West Mesa voters have ousted state Senate President Russell Pearce in a historic recall election.
On Tuesday night, with early ballots and all precincts counted, unofficial results showed challenger Jerry Lewis with 53 percent of the vote in a race that's being watched nationally.
If Lewis' lead in legislative District 18 holds, it will represent the first time in Arizona history that voters ousted a state elected official.
Unofficial results showed Lewis with 53.4 percent of the vote and Pearce with 45.36 percent. Olivia Cortes had 1.24 percent even though she had withdrawn from the race.
Pearce's defeat represents a blow to the more conservative wing of the Republican Party, which portrayed the recall as a liberal effort to take down the author of the illegal immigration bill known as SB 1070. Pearce raised money from across the nation as conservatives rallied around the lawmaker.
Pearce told Capitol Media Services that he was disappointed, saying he will spend some time "with my family and my God'' before deciding what to do next. He has not ruled out another run -- including to get his old seat back.
He noted that this was an unusual race, with no primary. That allowed all voters, including the district's Democrats and independents, to make the final decision.
"This is going around the primary process,'' Pearce said. "Jerry Lewis could not win in a (Republican) primary.''
Mesa city councilman Dennis Kavanaugh, who represents about half of District 18, said at the Lewis campaign party he wasn't surprised by Lewis' lead. The district is politically diverse, he said, especially among independents.
Pearce and SB 1070 were popular when the law was passed in 2010, but criticism grew this spring when Pearce pushed a new round of anti-illegal immigration legislation. The Republican supermajority in the Senate couldn't muster enough support for the bill. And the bill triggered a letter from the CEOs of some of Arizona's largest companies urging the Legislature to put a hold on new immigration laws.
In an interview with Capitol Media Services, Pearce said he would not have done anything any different since he was first elected to the Legislature in 2000. That includes not only his high-profile sponsorship of bills aimed at curbing illegal immigration but other issues where he has helped get legislation approved.
"We're No. 1 in the nation in Second Amendment liberties,'' said Pearce, who helped push through laws allowing any adult to carry a concealed weapon. "We're one of the top in the nation in laws that protect the unborn.''
"So what else would I do differently?'' he asked. "I'm pretty proud of that record.''
Lewis said SB 1070 went too far, but neither he nor recall organizers made that a major issue. The charter school executive and recall organizers criticized Pearce for focusing too much on a single issue instead of the economy, jobs and education funding.
Lewis, too, drew fire for saying some viewed Arizona akin to 1964 Alabama.
Pearce raised nearly $230,000 compared with Lewis's total of about $68,000. Lewis' support came primarily from individuals in Mesa, while Pearce enjoyed money from political action committees and people outside Arizona.
Lewis said he'd do more to work on the economy, jobs and education funding, and that he would listen to people involved before acting. But he offered few specifics during the campaign.
Pearce supporters portrayed the recall as a liberal effort, as it was led by Randy Parraz, a Democrat who doesn't live in Mesa. Parraz's Citizens for a Better Arizona had included Republicans.
Parraz said Tuesday night that the results weren't surprising after talking to voters and hearing they were upset with education cuts and issues beyond illegal immigration.
"We didn't build this overnight," Parraz said. "We've been working for 10 months. "Russell Pearce ignored us for most of that time."
Recall volunteer Brenda Rascon cried Tuesday night, saying she objected to Pearce using the term "invasion" to describe illegal immigrants. Rascon said her parents were immigrants.
She also objected to the Legislature cutting funds for organ transplants. Her mother's kidneys failed before she died.
"We took down the most powerful politician in Arizona," she said, "and all we had to do was talk to people."
Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services contributed to this report.
Cerulean posted at 9:39 pm on Tue, Nov 8, 2011.
Cheers! [beam]
I think this win for Gerry Lewis will prove to be good for all of Arizona.
Congratulations to everyone who worked hard in the Lewis campaign.
Pearce, good luck –adios.
Slabside posted at 9:40 pm on Tue, Nov 8, 2011.
It's not over until it's over.
Cerulean posted at 9:42 pm on Tue, Nov 8, 2011.
Ooops, that's Jerry Lewis (with a J) - congratulations!
az2008 posted at 10:12 pm on Tue, Nov 8, 2011.
If Pearce stayed focused on immigration (and amending the 14th Amendment's "citizenship by birth on soil") he could have beat the recall. He went too far with his principle-based ideology regarding extended unemployment benefits.
Since it was federal money it wouldn't have cost the state much. But, he turned into a libertarian ideologue, alienating many more people who could have supported his immigration views. At that point he just looked like a heartless sociopath who enjoyed jamming it to everyone.
monteslu posted at 11:47 pm on Tue, Nov 8, 2011.
@az2008
His Olivia Cortez scheme backfiring probably was a bad idea as well. And I doubt the insulting last minute robocalls helped out either.
CooperG posted at 12:05 am on Wed, Nov 9, 2011.
Well, the event that so many Pearce supporters said would never come has actually arrived. Russell Pearce, "the most powerful man in Arizona" was roundly defeated by moderate Republicans, Independents and Democrats getting together to support a candidate who sounded reasonable and could use real facts to support his positions.
Pearce, on the other hand, using most of the state's most powerful and connected political consultants along with the Maricopa and Arizona Republican party machines ran one of the worst campaigns in memory. It was ugly. It was filled with distortions, lies, unfounded accusations, ridiculous statements, a sham candidate and horrific campaign ads. It was the worst of the worst and his consultants should never work in politics again.
But most of all, even in his "concession" speech, Russell --still-- couldn't admit he had anything to do with the loss. Only "if this is the cost for keeping ones promises, so be it." Even in defeat he can't be honest.
Good riddance Russell. Don't let the door hit you on your way out.
Dale Whiting posted at 2:05 am on Wed, Nov 9, 2011.
Two thoughts.
"We have nothing to fear but fear itself." FDR
"I'll be back!" Arnold Schwartzenegger.
Moderation posted at 5:43 am on Wed, Nov 9, 2011.
He only focused on what he wanted in his political which at times reflected the will of the people of LD18, but he stopped doing that a while ago after he thought himself a rock star with SB1070. People wanted work on the economy, education, jobs, and to hear that he was focusing on those topics! Instead he just called us left wing nut jobs. Now I really hope the rest of the State legislature gets the hint. Economy, Jobs, Education!
@ Rational Human. Mesa is a wonderful place that deserved much better. How about you go sit on the boarder with Pearce and personally defend us from the invasion. While the majority of people who disagree with you work on trying to improve life in an economic slump. You could have a little honarary badge from ICE and a walkie talkie even...Oh wasn't Flake voted one of the most conservative members of the house, who works on the topics important to us.
Masterrogue666 posted at 5:51 am on Wed, Nov 9, 2011.
"Pearce raised nearly $230,000 compared with Lewis's total of about $68,000. Lewis' support came primarily from individuals in Mesa, while Pearce enjoyed money from political action committees and people outside Arizona." -- Interesting that even after Lewis wins, liberals won't tell the truth. BOTH SIDES received direct and indirect support from inside and outside LB 18.
"Recall volunteer Brenda Rascon cried Tuesday night, saying she objected to Pearce using the term "invasion" to describe illegal immigrants. Rascon said her parents were immigrants." -- First point, the word "ILLEGAL" should have been used in her statement in order to be ACCURATE. Second point, if you look up the definition of the word "INVASION", it does properly describe what DECADES of INVADING, CRIMINAL FOREIGN NATIONALS have done to this country.
Considering Lewis's character and past career failures, I don't think it will be too long before his flaws become clear. This recall has always been about ILLEGAL ALIENS. Conservatives have no problems admitting that, liberal refuse to do so. If I'm wrong, then why was Parraz (and the organization he WORKS FOR) involved, considering he doesn't live in LB 18? The truth is there, if you aren't afraid to face it.
Masterrogue666 posted at 6:10 am on Wed, Nov 9, 2011.
I just saw a new report that some people are asking if SB 1070 should be overturned. It hasn't been been 24 hrs, and that's the first thing mentioned? As I stated before, this was about ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. The truth has already come out....
shrinkingviolet posted at 6:26 am on Wed, Nov 9, 2011.
Russell had obviously given up. Can't put on a tie for your own party?
Accuracy posted at 8:33 am on Wed, Nov 9, 2011.
Big Win For “Open Border” Mormons
Republican state Sen. Russell Pearce, architect of the SB 1070 immigration law, has been labeled as a tough right-wing anti illegal immigration person.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members in Arizona advocate a more humane and moderate approach to the immigration issue. They are for giving a “free pass” to illegal aliens.
So, as a big win for “Open Border” Mormons, Arizona immigration law architect was defeated by Jerry Lewis in the recall election.
The county expects to verify the election results by Nov. 16, and the Secretary of State's Office must then certify the results, along with the governor and attorney general.
blarneystone49 posted at 8:52 am on Wed, Nov 9, 2011.
Exit polls will show that this election was carried by Moderates, Independents and Hispanics, the real silent majority not only in District 18 but in Mesa, Arizona and the Country as a whole. A very underserved silent majority by the current political class. It's something our current crop of politician's should pay attention to, as I believe we are just getting started.
retired03 posted at 9:00 am on Wed, Nov 9, 2011.
It's over slabside.. good ridence pearce...... and no az2008, pearce lost because he thought he knew what everyone wanted in his district, stop illegal immigration at all cost. Funny thing, along the way he forgot to take care of his own cinstituants becoming larger than life nationally. People got tired of it. They wanted a senator that looked out for them from all angles, not just one.... and rational human, you sir, or ma'am have been brainwashed. Get your head out of the sand and face reality. Pearce has burned too many bridges and resulted to too much political underhandedness, He@# he is not even being backed by the church in Utah anymore. He will go nowhere or at best, be a small fish in a big pond. He is NOT great. I have know the man for along time, not personnaly but professionaly. He was made a hero because he got shot in Guadalupe as a deputy. No one ever asked why, I will tell you why, rousting hispanics on a regular basis for no reason... and masterrogue, read my statement to rational. And, while lewis did receive money from outside I hardly doubt you can compare 68 K to 230 K. In addition, this is not so much about illegal immigration as it was about his failure to take care of his district. Finally AZ got rid of one right wing extremist, now, king joe the buffoon is next.
mesateacher posted at 9:51 am on Wed, Nov 9, 2011.
Pearce is not a brilliant leader. He's a heavy-handed bigot without nuance. I don't like illegals being here, but was SB1070 the best way to go about solving the problem? Other states learned quick not to follow our bad example. Utah for example found a much more palatable solution. Every time Pearce appeard on Fox I cringed. He's a terrible image of what Arizona is about. He apparently has no sense of humor. He also is incapable of building bridges with others who don't follow his idealistic beliefs. Lewis is no pushover, also doesn't like illegals, but is much easier to like, to work with and support. And if anyone thinks his defeat was the doing of left-wing nuts, you're wrong: I'm a died in the wool conservative who supported the recall and gladly marked my choice for Lewis.
Dale Whiting posted at 11:55 am on Wed, Nov 9, 2011.
Taking a much broader look at these events, regardless of party affiliation, any objective observer ought to recognize the role party sponsored machine politics has played and is playing in today’s two party political system. In Chicago, one had to be sanctioned by the Daley family to get elected. In all likelihood, our current president, arguably a closeted moderate, had to run as a Democrat in order to get past first base.
Here in the West, getting past first base usually means one has to be a Republican. The list of successful Democrats in Arizona is a short one. Outside of Tucson, Terry Goddard and Janet Napolitano pretty much comprise the entire list. And both of them had unique circumstances propelling them forward, inept machine opponents.
Look at what political endorsements are sought in primary elections. Heading the list has been Joe Arpaio’s. He also has been an elector, a person who appears on the ballot for selection to a trip to Washington to cast our collective vote for president, a prestigious yet archaic practice if ever there was one.
Things might be changing. Arpaio stood fast behind his candidate for Senator from Mesa’s District 18, his former lieutenant Russell Pearce. And Pearce championed SB1070, a means to put Sheriff Joe back into the illegal alien profiling business, a business recently taken away from him by Federal Authorities. After a life time of being a Federal Authority, one would expect Joe to understand how the machine works. But maybe he never caught on.
Regardless, Russell Pearce now lies in the dust. The party machine failed to deliver him from his disappointed voters. The machine antics played did not work. Does this mean Jerry Lewis will be Pearce’s permanent replacement? Heck no. Does this mean District 18 voters are catching on? Perhaps.
It took another registered Republican to unseat Pearce. And the machine likely will be oiled next time around. Should Pearce get the nod again from the party machine to run in the next primary, Lewis is likely to go down, unless of course SB1070 dies at the US Supreme Court, then Lewis just might win. Or Lewis might try changing party affiliation to Democrat. Then at least we might see another Pearce vs. Lewis general election!
phxvato1202 posted at 1:20 pm on Wed, Nov 9, 2011.
To the voters of LD18 Thank You, your votes have brought back some respectability to Arizona. We can agree or disagree all we want but bottom line the dishonesty factor that enveloped russell pearce is what did him in. He did not realize that immigration was not the only issue his constitutients were concerned about. Bottom line is he did not care fot what they thought due to his own greed for power and hate towards those unlike him.
To the mormon community thank you for allowing me to see that the Mormon faith is not really based on hate as so many thought it was due to russell pearce being a representative of that faith. I thought for real that mormons hated mexicans based on pearces open and public attittude, comments , and actions and by so many who would blog and support him also claiming to be mormon. I apologize for the things i have written attacking mormons because i was fighting back because i really thought you hated us because pearce made it clear that the mormon church had his back as was reported publicly so thus i formed an opinion and decided i would fight back even if it was in blogs.
Guilden_NL posted at 1:26 pm on Wed, Nov 9, 2011.
Random Thoughts:
Jerry Lewis....the only people that love him are the French.
Mesa....aka La Raza
Citizens of Mesa.......left hands out, permanently in beggar's pose
Jimmy Eat World.....to change band's name to Inbreeders
Independent Redistricting Commission.....placing Mesa into Mexico, see point #2
Masterrogue666 posted at 3:55 pm on Wed, Nov 9, 2011.
@ Accuracy: My sister and brother in law are Mormons. I asked them the church's position on ILLEGAL ALIENS. Basically, they leave it up to each person to decide for themself. My understanding is that the church has no official position.
PatrioticPerson posted at 5:28 pm on Wed, Nov 9, 2011.
I know it is the way the system is designed but I have a problem with 15.2% of the registered voters determining the focus and direction of District 18. This was a very high profile, media grabbing election and only 28% of the registered voters made it to the poles. There has to be a way to get a much higher % of participation in the election process.
Rational Human posted at 7:47 pm on Wed, Nov 9, 2011.
It's a sad day in the history of Arizona the day extremist lefties fooled republicans into helping them to oust one of the greatest senators this state has ever produced. A sheethole like Mesa never deserved such greatness. Russell Pearce is larger than Mesa will ever be. A drive through the heart of Mesa shows it to be nothing but a terd world city full of terd world thinkers. Russell Pearce will go on to bigger and better places, and the fight to decimate the filthy scum invaders from the south will not end here today. Pearce helped to start the ball rolling and it's picking up speed. Look out terd world invaders. We are coming for you, and we will kick you out of our state and country. Perhaps Russell needs to consider running for Jon Kyl's US Senate seat. He'd be ten times better for Arizona than flaky flakes could ever be. In the meantime, all you illegal supporters join hands with La Ratza and do the hat dance in celebration. You deserve to celebrate a job well done. Then get back down in your bunkers cause the war isn't over by a long shot.
Moderation posted at 3:44 pm on Thu, Nov 10, 2011.
@Rational Human
I had replied to this repeated post on other threads, but feel the need to do so again.
Mesa is a wonderful city, and based on your posts if you developed wart somewhere it would be the fault of illegal aliens. Because, you scape goat that topic for everything that is wrong with the world. Pearce lost! Get over it. My district voted him out!
Rational Human posted at 7:57 pm on Thu, Nov 10, 2011.
Moderation, your district didn't give him a fair election. A fair election would have been between a democrat and a republican. This was a republican primary where dumbocrats and a few moderate republicans scammed the system to defeat the will of the people. This is far from over fool! There will soon be a regular election where dumbocrats only get to vote for other dumbocrats, and in that fair election the bishop is toast.