State Representative Russell Pearce, a Mesa Republican, says McCain is spending too much time on his Presidential campaign and missing too many Senate votes.

According to the Washington Post, McCain missed almost 50% of Senate votes during the current session. The only other senator with a worse record is South Dakota's Tim Johnson, who is recovering from a brain hemorrhage.

Pearce says, "I am calling on the Senator to show up and vote, or if he's going to be a fulltime candidate, then yes, he ought to resign and let somebody take that position that's going to represent Arizona and be there to vote."

Labels: arizona, John McCain

Boston, MA – Governor Mitt Romney today announced that Arizona State Representative Mark Anderson will Co-Chair his campaign in Arizona. Representative Anderson will work closely with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, State Senator Chuck Gray and Governor Romney's Finance Committee to continue to expand the Governor's base of support in the Grand Canyon State. Sheriff Arpaio is serving as Governor Romney's Honorary Chairman for Arizona while Senator Gray is serving as Chair.

Governor Romney's Arizona campaign also announced that it had eclipsed state fundraising goals and raised $697,082 in total receipts for the first fundraising quarter.

"For many years, Mark Anderson has been a faithful and effective voice for conservative values in the Arizona State Legislature," said Governor Romney. "I am pleased that he has decided to join my growing campaign and look forward to working with him as we add to our strength in Arizona and across the nation."

With today's announcement, Representative Anderson said, "Governor Romney is an impressive leader with a proven track record of accomplishment. On national defense, economic competitiveness and the important moral matters of our day, Governor Romney has the vision and the conservative principles needed to guide America forward."

Background On Representative Mark Anderson:

Representative Anderson Is A Leading Conservative In The Arizona House Of Representatives. First elected in 1994, Anderson represents western Mesa. He currently chairs the K-12 Education Committee and is on the Appropriations and Human Services Committees. During his legislative career he has sponsored bills to lower recidivism and supported efforts to expand abstinence education, counseling and mentoring for young fathers, and a program that encourages churches to assist in the placement of foster children in their communities.

Labels: arizona, mark anderson, press release

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio – Honorary Chair: Known around the country as "America's Toughest Sheriff", he has been one of Arizona's most popular officials since being elected in 1992. Maricopa County is home to approximately three million people including the Phoenix Metropolitan area.

Jason Rose – State Director: Recognized by the Arizona Business Magazine in 2006 as "Arizona's PR Heavyweight," Rose is one of Arizona's most well-known political consultants. Rose founded Rose & Allyn Public Relations in 1996. The firm's client list includes prominent members of the Arizona business and political community.

Corinne Lovas – State Finance Director: Lovas is considered the top political fundraiser in Arizona and the Southwest. She has enjoyed countless successes on behalf of U.S. Senator Jon Kyl, President Bush's 2004 re-election campaign, the Republican National Committee and numerous other Republican candidates and causes.


Additions To Governor Romney's Arizona Finance Steering Committee:

Ernie Baird: Founding partner of Baird Williams & Greer, LLP. From 1991 to 1997, he served in the Arizona House of Representatives. During his time in the House, he was the House Majority Leader and also served as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

Scott Bundgaard: An executive with J.P. Morgan, Bundgaard served six years in the Arizona Senate both as Chairman of the Finance Committee and Vice Chairman of the Banking Committee. He is a veteran of commercial real estate and finance.

Paul Walsh: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of eFunds Corporation, a leading provider of risk management, electronic payments and global outsourcing solutions. Walsh has 30 years of experience in financial services. He has been the Chairman and CEO of Clareon Corporation, iDeal Partners and Wright Express Corporation. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Staples, Inc.

Don Cogman: Cogman is the Chairman of CC Investments, a private investment firm in Scottsdale, Arizona. In 2002, he was appointed by President Bush to serve on a panel tasked with overhauling the United States Postal Service. Cogman currently serves as Chairman of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Education Foundation. Formerly, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer World-wide of Burson-Marsteller.

Labels: arizona, endoresements, Endorse, finance