Wednesday, April 25th, 2007...6:21 pm
Breaking: Renzi Gone By Friday?
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The zeitgeist both in Phoenix and Washington is that Rick Renzi will be submitting his resignation from the House of Representatives by Friday.
Cool…I got that one out there before Josh Marshall.
A further bit of mitote has it that Ann Kirkpatrick will resign her seat in the legislature early next week and announce her campaign to replace Renzi.
35 Comments
April 25th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Holy CRAP!!!!!
April 25th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
We are gonna have a Democratic majority in Arizona’s congressional delegation (the House, anyway) of 5-3. When was the last time THAT happened???
Woo hoo!!!
April 25th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Goooo ANN!
April 25th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Is Howard Shanker still planning on running in CD1?
April 25th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Wearing your bola tie a little too tight again? Haven’t seen anything else about that out there. Is there some source or just wishful thinking on your part?
April 25th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Flipper-
I’ve heard this from three people, including one in Washington. I think the “wishful thinking” is from anyone who thinks Renzi can weather this.
April 25th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Some say that Renzi is more or less “radioactive” and that his “resignation” from the ROMP wasn’t voluntary. Some say.
April 25th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Thanks for amplifying on this Ted. By the way, I like the bola. True story.
April 25th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
There has not been a Democratic majority in the AZ House delegation since the 89th Congress (1965-1967).
That delegation was: John J. Rhodes (R-1), Mo Udall (D-2), George Frederick Senner, Jr. (D-3).
This would be sweet, but let’s not get excited, yet. Even if he does resign, this will be a fight.
April 25th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
The bigger story is this:
If they are pushing him to resign now it is because they don’t want any publicity about this case, because that would lead to more questions about the Charlton firing, and if it turns out that the motivation of the firing was to interfere with, sidetrack, slow down or derail the Renzi investigation then it could lead to an Obstruction of Justice charge against those who authorized it (possibly even the Attorney General or higher).
April 26th, 2007 at 7:20 am
Aren’t Arizona legislators specifically prohibited by state law from seeking another office during their elected term in office? As I recall, the law applies to legislators only, but it as kept a few from taking appointments to county or other offices that pay more. It’s possible, though, that the law cannot apply to federal offices.
Maybe one of your lawyer readers can clarify.
— steve
April 26th, 2007 at 8:18 am
Steve: AZ elected officials are prohibited from running for another office UNLESS THEY ARE IN THE FINAL YEAR OF THEIR TERM.
Mr. Emerine will remember that’s what got Roy Laos in trouble when he ran for Congress without resigning from the Tucson City Council.
I’m no attorney, but I don’t think this prohibits an elected official from establishing an EXPLORATORY committee. Of course, once they become official candidates that changes.
Now, if Mr. Renzi does resign Friday, as Tedski speculates, that throws another dead fish onto the compost heap.
April 26th, 2007 at 8:21 am
Eli,
Great points but I think that the Renzi resignation will only fuel investigations into Charlton’s firing and Kyl/McCain’s involvement in it. I mean, if I were the Dems in this state, I sure would not miss the opportunity to remind voters of the corruption of the Republican party and to investigate just how high it goes.
I still think that Kyl and McCain’s lack of response to Charlton’s firing is very telling. I mean what we are dealing with here is a statewide representation issue. When someone in your home-state who is one of the highest ranking legal officials is fired you have to ask, were they consulted? When ? How? What was the response? Why did they not fight for him after putting him up?
No one has answered or asked these questions to my satisfaction…but hey…im a pain in the tail!
April 26th, 2007 at 8:59 am
CD1 Update:
Ann Kirkpatrick has formed an exploratory Committee. A formal announcement will be forthcoming.
In the meantime, we can all support an excellent Democrat with deep roots in N. Az., good relations among Native Americans, a former prosecutor, environmentalist and an effective but moderate voice in the state Legislator.
She is drawing considerable support, but, as they say in feminist circles, Early Money Is Like Yeast.
Individuals can make donations up to $4,600 per person (yes, we’re Democrats, and donations by real humans for a lesser amount are welcome). That limit includes $2,300 for the primary and $2,300 for the general election.
You can send Ann help at:
Kirkpatrick Exploratory Committee
P.O. Box 100
Flagstaff, AZ 86002
She’s the real deal, and she can beat Renzi – or Ken Bennett, or any other Republican.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:13 am
Oh…here is the latest from the Washington Post…apparently an aide to Renzi called Charlton’s office…6 weeks before he was fired…about the inquiry into his case. Pretty sleazy. And I tell you…some journalists need to get to the bottom of this with Kyl and McCain.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:13 am
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/25/AR2007042502707.html?hpid=topnews
The link!
April 26th, 2007 at 9:25 am
As I recall, Roy Laos ended up resigning from the City Council to run for congress, and then re-appointed him after he lost. (what was he thinking anyway, going up against Mo Udall, did he really believe that he would automatically grab the Hispanic vote??)
I think that it may be a bit early for people to try and position themselves for a run at the CD1 seat. The body ain’t even cold yet, heck there isn’t even officially a body. I fear that too much jockeying and speculation could cause some schisms and hard feelings that could leave us weak for ‘08 in the district, no matter what happens with Renzi.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:17 am
Another person to keep in mind is Coconino County Supervisor Liz Archuleta. She’s a seasoned elected officials with good ties to the native american nations and also a proven track record in raising money … Needless to say, the possibility of a Democratic pick-up for this congressional seat is exciting and doable – if we don’t kill each other within the family …
April 26th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Who is more progressive, Kirkpatrick or Archuleta? Because I am sick of so-called moderate blue dog Dems. I’ll probably send a contribution to whomever is a movement progressive.
April 26th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
I wouldn’t be measuring the drapes yet folks, but I certainly will contribute to this cause. I am very pleased to see that the Giffords, Grijalva, Pastor, and Mitchell all voted for the House bill to bring our troops home.
Interestingly, Senator McCain didn’t vote on the Sentator measure that just passed. Kudos to Gordon Smith and Chuck Hagel for being the only Republicans to break ranks. A big ole scowl to the rest!
April 26th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
Both Ann Kirkpatrick and Liz Archuleta would be excellent candidates. Ann was, once upon a time, a volunteer for various county Democratic party events (I’ve done phone-banking with her!). She’s also joined some of our Flagstaff DFA events as a speaker. I’d volunteer for her, and I’m very progressive. The same with Liz. Both are great people.
I just worry how a Flagstaff candidate will play in eastern AZ. The Dems will take Flagstaff, but Prescott, Casa Grande, and other areas may look for something different. Still, I’d be thrilled with someone who isn’t a newcomer millionaire who can fund their own campaign.
April 26th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Yavapai County is always an uphill battle, but Prescott Valley is growing by leaps and bounds, I’m sure we can make inroads there.
I’d suspect Casa Grande and the Pinal metro areas to be changing demographically like Chandler and other Valley cities. We definitely can’t write off Pinal.
And isn’t Greenlee, Apache, and Navajo mostly Democratic (exempting the Reservations)?
April 26th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Pinal County, their is only one person who could take Pinal County, hands down and that would be Bob Mitchell.
Ex-Mayor of Casa Grande Bob Mitchell would work wonders for the success CD1.
Boy, I hope he considers it!
Steve Fowl
April 26th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
I’m getting a hint that Ellen Simon is still interested in the seat…
April 26th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
I assume you realize that Pinal is becoming more Repubilcan.
April 26th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
Well Ted, guess you had some good scoop… Tucson Citizen is citing The Hill on this subject
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/49668.php
April 27th, 2007 at 11:21 am
There is no way that Bob Mitchell would be allowed to run should this all happen…not when his brother is already in Congress. If Bob was from say…..the other side of the country…then sure.
Like TEEJ said though, whenever the next election for the CD1 seat is, it won’t be an easy fight for the Dems when they have the ever increasing number of Republican voters in Pinal.
April 27th, 2007 at 11:56 am
[...] From Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion: [...]
April 27th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Well Ted its Friday? So much for your forecast?
April 27th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
The Guard, why is it not allowed for a pair of siblings to serve at the same time from the same state in Congress? Do you know the law that states it?
As for Renzi by Friday? Day is not over yet.
April 27th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
For this story, the day is over. NOT resigning. Inaccurate zeigeist.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/180417
April 27th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
I’m assuming that The Guard doesn’t think that the voters in District #1 would allow Bob to be their candidate while his brother is also in office. Having said that, I really doubt he would even consider jumping in the race (assuming there is one) knowing that he couldn’t even win a primary election battle for State Senate in LD 23 just a few short years ago.
April 27th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
a friend of mine pointed out that in the great republican tradition of trying to play down bad news as much as possible, it’d be more likely Renzi would resign tomorrow because that’s the day breaking news is the least covered.
We’ll see though. Either way, even if he doesn’t resign by 2008, he’s on the line and much more vulnerable.
April 27th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
Extremely different circumstances TEEJ. CD1 would be an open seat that no one has any political history like the Rios’s did in District 23. With the Rios name and the history, Mitchell put up a good fight and remember it wasn’t a landslide.
I think that Mitchell would be crazy not to enter this “maybe” race. Mitchell’s past shows that he works well with both Republicans and Democrats, has no hidden agenda, no negative history, and would win all of Pinal County.
Pending on Harry Mitchell’s campaign committee, Mitchell could be miles ahead of any other candidate with tools in hand, a huge deal with this kind of election.
As for the Republican increase in Pinal County, check the past election. They don’t come out and vote. The biggest increase was in the Town of Maricopa and the election was very sad for the Republican Party.
Mitchell would be the best pick (so far) for the Democrats and for CD1.
Steve Fowl
May 20th, 2007 at 1:11 am
Steve, I beg to differ. The best pick has to be Steve Owens. He has an established network and political machine; he was Al Gore’s former chief of staff, which means he can raise a boatload of cash at the drop of a hat; he’s the highest profile member of Napolitano’s cabinet, etc.
He’s going to be a juggernaut when and if he decides to declare.