Free Republic

This advertisement will start appearing again, if only in aspirants’ minds: POSITION AVAILABLE: Seat in Congress. Pays $165,200 a year to start and you can vote to raise it yourself. Excellent retirement benefits and perks, as well as opportunities for great free dining, trips and unlimited amorous companionship. The boss seldom checks up and the job requires no strong work ethic or personal ethics. With District 1 U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi announcing he won’t seek a fourth term, people in both major parties are lining up to answer that advertisement. Renzi’s departure was inevitable regardless of whether the charges critics...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Three-term Rep. Rick Renzi, an Arizona Republican facing a federal inquiry into his family's insurance business, said Thursday he will not seek re-election next year. Renzi becomes the fifth GOP House member in the past month to announce retirement plans, giving Democrats hopes of possibly picking up seats next year that otherwise would not be in play. However, leaders of both parties viewed Renzi as seriously damaged politically by the allegations against him, and several Republicans had let it be known they hoped he would step down. "I will not be seeking re-election to the U.S. House...

Political leadership is based upon trust; without integrity, trust is gone. Integrity isn't just compliance with the law, it is doing the right thing - not just what one can get away with. Political leaders need to understand that the appearance of impropriety is just as damaging to trust as actual impropriety. The fundamental tenet of political leadership is that your constituency needs to believe that you are recommending policies or making decisions because they are the right things, not because you have a personal interest or some ulterior motive. It is in this context that I note the new...

Renzi could soon resign U.S. House seat The Business Journal of Phoenix - 3:58 PM MST Thursday, April 26, 2007 by Mike Sunnucks The Business Journal U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., could soon step down in the wake of a federal investigation into his involvement in a federal land swap deal and FBI raids of an insurance agency owned by his wife. His resignation could come as early as Friday or soon after, according to sources familiar with the matter. Top Republicans, including U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl, have been meeting to discuss what they will do if Renzi resigns and...

An Arizona congressman temporarily stepped down from two more House committees on Tuesday, less than a week after the FBI raided his wife‘s insurance business. The Arizona Republican said he had been "the subject of leaked stories, conjecture and false attacks" about a 2005 land exchange that is now being investigated by the U.S. attorney for Arizona. Law enforcement officials confirmed in October that they were scrutinizing a land deal that benefited a Renzi friend and business associate who was also a campaign donor. Last Thursday, the FBI raided a Sonoita, Ariz., insurance business owned by Renzi‘s wife, Roberta. According...

Dismissed U.S. attorney began Renzi probe FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., April 21 (UPI) -- A federal investigation into an Arizona congressman could put more pressure on the Bush administration in the flap over dismissed U.S. attorneys. Paul Charlton, who began the investigation into Republican Rep. Rick Renzi, was one of the eight federal prosecutors fired, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Another GOP congressman steps aside after FBI searchWASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., is temporarily stepping down from the House Intelligence Committee amid an ongoing federal investigation. In October, Justice Department officials confirmed that Renzi was the subject of an inquiry into a 2005 land swap that would benefit a friend and business associate. Renzi has denied any wrongdoing. In a statement issued Thursday from Washington, Renzi said, "The FBI came to my family's business to obtain documents related to their investigation. "I view these actions as the first step in bringing out the truth. Until this matter is...

In a second blow to House Republicans this week, the FBI raided a business tied to the family of Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) Thursday afternoon as part of an ongoing investigation into the three-term lawmaker.

Polling Data Poll Date Sample Renzi (R)* Simon (D) Und. Spread N. Ariz. Univ. 10/20 - 10/22 497 LV 45(Renzi) 32(Simon) 21(Undecided) RT Strategies/CD 10/08 - 10/10 983 LV 46(Renzi) 50(Simon) 4(Undecided)

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 — Federal authorities in Arizona have opened an inquiry into whether Representative Rick Renzi introduced legislation that benefited a military contractor that employs his father, law enforcement officials said Tuesday. The officials said the inquiry was at an early stage and that no search warrants had been issued, suggesting that investigators had yet to determine whether there was a basis to open a formal investigation or empanel a grand jury. Mr. Renzi, 48, a Republican who represents the First Congressional District, is a former insurance executive and real estate investor who was first elected in 2002. Almost...

Newly unsealed documents in billionaire Ron Burkle's divorce include allegations by his former wife that he spied on her, their young son and her boyfriend. The documents, released late Friday, also included a declaration from Burkle's 29-year-old daughter that her father once told her his security staff had videos of wife Janet Burkle and her boyfriend having sex. Burkle's attorney, Patricia L. Glaser, disputed the allegations in a letter to the Los Angeles Times. "Mr. Burkle never told his daughter any such thing," Glaser said. "There are no such videotapes. There was no such eavesdropping. This is not true." The...

House Republican leaders last night notified their 10 most vulnerable lawmakers that they will be the lucky beneficiaries of this year's first ROMP (Retain Our Majority Program) fundraiser. The list provides an early preview of who GOP leaders think need the most help from their fellow lawmakers. It also lets potential Democratic challengers know that any run will be expensive. The 10 members are Reps. Bob Beauprez (Colo.), Mike Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Jim Gerlach (Pa.), Marilyn Musgrave (Colo.), Anne Northup (Ky.), Jon Porter (Nev.), Dave Reichert (Wash.), Rick Renzi (Ariz.), Rob Simmons (Conn.) and Mike Sodrel (Ind.). Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.),...

FORT HUACHUCA - The importance of this southern Arizona Army post as part of the national intelligence arsenal in the war against terrorism will be highlighted in a special congressional committee, U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi said. The Arizona congressman who represents District 1 was appointed Wednesday to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence by Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, R-Ill. "I fought. I wrestled. I did everything the last two years to get on the committee," said Renzi, a Republican who began his second two-year term this month. The committee chairman is U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich. Renzi...

FORT HUACHUCA - Four soldiers, a sailor, Marine, airman and civilian were honored Friday as the best of the best for 2004 by post officials. Setting the tone for the awards banquet, Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Voss told the audience of more than 275 people that the event was to recognize "our superheroes." With every branch of America's armed forces stationed on the post, the annual event ensures each service and the civilian work force receives recognition. The winners in the Navy, Marine, Air Force and civilian categories knew before the banquet who had been chosen. The soldiers had...

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Supervisor Paul Babbitt said he will announce Jan. 24 that he is running for Congress in District 1. U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi, a Republican, currently holds the seat. Babbitt will have to win the Democratic primary in September in order to face Renzi in the November general election. No other Democrats have announced yet that they will enter the primary battle. The congressional district includes the Navajo Nation but not the Hopi Reservation. Babbitt has served on the Coconino County Board of Supervisors for 17 years. He previously served as mayor of Flagstaff and a member...

We disagreed initially with the Renzi amendment that sought to limit Fort Huachuca's impact on water usage outside its gates. We were further concerned what language may have been written into a compromise spearheaded by Sen. John McCain, since politics in Washington can sometimes have a warping effect on reality. The compromise measure, now titled the Fort Huachuca Preservation Act, and soon to be signed into law by President Bush, is a good document and worthy of support. It limits Fort Huachuca's responsibility regarding local water consumption off the post. But it doesn't let the fort off the hook entirely....

Fort Huachuca Preservation Amendment Included in National Defense Authorization Act (Washington, D.C.) - The House of Representatives Friday passed the National Defense Authorization Act, H.R. 1588, legislation that included the Fort Huachuca Preservation amendment. H.R. 1588 sets policies, programs and funding levels for the nation's military, authorizing $400 billion for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. This bill passed the House 362-40 and is expected to also pass the Senate early next week and then be sent to President Bush for his signature and enactment into law. The Fort Huachuca Preservation Amendment...

FORT HUACHUCA -- The father of U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., said he never asked his son to introduce an amendment to a House Defense Authorization bill to remove this Southern Arizona Army post from any responsibility for water use off the installation. The Renzi rider, as the amendment is called, has stirred up some environmentalists who say the amendment will mean the San Pedro River will be harmed, if not killed, if the rider is adopted. Retired Army Maj. Gen. Eugene Renzi said he is the president of Man Tech, a major military contractor that does work on the...

Rally on rider is face-off of views; Sides press McCain to support their stance TUCSON -- The issue of the San Pedro River brought out rudeness, politeness and points of view Friday from people who want Fort Huachuca held accountable for water use off the installation and those who believe the installation is not responsible for water reduction in civilian communities. At issue was the amendment by U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi Jr., R-Ariz., that eliminates the fort's responsibility for water pumped off the post. The amendment was passed by the House in its Defense Appropriations Bill for 2004. On Friday,...

Environmentalists want Sen. John McCain to spend some of his political capital and stop legislation that limits Fort Huachuca's responsibility for water use surrounding the installation. Critics of the proposal say it will kill the San Pedro - Arizona's last undammed, free-flowing river. They say the fort's expansion and accompanying growth around Sierra Vista will deplete the groundwater that keeps the river running. But the measure's sponsor, Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., says it's unfair to hold the Army liable for water use beyond its direct control. He argues environmental regulations are threatening the fort's future. Activists have been targeting McCain...