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

WE'LL LOOK AT THE WEEK'S TOP STORIES, INCLUDING A BILL SIGNED BY GOVERNOR HOBBS TO CRACK DOWN ON CAMPUS PROTESTERS.

THAT'S NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

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

I'M STEVE GOLDSTEIN IN FOR TED SIMONS TONIGHT.

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

JOINING US JEREMY DUDA OF AXIOS PHOENIX, HIS WIFE IS EMPLOYED BY ARIZONA PBS.

AND MARK BRODIE WITH KJZZ AND CAMRYN SANCHEZ WITH KJZZ.

GOVERNOR HOBBS SIGNED LEGISLATION REGARDING ADVERSITY CAMPUS.

>> THIS WAS ONE THAT WAS INTRODUCED BY ALMA HERNANDEZ, A DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER, HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN THE LEGISLATURE, AND IT'S BASICALLY BANNING STUDENTS WHO BUILD UP THESE BIG ENCAMPMENTS AT STATE UNIVERSITIES.

IT GIVES THE UNIVERSITIES POWER TO GET RID OF THEM AND THE STUDENTS COULD BE CHARGED WITH TRESPASSING.

SO THERE WERE DEFINITELY DEBATES ABOUT HOW SPECIFIC THE BILL IS AND WHETHER OR NOT THIS COULD BE USED AS TOO MUCH OF A WEAPON AGAINST STUDENTS BECAUSE THERE IS CONCERN ABOUT CENSORSHIP AND STUDENTS' RIGHTS AT UNIVERSITIES.

THAT WAS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION, BUT I THINK THE GOVERNOR DECIDED IT WAS NARROW ENOUGH.

STEVE: JEREMY, ALMA HERNANDEZ WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE OF THE PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTS AND GAZA AND STUDENTS FELT THREATENED.

>> SHE IS JEWISH AND IT'S VERY MUCH ON THE RADAR AS IT HAS WITH LOT OF FOLKS NATIONWIDE, LENDED BIPARTISANSHIP THERE, I THINK MOST OF THE DEMOCRATS WERE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS BILL.

THERE WERE FEW ON THAT SIDE WITH REPRESENTATIVE HERNANDEZ AND THAT MADE IT A LOT EASIER FOR GOVERNOR HOBBS TO SIGN THAT.

I WONDER WITH THAT TOO, HAS THE GOVERNOR SAID ANYTHING WITH RELATION TO THAT, STRANGE BEDFELLOWS INDEED.

>> PUBLIC COMMENTS ABOUT THAT, SHE'S GOT A RE-ELECTION COMING UP.

THERE ARE AREAS SHE'S GOING TO GET HAMMERED BY THE REPUBLICANS.

SHE'S A DEMOCRAT, AND MOST OF HER POSITION IS MAINSTREAM DEMOCRATIC, THEY TRIED TO TAKE A MORE CENTRIST TONE, AND THIS IS AN ISSUE WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ITSELF, PRO-PALESTINIAN, ANTI-ISRAEL PROTEST MOVEMENT VERY MUCH SPLIT THE PARTY.

STEVE: CAMRYN, THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW GOVERNOR HOBBS HAS SIGNED DOES.

THIS HAVE ANYTHING IN COMMON WITH WHAT SHE SIGNED.

FEEL POLITICAL IN THE SENSE SHE'S GET READY FOR RE-ELECTION?

>> AS JEREMY SAID, SHE WANTS TO DO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING GOING INTO 2026, AND WHERE IT'S POSSIBLE, LOOK FOR BIPARTISANSHIP.

THERE'S A TREND IN THE VETOED BILLS THAT ALMOST ALL ARE BILLS THAT PASSED COMPLETELY ON PARTY LINES OR HAD ONE DEMOCRAT MAX IN SUPPORT OF THE LEGISLATURE, AND SO THOSE, I THINK, IT'S NOT SURPRISING SHE'S VETOING, BUT ONES THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF DEMOCRATS ON BOARD ARE LIKELY TO GO THROUGH.

STEVE: DO WE KNOW REACTION FROM ASU, U OF A, BOARD OF REGENTS?

>> I DON'T BELIEVE THEY WERE ASKING FOR THE BILL, WHICH IS INTERESTING.

THEY SAID WE NEED THE TOOL IN THE LAW BECAUSE STUDENTS ARE HARASSED.

THEY WERE FAIRLY QUIET.

IT'S AN INTERESTING SIDE OF THINGS.

STEVE: SAME THING YOU ARE HEARING, JEREMY.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE UNIVERSITY SAID, FOLKS AREN'T HAPPY ABOUT IT.

WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME TO SEE SOMETHING ENSUE ON THIS ON THE FIRST AMENDMENT GROUNDS.

THERE IS LANGUAGE A LITTLE TOO VAGUE FOR OPPONENTS OVERNIGHT ENCAMPMENTS AND PROLONGED ENCAMPMENTS WHICH I DON'T THINK IS DEFINED.

THAT STANDS TO REASON IF IT IS BOTH, PROLONGED DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN OVERNIGHT.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

AND I THINK THERE ARE FOLKS WHO HAVE CONCERNS OVER IS THIS GOING TO BE USED TO SHUT DOWN -- ON BOTH SIDES WE HAD FEW FOLKS ON THE RIGHT, REPUBLICANS WHO SAY, OKAY, IF SOMEONE USES THIS TO SHUT DOWN SPEECH ON UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, WHO ARE THEY GOING AFTER?

>> TO JEREMY'S POINT, THE ISSUE OF WHAT DOES PROLONGED TIME MEAN?

ONE OF THE LAWMAKERS IS TALKING ABOUT, WHAT IF TURNING POINT USA IS OUT THERE SETTING UP A SHADE STRUCTURE WHEN IT'S HOT IN SEPTEMBER TRYING TO REGISTER VOTERS, IF THEY'RE THERE FOUR OR FIVE HOURS, IS THAT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME?

DOES THE LAW ALLOW IT TO BE SHUT DOWN.

>> NOT INTERRUPTING EDUCATION, AND SOME CASES HE'S SAYING THE ENCAMPMENTS WERE SORT OF DOING THAT.

STEVE: CAMRYN, LET'S GO TO ONE WE DON'T EXPECT THE GOVERNOR TO SIGN.

A BILL BY WENDY ROGERS AND ARIZONA HOSPITALS THAT ACCEPT MEDICAID PAYMENTS AND ANY PATIENT IS GOING TO BE ASKED ABOUT IMMIGRATION STATUS.

I CAN'T IMAGINE THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO SIGN THIS.

WHAT'S IMPORTANT ABOUT THE BILL?

>> I FEEL CONFIDENT SAYING I DON'T EXPECT HER TO SIGN IT.

THIS IS DEFINITELY A REPUBLICAN BILL.

PUSHED BY SENATOR WENDY ROGERS.

I DON'T THINK MOST OF HER BILLS GET THROUGH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

THIS BILL WOULD BASICALLY DO WHAT YOU SAID, WHICH IS ASK PEOPLE COMING IN FOR TREATMENT ABOUT THE IMMIGRATION STATUS, AND SENATOR ROGERS HAS BEEN VAGUE WHAT SHE WANTS TO COME OUT OF BILL.

SHE SAID IT'S NOT NECESSARILY ABOUT DEPORTATION, I THINK IT'S GOOD INFORMATION TO HAVE, BUT DEMOCRATS AND OPPONENTS ARE SKEPTICAL OF THAT.

THEY'RE LIKE THIS IS CLEARLY PART OF AGENDA TO FERRET OUT IMMIGRANTS AND CREATE A NARRATIVE HOW THEY'RE USING OUR RESOURCES.

STEVE: YEAH, AND UNDER THE TERMS OF THE BILL -- >> THE INFORMATION COULD NOT BE TURNED OVER TO IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES BUT SEEN A LOT OF BLURRING OF THE LINES UNDER THE NEW TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, WHERE ACCESS TO INFORMATION THAT MAYBE IS SUPPOSED TO BE COMPARTMENTALIZED IS NOT SHUNTED OFF FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER.

THE WALLS ARE COMING DOWN A BIT.

AND SECONDLY, IF YOU'RE COLLECTING THIS INFORMATION, THERE'S A REASON.

AS CAMRYN SAID, LOOK WHAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS COSTING US.

IS IT MORE THAN THAT?

NOW, IF YOU CHECK THE BOX NOW, WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE WHERE, YOU LIVE AND KNOW WHERE TO FIND YOU.

STEVE: MARK, CONSIDERING SENATOR ROGERS IS THAT IMMIGRATION HARD-LINE, WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING HERE?

>> THAT'S A FAIR ASSESSMENT.

CRITICISMS THAT DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING IS LOOK, IF PEOPLE KNOW THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE QUESTIONED ABOUT IMMIGRATION STATUS WHEN THEY GO TO THE HOSPITAL, IF THEY'RE NERVOUS ABOUT THAT, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL, WHICH IS WHAT THE ARGUMENT THAT WE HEARD ABOUT DURING MEDICAID EXPANSION AND OTHERS WHEN PEOPLE DON'T GO TO THE DOCTOR, SO THEY END UP GOING TO THE ER FOR THINGS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN TREATED EARLIER ON WHICH BECOME MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE AND MUCH WORSE OUTCOME FOR PATIENTS, IF PATIENTS NEED THE HOSPITAL AND AREN'T GOING, IT'S BAD NEWS FOR THE PATIENTS.

STEVE: CAMRYN, CONSIDERING FEDERAL CUTS WE'RE GOING TO SEE, THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT ACCESS IN ARIZONA, IS THERE SOMETHING TO BE SAID IF SOMEONE PERHAPS SOMEONE OTHER THAN SENATOR ROGERS ARE PUSHING THIS.

IS THERE A CASE TO BE MADE BY CONVENTIONAL FOLKS, IT'S GOOD HAVE THE DATA BECAUSE WE NEED TO KNOW THE NUMBERS TO KNOW HOW MUCH WE'RE SPENDING.

COULD IT BE SOMETHING VALUABLE FOR THE STATE TO KNOW?

>> I'M SURE THAT'S PART OF THE MEASURED ARGUMENT.

AS A JOURNALIST, I LOVE DATA.

I LOVE A GOOD GRAPH, A NUMBER, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH CARE, IS THIS A PARTICULAR DATA SET THAT WE NEED IS PART OF THE QUESTION.

DO WE NEED TO KNOW SOMEONE'S IMMIGRATION STATUS WHEN TREATING THEM, AND DOES THAT AFFECT OUR SYSTEM?

I CONTINUING DOES COME DOWN TO JEREMY MENTIONED THE COST OF OUR RACE VERSUS HOW MUCH ARE WE WILLING TO SPEND TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY WITHOUT DOCUMENTATION?

THAT IS SOMETHING PEOPLE ARE OPPOSED TO.

AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WOULD SAY MAYBE IT'S GOOD THOSE PEOPLE DON'T GO TO THE HOSPITAL AND USE UP OUR RESOURCES IF THAT IS A RESULT OF THE BILL.

>> I'M ASKING FOR A LOT OF UNOFFICIAL PREDICTIONS HERE.

STEVE: IS THIS WHERE IF THE GOVERNOR DOES VETO IT, WE COULD SEE AN END AROUND AND IT COULD GO TO THE VOTERS?

>> MAYBE, THE LEGISLATION IS NOT SHY ABOUT SENDING ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING TO THE BALLOT.

WE HAD A TWO-PAGE BALLOT LAST YEAR.

THE ARIZONA ICE ACT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S GOING TO MAKE ITS WAY TO THE BALLOT.

THIS ONE, ONLY SO MANY THINGS CAN YOU REFER TO A BALLOT, AND SO MANY BALLOT PROPS THAT VOTERS READ.

STEVE: MARK, LET'S GO TO THE LEGISLATIVE BREAK, I THINK THERE WAS A TIME, WHEN YOUR HAIR WASN'T AS GRAY AS TIME.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WHEN YOU WERE DOWN AT THE LEGISLATURE, DIDN'T FEEL LIKE LAWMAKERS TOOK A FEW WEEKS' BREAK IN MAY BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T SETTLE SOMETHING.

TO QUOTE TED SIMONS IN THE CHAIR, WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> THEY'RE BASICALLY AT THAT POINT IN THE SESSION WHERE COMMITTEE WORK HAS BEEN DONE FOR A WHILE.

THEY'VE GONE THROUGH A LOT OF THE BILLS THEY HAVE TO VOTE ON IN EITHER THE FULL HOUSE OR SENATE, AND AT THE POINT WHERE IT'S A BUDGET AND OUTSTANDING ISSUES THAT MIGHT BE TIED UP IN THE BUDGET, NOT SPECIFICALLY IN THE BUDGET, BUT YOU DO THE BUDGET AND FINISH UP THE LAST FEW THINGS LIKE PROP 123, THINGS LIKE THAT, THEY DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH TO DO, SO I THINK THEY'RE THINKING IS, AND WHAT THEY'VE DONE IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS IS LET'S SEND EVERYBODY HOME, WE'LL KEEP THE PEOPLE WORKING ON THE BUDGET HAMMER OUT AN AGREEMENT, LET'S FOCUS ON THAT AND GET THAT DONE.

MANY YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS AT THE CAPITOL, A LAWMAKER, WHO WILL NOT NAME HERE, TOLD ME THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN BAD IDEAS COME FORWARD BECAUSE LAWMAKERS ARE BORED, THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO, THEY TRY TO GET THINGS DONE THAT OTHERWISE MAYBE WOULDN'T HAVE THE TIME TO GET DONE, SO YOU KNOW, IN THAT SENSE, MAYBE IT'S NOT THE WORST THING IN THE WORLD TO SEND THE LAWMAKERS HOME AND FOCUS ON THE BUDGET.

STEVE: IF THERE ARE BAD IDEAS HAVE, PEOPLE GO ON A BREAK.

HOW MUCH PRESSURE DOES IT PUT ON NEGOTIATING THE BUDGET?

>> WE'RE A COUPLE MONTHS AWAY FROM THE HARD CORE TICKING CLOCK.

NO POINT IN RUSHING.

WE GOT A MONTH AND A HALF BEFORE THE STATE RUNS OUT OF MONEY AND THERE'S NO BUDGET.

THIS DEFINITELY SPEAKS TO THE LACK OF PROGRESS, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF MAY IN TERMS OF GETTING A BUDGET TOGETHER, THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATIVE REPUBLICANS ARE OBVIOUSLY NOWHERE NEAR THE SAME PAGE, I'M NOT ENTIRELY SURE THAT THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE.

I SPOKE THE OTHER DAY WITH SENATOR KAVANAGH WHO CHAIRS THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.

THE HOUSE IS NOT QUITE SO KEEN ON THAT, MAYBE THE REPUBLICANS IN THE TWO CHAMBERS AREN'T NECESSARILY TOGETHER.

PHILOSOPHICALLY GOING TO BE FAIRLY CLOSE, MUCH CLOSER THAN THE GOVERNOR.

AND GOVERNOR IS SAYING SHOW ME YOUR BUDGET, GIVE ME YOUR BUDGET, WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS NOT SOMETHING SHE WOULD SUPPORT, IT FEELS LIKE WE'RE FAR AWAY, THOUGH IT'S ONLY LESS THAN TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE FISCAL YEAR ENDS.

STEVE: CAMRYN, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> SINCE I'VE BEEN COVERING THE CAPITOL, THEY DO THIS EVERY SINGLE TIME.

LOVE IT OR HATE IT.

LAST YEAR THEY WENT DOWN TO A ONE-DAY A WEEK WORK WEEK.

LOVE IT OR HATE IT, I THINK IT IS HOPEFULLY AT TIMES TO HUNKER DOWN AND FOCUS ON THE BUDGET, THERE'S A DEADLINE FOR THAT, UNLIKE OTHER THINGS, WE HAVE TO HAVE A BUDGET BY JUNE 30th BECAUSE OF THE END OF FISCAL YEAR.

YOU WANT TO HOPE THEY'RE MAKING PROGRESS ON THAT AND EVERYONE IS NOT LYING ON THE BEACH SOMEWHERE.

STEVE: ONE THING TO KEEP IN MIND, WE HEARD FROM THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET ANALYST THAT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THE STATE IS EXPECTED TO HAVE EXTRA IS TRIMMED WAY DOWN FROM 600 SOMETHING MILLION TO 200 SOMETHING MILLION.

>> THAT'S SOMETHING LAWMAKERS HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND, ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT A PER MEMBER ALLOCATION THING.

THESE ARE NEWER NUMBERS THAN MAYBE WHAT LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR WERE THINKING ABOUT EARLY IN THE YEAR THAT HAVE TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION.

STEVE: WHEN THERE'S LESS MONEY TO SPEND, THEY'LL GET OUT FASTER.

>> THAT'S CONVENTIONAL WISDOM.

STEVE: DO WE KNOW WHAT RELATIONSHIP GOVERNOR HOBBS HAS WITH THE APPROPRIATORS, THERE ARE SESSIONS WHERE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES GET ALONG.

I IMAGINE THEY DON'T FIT IN THE JAKE HOFFMAN CAMP.

ARE THEY CLOSER IN COMING TOGETHER ON THINGS?

>> THEY'VE HAD TO DO IT A COUPLE YEARS WITH HOBBS, HOPEFULLY IT GOES THROUGH SMOOTHER.

I SUSPECT SHE'LL WANT A BIPARTISAN BUDGET AGAIN, WHICH MAKES SENSE, BECAUSE IT'S A GOP LEGISLATURE BUT A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR, SOMETHING LIKE SHE'S GOING TO FORCE THEM TO DO.

IN TERMS OF HER RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM RIGHT NOW.

SHE DID PUT OUT A STATEMENT CRITICIZING THEM FOR TAKING A BREAK AND BASICALLY DOING NOTHING AND HASN'T MADE PROGRESS, MAYBE THAT'S AN INSIGHT INTO HER THOUGHT PROCESS.

STEVE: JEREMY, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> THAT STATEMENT DID NOT SPEAK WELL TO THE RELATIONSHIP, AND YEAH, THERE HAS TO BE BIPARTISANSHIP ON THE BUDGET.

YOU CAN'T GET A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR TO SIGN A BUDGET WITH ONLY REPUBLICAN VOTES.

SENATOR KAVANAGH SAID LEAVE IT TO THE GOVERNOR TO HERD DEMOCRAT CATS AND WE'LL HERD OUR SIDE.

MAYBE PERHAPS THE GOVERNOR NEGOTIATING ON THEIR BEHALF AND CHECKING IN WITH THEM AND SAYING HEY, IS THIS GOOD WITH YOU?

LET'S GET IT DONE.

STEVE: MARK, LET'S SEE IF SHE HAS MORE SUCCESS HERDING THE DEMOCRATIC CATS.

WE'RE HEARING TEN COUNTY CHAIRS SIGNING A LETTER OF NO CONFIDENCE IN ESSENCE.

WHERE'S THE BUDGET, WHERE'S THE PLAN, WHAT ARE WE DOING?

BRANSON WAS UNKNOWN TO MANY OF US, IS THIS SOUR GRAPES?

IS IT HE'S NOT FULFILLING HIS DUTIES?

>> SEEMS AS THOUGH THE DEMOCRATS, AT LEAST THE ACTIVISTS IN THE PARTY, ARE MORE UNHAPPY THAN NOT WITH HOW HE IS RUNNING THINGS, IN TERMS OF THERE'S A CONTROVERSY ABOUT FIRING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR MAYBE NOT, THERE ARE CONCERNS AS YOU REFERENCED ABOUT THE BUDGET, THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT THE DINNER THAT NOBODY ENDED UP GOING, TO THEY ENDED UP CANCELING.

THE ONLY SILVER LINING FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS IT'S 2025 AND NOT 2026, BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM IF YOU ARE PREPARING FOR ELECTIONS IN SIX MONTHS AS OPPOSED TO 14 OR 15 MONTHS.

STEVE: WHEN YOU HAVE SENATOR MARK KELLY, SENATOR RUBEN GALLEGO NOT THRILLED WITH THE CHAIR, REGARDLESS OF WHAT MOTIVATION IS, THAT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A GOOD SIGN.

>> GOVERNOR HOBBS, ATTORNEY GENERAL MAYES AND FONTES, SAYING THIS GUY ISN'T DOING THE JOB.

RIGHT NOW IT'S 2025, THE CLOCK TICKS FAST.

BEFORE WE KNOW IT, IT'S GOING TO BE THE ELECTION.

THE LAST THING YOU WANT IS TO HAVE THAT INTERNAL DISCORD.

THAT STRIFE.

THE STATE YOU NEED TO REGISTER VOTERS, PASS FEDERAL DOLLARS FOR YOUR NATIONAL COMMITTEES AND GOT TO WONDER HOW THAT'S GOING TO GO, IF THINGS DON'T CHANGE, IF BRANSON STICKS AROUND, REMEMBER MANY YEARS AGO, YOU SAW SENATOR McCAIN GETTING INTO FIGHTS WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, YOU WOULD TELL THE RNC, DON'T SEND MONEY TO THIS GUY, SEND IT TO THIS COUNTY OR THAT COUNTY WHERE THE CHAIRMAN IS AN ALLY, THAT IS NOT QUITE AS GOOD, IF IT'S LAST RESORT, FOR YOU KELLY AND GALLEGO, YOU CAN REDIRECT THE MONEY.

STEVE: CAMRYN, BACK WHEN HE WAS AN UNKNOWN, DID THAT SHOCK THE POWERS THAT BE, AND THEY'RE LIKE WAIT A SECOND, THIS IS NOT THE PERSON WE BACKED, I'M NOT SURE WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO.

I WONDER IF SOME OF THAT IS COMING INTO PLAY?

>> PROBABLY TO A DEGREE.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHO HE WAS EITHER, NOT TO OUT MYSELF AS I BAD REPORTER.

HE IS A NEW COMER AND THEY DIDN'T PUT THEIR WEIGHT BEHIND HIM.

IT'S NOT BEEN THAT LONG SINCE HE'S BEEN IN OFFICE.

A FEW MONTHS.

THINGS ESCALATED QUICKLY.

I'M NOT SURE IF I THINK HE'S GOING TO STICK AROUND FOR THE 2026 ELECTION.

STEVE: THAT'S SOMETHING TO WATCH, TOO.

HAVE YOU HEARD BUZZ ABOUT THAT?

>> I HAVEN'T SO FAR.

I'M SURPRISED WE HAVEN'T SEEN MORE MOVEMENT BY NOW.

HE'S DIGGING IN HIS HEELS SO FAR.

STEVE: MARK, SOME OF THE STUFF IS INSIDER, THERE IS THE PRACTICALITY OF RAISING MONEY.

DO YOU THINK DEMOCRATS MIGHT GET WHERE THEY ARE DESPERATE ENOUGH TO MAKE A MOVE LIKE THIS OR DOES BRANSCOMB HAVE SOME KUMBAYA?

>> HE WAS THE OVERWHELMING FAVORITE OF THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED IN THAT ELECTION, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THERE HAVE BEEN CALLS FOR HIM TO STEP ASIDE, AND SEEMS LIKE THE CURRENT SITUATION DOESN'T SEEM PARTICULARLY TENABLE TO GO FORWARD.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU SUSTAIN THIS FOR MANY MONTHS GOING ON, SO IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THEY'RE EITHER GOING TO HAVE TO GET ON THE SAME PAGE OR HE EITHER RESIGNS OR THEY FORCE HIM OUT.

TO JEREMY'S POINT, THE CLOCK DOES TICK QUICKLY, THOUGH WE'RE A YEAR PLUS AWAY NOW.

THE YEAR GOES FAST.

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING DEMOCRATS WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT CANDIDATES GETTING ELECTED OR RE-ELECTED.

STEVE: JEREMY, YOUR COLLEAGUES AT AXIOS, KARRIN TAYLOR ROBSON NOT GETTING IT?

REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST TOLD COLLEAGUES AT AXIOS, UNFORTUNATELY, THIS CANDIDATE HAS SINGLE HANDEDLY ASSURED.

SO WHAT HAPPENED HERE?

SHE GOT THE ENDORSEMENT INITIALLY AND THEN DIDN'T IMMEDIATELY SPEND ENOUGH MONEY TELLING THE WORLD SHE GOT THE ENDORSEMENT?

>> ROBSON HIRED FOLKS FOR HER CAMPAIGN, THE TOP PEOPLE ON PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN, BIG NAMES IN THE POLITICAL WORLD, AND THAT CARRIES A LOT OF CACHET, KEEPS THE PRESIDENT FROM BACKING OUT OF THE ENDORSEMENT.

HE DID ENDORSE ANDY BIGGS, A DUAL ENDORSEMENT WHICH IS NOT GOOD NEWS FOR ROBSON, AND FRAB RIZIO AND OTHER CAMPAIGN VETERANS, THEY WANTED KARRIN TAYLOR ROBSON TO START RUNNING TV ADS VERY EARLY ABOUT THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT.

SHE STARTED RUNNING THE ADS AND WE'RE WONDERING WHAT'S THE POINT OF RUNG TV ADS THIS EARLY IN THE CAMPAIGN.

THEY WANTED THEM EARLIER, IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LISTEN TO US, WE'RE GOING TO GET OUT.

THIS IS VERY INSIDER STUFF, BUT I THINK THAT TELEGRAPHED THE FOLKS IN TRUMP'S ORBIT, FOLKS AT MAR-A-LAGO, IF THEY WERE LOOKING TO BACK HER UP, MAYBE THEY'LL LOOK ELSEWHERE.

I THINK THERE WAS A COMMENT.

>> MY COLLEAGUE'S STORY, SHE LED THEM TO BELIEVE, SHE WAS GOING TO USE PERSONAL FUNDS TO PAY FOR THE ADS.

LAST CAMPAIGN, SHE SPENT $20 MILLION OUT OF HER OWN POCKET.

I HEARD SPECULATION, PEOPLE WONDERING IS SHE GOING TO SPEND HER OWN MONEY THIS TIME LIKE LAST TIME AND GOING TO BE AN ISSUE THAT HASN'T COME TO THE FORE YET?

WE HAVEN'T SEEN A RESPONSE FROM HER.

ONLY RESPONSE IS SHE PUT OUT A PRESS RELEASE, SHE WAS RUNG THE EARLIEST TV ADS IN ARIZONA GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN HISTORY, WHICH WAS KIND OF A STRANGE MOVE, BUT WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT THE FALLOUT IS.

IT'S VERY EARLY.

STEVE: SHE RAISED MONEY FOR OTHER CANDIDATES.

TRUMP ORBIT CHANGES THINGS FOR FOLKS, BUT DOES FEEL LIKE SHE WAS GOING TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY BUT NOT WHEN PEOPLE WERE PAYING ATTENTION.

>> THE WHOLE TV AD THING FEELS LIKE A FISHING EXPEDITION TO ME.

YOU CAN'T BE OUR CANDIDATE BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T RUN YOUR TV ADS EARLY ENOUGH.

SHE LITERALLY MADE HEADLINES BY RUNG THEM AS EARLY AS SHE HAS.

I THINK THAT WAS JUST -- I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO START A CONSPIRACY THEORY, BUT THAT WAS A STRANGE EXCUSE.

WHAT MAYBE HAPPENED WAS TRUMP WAS TOLD BY CONSULTANTS HE SHOULD ENDORSE TAYLOR ROBSON, SHE HAD A SHOT AT WINNING AND GOT A WHOLE AVALANCHE OF PUSHBACK FROM CHARLIE KIRK, JAKE HOFFMAN SAYING WHY WOULD YOU ENDORSE THIS LADY WHO WENT AGAINST KARI LAKE, OUR DARLING.

WHY WOULD YOU ENDORSE SOMEONE WHO IS SHOW, NOT A PROPER REPUBLICAN, AND ANDY BIGGS FOR THE LAST MONTH IS LIKE HEY, HEY, HEY, I'VE BEEN LOYAL TO YOU, I LOVE YOU, ENDORSE ME, I SUPPORTED YOU, I HATE HER.

THE DOUBLE ENDORSEMENT IS A HUGE BLOW TO HER CAMPAIGN.

IT'S URGING HER TO NUDGE OUT.

STEVE: MARK, BRIEFLY, THE ANDY BIGGS ELEMENT HERE CHANGES THINGS QUITE A BIT.

GO BACK TO JANUARY 6.

HE WAS VERY, VERY LOYAL TO THEN PRESIDENT TRUMP AS WELL.

I COME BACK TO THE DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN.

POOR KARRIN TAYLOR ROBSON.

YES, LAKE IS A DARLING, BIGGS IS GOING TO BE A TRUMP DARLING AS WELL.

>> CAMRYN IS RIGHT, WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP ENDORSED ANDY BIGGS AS WELL AS KARRIN TAYLOR ROBSON, HE DID ENDORSE HER, BUT HE ALSO ENDORSED HER OPPONENT IN THE PRIMARY, WHO A LOT OF THE MAGA FOLKS ARE MUCH MORE FAVORABLE ON THAN KARRIN TAYLOR ROBSON.

THAT'S A TOUGH ONE FOR HER.

>> WHO CARES ABOUT TV ADS THIS EARLY ANYWAY?

IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THAT CHANGES ANYTHING.

THE SECOND BIGGS JUMPED INTO THE RACE, THERE'S A DUAL ENDORSEMENT OR HE'S GOING TO CHANGE HIS ENDORSEMENT.

HE SAID THEY'RE BOTH GREAT CANDIDATES, I DIDN'T KNOW ANDY WAS GOING TO RUN.

EVERYONE EXPECTED THAT.

SO I'M NOT REALLY SURE, IS THERE POLLING NUMBERS, NO VOTERS ARE PAYING ATTENTION ENOUGH RIGHT NOW FOR A TV AD TO START MOVING POLL NUMBERS, SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THE ADS CONTINUE, BECAUSE HOW LONG SHE'S GOING TO STAY ON THE AIR, THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM, YOU DON'T WANT TO GO ON THE AIR IN A CAMPAIGN UNTIL YOU CAN AFFORD TO STAY ON THROUGH ELECTION DAY.

WITH THE TREMENDOUS RESOURCES, EVEN THOSE HAVE LIMITS.

15-MONTH TV CAMPAIGN.

STEVE: FEELS LIKE I'M AGING MYSELF, LIKE OPRAH, YOU GET AN ENDORSEMENT, YOU GET AN ENDORSEMENT.

>> I THINK IT MIGHT BE THE ENDORSEMENT AND NO FURTHER RESOURCES.

DOUBLE ENDORSING IS SOMETHING I'VE SEEN HIM DO BEFORE.

HE DID IT WITH ABE HAMADEH AND BLAKE MASTERS AND BASICALLY MEANS IF YOU HAVE TWO HORSES IN THE RACE, YOU ARE GUARANTEED A WIN.

I THINK IT MIGHT NOT BE WANTING TO SAY I MADE A MISTAKE, I WAS WRONG AND HAVING TO ROLL BACK THE ENDORSEMENT.

IF YOU CAN CONVINCE YOUR CANDIDATE TO JUST LEAVE.

STEVE: MARK FINAL TOPIC, MORE INFIGHTING AMONG REPUBLICANS, REPUBLICANS IN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WITH NEW COUNTY RECORDER JUSTIN HEAP.

I'M GOING TO READ FROM X, SUPERVISOR DEBBIE LESKO REALLY HOPING WE CAN GET ELECTION AGREEMENT WITH JUSTIN HEAP SOON, PROPOSED AGREEMENT 23 DAYS AGO ON APRIL 12 BASED ON SUGGESTIONS, WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM HIM.

THERE'S THE START OF IT, AND HEAP FALLING IN LINE WITH WHAT ADRIAN FONTES WANTED TO DO, SENDING BALLOTS TO PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T REQUEST THEM?

>> FOR THE SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION THIS SUMMER TO REPLACE THE LATE RAUL GRIJALVA.

IT'S SUCH A SMALL NUMBER OF VOTERS, THIS IS A PIMA COUNTY, SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, MAYBE 100 OR SOME ODD VOTERS IN MARICOPA COUNTY THAT HE SAID THEY'RE IN RURAL AREAS, THEY'RE A LONG WAY AWAY FROM VOTING CENTERS OR PLACES, WE'LL SEND THEM BALLOTS.

WHEN HE WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE, HE WAS OPPOSED TO THE CONCEPT OF SENDING BALLOTS TO PEOPLE NOT ON THE ACTIVE EARLY VOTING LIST OR WHO REQUESTED THEM.

STEVE: YEAH, AND MAKES ME THINK OF THE RECOUNT AND THE CRAZINESS THAT WENT ON WITH THAT.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT JUSTIN HEAP IS DOING, JEREMY, DO YOU?

>> NO, I'M BAFFLED BECAUSE THE LAW, THERE'S NOTHING IN THE LAW THAT SAYS YOU CAN DO THIS.

SITUATIONS WHERE YOU CAN SEND BALLOTS TO FOLKS WHO DIDN'T REQUEST, IT DISTRICTS AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS WHERE ALL-MAIL ELECTION, AND WE GOT A PRECINCT OF FEWER THAN 300 PEOPLE FOR PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE ELECTION, IT'S AN ALL-MAIL BALLOT.

IT'S EXPLICIT THE ONLY ELECTION IT APPLIES TO IS A PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY.

NOT THIS.

THE LETTERS ON TWITTER, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF TOLD THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, IT'S THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THEY SIGNED OFF AND RACHEL MITCHELL SAID ABSOLUTELY NOT, THIS IS ILLEGAL.

ADRIAN FONTES A FEW YEARS AGO SAID HE WAS GOING TO SEND BALLOTS TO EVERYONE.

THE REPUBLICANS TOOK HIM TO COURT.

KATIE HOBBS, SAID YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THIS, THAT'S ILLEGAL.

YOU LOST THAT.

SO THE LAW SEEMS FAIRLY CLEAR ON THIS.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE LEGAL RATIONALE IS THAT THEY THINK THEY'RE PERMITTED TO DO THIS.

STEVE: FINAL FEW SECONDS, CAMRYN?

>> IT'S FUNNY.

ONE OF THE FURTHER RIGHT REPUBLICANS PUSHING IT THROUGH CHIEF OF STAFF, AND AUTOMATICALLY DEBBIE LESKO, ISN'T THAT WHAT FONTES DID?

WE DON'T LIKE THAT.

WE DON'T WANT TO SET THE PRECEDENT TO SEND OUT MORE MAIL-IN BALLOTS TO PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T REQUEST THEM.

AND FONTES SAYS DON'T COMPARE HIM TO ME.

STEVE: PANEL, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THAT IS IT TONIGHT FOR "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M STEVE GOLDSTEIN IN FOR TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I love working at Arizona PBS for many reasons.

The people, I'm fortunate to wor with, some really talented individuals -I was shocked, Like I was going to work for the place that produced Sesame Street.

I love that we have such a strong community impact.