![Senator Russell Pearce is the target of a "recall election" organized by out of district opponents in Legislative District 18. Organizer of the recall movement is Randy Parraz, a native of California, and graduate of Berkeley.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/78/ad/78ad5762b28c6e2902e9af9f5c59b18a.jpg?itok=yDkbi5H4 "Senator Russell Pearce is the target of a "recall election" organized by out of district opponents in Legislative District 18. Organizer of the recall movement is Randy Parraz, a native of California, and graduate of Berkeley.")
Senator Russell Pearce has submitted and released the questionnaire that explains where he stands on the issues that are important to Arizonans in general, not just LD 18 residents. Although you can only vote in the recall election if you are an LD 18 resident, this recall would cause a ripple effect in Arizona politics.
This fact is further cemented by the knowledge that the creators and organizers of the recall DO NOT LIVE IN LD 18. Randy Parraz, the father of the recall movement against Senator Pearce resides in Scottsdale, Az and the only person who was involved on the recall committee who lives in LD 18 was the person who submitted the signatures on the committee's and Parraz' behalf.
The local news media, and many of the area's tabloid journalists (New Times blogger Stephen Lemons being the most vocal) have wanted you to believe that Senator Pearce is detached from the issues, and the candidate that they support, who has no political experience at all, Jerry Lewis, is on top of things. Lewis is so on top of things that he is currently under investigation for possibly misappropriating funds from a school for homeless children. The school is the Thomas J. Pappas school, (that story will come later) and Lewis was acting principal there when the money was handled incorrectly.
In his own words, (nothing has been changed and the original document is available for public view with the Arizona Republican Party) Senator Pearce tells you in his shoot from the hip style we all love and admire, where he stands on illegal immigration, education (he wants to defund non performing schools, and award teachers who are doing their jobs), the recall itself, jobs creation, and the future of Arizona. His stand on issues would prevent Arizona from turning into another Detroit, Chicago, New York, or Los Angeles. Read here and decide for yourself if Senator Pearce truly is a hometown boy who loves his state, protects his neighbors, and fights for the little guy.
The answers here will tell you undeniably, that yes he does, yes he will, and yes he always has.
Section II: Priorities
What led you to run in the District 18 Senate recall election?
I am running in part because I believe it is wrong to allow liberal special interest groups to overturn the voters' will. I was elected less than one year ago as the State Senator representing District 18. Liberal special interest groups from outside of District 18 and with funding from undisclosed sources organized a recall petition drive to overturn the will of the voters. If my Republican opponents wanted to replace me, there is a method -- run in the primary and general elections in less than a year.
This recall election reminds me of the old saying by World War II pilots: “If you’re not catching flak, you’re not over the target.” I am over the target, and the special interest groups promoting this recall election are attacking. The proponents of the recall election are seeking to send a message to Arizona and the nation that we should go back. I disagree. No matter how many times the liberal special interest groups recall me, I will continue to stand firm, listen and reflect the values of my constituents, clearly state my positions and always keep my promises.
In addition, I am running because during these troubled times, we do not need “on-thejob training” for our leaders. I have the needed experience in state government and with the state budget to help guide our state. I also have a proven record of taking on the hard decision and making them. My fellow Senators recognized this experience and track record when they elected me as Senate President.
And finally, I am running because my record best reflects the values of District 18 of promoting smaller government, protecting the traditional family and guarding our constitutional freedoms.
What are the three most significant policy issues facing District 18 and the state of Arizona, and how would you address them if elected?
1. Quality Job Creation. See answer below on job creation.
2. Education. Improving Arizona children’s educational opportunities is essential to Arizona’s future economic prosperity. I believe that children will learn best with a combination of involved parents and having the best teachers in the classroom. We have not been sitting still. Arizona has adopted new, higher academic standards and will be replacing the AIMS test in the near future. We will also be adopting a system to reward our best classroom teachers. Also, please my answer on education later on in this survey.
3. Public safety, including measures to control illegal immigration. From my years in law enforcement, I know that the duty to protect our citizens from those who would do them harm cannot be compromised.
In addition, I will continue to fight to protect the traditional family, the unborn and the right of parents to raise their families. I will continue to expand Second Amendment rights in our state.
Read more tomorrow when we continue with Section III: Policy Issues Fiscal Policy.
To lend your support to Senator Pearce during this sham recall go to: www.defendpearce.com.
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