More GOP recommendations on voting for judges

 H/T Christina Pasterz

The following recommendations were published in the September 29th "Republican Briefs".  

Former West Valley Office Manager/ LD22 Activist Karen Thomas’ Judge Recommendations: Most info received from arizonajudgesreview.blogspot.com andJudicialPerformanceReview.com.  I will be voting YES for the names in Bold and highlighted in yellow.  I’ve noted the judges who received less than 60% of the vote for retention in the 2010 General election.  All others, except Karen O’Connor who received 71.66%, received in the 60s%.

·       ARIZONA SUPREME COURT

o   Bales, Scott – Napolitano 2005 Appointee

o   Brutinel, Robert – Brewer 2010 Appointee

·       MARICOPA COUNTY COURT OF APPEALS DIVISION I

o   Howe, Randall M. – Brewer 2012 Appointee -

o   Johnsen, Diane M. – Napolitano 2006 Appointee -

o   Thumma, Samuel A. – Brewer 2012 Appointee -

·       MARICOPA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT

o   Aceto, Mark F. – Symington 1995 Appointee - Conservatives have a very favorable opinion about this judge.  Received favorable reviews.  Serves in Juvenile Court

o   Anderson, Aimee L. – Napolitano 2007 Appointee – Serves in Juvenile Court

o   Anderson, Arthur T. – Hull 1999 Appointee -  considered soft on crime.  Serves in Criminal Court.

o   Astrowsky, Bradley – Brewer 2012 Appointee – Serves in Juvenile Court

o   Bailey, Cynthia J. – Brewer 2011 Appointee -

o   Barton, Janet R. – Hull 2000 Appointee – 2010 Election Results she received 56.68% of the vote for retention.  Special assignment Criminal court

o   Bassett, Edward W. – Napolitano 2008 Appointee – Democrat – Received negative reviews.  Serves in Family Court.

o   Bergin, Dawn M. – Napolitano 2007 Appointee – Former attorney for Napolitano’s old law firm.  Received negative reviews.  Serves in Juvenile Court

o   Blomo, James T. – Brewer 2011 Appointee – Serves in Civil Court.

o   Brain, Mark H. – Brewer 2011 Appointee – Serves in Criminal Court.

o   Brodman, Roger R. – Symington 2002 Appointee – moderate Republican. Serves in Juvenile Court

o   Brotherton, William L. – Napolitano 2007 Appointee – Democrat – Formerly a far-left legislator – Inductee into the Sierra Club Hall of Fame – Has received negative reviews.  2010 Election Results he received 56.87% of the vote for retention. Serves in Family Court.

o   Cooper, Katherine M. – Brewer 2011 Appointee – Serves in Civil Court.

o   Crawford, Janice K. – Brewer 2011 Appointee – Serves in Family Court

o   Cunanan, David O. – Brewer 2012 Appointee – Serves in Criminal Court.

o   Davis, Norman J. – Symington 1995 Appointee – Republican – Presiding Judge in Family Court and Juvenile Court.

o   Duncan, Sally S. – Napolitano 2004 Appointee – Reputed to be a very lenient criminal judge except when it  comes to domestic violence.  Has received negative reviews.  Serves in Criminal Court.

o   Dunn, Boyd W. – Brewer 2011 Appointee – Serves in Civil Court.

o   Fenzel, Alfred M. – Hull 1999 Appointee – Republican – Reputable attorneys have a good opinion of him but say he’s a little soft on crime.

o   Fink, Dean M. – Napolitano 2006 Appointee – Democrat – Former attorney at Napolitano’s old law firm.  Has received negative reviews.

o   Foster, Jr., George H. – Hull or Napolitano 2003 Appointee – Democrat – somewhat liberal but considered one of the most pleasant judges.  Serves in Criminal Court.

o   Gama, J. Richard – Hull 2000 Appointee – Democrat but considered tough on crime. Somewhat liberal.  Has received negative reviews and his rating was recently lowered.  Presiding Judge in Civil Court. 

o   Granville, Warren J. – Hull 2000 Appointee – Republican but very liberal.  Has received negative reviews.  Criminal court, Capital case.  He gave a criminal only 1 year in jail and 4 years probation for breaking into a woman’s home and brutally beating her.  Fortunately, she had a gun and shot the SOB in his junk and now he is “permanently damaged”.   Good!  Maybe now he won’t be bringing any other criminals into this world.

o   Hegyl, Hugh E. – Napolitano 2007 Appointee – Former assistant to a liberal Senator.  Active in the State Bar’s left wing’s Legal Services Committee.  Has received negative reviews.  2010 Election Results he received only 56.3% of the vote for retention.  Serves in Civil Court.

o   Herrod, Michael J. – Brewer 2011 Appointee – Serves in Civil Court. Husband of Cathi Herrod, head of conservative family organization Center for Arizona Policy.

o   Hicks, Bethany G. – Hull 1999 Appointee – Considered soft on crime and invents laws.  Has received negative reviews.  2010 Election Results she received only 53.48% of the vote for retention.  Serves in Civil Court.

o   Hyatt, Carey S. – Hull 2000 Appointee – Republican – Serves in Family Court

o   Ishikawa, Brian K. – Symington Appointee 1995 – Republican – Received high rating.  Serves in Juvenile Court

o   Kreamer, Joseph C. – Napolitano 2007 Appointee – Democrat – Board of Directors, left-wing AZ Foundation for Legal Services and Education.  Former Chair and active in State Bar’s left wing Legal Services.  Has received negative reviews. Serves in Criminal Court and Civil Court.

o   Martin, Daniel G. – Napolitano 2007 Appointee – Has received negative reviews. Serves in Criminal Court.

o   Mroz, Rosa P. – Napolitano 2004 Appointee – Very Liberal – Has received negative reviews.  Serves in Criminal Court.

o   Myers, Samuel J. – Napolitano 2007 Appointee – Former legislative intern for Democrat Senator Dennis DeConcini,   Has received negative reviews.  Special Assignment, Civil Court.

o   Norris, Benjamin R. – Napolitano 2007 Appointee – Has received negative reviews. 2010 Election results he received only 55.48% of the vote for retention.  Serves in Family Court.  Is the only judge to not meet the standards from the Judicial Performance Review.

o   O’Connor, Karen L. – Hull 2000 Appointee – Considered fair.  High rating. Presiding judge of the Phoenix Probate/Mental Health court.

o   Pineda, Suzanna C. – Napolitano 2007 Appointee – Considered to be a RINO.  Has received negative reviews.  Serves in Criminal Court.

o   Polk, Jay – Brewer 2011 Appointee – Serves in Family Court.

o   Porter, Gerald J. – Brewer 2011 Appointee – Serves in Family Court and Civil Court.  Did not do well on the Judicial Performance Review.

o   Rea, John C. – Napolitano 2004 Appointee – Democrat -  Has received negative reviews.  Serves on Civil Court.

o   Reinstein, Peter C. – Hull 1999 Appointee – High Rating – Serves in Family Court

o   Ronan, Emmet J. – Hull 2000 Appointee – Defended some of the most heinous criminals in the state.  Received negative reviews.

o   Sinclair, Joan M. – Brewer 2012 Appointee – Serves in Juvenile Court

o   Svoboda, Pamela Hearn – Brewer 2012 Appointee – Serves in Juvenile Court

o   Talamante, David M. – Hull 1999 Appointee – Independent -  formerly worked for AG’s office and left wing community legal services.  Considered somewhat fair, middle of the road, not biased towards criminal defense but not considered a tough sentencer.  Presiding judge in Family Court.

o   Viola, Danielle J. -  Brewer 2011 Appointee – Serves in Family Court.

o   Warner, Randall H. – Napolitano 2007 Appointee – Democrat - former law clerk for liberal AZ Supreme Court Chief Justice  Thomas Ziaket.  State Bar of AZ, Editorial Committee, left wing AZ Attorney Magazine, AZ Association of Denfense Counsel.  Circulated anti-marriage petitions for Napolitano and was rewarded with a judgeship for it.  Has received negative reviews.  Serves in Family Court.

o   Welty, Joseph C. – Napolitano 2007 Appointee – Democrat - has received negative reviews.  Serves in Criminal Court.

o   Willett, Eileen S. – Hull 1999 Appointee – High rating.  Serves on Civil Court.

--

Karen Mahon

Secretary, LD20

LD20News@gmail.com

AFP-AZ on the ballot propositions

With mail-in ballots arriving at homes across the state, AFP-Arizona wants to make sure that citizens are informed on the key issues they must decide between now and November 4.   Below are quick summaries of AFP-Arizona's positions on several ballot propositions that will be decided by voters on the November 4 ballot.  You can read more in-depth analysis at AFP-Arizona's website. YES on Arizona Proposition 122: Rejection of Unconstitutional Federal Actions  --  Prop 122 will provide Arizonans with a way to protect themselves from overreaching and harmful federal policies.  AFP-Arizona strongly endorses Prop 122. YES on Arizona Proposition 303: Use of Investigational Drugs, Biomedical Products and Devices  -- Prop 303 would allow terminally ill patients in Arizona to procure experimental drugs that have not completed the full FDA trial process (but have been deemed safe by FDA).  AFP-Arizona strongly encourages citizens to vote YES on Prop 303 to protect the health and safety of terminally ill patients and strike a blow for the freedom of individuals to make their own health care decisions. NO on Maricopa County Proposition 480 - Prop 480 would spend $935 million to fund new and updated facilities for the Maricopa Integrated Health Systems.  If passed, the proposition would result in a significant property tax increase.  Maricopa County taxpayers already greatly subsidize health care for the less fortunate, and there are already sufficient health care options, including vast private hospital systems, available to Maricopa County residents.  Prop 480 has little accountability for how the money is used, and it would subsidize government health facilities in unfair competition with private health care enterprises. NO on Pima County Proposition 415 -- Prop 415 would issue $22 million in bonds for the expansion and renovation of the Pima Animal Care Facility.  Pima County taxpayers are already being subjected to a property tax levy increase of $45 million, or approximately $50 on a typical house, and the Animal Care Center has already received a $1 million increase in its operating budget for expanded shelter operations, medical treatment, and spay/neuter programs. YES on City of Phoenix Proposition 487 - Prop 487 would solve the City's nearly $1.5 billion unfunded pension liability problem by moving new employees to a plan similar to the 401k plans that are common in the private sector.   Prop 487 would fix the City's scandalous $190 million pension spiking problem by limiting the excess pension benefits given to current employees. LEARN MORE!   Please go to www.aztaxpayers.org, print out the PDF version of our analysis, and give copies to your friends, neighbors and co-workers.   Thank you for taking action! For Liberty & Prosperity, Tom Tom Jenney Arizona Director Americans for Prosperity

Bolick for Arizona: Pensions for Politicians?

Dear Neighbor,             Another important issue in which the incumbent Eric Meyer and I disagree is pensions for politicians: he likes them, I don’t.             As you know, similar to the rest of the country Arizona also faces a looming public pension crisis.  In order to meet our obligations to current retirees and public employees, we either must reform the system, or impose huge tax burdens on our children and grandchildren.             In 2013, the Legislature took a very important first step toward reform, passing HB 2608, which put an end to the costly and extravagant defined contribution plan for future elected officials and replaced it with a less expensive 401(k)-style defined-contribution plan.  Fortunately, the reform passed and was signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer.             State Representative Phil Lovas had this to say during a floor speech when debating this pension reform bill: “This public pension plan is the most lucrative lifetime benefit in the State of Arizona.  And, because it is so lucrative it is unsustainable in the long-term.... This bill ensures the solvency of the plan for elected officials currently in the system, it modernizes it for new members, and it provides financial relief for cities and counties.  Now ask yourself these questions.  Does one deserve a lifetime benefit simply because one runs for office?  Do politicians deserve to continue having the most lucrative public retirement system in Arizona? A retirement system better than teachers, better than fire, better than police?” Eric Meyer voted no.  I would have voted yes.  I believe elected officials should make an example of themselves as a first step to curbing unsustainable costs.  Eric Meyer wanted to keep his pension at your expense, but thankfully, his colleagues’ common sense prevailed.  I applaud all of our elected officials that worked to pass HB 2608 without the help of Meyer. The pension plan for elected officials is in more trouble than any other in the state—only 58 percent of its liabilities are funded.  If revenues fall short of obligations, taxpayers will be forced to pick up the tab.             Under the old pension plan—the one that Eric Meyer continues to have—taxpayers contribute a whopping 39 percent of each elected official’s salary.  Under the new plan for officials who are elected this year, that contribution will drop to a more reasonable 6 percent.             Very few LD 28 residents receive such gold-plated benefits.  Nor should our elected representatives.             Fiscal responsibility begins at home.  As your elected representative, I will look to find efficiencies wherever I can—and to make sure we have the resources to fund the commitments we’ve made. Eric Meyer supports taxpayer-sponsored spending sprees. Isn’t it time to elect someone who will lead on pension reform and fiscal responsibility, not obstruct it? Best, Shawnna To learn more about our campaign, visit our website. CONNECT

Citizens 4 Clean Courts launches billboards with list of judges to vote OUT

 

Join the Facebook page

Visit the website  

Interview with NRA News Cam & Co. about KRRC gun range being shut down

Dennis Michael Lynch announces 2016 presidential bid at Scottsdale event

Award winning entrepreneur and acclaimed filmmaker, Dennis Michael Lynch, rocked the grassroots world Saturday night in Scottsdale, Ariz. when he announced his concrete plans for a 2016 bid for president. The news was met with thunderous applause at the packed Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, the pinnacle event of his Fighting for America Tour 2014.

"I've made decision. I will throw my hat in the ring. Sometime in the near future I will officially announce I am running for POTUS in 2016," Lynch told the crowd as they erupted in applause and celebration. After weeks hinting at the prospect, it's official, his mind is made up and there is no turning back.

Following Saturday's event, Lynch posted his reaction on Facebook:

I made a few promises. I promised to never mud sling at another man or woman who seeks the same nomination. I promised to always keep my humility. I vowed to give it everything I've got to ensure a victory and that when we do win, the biggest problems facing this country - illegal immigration, terror, the economy and national debt -- will be addressed immediately and correctly.

I vowed to always salute members of our military with the respect they deserve. I explained how I will light a spark in people who have lost hope. I promised I will bring people together and make it so the vicious name-calling comes to an end. I vowed never to be politically correct. I vowed to bring greatness back to America.. And I explained that I will surround myself with the best people - people who love this country.

Lynch's wife Mary told the audience that she knows her husband will protect Americans like no other man will or can. She concluded by stating we all must work towards improving the future of our country which means we all have to work together in fighting for America.

Dennis Michael Lynch is the premier grassroots candidate of 2016. Much like Ben Carson, another well-respected prospective candidate, he is not owned or controlled by politicians and lobbying groups. Unlike Ben Carson, Dennis Michael Lynch wants the job and is ready for the challenge.
Keep up with Dennis Michael Lynch and see his work at DMLDaily.com.

Here's a look at DML's upcoming and final documentary, Fighting for America:



Video from the pinnacle event of the 2014 Fighting For America Tour (10/4/2014) linked below:

Dennis's wife Mary (1)
Dennis's wife Mary (2)
Introduction
Saluting our military
"As you can see, I marry well"
He [Lynch] threw away his speech - does not read off teleprompters
We need to win the Senate
It's much worse than you realize
If we don't do it now, all of our cities will look like Detroit
The President's number one job is to protect American lives
The number one problem in this country is illegal immigration
Override Obama's executive amnesty
I don't get involved in anything unless I think I can win
I will surround myself with the best of the best
Dennis won't take our guns

Follow Jared @Recla1mLiberty and subscribe at Examiner.com

What do APS, Rush Limbaugh Haters, and the Middle East Nation of Qatar Have in Common?

These days APS could stand for Astroturf Political Support. During the solar debate of 2013, APS operatives bought thousands of Twitter followers from Russia, and anti-solar letters poured into the Arizona Corporation Commission without verified email addresses.

The tactic isn’t new or original. There is an Astroturf campaign currently being waged against Rush Limbaugh. You can read about it here. Conservative researchers discovered that only 10 people were behind a series of tweets targeting Limbaugh’s advertisers.

And while we expect this sort of behavior from people trying to censor the airwaves, one would think a public utility would show more class.

 As APS now tries to extend its monopoly into the rooftop solar energy market in Arizona expect APS Astroturf to start sprouting like winter lawns.

Who else dabbles in Astroturfing? The little-known nation of Qatar, who came under fire last week for an Astroturf campaign to show support for its highly contested bid to host the World Cup in 2022. Their actions instead served to highlight the fact that everyone who isn’t Qatari or paid by the Qatari government objects to the corrupt process that led to Qatar being awarded the 2022 World Cup. Here is a link to the story.

APS and Qatar have even more in common. Both have a history of attacking the solar industry. Qatar is majority-owner in a German solar company, Solar World, that has spent years trying to levy devastating tariffs on solar panels. You can read about it here. In short, a Middle Eastern nation whose economy depends on oil exports is now trying to drive the independent solar energy industry out of business by hiding behind a solar energy company it finances.

APS is trying to do the same thing by using ratepayer dollars to get into the rooftop solar market. The end game is to force private sector solar out of business. If APS really believed in solar, then it would establish an independent company and get into the market without relying on ratepayer money and guaranteed profits. It’s time for APS to ditch the Astroturf and stand on its own two feet, or move to Qatar.

AZ Right to Life PAC endorses Shawnna Bolick for AZ House LD28

 

 

Arizona Right to Life Political Action Committee (PAC) is proud to endorse

Shawnna Bolick for AZ House of Representatives

 

Please take a moment to get to know Shawnna and why we encourage you to cast your vote for her as a representative in LD 28. Shawnna has responded to our request to answer the following questions so that our AZRTL community can become better acquainted with her and her dedication to the pro-life cause.

 

 

 

1)Why do you identify yourself as being pro-life? In my life, I have had a chance to work on behalf of educational choice and for Republicans Rick Santorum and Rick Perry who are as passionate about an issue as I am about school choice. Having worked for Senator Rick Santorum and Governor Rick Perry in my early 20s, I understood why they fought for the unborn. Protecting the unborn is a noble cause for all of us to wrap our arms around just like it's important to help neglected and abused children who are suffering in the CPS system. As a mother of two children and a mother who lost my first child to a miscarriage, I know how precious every life is. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I was placed on severe bed rest for 23 weeks.  Accepting doctor's orders I grew a beautiful little girl who will turn 10 at the end of November.  Life is beautiful and each life is deserving of love, grace and many dreams.

 

2) What do you perceive to be the biggest hurdle in defense of life? I think education is the biggest hurdle in defense of life and educating the youth about the importance of the life issue. Over time abortion rates have declined, but providing adequate education in defense of life would lead to fewer circumstances requiring abortion. As an employee at The Heritage Foundation in the late 1990s, one of my very first projects when newly elected Congressman Paul Ryan was first elected I assisted his district office utilize civil society programs that would give constituents choices other than government intervention or Planned Parenthood.

 

3) Where do you see your role, if elected, as it relates to the pro-life movement? The government exists to protect our natural rights and has a duty to protect the most vulnerable in our society. We all benefit when the law respects the dignity and value of every human life. I believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Like the neglected and abused children who may enter the CPS system, our unborn are the most vulnerable and deserve to be protected.  I will do everything I can as a state legislator to champion pro-life causes. I stand in favor of forbidding another taxpayer dollar going to Planned Parenthood and I promise to stop any additional federal dollars from reaching an abortion clinic.

 

4) How do you think Arizona can become a model state for others to follow in the pro-life movement? Arizona should protect the right to life because it is the foundation of all other liberties. I have gotten to know those actively involved with Students for Life as I believe this is the best starting point to defend life on campuses across this country and needs to be replicated elsewhere.

 

5) When you are not running for office, who and what activities bring you peace and joy? When I am not running for office, I am working full time as a Mom, wife, and Director of Business Development with a scholarship tuition organization that serves low-income, special needs and foster children through educational scholarships. When I am not working full time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, hiking, photography, traveling, crafting, and catching up on my pile of recommended reading books.

 

 

 

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, NARAL Pro-Choice and Emily’s list have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars this election cycle to support pro-abortion candidates. Will you help us fight them? We need your support! 

 

 

Blessings,

 

 

Heather Johnson

Chairperson, AZRTL PAC

Dinesh D’Souza Criminally Sentenced While John Edwards and Other Liberals Skated

John Edwards' mistress Rielle Hunter

Conservative author Dinesh D’Souza, one of the most brilliant conservative political writers of the modern era, was sentenced by a judge last week to eight months in a halfway house and probation. He was also ordered to pay a $30,000 fine within 45 days. His alleged crime? He made two contributions to a losing political campaign under the names of friends. D’Souza accepted a plea agreement admitting he used straw donors to donate $20,000 to the U.S. Senate campaign of Wendy Long, a friend of his. Federal campaign law limits contributors to U.S. Senate campaigns to $5,000 each.

At first glance one is inclined to think, “you commit a crime, you deserve the punishment.” But a closer look reveals that he is not being punished equally compared to others who did the same thing - in fact he is being punished much more severely than Democrats who did much worse. There are myriads of campaign laws the average person has no idea exist. The laws have become so complex, vast - and there are multiple layers: federal, state, local laws and regulations. Many conservative intellectuals like D’Souza are vastly experienced with policy - but not campaigns/elections, which are a completely different world.

This incident reminds me of one of my favorite books, Three Felonies a Day, written by Harvey Silverglate, a criminal defense attorney, who explains how the average American unknowingly commits three felonies a day. As bright as D’Souza is, I guarantee you he did not realize there was a severe penalty for merely giving money to two friends, who then donated it to an obviously losing political campaign. 

Read the rest of the article at Townhall

What do Eric Holder and State Rep. Eric Meyer (D) have in common? Dennis Burke's Fast & Furious

Look at page six of Meyers' campaign finance report - none other than Dennis Burke of Fast & Furious has contributed to his campaign. If you are looking for the House candidate in District 28 supported by those behind Fast & Furious, Meyer is your man. If you would prefer someone without Fast & Furious support, vote for Shawnna Bolick (R) instead.

Eric Holder with Dennis Burke

Just another day at work

At my favorite gun range in the whole world, Kitsap County Rifle & Revolver Club

Ahem, I will not reveal how far away this target was.

The full writeup on the Personal Protection class KRRC offers will be featured in our October issue of Western Shooting Journal, where I explain what kinds of things are taught in a class like that, some of the most interesting things I learned, the applicable law and more. Marcus Carter, who teaches the class and runs the club, may be the best firearms instructor in the country. 

Gilbertwatch: The Loathsome Phoenix New Times - 6,690 Hate-Filled Articles Against Russell Pearce

 Cross-posted from Gilbertwatch

There is far more that the public needs to know than has been reported about Russell Pearce's so-called "insensitive comments," and I intend to report it.  Then, and only then, will I "move on."  

It wasn’t the "mainstream" media that originally published the misleading story about Russell Pearce’s comments.  It was Stephen Lemons of the tabloid Phoenix New Times.  It’s important that Republicans know about Lemons, who calls himself the “feathered bastard,” and about the Phoenix New Times.  Both are infamous for their venomous articles against Republicans and, in particular, conservatives.  Stephen Lemons has made a career out of stalking Russell Pearce, trolling for anything that can be turned into dirt, attaching a lurid title and publishing it.  To say that the man is merely obsessed with destroying Pearce and his livelihood assumes that Lemons is sane. 

Don’t you think that 6,690 hate-filled articles against one person is a tad suspect? I wouldn’t give the Phoenix New Times or any of its shiftless, creepy writers the time of day, much less an interview.  (I’d have to take a shower afterward to wash off the slime.)

Here’s a link to those (at last count) 6,690 articles.  That's 690 pages of titles, 10 to a page.  

Click here to read the rest of the article from Gilbertwatch

LD30 Sen. Robert Meza out of touch with constituents, allegations of corruption

Robert Meza, Democratic member of the Arizona State Senate from LD30, has a history of questionable campaign finance actions and conflicts of interest within the Isaac School District. Even many of his democrat constituents are clamoring for change and calling for new leadership. 

Performance of schools in LD30 are suffering and there is still job loss while many Arizona voting districts are benefiting from job growth. Some residents describe Meza as arrogant and others say he has done nothing for citizens for many years. He is so comfortable in his position that he is not campaigning and has not put up any signs. 

Meza has demonstrated a dismal voting record that is in conflict with many of the core values of families in Arizona. He is not helping families in LD30 to be able to enjoy a better quality of life.


Arizona's economy is growing and helping families begin to recover from the economic downturn, but Meza has voted against the very things that have been helping drive our economy forward. Many of his votes have hurt Arizona families.

Sen. Meza  has been on the wrong side of many legislative issues:

• Voted in favor of excessive government control of our educational system  (SB 1310)
• Voted against allowing individuals the right to litigate for violation of their religious  freedom (SB 1178)
• Voted against job creating legislation  (HB 2815)
• Voted to allow late term partial birth abortion (SB 1048)
• Voted against gun owners’ rights  (HB 2389)
• Voted against a State spending freeze  (HB 2857)
• Voted against Physicians informing women of fetal pain  (HB 2254)
• Voted against allowing religious objections by Medical Professionals  (SB 1365)
• Voted in favor of criminals who commit Felony Offenses (SCR 1020)
• Voted in favor of Temporary Sales Tax Increase (SCR 1011)
• Voted against the Student's Religious Liberties Act (HB 2713)

The challenger is Republican Gary Cox, a local business owner and strong fiscal conservative who believes Arizona's State Legislators must absolutely protect future generations from the excessive tax burdens being placed on the youth of America by an out of control government.  Gary believes it is vital that Arizona legislators work hard to prevent adding to the already heavy tax burden that future generations are being handicapped with by the federal government. Gary has extensive information and commentary on the many issues affecting Arizona's families on his site, garycoxforsenate.com/issues. 

Meza ran unopposed in 2012 after an ugly primary battle with Raquel Teran during which he filed a complaint with the Secretary of State against a group of students volunteering for Teran. He filed three complaints up to that point.

The irony of Meza filing those complaints is that he has been investigated for campaign finance violations and some allegedly corrupt activities including funneling almost $15,000 into what appears to be a family slush fund, away from the Isaac School District where his sister and brother-in-law work. This all started in 2006 and unfortunately the man who was documenting this has since passed away and his files are missing.

The following information is believed to expose corruption, conflicts of interest, and possible illegal activities in late 2006, 2007, 2008, and perhaps even later, by individuals connected with the Administration of the ISAAC School District.

This information appears to expose possible corrupt activities, specifically by the former Communications Director for ISAAC, Mr. Abedon Fimbres, who is now the Director of Safety for the ISAAC School Administration. These allegations also include potential conflicts of interest by Mr. Fimbres wife, Liz Meza-Fimbres, the Sister of Senator Robert Meza who is also listed on Senator Meza’s campaign organizational statement as Treasurer of his campaign committee. Of note also is the fact that Liz Meza-Fimbres ran for and was elected to the Phoenix Elementary School Governing Board in 2008. Ms. Fimbres chose not to use the Fimbres name in her effort to win the Board seat but instead chose to run under the name of ‘Liz Meza’. These allegations further include the daughter of Liz Meza-Fimbres, Desirae Evans, and the Son of Abedon and Liz Meza-Fimbres, Troy Evans. 

In late 2006, the ISAAC School Board authorized a bond override election and Abedon Fimbres allegedly used his position as the ISAAC Communications Director to solicit funds from existing and pending vendors who had contracts with the ISAAC School District. Those funds were purportedly to be used for the bond override election but the Fimbres family became the apparent benefactor of the majority of the money raised by Abedon Fimbres.

It is believed Mr. Abedon Fimbres coordinated with his wife, Liz Meza-Fimbres, and her daughter, Desirae, to file in Maricopa County, a political committee statement of organization forming a committee by the name of ‘EXCELLENCE IN ISAAC’. Liz Meza-Fimbres was identified as the Treasurer of the committee and their daughter, Desirae Evans, was identified as the Chairman of the committee. The address given for this particular political committee was 1833 W. Lewis Ave, Phoenix, AZ., the address of Mr. Abedon and Liz-Meza Fimbres. This address is outside of the ISAAC School District. It is believed that override committees and activities were supposed to be managed by residents in the community of the ISAAC District.

It is also apparent that Abedon and Liz-Meza Fimbres coordinated with their son, Troy Evans, a 23 year old college dropout at the time, to form a political consulting LLC by the name of T.A.E. Consulting LLC. It is believed the acronym T.A.E. was a composite of the initials of the first names of Troy, Abedon, and Elizabeth (Liz). Of interest also is the fact that at that time, Troy had no previous experience doing political consulting or running a campaign. It is believed T.A.E. Consulting was established for the sole purpose of funneling money from Vendors contracted with ISAAC back to the Fimbres family.

As Director of Communications, Mr. Abedon Fimbres had access to businesses and individuals who were contracted Vendors with the ISAAC District and used his position at ISAAC to raise funds from the following contracted vendors and individuals:

1. Joe Zavislak – Marketing $5,000.00

2. Allied Waste - $3,000.00

3. Hewlitt Packard - $1,000.00

4. Hillyard Company - $1,000.00

5. Orcott Winslow Company - $1,000.00

6. Tolin Mechanical - $3,000.00

7. 21st Century Security, Inc. - $250.00

8. Bonds Alarm, Inc. - $500.00

Because of the fact the bond override election in 2007 was lost; another override was done in 2008. In September 2008, another political committee and statement of organization was created and a filing done in Maricopa County. The name of that committee was ‘Vote Yes for ISAAC Students Committee’. The Chairman of this committee was an individual by the name of Sammy Leyvas and the address of record for this committee was 2653 N. 43rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ., the address of Mr. Leyvas. Mr. Leyvas is the Cousin of the Superintendent of ISAAC School District, Mr. Carlos Bejarano. The Treasurer of this Committee was an individual by the name of Sylvia Yamasaki.

It is purported that Mr. Leyvas operated under the direction of Mr. Carlos Bejarano and Mr. Abedon Fimbres as to how to run the bond override election. Since Abedon had previously solicited vendors in the 2007 override, it is believed Mr. Bejarano requested that Mr. Fimbres supervise his Cousin, Mr. Leyvas, relative to the activities of the Political Committee for the bond override. It was decided that Abedon Fimbres would again solicit funds from School vendors in support of the override election.

Funds obtained from Vendors for the 2008 Bond Override were as follows:

1. Joe Zavislak - $5,000.00

2. Orcott Winslow - $1,000.00

3. Tolin Mechanical Systems - $1,000.00

4. Sunland Asphalt - $250.00

5. Hillyard of AZ - $500.00

The funds obtained from Vendors who had contracts or pending contracts with the ISAAC District were controlled by Mr. Abedon Fimbres, who at that time was still the Director of Communications. Reportedly, Sammy Leyvas, as Committee Chairman, requested receipts and an accounting of the disbursements of the funds collected by Mr. Fimbres on behalf of the committee, but was refused. It has also been reported that Abedon Fimbres informed Mr. Leyvas that where those funds went was ‘none of his business’. Campaign finance reports appear to be totally inadequate, incomplete, and are not supported with proper documentation.

All companies, from whom funds were solicited by Mr. Abedon Fimbres, were doing business with ISAAC and, it is reported that Mr. Joe Zavislak was waiting for approval on a pending contract with ISAAC.

A total of $14,750.00 was solicited from vendors for the 2007 override. Of the $14,750.00 raised, $13,764.76 was paid to T.A.E. Consulting of Arizona, the LLC owned by Troy Evans, Abedon and Liz-Meza Fimbres son.

Additionally $541.24 was paid to Abedon and Liz Fimbres. The total amount of the solicited funds raised from ISAAC School District Vendors paid to the Fimbres Family was $ 14,306.00 out of the total amount of $14,750.00.

It appears Liz Meza-Fimbres filed campaign finance reports which are totally inadequate, incomplete, and misleading. There was no listing of a banking institution on the finance reports.There appears to be conclusive information that the Fimbres family set up this scheme to benefit themselves and their 23 yr. old son who had no experience as a political consultant or been previously involved in any kind of business. The Fimbres family appears to have taken money designated to benefit the children of the ISAAC School District and put it in their own pocket.

More recently, in 2012, Sen. Meza was investigated by the Secretary of State's office because he appeared to use money for personal use and collected illegal campaign contributions.

⇨Complaint Against Meza

Campaign Finance reports for Senator Robert Meza from 2012, show that campaign expenses were paid to Abedon Fimbres, Communications Director for ISAAC School District for ‘Professional Services’ on multiple occasions. There is no indication what those ‘Professional Services’ were, nor was there disclosure that the funds were being paid to a close family member of Robert Meza. Abedon Fimbres is Robert Meza's Brother-in-Law. It is important to also restate the fact that Liz-Meza Fimbres is Senator Robert Meza’s Campaign Treasurer. Given the history and background related to Liz Meza-Fimbres and the entanglement of family members related to the disbursement of those funds; a closer look at her management of the campaign funds for Robert Meza may be in order.

There are many other allegations that are not alluded to in this article; however, it is believed that a more thorough investigation will uncover numerous other irregularities, conflicts of interest, and other potentially corrupt activities.

This is a friendly word of advice to those Democrats who will be crossing party lines and voting for Gary Cox: When Sen. Meza comes around to collect ballots in your neighborhood, decline to give it to him. Bring it to the post office or ballot drop-off locations yourself.