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TED: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," IT'S THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE.

A LOOK AT WEEK'S TOP STORIES INCLUDING ARIZONA SECRETARY OF STATE DECIDING AGAINST A RUN FOR CONGRESS.

THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE IS NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

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TED: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

IT'S FRIDAY, AND THAT MEANS TIME FOR THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE.

AND JOINING US HOWIE FISCHER OF THE CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES.

MARY JO PITZL OF "THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC" AND AZCENTRAL.COM.

AND JIM SMALL OF THE "ARIZONA MIRROR."

PANEL, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HOWIE, ADRIAN FONTES NOT RUNNING FOR CONGRESS.

ARE YOU GOING TO ANNOUNCE YOU'RE NOT RUNNING FOR CONGRESS AS WELL?

>> I HAVE EXPLORATORY BID IN FOR THE GOVERNORSHIP.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A LITTLE BIT.

THIS IS NOT A REAL SURPRISE.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE SHOW, AND THE QUESTION IS DO YOU GO FROM BEING THE NUMBER TWO PERSON IN ARIZONA, MAYBE NUMBER THREE AFTER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR POSITION TO BEING ONE IN 435 IN THE HOUSE IN THE MINORITY PARTY.

ASSUMING THEY WOULD TAKE OVER.

IT'S NOT A GOOD POSITION TO BE IN.

HE FINDS HIMSELF IN A STRONG POSITION.

HE GETS QUOTED A LOT.

UNAVOIDABLE FOR COMMENT SOMETIMES, AND AT SOME POINT, HE MAY SEE THIS AS STEPPING-STONES TO SOMETHING MORE IN ARIZONA VERSUS WASHINGTON.

TED: BEING A MEMBER OF CONGRESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HERE IN ARIZONA, THOSE ARE LONG PLANE TRIPS.

YOU GOT TO WANT IT, DON'T YOU?

>> YEAH, LONG PLANE TRIPS.

GIVEN THE DISTRICT THE WAY IT'S DRAWN AND FUTURE REDISTRICTING, IT'S GOING TO REMAIN A STRONG DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT.

GET IN NOW.

WHOEVER WINS THIS PRIMARY PROBABLY HAS A CHANCE TO BE THERE FOR A LONG TIME.

TED: BUT THAT'S PART OF THE EQUATION AS WELL.

DO YOU WANT TO BE THERE?

DO YOU HAVE HIGHER AMBITIONS?

>> THERE'S OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER AS WELL.

LIKE THE PAY.

PAY IS VASTLY GREATER THAN WHAT YOU GET PAID AS SECRETARY OF STATE.

TED: YEAH, YEAH.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF ALL THIS, JIM?

>> I AGREE WITH HOWIE.

I DON'T THINK IT WAS TERRIBLY SURPRISING HE WASN'T GOING TO RUN FOR THIS.

THE NEXUS BETWEEN ADRIAN FONTES, SECRETARY OF STATE LIVING IN PHOENIX AND BEEN UP IN THE VALLEY FOR A LONG TIME TO FORMER MARICOPA COUNTY RECORDER, TO RUN FOR A CONGRESSIONAL SEAT IN TUCSON, HE HAD ROOTS IN NOGALES.

IT WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT WOULD BE A CHALLENGE FOR SOMEONE ESPECIALLY IN TUCSON AND PIMA COUNTY.

FOLKS COMING FROM MARICOPA COUNTY TO THERE, THAT GENERATES A LOT OF RESENTMENT.

UP HERE IN THE VALLEY, THE IDEA OF CARPETBAGGING DOESN'T CARRY A LOT OF WATER.

THERE'S A PAROCHIAL VIEW OF IT IN PIMA COUNTY AND A LOT OF PLACES IN THE STATE THAT AREN'T IN MARICOPA COUNTY.

>> YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER WHO ELSE IS LIKELY TO HAVE GOTTEN IN.

DANIEL HERNANDEZ, WHO WAS AN AIDE TO GABBY GIFFORD WHEN SHE REPRESENTED THE ADJACENT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, A MEMBER OF LEGISLATURE, GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION, AFTER GABBY WAS SHOT AT THE CONGRESS ON THE STREET CORNER THING, HE WAS CREDITED WITH SAVING HER LIFE WITH FIRST AID.

HE'S GOT A LOT OF ROOTS DOWN THERE, AND YOU HAVE ADLEITA GRIJALVA.

IT'S NOT LIKE WELL, I'M HIS DAUGHTER, SHOULD I HAVE IT.

I'M HIS DAUGHTER AND SERVED ON BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND SERVE ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

TED: REGARDLESS WHO OPPONENTS MIGHT BE, SEEMS LIKE IT'S HERS TO LOW, DOESN'T IT?

>> SEEMS LIKE IT ON THE FACE OF IT.

IT DIDN'T WORK OUT FOR LAURA PASTOR, WHO ASPIRED TO FOLLOW IN HER FATHER ED PASTOR'S FOOT STEPS AS A CONGRESSMAN.

I WILL SAY COINCIDENTALLY, OR PERHAPS JUST -- WELL, COINCIDENTALLY OR MAYBE NOT, PRESIDENT TRUMP ISSUED EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT DEALT WITH ELECTIONS, WHICH I'M SURE YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT.

THAT'S THE REASON FONTES HAS GIVEN PUBLICLY FOR WHY HE HAS CHANGED HIS MIND.

HE BELIEVES HE CAN DO MORE AS THE STATE'S TOP ELECTION OFFICIAL ON THAT MATTER.

>> I WANT TO GET TO THAT AFTER THIS ONE QUESTION.

HOWIE, TO YOU ON THIS ONE.

WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP FOR ADRIAN FONTES, HE SOUNDS RESTLESS.

>> SOMETIME YOU PLAY THE HAND THAT'S DEALT YOU.

AT THE MOMENT HE'S SECRETARY OF STATE.

HE WON HANDILY OVER MARK FINCHEM.

THAT MAY HAVE BEEN MORE MARK LOSING THAN ADRIAN WINNING.

ARIZONA VOTERS HAVE SHOWN ON STATEWIDE RACES THEY'RE WILLING TO ELECT DEMOCRATS, AND I FIGURED ANOTHER FOUR YEARS AS SECRETARY OF STATE, THEN HE CAN SEE.

AT THAT POINT, KATIE HOBBS WILL BE TERMED OUT, ASSUMING SHE WINS A SECOND TERM.

A LOT OF OPTIONS IN THERE.

TED: U.S. SENATE NOT AN OPTION, THEY HAVE A COUPLE STRONG DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES THERE.

JIM, AS MARY JO MENTIONED, THIS ELECTION ORDER, SEEMS LIKE IT FEDERALIZES ELECTION PROCEDURES AROUND THE STATES AND AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THAT WAS MENTIONED BY FONTES.

HE WANTS TO FIGHT THAT AND WANTS OTHER SECRETARIES OF STATE TO FIGHT THAT.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR ARIZONA ELECTIONS?

>> WELL, ARIZONA ALREADY REQUIRES PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP TO REGISTER.

IT'S ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS, IN THAT ORDER, IN ORDER TO REGISTER TO VOTE, YOU HAVE TO PROVE CITIZENSHIP AND DEMONSTRATE IT WITH DOCUMENTATION.

ARIZONA VOTERS PASSED THAT 20+ YEARS AGO, SO WE ALREADY DO THAT PART OF IT.

YOU'RE RIGHT, THIS DOES FEDERALIZE ELECTIONS, AND IF ANYONE REMEMBERS THE ONGOING DEBATE OVER ELECTION DURING BIDEN'S PRESIDENCY, YOU KNOW, LOOKING TO PASS FEDERAL ELECTION LAW AND CHANGE, DEMOCRATS HAD A SWEEPING PROPOSAL.

THE REPUBLICANS DECRIED AS FEDERALIZING ELECTIONS AND HOW DARE THEY LOOK TO TRY TO USURP THE CONTROL OF THE STATES AND TELL THE STATES WHAT TO DO, IN SUCH AN EGREGIOUS FASHION AND, OF COURSE, DONALD TRUMP COMES IN, NOT THROUGH A LAW BUT EXECUTIVE ORDER WHICH IS CERTAIN TO GET CHALLENGED IN COURT FOR BASICALLY USURPING CONGRESS, HAS COME IN, AND NOT JUST DONE THE SAME THING, BUT USED THAT SAME KIND OF IDEA, BUT USED IT TO FURTHER THE GOALS OF THE RIGHT ON ELECTIONS, WHICH IS GENERALLY TO MAKE IT HARDER TO REGISTER AND HARDER TO VOTE.

THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT THAT DOES.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT TRUMP ISSUED, THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT TIE BACK TO HIS GRIEVANCES WITH HOW THE 2016 -- I'M SORRY, THE 2020 ELECTION WAS CONDUCTED, AND I WILL SAY THAT ONE OF THE IMPACTS ON ARIZONA, YOU'RE RIGHT, ARIZONA HAD THE REQUIREMENT OF DOCUMENTS OR REPROVE OF CITIZENSHIP ANYONE THAT WANTS TO VOTE IN STATE OR LOCAL ELECTION, BUT WE HAVE THE CATEGORY CALLED FEDERAL ONLY VOTERS, THEY DON'T HAVE TO PROVIDE PROOF.

THIS WOULD REQUIRE THAT, AND IT ALSO NARROWS THE DOCUMENTS THAT SOMEBODY CAN PROVIDE TO PROVE CITIZENSHIP, SO THIS COULD BE PROBLEMATIC IF YOU CAN'T USE YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE TO PROVE YOU'RE A CITIZEN AND CAN'T USE TRIBAL ID.

YOU GOT TO FIND OTHER DOCUMENTS.

>> IF YOU REREGISTER, IF I MOVE FROM LAVEEN, LET'S SAY, TO MESA, I CAN DO THAT PROCEDURALLY.

UNDER WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE TRUMP PROPOSAL TO BE, I HAVE TO START OVER AGAIN, DIG UP MY PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP AND EVERYTHING ELSE, AND SLOWING MORE HURTLES.

THEN, OF COURSE, WE HAVE THE PRESIDENT TRYING TO PRIVATIZE THE POST OFFICE WHICH LEADS TO FASCINATING QUESTIONS OF WHAT HAPPENED TO VOTE BY MAIL?

IF, IN FACT, 80 SOME PERCENT OF BALLOTS ARE DELIVERED BY MAIL, BUT SET UP A SYSTEM NOT GOING THROUGH A GOVERNMENTARY, HAVE WE SCRAPPED VOTE BY MAIL.

TED: IT COMES IN A VARIETY OF VOICES, DOESN'T IT?

>> THAT IT'S POPULAR?

TED: YES.

>> GIVE THEM CREDIT, AT LEGISLATURE, REPUBLICANS KEEP CHIPPING AWAY.

THEY'VE ACCEPTED THAT THAT'S HOW MOST PEOPLE VOTE, BUT NOT FANS OF IT.

I THINK THE BIG LONG GAME IS TO RETURN THIS TO THE WAY THAT BACK IN THE DAY PEOPLE USED TO VOTE WHEN THEY WALK TO THE POLLS AT THE LOCAL PRECINCT AND CAST THE BALLOT AND MAGICALLY ALL THE BALLOTS ARE COUNTED BY THAT NIGHT.

ONE OTHER THING IN THE EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT COULD AFFECT ALL OF THIS, MILITARY AND OVERSEAS VOTERS FROM ARIZONA, OR ANY STATE, REQUIRES THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE PROOF THEY LIVE IN THE STATE WHICH THEY'RE REGISTERED.

IF YOU'RE ON A MILITARY ASSIGNMENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST OR IN GERMANY, YOU'RE NOT LIVING IN ARIZONA, BUT THE LAW IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE THAT COVER.

THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS AROUND WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN, ALL OF WHICH EVERYBODY I TALKED TO SO FAR SAY YEAH, WE NEED CLARITY AND BANKING ON A LAWSUIT TO SORT THAT OUT.

>> CLARITY IN THE SENSE THAT THERE ARE FEDERAL LAWS THAT GOVERN ALL OF THESE THINGS ALREADY, AND THEY ALL -- THE EXECUTIVE ORDER BASICALLY PRETENDS FEDERAL DOESN'T EXPECT OR THE PRESIDENT BY FIAT IS ABLE TO SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT?

WE DON'T CARE ABOUT THE LAWS, WE'RE GOING TO IGNORE THEM AND OVERRULE THEM.

WHICH IS NOT THE WAY AMERICA WORKS, AND CERTAINLY NOT THE WAY -- COURTS TEND TO TAKE A DIM VIEW OF THE EXECUTIVE SAYING, I KNOW THERE'S A LAW, I DON'T CARE ABOUT IT, WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS OTHER THING.

TED: ISN'T THAT THE WAY THIS ADMINISTRATION WORKS?

>> FROM DAY ONE.

WE ALL SORT OF LAUGHED WHEN HE SAID PRIOR TO COMING INTO OFFICE, MAKE ME A DICTATOR FOR ONE DAY.

WELL, LET'S SEE, WE'RE IN DAY -- >> WHO WAS LAUGHING AT THAT?

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS MEANT TO BE MAKE ME A DICTATOR, SEE WHAT I CAN DO.

IT IS NOW THE END OF MARCH, MR. DICTATOR HAS BEEN THERE THREE MONTHS, AND MADE IT VERY CLEAR, HE BELIEVES HE CAN DO WHAT HE WANTS.

HE CAN ISSUE ORDERS REGARDING DEI AND THREATEN UNIVERSITIES, IF YOU'RE A LAW FIRM, THE GOOD NEWS IS FEDERAL JUDGES SAID HELL, NO, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO IT.

FOR EXAMPLE, TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM VOICE OF AMERICA.

JUDGE SAID NO, CONGRESS ALLOCATED THE MONEY, YOU CAN'T COME IN AND DO THAT.

TED: SOUNDS LIKE A HECK NO, BUT STILL SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A NO.

REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION, ONE OF THE REASONS THAT ADRIAN FONTES, WHEN WE TALKED TO HIM ON THE SHOW, THE DAY OF THE ACTUAL ORDER, HE SAYS HE SEES THIS AS A WAY AS LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF TO CANCEL ELECTIONS IN 2026.

DOES THAT RING TO ANYTHING HERE?

>> I MEAN, HE'S NOT THE FIRST PERSON I HEARD THAT FROM.

IF THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF ELECTIONS IS ALL IN THE PRESIDENT'S HANDS, YOU KNOW, IF YOU DON'T LIKE HOW -- AND IT MIGHT BE THERE WOULD BE ELECTIONS BUT THEY COULD BE NULLIFIED AFTERWARD ON SOME KIND OF TECHNICALITY OR DIDN'T FOLLOW THIS, THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION DIDN'T DO THIS OR THAT, HERE'S THE PROBLEM WITH THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT.

>> EVEN SIMPLIFY IT.

STATES OF EMERGENCY, WHETHER OR NOT THE LAWS CHANGE, LOOK, HE'S EVEN SAID THAT THE NATIONAL SECURITY ACT TO EXPLAIN WHY HE DOESN'T NEED TO TELL THE JUDGE THE PEOPLE HE SHIPPED OFF TO OTHER COUNTRIES.

HE'S TAKING THIS BROAD VIEW IN TERMS OF WHAT HE CAN SAY.

I'M THE PRESIDENT, YOU WILL OBEY ME.

>> DID ANYBODY WATCH HOUSE OF CARDS?

I WAS GOING TO REFRESH THE LAST SEASON OR TWO BECAUSE THEY WERE MESSING AROUND WITH ELECTIONS IN THAT, AND IT'S LIKE, WOW.

NETFLIX IS WAY AHEAD OF ITS TIME.

TED: LAST POINT ON THIS JIM.

HE SAID IT'S RIGGED, FALSE, PHONY, I'VE BEEN CHEATED OR WE'VE BEEN CHEATED, IN THIS CASE, 2026, DOES FONTES HAVE A POINT?

>> I THINK HE DOES.

AND I THINK 2026 IS DEFINITELY ONE THING, BUT I THINK 2028, THE NEXT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

REMEMBER WE SAW THIS IN 2020, WHERE THE U.S. HOUSE SHOWS UP TO DO THEIR JOB, CERTIFY THE ELECTION AND THEY OBJECT.

AND YOU ABSOLUTELY OPEN THE DOOR ON THIS FOR A REPUBLICAN-HELD CONGRESS TO OBJECT TO APPROVING AND BASICALLY ACCEPTING THE ELECTORAL VOTES FROM ANY STATE THAT DOESN'T FOLLOW TO A T WHAT THE EXECUTIVE ORDER SAYS, WHETHER A COURT OVERTURNS IT OR NOT.

AND WILL USE THE PRETENSE TO SAY, OH, NO, ALL THE STATES WHERE THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE WON, NO.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO ACCEPT THE ELECTORAL VOTES, AND LOOK, HEY, THE REPUBLICAN, WHETHER IT'S DONALD TRUMP TRYING TO THWART THE CONSTITUTION AND GO FOR A THIRD TERM OR WHOEVER THE NEXT REPUBLICAN MIGHT BE, IT'S A FRIGHTENING POSSIBILITY.

>> THAT'S WHY 2026 IS CRUCIAL, YOU MIGHT NOT GET A REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED CONGRESS.

TED: THAT'S WHY HE'S FOCUSING ON THAT.

LET'S MOVE ON HERE.

HOWIE, LEGISLATIVE IMMUNITY.

IT SURVIVES.

>> I'M SHOCKED, SHOCKED.

>> THEY'RE ALL GETTING VACCINES.

[LAUGHTER] >> I LOVE THAT COMPARISON.

SINCE 1912, A SMALL PROVISION IN THE CONSTITUTION, MAYBE NOT SO SMALL THAT SAYS LAWMAKERS ARE PRIVILEGED.

THAT'S THE WORD THEY USE, FROM ARREST AND CITATIONS, DURING THE TIME LEGISLATION IN SESSION 14 DAYS AHEAD OF TIME EXCEPT FOR TREASON, FELONIES AND BREACH OF THE PEACE AND TRAFFIC CITATIONS, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE TALKED HOW MANY TIMES IN THE SHOW ABOUT LAWMAKERS WITH LEAD FEET, INCLUDING MR. HOFFMAN, INCLUDING MR. FINCHEM, INCLUDING MS. WADSACK IN TUCSON, AND REPRESENTATIVE NGUYEN SAID IT'S TIME.

REMEMBER HE DIDN'T LIKE FINCHEM IN THE FIRST PLACE, THERE'S POLITICS IN THERE.

HE GOT THE BILL OUT OF HOUSE, THE MEASURE TO VOTE, GIVE THE VOTERS THE LAST WORD.

IT GOT ASSIGNED OVER IN THE SENATE TO A COMMITTEE AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THAT COMMITTEE, KEVIN PAYNE, SAID I'M NOT GOING TO HEAR IT.

WHY?

THERE AREN'T THE VOTES.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

I'M ONE OF THE NO VOTES AND DOESN'T MAKE SENSE, AND THERE'S A REASON THE IMMUNITY IS IN THERE.

SO FOR THE MOMENT, THIS SESSION, THE CONCEPT IS DEAD, BUT I DON'T THINK THE ISSUE IS DEAD.

TED: I WAS GOING TO SAY IS THIS DEAD OR STILL TWITCHING?

>> IT COULD STILL BE TWITCHING IT.

PUTS LAWMAKERS IN AN UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION BECAUSE DO YOU WANT TO GO ON RECORD AS SORT OF AFFIRMING YOUR PRIVILEGE, WHICH THE CONSTITUTION DOES GIVE THEM, YOU KNOW, OR DO YOU WANT TO MAYBE JUST HOLD YOUR NOSE AND VOTE FOR IT AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO NOT SPEED OR HAVE TRAFFIC INFRACTIONS.

TED: IF THIS WENT TO THE VOTERS, JIM, WHAT WOULD THE VOTERS SAY ABOUT THIS?

>> I WOULD THINK THE VOTERS WOULD ENTHUSIASTICALLY VOTE TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION FOR THIS SITUATION.

IT'S FAIRLY NARROWLY CRAFTED TO APPLY THE TRAFFIC CITATIONS TO STOP.

TO STOP EMBARRASSING HEADACHE STORIES FOR LEGISLATORS FOLLOWING THE RULES TO ANSWER QUESTIONS, LIKE, MY COLLEAGUE IS DRIVING 95 MILES AN HOUR ON I-10.

THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO BE DEALING WITH THAT, AND ON TOP OF THE FACT THAT I THINK THAT IT JUST RUBS PEOPLE THE WRONG WAY AND LEAVES A BAD TASTE IN REGULAR ARIZONANS' MOUTH, ANYONE WHO'S GOTTEN PULLED OVER AND GOTTEN A TICKET.

>> LET'S SAY YOU HAVE A GOVERNOR, NOT MENTIONS KH OR SOMEBODY ELSE BY NAME, AND SHE DIDN'T WANT LAWMAKERS TO COME TO THE CAPITOL AND VOTE ON A SPECIFIC BILL.

SHE COULD SEND OUT THE DPS AND SIDELINE YOU AND KEEP YOU FROM VOTING.

WHICH A, HAS NEVER HAPPENED, AND, B, AS KWON NGUYEN POINTED OUT, YOU ARE ASSUMING THE DPS WILL BE BULLIES AND HENCHMEN FOR THE GOVERNOR AND HOLD PEOPLE ASIDE AND SEE IF YOU'RE A LAWMAKER AND TRYING TO GET THERE FOR A VOTE.

FIRST OF ALL, YOU'RE ALREADY LATE, AND SHOULDN'T BE SPEEDING, AND B, YOU CALL UP THE SPEAKER, CALL THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND SAY I'M RUNG LATE, POSTPONE THE BILL.

TED: DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> OH, YEAH, IT MAKES SENSE.

FOR MY MONEY, I DON'T THINK IT WILL GET SENT TO THE BALLOT THIS YEAR.

I DON'T KNOW IF REPRESENTATIVE NGUYEN WILL TRY TO RESURRECT IT NEXT YEAR.

WHO KNOWS HOW MANY TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS WE'LL HAVE BETWEEN NOW AND NEXT YEAR.

>> ARE WE RUNNING AN OVER/UNDER ON THAT?

TED: THE IDEA OF BANNING LOBBYISTS FROM OFFICE FOR A CERTAIN TIME.

REPUBLICANS THINK THAT'S A REALLY GOOD IDEA, BUT THAT WOULD HURT A REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE.

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> THIS IS A LAST-MINUTE STRIKER AMENDMENT ON A BALLOT REFERRAL FROM SENATOR JAKE HOFFMAN, AND HIS ARGUMENT IS THAT, YEAH, IF YOU'RE A LOBBYIST, YOU SHOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO RUN FOR STATEWIDE OFFICE FOR TWO YEARS AFTER HAVING LEFT YOUR LOBBYING GIG.

IT'S SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TO WHAT LAWMAKERS HAVE TO LIVE UNDER NOW.

YOU GOT TO BE AWAY FOR A YEAR BEFORE YOU COME BACK AS A FORMER LAWMAKER TO BE A LOBBYIST, BUT THE TIMING OF THIS AND THE VERY SPECIFIC WORDING IS PRETTY CLEARLY POINTING AT KARRIN TAYLOR ROBSON, A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR, WHO JUST EARLIER THIS WEEK, RESIGNED OR WITHDREW LOBBYING RESOLUTION.

>> FOR RESOLUTION COPPER.

>> AND CITY OF PHOENIX.

>> AND FOR APS.

TED: SOUNDS LIKE THAT'S WHO HE'S TARGETING.

THE QUOTE IS KARRIN TAYLOR ROBSON IS A VALID EXAMPLE WHY LEGISLATION IS NEEDED.

JIM, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A STRONG HAND.

>> HE'S NOT HIDING WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

THE IDEA, THE PROHIBITION ON LOBBYING AFTER YOU ARE A LEGISLATOR, THE WHOLE IDEA IS YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LEAVE THE CAPITOL, GET A HIGH-PAYING JOB AND TURN AROUND AND LEVERAGE THE RELATIONSHIP US THAT BUILT WITHIN THE BUILDING, WITHIN THE HOUSE, THE SENATE, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

SO THIS FLIPS THAT ON ITS HEAD.

I DON'T KNOW THEY UNDERSTAND THE LOGIC OUTSIDE OF THE POLITICAL RETRIBUTION, THE LOGIC OF WELL, A LOBBYIST SHOULDN'T BECOME AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.

THAT'S NOT THE WAY THE POWER DYNAMIC TENDS TO WORK.

THE IDEA IS TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM PROFITING OFF OF THEIR PUBLIC SERVICE, AND THEN TURNING AROUND AND LINING THEIR POCKETS WITH THAT.

THIS KIND OF GOES THE OTHER WAY.

LOBBYISTS GET PAID WAY MORE THAN LEGISLATORS DO OR THAN THE GOVERNOR DOES, AND, YOU KNOW, SO OUTSIDE OF THE PURE POLITICS OF IT, AND JAKE HOFFMAN WANTS ANDY BIGGS TO BE THE NEXT GOVERNOR, AND THAT'S THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY I'M SURE, THAT'S REALLY WHAT THIS IS ABOUT STOPPING.

>> I LOVE THE WAY HE CRAFTED THIS.

BECAUSE OF THE FACT THERE WILL BE A CHANGE IN THE CONSTITUTION, WOULD HAVE TO GO TO THE BALLOT ON 2026, WHICH IS THE SAME YEAR, ASSUMING KARRIN SURVIVES THE PRIMARY, WOULD BE ON THE BALLOT.

AND ANYTHING ON THE BALLOT IS PERSPECTIVE ONLY.

IF YOU'RE A LOBBYIST FOR TWO YEARS BEFORE THE PRIMARY OF THAT YEAR, WHICH GOES BACK TO AUGUST OF 2024, YOU MEANT NOT THAT YOU CAN'T RUN, BUT THAT YOU CAN'T SERVE.

LET'S ASSUME THE SELECTION CERTIFIED ON NOVEMBER 23 OF 2026, SO THAT BECOMES PART OF THE CONSTITUTION.

NEW GOVERNOR DOESN'T TAKE OFFICE UNTIL THE FIRST DAY OF JANUARY OF 2027.

SO HE'S PHRASED IT IN A WAY THAT IT COULD AFFECT ONE PARTICULAR PERSON, AND WE ALL KNOW WHO THAT IS.

TED: YEAH, IS THIS REFERRED TO THE BALLOT, IS THIS A REFERRAL HERE OR SOMETHING VOTERS -- AGAIN -- >> THIS WOULD HAVE TO GO BEFORE VOTERS.

TED: AND VOTERS SAY WHAT?

>> TIED UP WITH THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, BUT YOU'RE GETTING WAY AHEAD OF YOURSELF, I DON'T THINK THIS IS GOING TO GO VERY FAR AT ALL.

TED: THAT'S KIND OF WHAT I WAS ASKING.

>> TO GET THIS THING ON THE BALLOT, YOU GOT TO HAVE 31-16 VOTES AND THE REPUBLICANS HOLD THE MAJORITY, AND NOT EVERY REPUBLICAN IS BACKING ANDY BIGGS FOR GOVERNOR.

>> THE OTHER HALF OF IT, DEPENDS WHERE THE DEMOCRATS FIT INTO THIS.

LET'S ASSUME THE DEMOCRATS WANT ANDY BIGGS TO BE THE NOMINEE FIGURING HE WOULD BE EASIER TO BEAT FOR KATIE.

THEY SAY LET'S PUT THIS ON THE BALLOT, HELP THE REPUBLICANS, THE ANTI-KARRIN TAYLOR ROBSON PEOPLE HAVE IT THERE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN.

SHE MIGHT FILE SUIT IF SHE WINS IN 2027.

THE DEMOCRATS SAY LET'S THROW IT ON THE BALLOT.

KEEP KAREN'S POSITION AS A LOBBYIST UNTIL LAST TUESDAY IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC THERE.

TED: A LITTLE JIU-JITSU THERE.

>> IF VOTERS WERE DECIDING NOT TO BACK KARRIN TAYLOR ROBSON THROUGH THE PRIMARY, IT WOULDN'T HELP DEMOCRATS ONE LICK.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

IF SHE'S NOT ABLE TO TAKE OFFICE, TO TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE, THEN THAT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS WHO WOULD THEN BECOME ELEVATED TO GOVERNOR FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE STATE'S HISTORY, QUITE THE INTRODUCTION TO HAVING A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

>> AND THAT'S THE FASCINATING PART.

UNDER THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S SYSTEM, AFTER THE PRIMARY, EACH CANDIDATE CHOOSES HIS OR HER OWN LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, WE WOULDN'T KNOW UNTIL SOMETIME AFTER AUGUST OF 2026, WHO KARRIN TAYLOR ROBSON, ASSUMING SHE'S THE NOMINEE, WOULD PICK, AND END UP FOLLOWING THE SCENARIO SHE COULDN'T TAKE OFFICE, WITH THE GOVERNOR BEING SOMEBODY THAT NOBODY EVER CHOSE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

TED: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE IDEA, MAYBE WENDY ROGERS, RUNNING FOR ANYTHING WITH BLACKMAN SOMEWHERE CLOSE BY.

THESE TWO PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING OVER A STOLEN VALOR BILL, THAT LOOKS TO ME, IT MAKES A HECK OF A LOT OF SENSE, BUT YOU TELL ME, WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT?

>> RODGERS AND REPRESENTATIVE BLACKMAN DON'T GET ALONG AT ALL.

THEY ARE SEAT MATES AND REPRESENT THE SAME DISTRICT, NO SIMPATICO THERE.

SO BLACKMAN INTRODUCES A BILL TO EXPAND ON THE FEDERAL STOLEN VALOR OF LAW SAYS, AND RODGERS OBJECTS, AND SAYS WAIT A MINUTE, SHE ASKED FOR CHANGES, LIKE JUST MAKE IT COMPORT WITH FEDERAL LAW, AND HE DISAGREED, AND THE BILL NEVER -- EVEN THOUGH IT GOT OUT OF THE HOUSE, IT NEVER CAME UP FOR A HEARING BEFORE ROGERS' COMMITTEE BECAUSE SHE CHAIRS THE COMMITTEE TO WHICH IT IS ASSIGNED, AND SENATE PRESIDENT PETERSEN SAID I EMPOWER MY PEOPLE.

IT'S UP TO HER.

.

TED: WHEN YOU ARE NOT A DECORATED MILITARY HERO?

>> ISN'T JUST THAT.

IT MAKES IT A CRIME, BUT NOT JUST CLAIMING THAT YOU ARE, SAY, A VIETNAM VETERAN.

IF YOU USE THAT TO GAIN STATE BENEFITS, AND SO ESSENTIALLY, IF YOU'RE DEFRAUDING THE GOVERNMENT IN ORDER TO GET BENEFITS OUT OF IT, THIS WHOLE THING STRETCHES BACK TO LAST YEAR'S ELECTION, AGAIN, PART OF THIS BATTLE OF THE WARRING AND POLITICAL FACTIONS IN THE RURAL ARIZONA DISTRICT, WALT BLACKMAN WAS RUNNING AGAINST STEVE SLAYTON, CLAIMED TO BE A VIETNAM VETERAN.

VETERANS GROUPS SAID NO, HE'S NOT.

WE HAVE HIS FORM FROM THE PENTAGON.

HE DIDN'T SERVE IN VIETNAM.

HE IS A VETERAN, BUT NOT IN VIETNAM LIKE HE SAID.

I THINK HE WAS IN KOREA.

TED: A DECORATED VETERAN TOO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AT SOME POINT DURING THE BACK AND FORTH OF THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, SLAYTON FORGED A DOCUMENT TO PROVE HE WAS IN VIETNAM, WENDY ROGERS WAS ALIGNED WITH STEVE SLAYTON WHILE [NO AUDIO] .

.

>> AND AGAIN, WHEN I WAS A CHILD AND WALKED UPHILL TO SCHOOL BOTH WAYS IN THE SNOW, I CAME HERE IN THE 80s, AND MARY JO, A LITTLE AFTER THAT, THERE WAS POLITICS BUT PEOPLE, IT WAS NOT PERSONAL.

IT WAS NOT, THIS IS VITRIOL THAT WE SEE NOW.

NOW IT'S VERY PERSONAL, AND IT'S BECOME I AM ATTACKING YOU, NOT JUST OF WHAT YOU THINK BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE YOU, I DON'T LIKE THE WAY YOU SMELL, I DON'T LIKE THE WAY YOU COMB YOUR HAIR, AND ALL BECOME PERSONAL AND THAT'S ALL THAT'S GOING ON HERE.

TED: IS THAT ALL THAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> I THINK SO.

IT'S INTERESTING, I THINK ROGERS IS IN HER THIRD TERM, SHE'S GOING TO TERM OUT IN THE SENATE, AND WOULD SHE TRY TO TAKE ON REPRESENTATIVE BLACKMAN AND THE HOUSE, WOULD THEY SWAP SEATS?

OBVIOUSLY PROBABLY NOT UNDER ANY KIND OF AGREEMENT, SO IT MIGHT KEEP PLAYING OUT.

WE GOT ANOTHER YEAR.

ANOTHER THREE YEARS.

TED: DON'T HAVE OVERTIME FOR TONIGHT.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

APPRECIATE IT.

THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.