote me back. He seems like a really good guy and I hope he runs.
He's got a pretty good chance against Flake, I bet.
I want him to run against Butch. I think he will win and she knows that.
Butch vs. a "Real" man--let the fireworks begin!!!
Good luck to him. Butch is going to be hard to beat. Pity Salmon threw the race when he had the chance to win.
Would have prefered he challenge McMaverick, but that's about 6 years away so Governor, if he has a real opportunity to win, is the direction he should go.
If the penalties are for repeat, habitual offenders -- and it sounds like it from what little info is here -- then that shouldn't be a worry. Exponential penalties are most appropriate in this situation.
The Tucson RNC called me yesterday and asked if I wanted to volunteer. They said that they are about to unveil a formidable candidate to challenge Janet Nap. Is this the guy?
I heard the same thing. They said that a new candidate would make a big splash. I've been wondering who it is as well.
Well, I haven't heard from them, so we know who it isn't going to be...
For those visitors to the illegal immigration threads who insist we get rid of La Gubernadora...we're starting that process.
In truth, if Rep. Pearce can unseat either Napolitano or Flake the position of anti-illegal immigrant advocates will have improved.
As bad as Kolbe is, defeating napolitano must be the first priority.
Huh? Are you thinking that perhaps Randy Graf is the 'strong candidate' that the RNC in Tucson is talking about? Wouldn't that be something...
No no, Graf will face Kolbe. I was thinking it was Pearce, not sure anymore. I was hoping it was Pearce though.
Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!
Be Ever Vigilant!
Minutemen Patriots ~ Bump!
I personally think he's shown remarkable restraint considering what his family was put through by some foreign POS.
Gosh, I don't know. I heard that there was a woman who currently works at the Federal level who is considering a run. I forget her name as it is not well known, in my opinion.
You're right.
I just read something today that said Napolitano wants to make peace with the republicans and move forward. Sounds like she wants to take credit every which way she can.
Pearce would be a good one to say not so fast and bring up the facts.
I'm going to email someone "in the know" and find out. I'll let you know.
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