Speaker of the House tells area Republicans state is ‘destitute,’ pledges carwash should Republicans win district

The Maricopa Republican Club brought Arizona’s Speaker of the House of Representatives Jim Weiers to town to address area Republicans Wednesday, less than two weeks prior to Election Day.

As has been a tradition during this, an election year, an assortment of candidates including those running for constable, county treasurer, county recorder and county supervisor were also in attendance and spoke to the crowd of more than 40 Maricopans.

Former City Councilman Will Dunn was among those who preached ‘change’ relative to the Nov. 4 General Election. “You guys are the heart and soul of the change that’s going to happen – finally – in Maricopa,” Dunn passionately told the club members and guests gathered at Native New Yorker.

Arizona Republican Party Platform Committee Chairman Bill Bridwell echoed Dunn’s sentiments: “This county on November 4th will be forever changed – and changed for the good.”

Tom Hollenbach, who is vying to unseat David Snider as District 3’s representative on the Pinal County Board of Supervisors, said, “I’m here to represent you, the people of Maricopa, the people of Pinal County.” Hollenbach pledged to hold evening office hours in Maricopa to provide better access to county government for the city’s many commuters.

Club President Marty Hermanson introduced Speaker Weiers as “one of the most important officials in Arizona.” Weiers was jovial and often very funny, characteristics he admitted he is not known for when making laws at the Capitol.

“I have good news for you; the Democrats have written you off,” Weiers said, referring to the lack of money the Democratic Party has dedicated to the District 23 race to date.

In addition to the upcoming election, about which Weiers said Republicans are “fighting for our lives all throughout the state,” he talked about the state budget, calling Arizona “destitute.” He said Democrats and a handful of Republicans passed the budget just two hours after it was printed, not even having read it prior to voting to approve it.

Among the inequalities he referenced are that just three percent of people pay 80 percent of the personal income tax in the state, and just 6,000 families pay 25 percent.

Weiers emphasized the importance of the Legislative District 23 race (see related article featuring candidate responses), not just for Maricopa, but for the state. “Deliver me two representatives,” Weis said about Republican candidates John Fillmore and Frank Pratt, who are competing against Democrats Barbara McGuire and Ernest Bustamante for two seats, “and I guarantee we’ll hold the House.”

During one of his comedic comments, Weiers said he would wash cars in Maricopa (he doesn’t vacuum, however) to raise funds for the Maricopa Republican Club should Fillmore and Pratt both get elected. And Mayor Tony Smith offered to help.

Photo by Scott Bartle