Babeu receives commendation during Republican Club meeting

Pinal County Sheriff candidate Paul Babeu treated the Maricopa Republican Club to an impassioned speech at its monthly meeting Wednesday. Babeu received a treat himself when he was surprised mid-speech by a pre-arranged phone call from Arizona Senate President Timothy Bee.

In the middle of Babeu’s presentation to two dozen Republican Club members and guests at Native New Yorker, his campaign manager, former Representative Cheryl Chase, took a phone call from Bee.

Much to Babeu’s surprise, Chase presented an award to Babeu with Bee thanking him via speaker phone for his service. The proclamation, signed by Bee, stated “Arizona State Senate Proclamation presented to Major Paul Babeu in honor of his exceptional leadership in Operation Jump Start to secure borders in Arizona.”

As a major of the Arizona Army National Guard, Babeu commanded 700 soldiers during Operation Jump Start in support of the U.S. Border Patrol’s efforts to secure the Arizona-Mexico border.

Babeu, also a Chandler Police officer, said a decrease in response times would be among the improvements he’d make if elected sheriff.

“If given the opportunity, I will make the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office the most disciplined and professional agency (of the 15 Arizona county sheriff’s offices) in four years,” Babeu predicted.

Several other candidates were in attendance and spoke about their campaigns. Among them was Rayna Palmer, who is CEO of the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce and is vying to be the next Pinal County Treasurer.

“Things are running amuck in Pinal County,” Palmer said, preaching the need for accountability, transparency and full disclosure.

Dan Washburn, a lawyer hoping to be elected to judge for District 6, and Rick Fowlkes, a structural engineer running for a seat on the Arizona Corporation Commission, also addressed the crowd.

So did Casa Grande’s Bill Bridwell, a Republican state delegate and longtime political activist who is enjoying the increase in Republican voters and candidates in the traditionally Democratic Pinal County.

“To see a slate of candidate emerge of this unbelievable quality… is fantastic,” Bridwell said with a gleam.

Tom Hollenbach, a registered land surveyor and business owner from Casa Grande, is hoping to represent Maricopa’s District 3 on the Pinal County Board of Supervisors. Hollenbach described himself as loyal and dedicated and said, “I bring leadership to this position. I bring accountability to this position.”

Frank Pratt and John Fillmore are both running for seats in the Arizona House of Representatives. Like most of the candidates, they emphasized the importance of accountability.

“We need to renew our commitment to the hardworking Arizona taxpayer,” Pratt said.

Councilman Will Dunn, who is running for re-election, was present as was City Council candidate Marty Hermanson, the Maricopa Republican Club president.

“I’m so glad you guys are in Maricopa,” Dunn said. “For so long we didn’t count.”

The Maricopa Republican Club’s next meeting wil be Feb. 21 and will feature mayoral candidate Tony Smith as keynote speaker. For more information, email [email protected] or call (520) 494-7390.

Photo by Scott Bartle