Tapping domestic oil and promoting alternative energy resources will help solve the energy crisis, Senate Repuplican candidate Russell Pearce said at a Clean Elections Debate Wednesday night.
“I wish I had the vote in Congress to drill and drill now,” Pearce said.
Democratic candidate Judah Nativio, Pearce’s opponent in the race for the District 18 Senate seat, called for developing bioscience education in Arizona and tax credits for families using alternative energy sources such as solar heating.
This is Nativio’s first run for a legislative seat. Pearce is prohibited by term limits from running for the state House again after eight years. Both candidates are running using clean elections funding.
After a bitter Republican primary in which Pearce, a seasoned legislator, defeated political newcomer and immigration attorney Kevin Gibbons, the stage is now set for the Nov. 4 general election in a Republican stronghold district. Nativio, 30, is banking on his “youthful” and “innovative” leadership while Pearce counts on his overall legislative experience, including his track record of being a strong illegal immigration advocate.
Pearce pointed out that on Wednesday the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the employer sanctions law as legal. Pearce was the architect of the sanctions law, which took in January. Under the law, an employer’s license can be suspended or revoked for knowingly hiring illegal immigrants.
Nativio said there is a need to have protections built in “so they’re enforced fairly,” meaning there’s no racial bias against legal residents.
“It’s not a one-way fight,” Nativio said, noting that the law got bipartisan support in the legislature.
On the issue of dealing with the teetering state budget, Pearce maintained there would be no tax increases. He said he would push for the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, which would limit government spending to no more than is required to keep up with inflation and population growth.
“We’re overtaxed and overregulated,” said Pearce, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
Nativio said he would form a regulatory oversight committee to deal with the budget situation and cut unnecessary spending.
Pearce favors school vouchers and school choice for parents. Nativio said he would like to fix existing facilities.
“We need to take care of what we have,” Nativio said.
Both candidates agreed that the AIMS test is not useful for Arizona students, given it has no use for students seeking to go to college out of state.
The event, which also featured District 18 House candidates, was held at the East Valley Institute of Technology.
So where has Pearce’s leaderhship gotten us? Next to last in education, kids that can’t pass science exams, $1.3B or more deficit next year, declining sales in just about every business in the state, and escalated tensions in the community.
I hope the people of that district see fit to deny Pearce a continuance in his reign of error.
Pearce talks about budget problems, but he was one of the people on that was on the budget committee that caused the problems. It seams like all he talks about are national issues. We all know there are local issues we need to fix.
Pearce talks about budget problems, but he was one of the legislators on the budget committee that caused the problems. It seams like all he talks about are national issues. We all know there are local issues we need to fix.
Judah did an awesome job the other night. His message was positive and refreshing. Should he get elected I am sure that his guidance will be a boon to this state and our corrupted, misguided legislature.
But don’t take my word for it. If you missed the debate please look it up on the clean elections web site. Note to all those who may not know, Mr. Nativio and Mr. Pearce are both running as clean election candidates.
So now the ‘PRO ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION” fast-food franchisees and landscapers are trying to get people to vote against RUSSELL PEARCE with this bu**sh**. Everyone knows that the more oil that America drills and refines for it’s citizens…the SAFER WE ARE. The Democrats and the millionaires that support “NATIVIO” could care less about middle-class and senior citizens in America. They do care how much GASOLINE COSTS. Democrats just want to add 12 MILLION ILLEGAL ALIENS THROUGH AMNESTY to the DEMOCRATIC PARTY ROLLS. They could care less how much the electrical bills raise…they just want to control the CONGRESS….God bless RUSSELL PEARCE , a true AMERICAN.
Ciscokid I believe you are misguided. I for one am unaware of the “millionaires” who are supporting Mr. Nativio. If you could please get this information for me, a mesa voter, I would be more than happy to take this into consideration. I am aware of some of Mr. Pearce’s more unflattering associations though…seeing as how you are an advocate for Mr. Pearce, could you explain these connections to me? Also I was unaware that Mr. Nativio advocated amnesty for all illegal immigrants. If you could find a direct quote where he says this please let me know. Also I noticed that you said Mr. Nativio is anti-middle class. Isn’t he considered a member of the middle class? Last time I checked teachers and financial services managers don’t make hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you can prove me wrong though, please by all means back up your rhetoric with some substance. Mesa needs a new generation of leaders…leaders who can restore not only civility to the political process, but also our faith as citizens in our elected officials. In my opinion there is only one candidate running for senate in 18 that can do this: Judah Nativio.