President Biden drops out of race, endorses VP Harris as Indiana ‘veep week’ begins

Posted on by Brian A. Howey

Until early Sunday afternoon, this was going to be veep week in Indiana with Vice President Kamala Harris scheduled to appear in Indianapolis on Wednesday and freshly minted Republican nominee JD Vance set to visit Fort Wayne the same day.

But President Joe Biden’s bombshell announcement on Sunday that he has ended his reelection bid changes that dynamic. In the most consequential campaign announcement since President Lyndon B. Johnson dropped out of the 1968 race on March 31 of that year, the 81-year-old Biden said in a post on X: “My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”

Biden added he is endorsing Harris for the nomination. “My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made,” Biden wrote on X. “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who ran in the 2020 presidential race until he dropped out in March of that year and endorsed Biden, said on X: “Joe Biden has earned his place among the best and most consequential presidents in American history. I am so proud to serve under his leadership, and thankful for his unwavering focus on what is best for our country.”

When Buttigieg dropped out in 2020, he said, “We must recognize that at this point in the race the best way to keep faith with” the campaign’s goals is to “step aside and help bring our country and party together.” During that 2020 campaign that finished first in Iowa and second in New Hampshire, Buttigieg had called for “generational change” during his campaign when he was mayor of South Bend.

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jennifer McCormick reacted, saying in a statement: “Respecting and appreciating the legacy of President Biden’s service, I support his decision to not seek re-election to another term. As governor, I will be committed to working with the president — whoever is elected in November. Indiana deserves the best leadership to protect our rights and freedoms and I will be a relentless champion for all Hoosiers. President Biden has been a steadfast patriot and leader for our country. His decision to withdraw from the presidential race is yet another act of service in a long and distinguished career dedicated to the betterment of the United States.”

Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Braun said on X: “If President Biden is incapable of serving as his party’s nominee, he’s incapable of serving as our Commander-in-Chief for the next six months. He should resign effective immediately as a matter of national security.”

Ron Klain, President Biden’s former chief of staff and an Indianapolis native, posted on X: “Now that the donors and electeds have pushed out the only candidate who has ever beaten Trump, it’s time to end the political fantasy games and unite behind the only veteran of a national campaign — our outstanding @vp, @KamalaHarris!! Let’s get real and win in November!”

The key question now is: Will Biden’s endorsement of Harris clear the field for a coronation at the Democratic National Convention Aug. 19-22 in Chicago? 

Harris was endorsed Sunday by former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

And will there be a sprint for the nomination that could include Buttigieg, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and others? Or will one of those governors or Buttigieg end up on the ticket with Harris as the vice presidential candidate?

Biden was under intense pressure to end his campaign after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump on June 27.

U.S. Rep. André Carson wrote on X, “I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished under President Biden, like setting our economy on the right path after COVID-19. Democrats stand for reason and justice, and we stand on the right side of history. Onward.”

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, the GOP nominee for U.S. Senate, accused Democrats of “hijacking democracy.”

Banks wrote on X: “Every Democrat knew Joe Biden couldn’t run for office. They set him up to embarrass himself at the debate with Trump. Now they’re robbing their voters of a choice in the nominee so their party elites can choose! Hijacking democracy!”

But Republican U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon said on X: “President Biden has made the correct decision to end his bid for a second term. It has been clear for a long time that he does not have the mental or physical capacity to serve another term. I want to thank the President for his decades of public service.”

Indiana Democratic attorney general nominee Destiny Wells said in a statement: “I am forever grateful for the direction President Biden has led our country — let’s continue due north and get to work. Anything is possible and I am anxious to seize the opportunities ahead. I join all Americans in rallying to continue President Biden’s work by supporting Vice President Kamala Harris.”

Harris, who would be the first Black woman and the first Asian American to lead a national presidential ticket, released a statement later on Sunday saying she was honored to receive Biden’s endorsement.

The Democratic National Convention, where the party will officially nominate its choice for the presidential candidate, will take place in Chicago next month.

Update: This story was updated to include statements from Jennifer McCormick and Mike Braun. 

Brian A. Howey is senior writer and columnist for Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs. Find Howey on Facebook and X @hwypol.

Tennessee delegates become country’s first to endorse Harris as Democratic nominee

Posted on by Andy Sher

Tennessee Democratic National Convention delegates on Sunday appear to have become the first nationally to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as their party’s nominee after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race.

The move came after Harris gained control of the balance of the Biden campaign account.

“I think that gave the delegation great comfort in unanimously supporting her to become the Democratic nominee,” said Chip Forrester, a former Tennessee Democratic Party chair and a top Democratic national fundraiser.

Forrester was present at the meeting of 70 delegates and seven superdelegates. He also told The Tennessee Journal the state party had previously scheduled the Sunday meeting to discuss logistics and other technical details of the Aug. 19 to Aug. 22 convention in Chicago. In light of Biden bowing out of the race earlier on Sunday, the discussion and action on supporting Harris followed.

“It puts Democrats in a great position,” Forrester said. “Part of the discussion is the president of the United States chose her to be his running mate and was running for reelection with her as his running mate.”

That was important, Forrester said, adding “now that he has chosen not to run she was clearly the logical choice. The time frame, the window is so narrow now, we have to nominate on Thursday the 22nd. So with that short window, it makes sense for all of us as Democrats and Tennessee is now the first in the nation, its delegation has unanimously endorsed Vice President Harris. 

“The consensus among the delegates was that given the president’s endorsement of his vice president — and there was another technical thing that we learned which was very helpful,” that being Biden changing the Federal Election Commission reporting from himself over to Harris, giving her control.

Chris Anderson, a Chattanooga Democrat and DNC delegate, confirmed the situation.

“We voted unanimously to support Vice President Harris as our nominee,” Anderson said in a text to The Journal. Harris is an attorney who formerly served as California Attorney General before moving the the U.S. Senate. “She’s obviously the best choice to both prosecute the case against Trump/Vance — and their Project 2025 — and to serve as president.”

Anderson said a “few” delegates abstained “because they were unsure of process and timing.”

“The enthusiasm for Kamala is strong!” he said in his text. 

Officials weigh in

Upon President Joe Biden’s decision to drop his reelection, Tennessee Democrats praised him for his service while looking ahead to what they hope will be a reinvigorated campaign against Republican Donald Trump’s bid to return to the White House.

State Senate Democratic leader Raumesh Akbari of Memphis said in a social media post that as a Biden delegate and “firm supporter” of the Biden-Harris administration, “I plan to do everything I can to support @KamalaHarris to become our democratic nominee and our next #POTUS. Thank you, #JoeBiden. I don’t know that there is a person living that’s done more for this country. 

“Now,” Akbari added, “let’s all unite as @TheDemocrats and remember what’s at stake in this election. Read #Project2025 and you will understand the urgency of now.”

House Democratic leader Karen Camper of Memphis called it a “significant moment in our nation’s history. She offered her “deepest gratitude to President Biden for his unwavering service to our country. Throughout his tenure, he has kept his commitment to the American people, delivering on numerous campaign promises that have led to substantial progress in our society.”

Camper called Biden’s leadership during “challenging” times and dedication to the “principles of democracy and justice” has been inspiring and thanked him for his “steadfast resolve and the positive changes he has championed.”

Citing Biden’s endorsement of Harris as Democrats’ new nominee, Camper said, “We see a continuation of this legacy of leadership and progress.” Harris has demonstrated “exceptional service and dedication in her role, and her experience and vision make her an outstanding candidate to lead our nation forward.”

“I fully support Vice President Harris in her bid to become the next President of the United States,” Camper added. “Her commitment to equality, justice, and the well-being of all Americans reflects the values we hold dear. Together, we will work to ensure a brighter future for our country.”

Cohen’s view

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis, the lone Democrat in Tennessee’s congressional delegation, said in a text that Biden has “done the right thing for the country and the world. His presidency will be seen as the most impactful since Lyndon Johnson.”

Cohen cited strides the county has made on infrastructure, the environment, healthcare and “historic minority appointments” as well as  restoring international ties that strengthen democracy.

“He has been very good for Memphis with the $393 million for the new bridge across the river as well as other infrastructure investments, and judicial appointments of the finest caliber,” he said.

Cohen also said that Vice President Kamala Harris “has the prosecutorial chops to make mincemeat of the mendacious malefactor Donald Trump.”

Former Vice President Al Gore, a onetime congressman and U.S. Senate member from Tennessee said Biden made a “selfless decision.”

“Joe Biden has been — and is — an exceptional leader. He is responsible for developing and signing the most significant investment in climate solutions into law,” Gore said in a statement. “He helped our nation navigate a global pandemic, ushered in an economic recovery that has created good-paying jobs for Americans across the country, and restored America’s standing abroad.

“In paving the way for a new generation of leadership, President Biden’s decision is a fitting testament to his profoundly consequential career,” Gore said.

Bring on the governors?

State House Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons of Nashville said in an interview that Democrats have a “lot of great leadership” and a “deep bench across the country.” There are “a lot of potential prospects that could step up into that role and really make this a competitive presidential election. 

“Obviously we have a tremendous vice president,” Clemmons said, pointing to Harris, as well as several Cabinet members, among them U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. 

Clemmons said a number of Democratic governors could step up, including Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Gavin Newsom of California or Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan.

“All of them are incredible leaders with great potential who could step up into the upper echelons of our party’s leadership,” Clemmons said.

Calling for the the exits

Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Brentwood posted on social media that Biden “has realized what the rest of the American people and even his own party already knew — he is not only the wrong leader for America, but is wholly incapable of doing the job of President of the United States.”

Blackburn called on Biden to also resign from the presidency.

Haley eyes Wyandotte County site for Royals; KCK mayor supports pursuit, but has concerns

Posted on by Matt Resnick

There aren’t many individuals as intimately familiar with Wyandotte County’s terrain as David Haley — the longest-tenured legislator in the Kansas Senate.  

And because of action taken by the Legislature in June, Haley is hoping to use that knowledge to strike while the iron is hot and lure the Kansas City Royals to Wyandotte County from Missouri. 

The Legislature last month greenlit an expanded tax incentives package aimed at attracting the Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs to the Sunflower State. Haley said he’s since engaged high-ranking Wyandotte County Unified Government officials in preliminary discussions  and is in the process of crafting a Royals-specific proposal.

During its one-day special session on June 18, House and Senate supermajorities approved House Bill 2001, positioning the state to land one or both franchises with the pledge of bankrolling up to 70% of a $1 billion-plus stadium via Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bonds. 

Missouri finds itself in jeopardy of losing either of the teams after Jackson County voters in April rejected a 3/8th-cent sales tax extension that would have covered the stadium renovations for the Chiefs — and potentially a brand new venue for the Royals.

“With this tremendous, incentivized STAR bond tool in the economic development chest — we should go for the Royals,” Haley, D-Kansas City,  told State Affairs, adding that he’s identified potential sites in the east-central and northeast portions of Kansas City, Kansas, he believes are an ideal fit for a new venue to house the Royals.

Haley also indicated that Missouri leaders are retooling their efforts to retain the Chiefs, making the Royals the more attractive option.

“They’re going to make sure they put the Chiefs at the forefront of their plans,” Haley said of the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. 

Haley said Jackson County residents are already grappling with “sky high” property tax rates, and anything beyond that will be a tough sell if they’re once again asked to foot the bill for the Chiefs and Royals stadium plans. 

“I just don’t think there is going to be an appetite for taxation,” Haley said. 

Royals rule on either side

The Royals, Haley noted, are a “regional treasure,” and most fans wouldn’t much care whether the franchise was located on the Kansas or Missouri side — as long as it remains in the Kansas City metropolitan area. 

“Whether it’s Kansas or Missouri, ‘Kansas City’ is the official name,” he said. 

Haley said one area he’s pinpointed is located roughly 3.5 miles north of a widely publicized stadium rendering located in the West Bottoms, hugging the Kansas-Missouri line. Haley said the concept is a “non-starter” because team headquarters and a potential entertainment district would have to be slotted on the Missouri side. 

Haley called his proposed location, in the general vicinity north of Quindaro Boulevard and east of 38th Street, “a beautiful site” with ample land availability. But a backdrop of the Kansas City, Missouri skyline, which Royals ownership has indicated is a major selling point, is a bit murky. He said he’s broached the locale with Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor Tyrone Garner, Wyandotte County Administrator Dave Johnston, as well as downtown development specialists and the county’s economic development team. 

“And we’ll be approaching [Secretary of Commerce] David Toland about our plan,” Haley said. 

Additionally, Haley said he and several other Democratic lawmakers visited with Brooks Sherman, the Royals chief operating officer, for the purpose of gauging interest in a move to the Kansas side. 

Haley also touted the site as having easy interstate access to downtown Kansas City, Missouri’s Power and Light entertainment district, Crossroads Arts District, River Market, the 18th and Vine historic jazz district and Kansas City International Airport. 

“If you look at the area from a bird’s eye view on a map, it just jumps out that it would be perfect,” he said. 

If one or both teams opt to relocate to Kansas, 2031 is the earliest they could ditch Missouri for their new digs in the Sunflower State. If a deal is reached, construction of a new stadium and practice facility/headquarters would likely kick off in the next two to three years with an additional two years to complete. 

Concerns surface 

Garner described his dialogue with Haley about any potential sites as not particularly extensive, but said he’s an ardent proponent of bringing the Royals and Chiefs to Wyandotte County. 

While discussing the possibility with constituents, Garner said a concern arose that “was not addressed by the Legislature” during the June 18 special session. The concern centered on valuation schedules utilized by county appraisers in the state. 

Garner said he’s definitely opposed to any economic development project that would create an undue tax burden on the county’s residents. 

“The perception is, if you bring certain big venues in, that it could be a gateway for the appraiser to open the door to increased valuations on individuals’ property,” Garner told State Affairs, adding that a “huge development” such as a professional sports stadium could have a ripple effect on property valuations. 

“It may be deemed under whatever schedule they use that the property in Wyandotte County is more valuable,” Garner explained, while adding that residents in the area described by Haley have typically been “disenfranchised.” 

The hypothetical tax hike based on higher property appraisals does not directly correlate with the STAR bond incentives package. But nonetheless, increased property valuation “translates into a property tax increase for our residents,” Garner said.  

“A lot of the residents I’ve spoken with said they’d like to have both teams, but they don’t want property taxes to go up because our valuations went up,” he said. “What I’m hearing across the board is that the folks of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas would love to be the home of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.” 

Garner added that any proposal would have to strike a balance “where there’s a financial benefit as opposed to a financial burden, in any capacity, as a result of a business coming to our city.”  

When it comes to spurring economic growth development, both the Chiefs and Royals are virtual locks to check for that. The Chiefs have an estimated value of $4.3 billion, according to Forbes, while the Royals are worth roughly $1.25 billion. Sen. J.R. Claeys, R-Salina, and carrier of the STAR bond bill, previously said the franchises could generate $1 billion in annual tax revenue and create roughly 6,000 jobs. He also contended the grand vision is achievable “without taxing our citizens.” 

“I think we could come to an amenable deal with those organizations that would be of value to them, as well as value to Wyandotte County,” Garner said. “And more importantly, value to the people that would like to keep those two sports franchises in the Kansas City metropolitan area.”

Another element of a potential deal touted by both Garner and Haley is land availability. Garner said Wyandotte County’s Unified Government is actively attempting to offload some of its approximately 4,600 Land Bank parcels, adding that “we’re open for business.” 

“We have an unnecessarily (large) inventory of parcels,” Garner said, which the county administrator, Johnston, also confirmed. “We need to move those into private ownership — and it could be used as a negotiating tool with anyone.”

Haley said the price-point for land in the areas he’s pinpointed in eastern Wyandotte County would be far cheaper than the West Bottoms location, Village West Parkway in western Wyandotte County, and pretty much anywhere in Johnson County. 

“We do own a sizable, even mind-boggling number of parcels in the northeast part of our community,” Johnston said.  

Said Garner, “Land is cheap and plentiful here, and we’re economic development hungry.” 

Matt Resnick is a statehouse reporter at State Affairs Pro Kansas/Hawver’s Capitol Report. Reach him at [email protected].

Tax disagreement with House Dems factors into Kelly’s PAC endorsements

Posted on by Bryan Richardson

The tension between Gov. Laura Kelly and House Democrats over taxes during the session continues to grow as two notable lawmakers aren’t receiving support in their primary races.

In particular, Will Lawrence, Kelly’s chief of staff, and House Minority Leader Vic Miller are publicly butting heads after the governor’s Middle of the Road PAC announced its primary endorsements Thursday.

“He has a full body of work that demonstrates that he’s out for himself,” Lawrence said about Miller. “He is a selfish politician who whenever he’s making a decision, it’s what’s in it for him. It has nothing to do with his constituents.”

“Will Lawrence has been determined by a jury to be a liar,” Miller said, referring to an advisory jury’s decision and a federal judge’s ruling in favor of a former Kansas Highway Patrol superintendent who said he was coerced into resigning.

Miller, responding to Lawrence’s disagreement with his recollection of an incident, continued, “I don’t need to comment on his record for telling the truth. There is a record in court where his credibility was tested, and a jury determined that he had lied.”

Intraparty strife

Of the 41 contested primaries — 20 for Republicans and 11 for Democrats — the PAC waded into the waters of four Democratic races.

Two of those races involve House members seeking to join the Senate: Miller, D-Topeka, and Rep. Christina Haswood, D-Lawrence. The PAC endorsed Patrick Schmidt in Miller’s Senate District 19 race and Sen. Marci Francisco in Haswood’s Senate District 2 race.

Lawrence, who serves as the PAC’s senior adviser, explained the endorsement decisions Friday, calling Francisco a “strong incumbent.”

The governor likes Haswood but wishes she would have stayed in the House for a bit longer, Lawrence said, adding the representative did not align with the governor on taxes.

“Haswood voted to override the governor’s veto on the tax bill,” he said. “That’s just one example. You look at different things, and there are just times where Christina probably needed to do things a little bit differently.”

The governor reached two agreements with Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins on tax cuts this year.

The House soundly rejected the first agreement in April in a bipartisan fashion. The House Democrats’ stance came even after Kelly visited them earlier that day to advocate for the deal.

Lawrence made further visits to House Democrats’ agenda meetings to gain their support on taxes, something he didn’t do with Senate Dems as they remained in lockstep with the governor.

The governor’s chief of staff on Friday laid the issues at the feet of Miller as leader of the House caucus since some legislators didn’t have clarity on Kelly’s position.

Lawrence said Miller and Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes would have weekly meetings with the governor.

“It was very clear that Vic had no interest in communicating to his caucus what was coming from those meetings,” he said. “That’s a problem.”

Miller said Friday his style of leadership doesn’t involve the threat of punishment to get fellow Democrats to agree with something.

“They are the judges of what is best for their constituents, and they do not have to fear — from me as leader — retaliation because they don’t happen to agree with me,” he said. “And I very much resent any leader in any capacity expecting people to march to their orders as though they own them.”

The PAC making primary endorsements could harm the relationships between the governor and the Democratic candidates who weren’t selected if they win the election.

Lawrence acknowledged the risk, saying with Haswood in particular, a lot of thought went into the decision before making the Francisco endorsement.

“We want to have a good working relationship with her,” he said. “I believe that we still can. That’s why we’re trying to be very communicative.”

As for Miller?

“His behavior will be the same,” Lawrence said. “Maybe worse towards the governor, but Vic is who he is, and he’s going to do what he feels like.”

No Republicans by choice

One of the PAC’s intended goals from the start was to endorse moderate candidates regardless of party affiliation.

The first batch of endorsements not including any Republicans seems to betray that goal, but Lawrence said it was by design. The PAC sent questionnaires to all Democratic candidates but never sent anything to Republican candidates during the primary season.

“Certainly there are Republicans that we’re hopeful will win their primaries, but we didn’t feel that it was right for us to insert ourselves directly as the governor’s PAC into those primaries,” he said.

Lawrence said the PAC intends to make more endorsements in the general election, adding there are other ways to support.

“When I say that we’re not getting involved from the governor’s PAC, I’m referring to that particular entity,” he said. “That does not mean we’re not being helpful in other ways.”

For example, Kelly and Sen. Dennis Pyle, R-Hiawatha, appeared together at two stops in his district for a ceremonial signing of the tax cut bill.

Pyle faces two GOP challengers in his bid for another term in the 1st Senate District: Craig Bowser and Rep. John Eplee, R-Atchison.

The senator stuck with the governor on taxes from the start of the session when he appeared with Kelly as she introduced her tax plan. Pyle often helped the governor sustain her tax vetoes in the Senate.

“Probably very little that he and the governor agree on,” Lawrence said, “but they respect each other, they can talk and they can find common ground.”

Bryan Richardson is the managing editor at State Affairs Pro Kansas/Hawver’s Capitol Report. Reach him at [email protected] or on X @RichInNews.

4-term state lawmaker who’s running for re-election wants term limits on Congress

Posted on by Arizona Legislative Report Staff

Former lawmaker Vince Leach, who is looking to beat Wadsack in the LD17 Republican primary, is campaigning on his support for term limits in Congress. “Politicians and diapers must be changed often … and for the SAME REASON,” mailers paid for by a lobbying group called U.S. Term Limits that were sent out to LD17 households said. Leach has posted pictures of the mailers repeatedly on his X account. The lobbying group has sent out multiple versions of mailers to LD17 voters, listing McGarr, Leach and House LD17 candidate Anna Orth as the only candidates in the district who support term limits. “Conservatives like President Trump, Hon. Vince Leach, Rep. Cody McGarr and Anna Orth support Term Limits on Congress to help DRAIN THE SWAMP,” one mailer read. The mailers point out that LD17 incumbents Jones and Wadsack “worked with Democrats in order to kill the term limits resolution.” During the 2023 legislative session, a House concurrent resolution which would have joined Arizona with other states that support a convention for the purpose of imposing congressional term limits failed in the chamber due to GOP disagreement. The proposal takes aim at career politicians in Congress, which McGarr said he supported at the time. “We have a system in which people as soon as they get to Congress, they immediately start trying to figure out how they can stay there and how they can make this their career,” he said. Jones said she would have considered supporting the resolution at the time, but the lobbying group “threatened” her and other lawmakers by saying they would funnel money into their primary opponents' campaign funds.

Big Dem field in LD5

Posted on by Arizona Legislative Report Staff

Another Democratic primary race that features several candidates is in LD5, although the district is considered a safe blue district with a near 40% vote spread leaning to Democrats, according to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. Both appointed representatives, Lucking and Ligouri, are now trying to get elected. Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board member Aaron Marquez and Dorri Thyden are also running in the race. Thyden has spent her career working as a consultant and doing marketing for businesses and political candidates and organizations. Marquez appears to be leading the way in fundraising after raising $40,000 in the second quarter. He received a $10,000 contribution from Arizona Pipe Trades 469 PAC. Liguori raised $18,000, including a $2,000 contribution from former LD5 Rep. Jennifer Longdon’s campaign committee. Thyden raised $16,000, although $10,000 came from loans. Lucking hasn’t filed his second quarter report yet and he had $4,000 in cash balance at the end of the first quarter. Longdon also contributed $2,500 to Lucking’s campaign, according to his first quarter report.

Dem airing party’s dirty laundry

Posted on by Arizona Legislative Report Staff

A Democratic candidate in LD23 called out the Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee for asking him not to run for the state House. Jimmy Holmes wrote in a post on X that the committee asked him not to run. He told our reporter Thursday the committee contacted him on May 12, Mother’s Day and asked him to withdraw his candidacy the day before ballots were printed. Holmes is running against Sandoval and Matias Rosales in the primary race. Pena represents the other House seat in the district and her 2022 win was a surprise for what many thought would be a safe Democratic district. The district has a 17% vote spread leaning toward Democrats, according to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. It was not considered a competitive district in the 2022 election yet it is one of the few districts with Republican and Democrat legislators representing its constituents. Pena got about 4% more votes than Democrat Jesus Lugo Jr. in the 2022 election. Sandoval, Rosales and Fernandez are all running on the same ticket and Holmes said the ADLCC wants Sandoval and Rosales to run because of their political experience. Sandoval is the incumbent and Rosales is a city councilman for the city of San Luis. Holmes said the ADLCC would support him if he moved on to the general election, but he’s also a Clean Elections candidate. “It’s kind of a real let down that I’m hearing from my own party,” Holmes said. “It should be up to the voters to say who they want to vote for during an election.” He said he recognized that the ADLCC is focusing heavily on flipping the legislature but feels he’s just as qualified as the other House candidates in his district. “I do believe that I have as good of a chance, if not better of a chance, as to winning this seat in District 23,” Holmes said. A spokesperson for the ADLCC didn’t respond to our reporter’s request for comment by our deadline Friday. Rosales raised $64,000 during the second quarter campaign finance report period and $33,000 of his fundraising came from PACs, including a $10,000 contribution from PAC for America, which describes itself as supporting “majority-making candidates to run evidence-based, effective campaigns and win state legislative majorities that are committed to a healthy, prosperous, and sustainable future for all.” Sandoval raised $25,000 during the quarter and $11,000 came from PACs, but nearly all of that fundraising came from a $10,000 donation from the Federation of American Hospitals. She also received a $250 contribution from former House Minority Leader Andres Cano through the Democratic fundraising platform Act Blue. Holmes hadn’t submitted his campaign finance report by Friday afternoon.

2 trying to go from the floor to the dais

Posted on by Arizona Legislative Report Staff
A current state senator and a former state representative, both Democrats, will face off among three other candidates for a spot on the Phoenix City Council representing District 7. An Hernandez announced she was running for the seat in January. She previously told our reporter that she thinks there is more potential for reform when it comes to housing and policing at a local level. She is currently finishing her first and only term as a state senator for LD24. One of her opponents, former LD11 Rep. Marcelino Quinonez, resigned in April amid rumors that he was also vying for the city council spot. “It be your own people SMH. Guess some men will do anything to help undermine the work of a progressive woman of color,” An Hernandez wrote in a post on X while the rumor was circling the Capitol. Quinonez eventually announced his campaign for the D7 seat. Quinonez said his priorities as a councilman would include affordable housing, economic growth and transparency and accountability within the city. The three other candidates, all Democrats, are: Emilio Avila Solis, former Phoenix City Councilman Michael Nowakowski and Martyn Bridgeman. An Hernandez and Quinonez have a clear advantage as former lawmakers when it comes to campaign fundraising. An Hernandez finished slightly ahead of Quinonez in the second quarter with $69,034 on hand while he had $53,124 on hand. Hernandez took in over $9,000 in the second quarter from PACs, with a notable $1,000 donation from the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona. Quinonez got a few donations from PACs as well, with a $500 donation from Arizona Restaurant Association Political Action Committee and $500 from the Arizona Chapter Associated General Contractors PAC. Solis finished June with $1,251 on hand and the two other candidates had not filed their reports by Friday.

PDEQ issues ozone air pollution action day

Posted on by Arizona Legislative Report Staff
PIMA COUNTY, July 19, 2024 – The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) is issuing a ground-level Ozone Action Day for the Tucson metropolitan area today. Individuals who are especially sensitive to ozone air pollution may experience shortness of breath, coughing, throat irritation, wheezing, and breathing discomfort.  If you are especially sensitive to ozone, you may want to limit your level of exertion outside between noon and sunset when elevated levels of ozone pollution are more likely to occur. Intense physical outdoor activity causes heavier breathing, which allows ozone to penetrate deeper in the lungs. Those who are most likely to be sensitive to ozone include children, adults who are active outdoors, people with respiratory diseases, and certain individuals who have an unusual sensitivity to this particular pollutant. Those people who are feeling symptoms should seek medical attention, if necessary. There are many types of emissions that generate ground-level ozone. Motor vehicle exhaust, industrial and power plant emissions, gasoline vapors, chemical solvents, as well as natural sources, emit oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) that form ozone in the presence of intense sunlight and heat.  Actions to reduce the production of ground level ozone:
  • Reduce driving – combine errands into one trip.
  • Ride the bus, walk, bike, or share a ride with friends and family.
  • Avoid idling your vehicle’s engine.
  • Re-fuel your car after dark or during cooler evening hours when vapors are less likely to form ozone.
  • While re-fueling, always stop at the click.
  • Make sure your gas cap is tightly sealed after re-fueling.
  • Avoid using gas-powered lawn and gardening equipment.
  • Check your tire pressure monthly and keep tires properly inflated for peak performance.
  • Conserve electricity to reduce emissions from power plants.
  • Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes, and paint strippers and ensure that they are sealed properly.
PDEQ’s Clean Air Program educates Pima County residents about the potential health effects associated with elevated levels of air pollution and promotes actions to reduce air pollution. PDEQ monitors air pollution in our region at 16 air quality monitoring sites. Real-time air pollution levels are available online at the PDEQ website . To receive Air Pollution Action Day advisories, sign up here .

Republican National Convention Makes it Clear Donald Trump will be a Dictator on Day One: Billboards Around RNC Sends a Clear Message to Voters that Together, We Must Reject Trump’s Project 2025 Agenda

Posted on by Arizona Legislative Report Staff
Milwaukee, WI – As the Republican National Convention continues this week, a cohort of organizations, including United We Dream Action, Living United for Change in Arizona, America’s Voice, Voces de la Frontera Action, SEIU, Community Change Action, Make the Road Action, Chirla Action Fund, CASA in Action PAC, released a series of bilingual billboards around the RNC site to send a clear message to voters: Together, we must reject Trump’s violent and extremist playbook.  The organization’s main digital billboard is located at the prime entrance to downtown Milwaukee, just south of the Marquette Interchange, and aimed at Milwaukee residents targeted by mis- and disinformation from the RNC. Meanwhile, mobile billboards in Spanish and English were seen throughout Milwaukee neighborhoods, including during the March Against the RNC on July 15, around the convention site, and in other high-traffic areas. Alejandra Gomez, Executive Director of Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA): “The last few days, we’ve heard loud and clear the existential threat Donald Trump and his MAGA cronies pose to Democracy and our civil rights. At the RNC we heard from MAGA extremists carve out a narrow vision for a “new America” that is exclusive to white America and those willing to bend the knee. The message is clear, if you are black, brown, or an immigrant, you have no place in their version of America. Under Project 2025 Donald Trump will become a dictator on day one, he will weaponize the executive and the justice department to roll back climate change policies, roll back voting rights, persecute his “political enemies”, institute a nationwide abortion ban, and conduct the largest mass deportation in the history of this country. Ripping tens of millions of immigrants right from their communities and families. The good news is that LUCHA is well on its way to knock on over 1 million doors. If our communities show up on election day we defeat hate and extremism. With Latino voters in Arizona representing 25% of the electorate, Arizona will have the power to be the difference-maker in this election. 

Your search query contained invalid characters or was empty. Please try again with a valid query.