Maricopa hosts Republican hopefuls

Maricopa’s importance to local, district and state campaigns was emphasized Sunday afternoon when Republican hopefuls came to town to express their ideas and explain their platforms on various important political issues. The event, an ice cream social sponsored by the Maricopa Republican Club and organized by club president David Lang, drew a large crowd to the Town Hall at Province. Ice cream, provided by Ramsey Harkness, was available for young and old alike.

Local resident Margaret Jackson and her children enjoyed the ice cream. Angeli Jackson (below) even brought a flag for the patriotic event.

Maricopa Republican Club President David Lang.

“Elections are about persuasion, about candidates explaining why their ideas are better than the other party’s,” explained gubernatorial candidate Len Munsil, who is an admitted pro-family conservative, committed to border security and tax cuts. “From border security to crime, in education and child protective services, we are worse off than we were four years ago. But enough is enough,” joked Munsil. “Now every Krispy Kreme place in Arizona is closed!”

According to Munsil, Republicans in Arizona have a 150,000-voter advantage, but he told the audience members, “We have to mobilize; we have to get them out there.”

Len Munsil is running for Arizona Governor.


Secretary of State Jan Brewer (center) explains her position on several issues to Kathy Debevec.

Secretary of State Jan Brewer explained, “This is an initiative state. It requires signatures to change laws.” She asked attendees to vote carefully on the 19 ballot propositions this fall, explaining that if they are voted in and then require change, it is necessary to go back to the people or for three fourths of the legislature to agree to that change. “That would never happen,” she added. Under her tenure, Arizona voter registration has increased 18.5 percent, the highest level ever in the state’s history. Asking voters to keep her in office, Brewer explained that a Republican governor and Arizona Attorney General would make her job a great deal easier.

Ron Drake is the former mayor of Avondale and a United States Congressional candidate. “What you need in Congress,” explained Drake, “is someone working for you. That’s what I’m here for.” Drake, speaking to Sunday’s crowd, noted that economic development is not occurring in the district right now. He believes that borders need to be secured, not with walls but with electronics and personnel, “for the safety of the American people.” He would say to those coming from Mexico and points south, “Stop crossing the border in the desert and do it legally!”

United States Congressional candidate Ron Drake listens to his introduction before speaking to the crowd.

Bill Montgomery listens to a question relative to his plans for the Arizona Attorney General’s office.

Candidate for Arizona Attorney General, Bill Montgomery, attended West Point and received a Bronze Star for service as a tank platoon leader in Operation Desert Storm. He has a law degree from Arizona State University and had been Deputy Maricopa County Attorney before starting his own law firm.

“I don’t want to run just to run,” explained Montgomery. “I have leadership experience and a background in prosecution. We have the seventh highest domestic violence/ homicide rate in the nation, and we have had the worst crime rate in the nation for the last five years. We need a change,” emphasized Montgomery. He promised to crack down on smugglers of either humans or drugs, and, when elected, not to run again if Arizona is still first in crime in the nation.

Although Senator Jon Kyl had to cancel at the last minute, there was no shortage of candidates at the event, underscoring Maricopa’s voter importance in many races. Other hopefuls in attendance were Judge Scott Sulley, Maricopa’s City Magistrate and Justice of the Peace, District 5 Superior Court Judge April Elliott, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne and Constable Ralph Riley, all of whom are seeking re-election.

Maricopa Mayor Kelly Anderson (left) and Justice of the Peace Scott Sulley listen to candidates like John Fillmore (below), who is running for State Representative.

A large crowd gathered at Province’s Town Hall to eat ice cream and hear Republican candidates present their platform issues.

State Representative candidates John Fillmore, Gail Griffin and Frank Pratt, State Senate candidate Cheryl Chase and Florence Police Chief Bob Ingulli, who is running for Pinal County Sheriff, were present to speak with audience members, explaining their campaign proposals and answering questions.