Illegal immigration is the issue that most sharply divides the two Republicans running for the open state Senate seat in west Mesa's District 18.
Not that attorney Kevin Gibbons and state Rep. Russell Pearce agree on much, including how to treat others and whom to associate with politically. So different are the two that the winner of this primary in a GOP-controlled district will be instrumental in determining the tone of the next Legislature.
The election is a referendum on Pearce, the most divisive figure in the Legislature on immigration and a four-term lawmaker who puts his personal agenda above the needs of his district. Pearce's hard-line approach on immigration ignores legitimate concerns in the business community and vilifies those who disagree with him.
Unfortunately, the polarizing Pearce never runs out of toxic ideas on how to deal with immigration, having offered up at least eight measures last session targeting illegal immigrants. This fixation with immigration diverted Pearce from dealing effectively with his responsibilities as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
Members of his own party pleaded with Pearce to tone down the rhetoric and pay more attention to the crafting of the state budget.
East Valley Republicans who care about their party and state need to dump this guy. Consider:
• Pearce's association with a White supremacist and much-publicized incidents such as forwarding an e-mail from a neo-Nazi group to hundreds of supporters have made it easy for critics to portray Pearce as the ugly face of the Republican Party. As a result, it is becoming tougher for Republicans to fare well in statewide contests. Voter registration figures show more new voters are shunning the GOP and registering as Democrats or independents.
• By bad-mouthing leading Republicans, Pearce deepens the wound he inflicts on the state's GOP. Pearce branded Arizona's two U.S. senators - John McCain, the presumptive nominee for the GOP presidential nomination, and Jon Kyl, a leading GOP conservative - as "traitors" for their efforts to develop practical solutions to the immigration problem. If that is what Pearce calls a fellow Arizonan who could be the next president of the United States, what must he call other legislators and citizens who do not see eye-to-eye with him?
In contrast, Gibbons is a well-respected businessman and fiscal
conservative who would provide the kind of commonsense representation that District 18 and Mesa deserve. Backing him are Republicans worried about the direction of the party, and farmers and business owners concerned about the impact of the employer-sanctions law championed by Pearce. Gibbons also has the
support of teachers, firefighters and others who worry about the vitality of their community.
Gibbons is the brother-in-law of U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake, a fiscal conservative who has pushed for immigration and earmark reforms for years. Gibbons said the late Jake Flake, a rancher and former speaker of the Arizona House, was so put off by Pearce that he encouraged Gibbons to run for the seat and held fundraisers for him.
In endorsing Gibbons, the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona
described Pearce as "mean-spirited" and said Gibbons would look at issues of public safety "beyond the narrow confines of immigration."
The District 18 Senate seat is held by Karen Johnson, a Republican, who is retiring.
Gibbons has deep roots in Arizona. He was born in McNary and earned his law degree from Arizona State University. In between, he developed a broad perspective growing up in countries around the world. His father served in the foreign service and is now retired in Mesa. Gibbons and his wife, Suzy, have lived in Mesa for 15 years.
An immigration attorney, Gibbons would bring a wealth of knowledge to the Legislature on the complexities of immigration law. He supports immigration reform, including a strong border and opposes amnesty. With six children, Gibbons cares about ensuring strong schools.
Gibbons would be a lawmaker who would negotiate with others, not dictate or hurl insults. He would be a breath of fresh air in the Legislature.
Gibbons is the right candidate to carry conservative issues to the Capitol and see they are respectfully discussed. What's more, he would do so without the radioactive baggage that Pearce totes around.
The Republic recommends Kevin Gibbons in the Sept. 2 Republican primary for the District 18 Senate nomination.
1 comment:
Kevin Gibbons is a joke. If he had a pea-sized brain he would know better than to take money from Jim Pederson and other dems.
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