Never in the history of this state has a member of the state legislature been successfully removed from office through a recall election.  The President of the Arizona State Senate, Russell Pearce, now holds that great distinction.  As I said in May, “It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.”

Russell Pearce, you may recall, was the sponsor of Arizona’s “Paper’s Please Law” (SB 1070), Arizona’s “Anchor Baby Bill” and numerous other discriminatory legislation.  Before entering state office, he was Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s right-hand man, where he helped initiate Arpaio’s “Prisoner Humiliation Program.”  He is also known for his close affiliation with an Arizona white supremacy group. 

Russell Pearce pulled in over four times the campaign financing (mostly from anonymous out-of-state sources) than the winner, Jerry Lewis, who relied on local grass-roots support.  Lewis, the superintendent of a charter school program in Mesa, is a well respected moderate Republican leader in his conservative 18th district – certainly a far cry from the radical right-wing politician they had representing them previously.    

This should send a strong message to Governor Jan Brewer who, in many ways, has been acting in a subordinate capacity to Pearce in this state.  She has basically rubber-stamped all of Pearce’s key initiatives. 

A Gov. Brewer recall effort was initiated earlier this year but failed to receive the signatures needed by May 31 to have this on the November ballot.  However, with the latest news concerning Pearce's ouster, plus the extreme local dissatisfaction with Brewer's firing of the director of the independent election commission, there will most certainly be a resurgent recall effort.  In addition, there are now local and national calls for her impeachment.   

Pay attention Jan – You’re next!