Posted on 03/20/2004 10:59:26 AM PST by Spiff
BY BILL HESS
Friday, March 19, 2004 10:47 AM MST
Sierra Vista Herald/Review
SIERRA VISTA, ARIZONA - Although it's not official, state Rep. Randy Graf talks like he will be a Republican primary opponent against U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe.
"I've spent a lot of time making a decision. It's something I don't relish doing," Graf said about running against Kolbe.
Graf said he will officially announce his decision on March 27 at a series of meetings in Green Valley, Tucson and Sierra Vista.
His almost announcement brought loud applause from nearly 4050 people who attended a Thursday dinner of the South East Arizona Republican Club in Sierra Vista.
State Sen. Tim Bee also spoke at the event
Saying he does not agree with Kolbe on many issues that are important to not only his conservative views but that of the people in the 8th Congressional District, Graf said his future opponent is too liberal.
Graf mainly disagrees with Kolbe about the congressman's guest-worker proposal that will open the border with Mexico before any real actions are done to stop the flow of illegal immigrants.
Graf also is at odds with the congressman about his pro-choice stridently pro-abortion stand and lack of concern about the gay marriage issue support for the extremist gay agenda.
Graf also is worried that President George W. Bush is not being fiscally conservative enough and has increased the discretionary spending part of the budget even more than Democratic President Bill Clinton.
Republicans in Pima County oppose his run in the primary against Kolbe, the state representative said.
"I have every intention of doing it. I believe it is the right thing to do," Graf said about entering the primary.
He didn't just speak about politics.
Graf hopes the legislative session will end in April so he can get on the primary trail. But until it ends, there are a number of issues that the Legislature has to address.
Tongue in cheek he said some of the more important ones are keeping bars open to 2 a.m., deciding if left turn signals should be before or after the regular green signals for traffic to move and how to stop dog kidnapping in Tucson.
The house originally had 763 bills to discuss at this year's regular session. The number of bills being passed to the State Senate is only 300, the senator said.
As for the state Senate they started out with 465 proposed bills but only 135 were passed to the state House, Graf said.
Bee said term limits directed by the voters are hurting the legislative process. The limits are letting "lobbyists gain control over the Legislature," he added.
The Legislature is lacking historical knowledge because of term limits and with increased lobbying and the growing power of state agencies too often legislators fold under the pressure, he said.
Arizonans made a mistake by voting for term limits, Bee said. What has been forgotten is that one of the smallest branches of state government - the Legislature - is the only one that truly represents the people of Arizona, he added.
HERALD/REVIEW senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.
March 19, 2004
State representative ponders challenging Kolbe
The Associated Press
SIERRA VISTA - A state lawmaker is considering challenging U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe in the upcoming congressional primary. "I've spent a lot of time making a decision. It's something I don't relish doing," said state Rep. Randy Graf of possibly challenging Kolbe.
Graf said he will officially announce his decision next week.
He said Kolbe, who supports a guest-worker proposal for migrants, is too liberal.
Graf has supported efforts to get a measure on the ballot in November that would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote and proof of eligibility for state services not mandated by federal law.
Kolbe said his record stands for itself. "I continue to work hard for the people of the 8th district of Arizona," he said Friday.
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