S.H.I.E.L.D. has once again done the heavy lifting on research and presented it to us on a silver platter. Will we pay attention?
What do you call Arizona Republican Leadership who, when they see a fellow Republican legislator getting beaten up by a Democrat with big Leftist dollars, gives the order to "Stand Down" and not give him a penny?
TRAITOR
That’s what those in charge of the Republican Victory Fund/Republican House Fund have done. This is corruption in Arizona’s legislative leadership at the highest levels: Senate President Steve Pierce and House Speaker Andy Tobin. These "leaders" are going about their business of power brokering, grubbing for votes, power, and money, all the while joining Leftists who have branded Arizona’s grassroots conservatives as "right-wing, immigrant hating, religious-extremist zealots."
No we aren’t. We are America-loving, Freedom-loving, Life-Loving, Constitution-loving, and God-loving.
The last time I reported on this, I advised that this is an unfolding story. Indeed, S.H.I.E.L.D. has provided the Campaign Reports which proves how this money has been grossly misspent.
To recap, here’s the first article: Arizona Republican Leaders in the Legislature Betray Conservatives.
Summary: "Under the leadership of Senate President Steve Pierce and House Speaker Andy Tobin, thousands of dollars were spent to defeat Conservative John Fillmore in the Primary. That wasn’t the way the money was supposed to be spent. It was supposed to help Republicans defeat Democrats in the General Election. Instead, this “Victory Fund” was used to get Left-Leaning RINO Rich Crandall elected, a man whose family lives in Utah while he maintains an apartment in his district. Chalk up a vote from Rich Crandall for Steve Pierce for Senate President!
In a Press Release, Stephen Kohut, Chairman of the Pinal County Republican Committee, announced: "Pinal County Republican Committee endorses Steve Smith for Speaker of the Arizona House and Andy Biggs for President of the Arizona Senate."
Why? Chairman Kohut continues… "Legislative Districts 8, 9, and 10 are the most competitive districts in the state and we have highly qualified candidates, including many incumbents, who are being pummeled by the Democrat Party while NO support is provided from the so-called "Republican Victory Fund." It is increasingly apparent that the funds are being spent to help only those candidates that would be a friendly vote for the reelection of the current leaders."
He’s correct. It’s much worse than that.
Second article: Republican "Leadership" in Arizona Hangs Senator Frank Antenori out to Dry
Summary: Senator Frank Antenori in LD10, a strong Conservative, is fighting against Democrat David Bradley. As of the last count, nearly $150,000 in outside money has come to the aid Bradley. This is a perfect opportunity for the Republican Victory Fund to come to Antenori’s rescue to fend off a liberal Democrat. What have they given to Antenori?
NOTHING. They are "standing down," letting the Democrats do their dirty work to defeat him.
And now here are two new articles from S.H.I.E.L.D.
Republican Victory Fund/Republican House Fund
Summary. S.H.I.E.L.D. goes through each District to show you where the RVF (Republican Victory Fund) and RHF (Republican House Fund) have spent their money. It should be noted that the Chairman of the Republican Victory Fund (Camilla Strongin) received $137,000 in "consulting fees." Camilla Strongin, by odd coincidence, is also Senate President Steve Pierce’s campaign manager. He paid her $86,000 for her services to his campaign.
Republican candidates with very little opposition are getting tons of money from the RVF (Republican Victory Fund) and RHF (Republican House Fund), while other Republican candidates who are getting pummeled by Democrat money get nothing. Why? As stated by S.H.I.E.L.D., what you will see is a "pattern of donations that only makes sense if you were to look at it in the context of Steve Pierce and Andy Tobin’s desire to retain their seats of power as President and Speaker of the House. They are clearly using this money to not just help any Republican get elected, but only to help THEIR Republicans who, in turn, will help THEM maintain power."
Here are a couple of examples:
DISTRICT 21
The Democrats haven’t spent any money to help their candidates in this district and the Republican candidates have outraised their opponents which implies it should be an easy win for Republicans. So, did the two Republican House candidates need $8000 for their campaigns? Why has Rick Murphy not received ANY help in his Senate race? Maybe because Murphy complained that Tobin held his union bills?
It is worthy to note that Rick Gray’s wife, Lisa Gray, is the Treasurer of his campaign. She is also running for Maricopa County Republican Chair. Take a guess what side of the Republican aisle she might represent.
House – Gray/Lesko
RHV – $8000
Senate – Murphy
-0-
DISTRICT 28
There are two incumbent Republicans running against one Democrat for the two House seats. Did the RHV REALLY need to give $72k in a House race where the Democrats have spent only $600 in opposition? McGee’s campaign finance statements show that she has received donations from the President of the Cattleman as well as countless other lobbyists. McGee was also endorsed by Jon Kyl. I think we know where this is going.
House – McGee/Reeve
RHV – $72,600
AV – $600
They should rename the Republican Victory Fund and Republican House Fund to reflect the REAL purpose:
Pierce Victory Fund and the Tobin House Victory.
Jerry Lewis, Andy Tobin, and Karen Fann Campaigns Aided by Leftists and Unions.
Welcome to the world of Independent Expenditures (IE’s) that link and link and link up with Leftists and Unions. People like Jerry Lewis, Andy Tobin, and Karen Fann know nothing, see nothing, speak nothing, hear nothing about these groups. Willfull ignorance in our State Legislature.
S.H.I.E.L.D. helps you connect the dots and connections from IE’s such as "Safe Communities," which is connected to "People for Arizona," to "Residents for Accountability," "Arizona Pipe Trades Union 469," "Revitalize Arizona," and "Citizens for a Better Arizona."
Tough to follow, and harder to swallow, isn’t it.