Deep into 2020, a conservative man running for public office connected with me on social media.  He simply asked the question, “How would you like to become a PC?”.  Having no idea what that meant, I went with the corny answer, “I have no desire to become a personal computer, thank you very much.”

That man took the time to go out for coffee with me and explain the benefits to becoming a Precinct Committeeman in my Legislative District.  It’s a low level, low commitment, grassroots political position.  It is a position for those who don’t mind doing a little door knocking, sign erecting, meeting attending, and reporting to their neighbors what they know about candidates and important general political affairs.  

Not only did this sound like a great way to get more involved and slightly extend my influence, but I was so intrigued by the idea, that I presented the position and how to sign up to a group of men in my community.  That resulted in a number of men getting much more involved in politics within the region.  One, Ed, decided to run for school board.  After hearing him speak on the importance of saving minds from subversive enemies, I am as glad he did as I am to know him!  Another man, Marcus, has found tremendous consolation in knowing much more about candidates through vetting them in dozens of meetings he has attended over the last year.  

Personally, I have attended several Republican meetings over the last year and have connected with some true Patriots.  The kinds I would be happy to do business with, give a reference to, ask for clarification on local politics, etc… Additionally, there has been something truly rewarding to being able to distinguish between various candidates whose signs and adds I have seen multiple times now.  My son asked me what I thought about a local candidate recently and it was neat to be able to tell him what I personally know about the man because I personally know him and many others within my district!  Being a Precinct Committeeman truly is a great starting point to gain influence in the governing affairs of your city.  

If this sort of involvement intrigues you, see more on how to get started here, or contact me.  

Ed, Marcus, and I recently got talking and realized we were all being asked our advice about the primaries by our peers.  None of us are experts, but we all agreed it was within our duties as Precinct Committeemen to share what we knew about candidates leading into the Primary election. For what they are worth, we collected our respective endorsements, reservations, and other thoughts on the candidates we have personally seen and talked to over the last year.  

For interested readers who have not voted yet, here is our commentary on candidates that will be on all AZ Republican ballots this Primary:


Governor

Kari Lake

Gadfly: I have not been on Kari Lake’s bandwagon from the get go. I hope and pray that her conversion is real, but the woman has essentially told us that she was lying to us on television for 20 years and finally couldn’t do it anymore. I like my conservatives not to have voted for Barack Obama. Nevertheless, if you are voting for strategy, then praying Kari Lake will work hard to cash the big checks she has written with her mouth may be the best option.

Marcus: I have seen former Obama voters recognize what he really is and become Republican PCs of a more populist/MAGA stripe as opposed to establishment GOP types; so Kari is not unique in this regard.

Ed: Kari is one of several candidates that I’ve had an uneasy feeling about from the start. She says all the right things but she seems so scripted and choreographed that I feel like I don’t know the true Kari.  That said, she will endure a wrath like no other if she fails on any campaign promises.  I worry about her knowledge of government leadership. At least she ain’t KTR!  I’m going to hold my nose and vote Kari.


Karrin Taylor Robson

Gadfly: Robson seems to be running on the platform that she is not as “extreme” as Kari Lake and will appeal to more independent voters. She still refuses to call the 2020 election a fraud.  Many conservatives I trust believe she will be a moderate at best.

Marcus: I’m wondering if, given the nature of current challenges - fair/accurate elections, health conscience freedom - Robson has the will to ditch moderation for extreme defense of non-negotiables.

Ed: I don’t know a whole lot about KTR. She is old AZ establishment.  She and Salmon go way back, one reason for his endorsement. She’s a Kunasek, her father was state Senate President and lead the impeachment of Evan Mecham in 1987. She’s been called McCain in a dress. She’s endorsed by Americans for Prosperity who is also endorsing Rusty Bowers.


Other Candidates

Gadlfy: I know very little about Paula Zen, but I was impressed with Scott Neely when he spoke at my district. Conservative small business owner (concrete) who seems to legitimately want to serve the public as a working man representing the middle class. I hope he finds a post (that he has a real chance at winning) to man as a statesman in 2024.

Ed: Don’t know much about Zen. I don’t think she’s governor material though she is a smart business person. Scott is very passionate about his run for governor but I think he needs to cut his teeth at a lower lever before going after this position. He has some great ideas but I don’t think understands the inner workings of state govt.


US Senate

Blake Masters

Gadfly: Blake Masters makes my “California Sense” tingle.  One of my good buddies running for an office in my district asked Masters months ago about water rights in Arizona. Masters was clueless on where to begin. That doesn’t sound like someone representing Arizona.

Marcus: For the record, Masters was born in Colorado and raised in Tucson. He lived in California for several years. He returned to Tucson in 2018, where he lives with his wife and three young sons. - https://roselawgroupreporter.com/2022/05/who-is-blake-masters-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-arizona-senate-candidate/

Ed: Blake is another candidate that gives me an uneasy feeling. Why would a globalist, libertarian, gay, silicon valley, big tech guy (Peter Thiel, who has endorsed him) want to own a US Senator?  That’s the question that keeps swirling in my head.  Like Lake, he says the right things but I feel there are better, proven conservative choices.


Mick McGuire

Gadfly: My vote is for McGuire. McGuire has prided himself all season as the only sitting general who refused to send troops to DC in lieu of the Jan 6th debacle in 2021. I have heard him speak multiple times and I truly believe that he retired from the military looking for a new way to serve his country. It’s a shame he has been unable to compete with Lamon and Masters in spending because his lack of name recognition will lead to uninformed voters overlooking a potential Mr. Smith kind of statesman that Washington desperately needs right now.

Marcus: On hearing McGuire and Masters at LD meetings, McGuire is the candidate with best authentic character to serve the public.

Ed: I like Mick’s solid constitutional knowledge and adherence to it.  He knows his way around the DC swamp.


Jim Lamon

Marcus: Jim Lamon is a solar business builder/owner, and is largely funding his own campaign - so he would likely be less beholden to donors than, say, Masters. He supports significant improvement in Election Integrity, and has a pro-Life history - he is on record in support of the recently passed Arizona ban on abortions after 15 weeks, and has stated more vaguely that he supports the inalienable Right to Life. What that means in terms of law and policy he would support is hard to say. Would he lead and press to protect that inalienable right from conception?

Ed: I like Jim’s business sense in that he understands how to do project management.  I see effective politics (oxymoron) run a similar managing a project with deadlines and outcomes.  He gets that. I’m still not sure on his Life stance as I have not heard back from the campaign since I mentioned I wanted to talk about that.  Could be a non-issue but I’d sure like to know for sure.


Secretary of State

Shawna Bolick

Gadfly: My pick here is Shawna Bolick. I could live with Mark Finchem, but it seems all he can talk about is de-certifying the 2020 election. It has definitely grown him a base.  Bolick is experienced enough, conservative enough, and seems level headed from what I have observed.

Ed: I like Bolick as well. She was kind enough to take the time to give me some pointers and critique after my first campaign speech which she attended. She seems very level headed and methodical in her approach.  I don’t know how having her husband as AZ Supreme Court judge might have any impact on her ability to perform the job.


Michelle Ugenti-Rita

Gadfly: Ugenti-Rita and Kelly Townsend sank each other’s possible election security bills in 2021. After researching and listening to Townsend’s side at an LD meeting, I was convinced that Townsend’s bill was the stronger of the two and that Ugenti-Rita was in the wrong.

Marcus: MUR made the news a couple of years back in ways that raise questions about her character, and vulnerability to being blackmailed.

Ed: MUR is another candidate that gives me pause for concern right out of the gate.  She’s too animated and tries to intimidate. The type that I chalk up to as having esteem issues. She has given me concerns regarding her commitment to true conservative values.  That being said, she has a great voting record.  

Attorney General

Andrew Gould

Gadfly: Andrew Gould is a seasoned lawyer and judge who served on the Arizona Supreme court, where he authored a decision preventing the suing of a small business who refused to make gay wedding invitations in 2019. The man is calculated and knows very well what he will have the power to do and not to do as Attorney General.

Ed: I think Gould is the most experienced, even keeled candidate in the race.  After I heard him speak at Leisure World I was leaning toward him.  I don’t know of any downside or compromise in electing him.  

Marcus: I'm a Gould man.


Abe Hamadeh

Marcus: Hamadeh has the Trump endorsement, but only one major donor - his brother.  Per several PCs, he seems to be an empty suit without sufficient experience and depth of character based on their conversations with him.

Ed: Abe, one more of the “uneasy” candidates for me.  ( I sure have a lot of those!)  He’s young, inexperienced (compared to Gould and Shedd). I don’t like his campaign finance numbers, his brother being the only donation (loan actually) in Q1 for $1M, he paid him back $500K in Q2.

Gadfly: I asked Abe Hamadeh what kind of books he's been reading.  He responded that he loves reading ancient history.  When I asked him if he likes Plutarch's LIves, he responded, "What's Plutarch's Lives".  If you don't know why that upsets me, then you haven't been reading the Gadfly Report.


Tiffany Shedd

Tiffany Shedd is another solid choice. She has the experience and I think would make a reliable AG.

Superintendent of Public Education

Shiry Sapir

Gadfly: Sapir is charismatic and feisty. She comes out swinging against Critical Race Theory and says everything those afraid of Marxist subversion in our schools want to hear. I certainly wanted to hear what she said when she spoke at my district!  I am concerned about her lack of political or educational experience, but I believe she is the best candidate in the field.  Kathy Hoffman must be defeated in the General Election!

Ed: Although Shiry has no previous public service experience, she is the hardest working candidate in this race and it’s not even close.  I think she’s intelligent enough to pick up any skills or knowledge she would need to perform the job efficiently and effectively in short order.  She has studied the problems in our education system in depth and although Udall probably has a better finger on the pulse of education, I think Shiry will achieve more progress.

Marcus: I see as an existential educational/state/national threat posed by cultural Marxism in our country.  Sapir seems to be the best response as Superintendent.


Michelle Udall

Gadfly: It’s a real shame Udall rallied with Red for Ed a few years back (automatic hard no), because I think her experience as a teacher and school board member could have served her well to take this position.  

Ed: Udall is my current house rep and I think she could have served our district better.  I’m particularly concerned about her apparent “Red for Ed” support.  I could never support any education person who aligns with them.  Phx Magazine decries Udall “as Republican as Mitt Romney” and Dawn Penich-Thacker, a professor of rhetoric at ASU and co-founder of the victorious Save Our Schools effort, praises Udall’s courage in standing up to pressure from fellow Republicans in 2017. So, no on Udall for me.


Tom Horne

Ed: Horne is so out of touch with the ills of the current education system.  He literally reminds me of bumbling Biden every time I see him. So no on Horne


Arizona Corporation Comission

Marcus: Kevin Thompson, and either Nick Myers or Kim Olson. Pick total of 2. Democrat candidates are ideologically driven to go with more renewables than is practicable which will FURTHER drive inflation of energy costs for Arizona families.

Ed: I like Nick and Kevin. I’ve heard them speak on multiple occasions and their combination of experience seems to be very complementary.  I’ve only heard Kim speak I think once.  

Treasurer


Marcus: Kimberly Yee  

Ed: I don’t think we can go wrong with any choice here.  This race is an example of what our AZ GOP is supposed to do for EVERY elected position, give us solid candidates to choose from. Sadly, that did not happen.  Actually Kimberly is my #3 pick, I think she’s taking too much credit for achievement in a good financial market.  No experience how she’d do in a down market.  Bob seems to have the most financial knowledge and experience. He’s a no-nonsense, no-drama type guy who impresses me as someone who will show up, do a great job with little fanfare.  Bob is my #1 guy.  I also think Jeff would do well. He’s a business guy and current state house member. He seems like a guy with high integrity as he was the only candidate to answer the question at the Treasurer forum “If you weren’t in the race, who would you vote for?” He said Bob. 


Remember to vote on August 2nd!  If there are any factual errors to any content above, please contact me.  Dialogue on these issues is quite encouraged.  Thank you for doing your part to preserve our Republic.

God Bless,

Gadfly