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Writer's pictureHowie Klein

Longtime Mesa, Arizona Mayor Denounces Señor T, Endorses Kamala




It’s primary day in Arizona. If you live in AZ-01— Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, northeast Phoenix, Cave Creek, Carefree, Fountain Hills— remember that the best candidate to take on and beat David Schweikert is lifelong Democrat Conor O’Callaghan, not one of the ones who voted for Trump and now wants to be some kind of conservative political hybrid.


Meanwhile, another political battle is playing out in Arizona. Last week, the Republicans— with 6 right-wing Democrats— passed a GOP messaging bill accusing Kamala of being some kind of border czar—she never was— and “strongly” condemning her for the chaotic situation Trump left at the border. Yesterday, to help counter that, Kamala’s campaign rolled out endorsements from mayors of border towns— Bisbee, Nogales, Somerton and San Luis, as well as by Yuma County Supervisors Martin Porchas and Tony Reyes. And early Monday morning, John Giles, mayor of Mesa, Phoenix’s largest suburb, also endorsed Kamala— wrote a major OpEd in the state’s biggest newspaper explaining why. Oh, yeah… and I forgot to mention, Giles in a Republican.


“The time has come for my fellow Arizona Republicans,” he wrote in the Arizona Republic, “to return to the core foundations of the Grand Old Party. Our party used to stand for the belief that every Arizonan, no matter their background or circumstances, should have the freedom, opportunity and security to live out their American Dream. But since Donald Trump refused to accept the outcome of the 2020 election, Republicans have yet to course correct. The Republican Party with Trump at its helm continues down the path of political extremism, away from focusing on our fundamental freedoms. Now more than ever, we need leaders who will put country over party.”


I believe my party has a moral and ethical responsibility to restore faith in our democratic institutions. In the spirit of the late Sen. John McCain’s motto, “Country First,” I call on other Arizona Republicans to join me in choosing country over party this election and to vote against Donald Trump.
In Arizona, we have faced the brunt of misinformation, election denialism and an erosion of trust in our justice system.
…Significant reforms to immigration and border policies that would have addressed the crisis at our southern border were blocked by Trump because he didn’t want the problem solved. He wanted to exploit it for personal political gain.
Since 2014, I have had the honor of being mayor of Mesa, the nation’s 36th-largest city and one of the most conservative.  Under Trump, American cities didn’t get the support they deserved. Infrastructure week was made into a joke.
But under the Biden-Harris administration, Mesa has seen historic federal funding for the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, along with investments to make sure our streets and public transit systems benefit from modern technology.
With the CHIPS Act, Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden are delivering thousands of new jobs to Arizonans and helping us grow critical industries.
Harris is the competent leader we need
Trump poses a serious threat to our nation. We can’t have a felon representing us on the national stage, let alone one who would threaten to abandon NATO and ruin our standing abroad.
…Vice President Harris is fighting to make sure Americans can get ahead and be safe from gun violence and to restore and protect the rights of women. Donald Trump, on the other hand, could enact the extreme and dangerous Project 2025 agenda if elected, which would roll back our rights and freedoms.
We can choose a future for our children and grandchildren based on decency, respect and morality— or succumb to the crudeness and vulgarity of Trump and J.D. Vance and the far-right agenda they would champion.
…Kamala Harris is the competent, just and fair leader our country deserves. This year too much is at stake to vote Republican at the top of the ticket.
It will take Arizona Republicans, independents and Democrats standing together against a far-right agenda. Let us put country over party by voting to stop Trump and protect our democracy.

Last cycle, Giles had a similar feeling about Trump ally and MAGA crackpot Kari Lake and he endorsed Democrat Mark Kelly. He hasn’t taken a stand, at least not yet, on the race between Lake and Ruben Gallego. Gallego is leading by just over 4 points. Today, Lake— Trump’s candidate— has a primary that pits her against Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb. She’s expected to win in a landslide, having spent $7,141,415 to Lamb’s $1,743,486.

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1 Comment


Guest
Jul 31

“The time has come for my fellow Arizona Republicans to return to the core foundations of the Grand Old Party."

And it doesn't give anyone pause that this "return to the core foundations of the nazi party" means they now endorse democraps? No, I don't suppose it would. We're frogs that started out in cool water.

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