Wednesday, August 20, 2014

FIRST WATCH: Last Minute IE Barrage For Andy Tobin Continues To Come Into Focus; Jim Click Coordination Allegations Sure To Follow (FOLLOWING MONEY IN ARIZONA'S POLITICS)

The IE barrage supporting Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin continues to come into focus today.  Arizona's Politics has reported on the Main Street Advocacy Group and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; now comes confirmation that Preserve America's Future, Tucson auto dealer Jim Click's new outside spending group, is spending $25,000 this week on television advertising.

As reported elsewhere, Click is also the finance chair for Andy Tobin's campaign and Click/family/employees have made up the largest contributor group to Tobin (more than $32,000 as of January).

Federal campaign laws prohibit coordination between an outside spending organization and a candidate. Demands for investigations and/or FEC complaints are sure to follow from GOP opponents Gary Kiehne and/or Adam Kwasman - and, possibly from incumbent Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-CD1).  Kiehne already called the Main Street and U.S. Chamber efforts a desperate bailout.

The FEC report was filed this afternoon.  Last week, PAF (formerly, "Protect Arizona's Freedom") filed a trigger report which did not give amounts or campaigns. That prompted Arizona's Politics to keep the Nathan Sproul-led group on its radar.

Since then, PAF has spent $45,000 putting up signs opposing both Jeff DeWit and Randy Pullen for State Treasurer.  The third Republican candidate in that battle is former Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman.

We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

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