>> Ted: COMING UP NEXT ON THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF ARIZONA HORIZON, IT'S A DEBATE BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES FOR ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL AND A CLEAN ELECTION'S DEBATE AND NEXT RIGHT HERE ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

>> WELCOME TO THIS SPECIAL ELECTION 2022 EDITION OF ARIZONA HORIZON.

TONIGHT, IT'S A DEBATE BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES FOR ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL AND SPONSORED BY THE CITIZEN'S CLEAN ELECTION DIVISION AND YOUR SOURCE FOR ELECTION INFORMATION.

>> I'M STACEY BARCHENGER OF THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC AND AZPBS.ORG.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GIVE AND TAKE BETWEEN CANDIDATES FOR ONE OF THE STATE'S MOST IMPORTANT OFFICES.

DIALOGUE BETWEEN CANDIDATES IS ENCOURAGED, PROVIDED THAT ALL SIDES GET A FAIR SHAKE AND WE'LL DO OUR BEST TO ENSURE THAT HAPPENS.

>> AND JOINING US NOW FOR TONIGHT'S DEBATE, ABE HAMADEH, A PROSECUTOR AT THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND KRIS MAYES, A CORPORATION COMMISSIONER AND CANDIDATES WILL GIVE OPENING STATEMENTS AND CLOSING STATEMENTS IN THE OPPOSITE ORDER AND WE BEGIN WITH KRIS MAYES.

>> GOOD EVENING.

IT'S WONDERFUL TO BE HERE.

I'M KRIS MAYES AND I'M SO HONORED TO BE RUNNING FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN PRESCOTT, ARIZONA, LIFE-LONG ARIZONIAN AND I SERVED SEVEN INTO A HALF YEARS ON THE COMMISSION WHERE WE FOUGHT FOR CONSUMERS AND WE PROSECUTED CONSUMER FRAUD AND RETURNED TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THE VICTIMS OF FRAUD IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA.

I'M ALSO A MOM AND I KNOW AS A MOM THAT TO GET BIG THINGS DONE IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA, WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER AND THAT WHAT I'LL DO AS AG AND TACKLE FENTANYL AND GO AFTER DRUG SMUGGLERS AND PROTECT OUR WATER SUPPLIES AND PROTECT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA AND OUR DEMOCRACY WHICH IS UNDER ATTACK.

>> NOW WE TURN TO ABE HAMADEH.

>> I'M ABE HAMADEH, A VETERAN, AND A FORMER PROSECUTOR.

AS AN INTELLIGENCE OFFICER, I'VE SERVED OVERSEAS AND KEPT OUR COUNTRY SAFE.

FENTANYL IS A RISING CRIME AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS OUT OF TOUCH.

I'VE BEEN ENDORSED BY EVERY LAW ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZATION INCLUDING THE BORDER PATROL BECAUSE THEY KNOW I HAVE THE BACKS OF THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WEAR THE UNIFORM AND KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.

AMERICA IS STILL THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY BUT TO HAVE PROSPERITY, WE MUST HAVE PROSPERITY.

I'M ASKING FOR YOUR ROTE TO VOTE TO KEEP THE AMERICAN DREAM ALIVE.

>> Ted: KRIS, WHAT EXPERIENCE DO YOU HAVE THAT QUALIFIES YOU FOR THIS JOB?

>> OF THE TWO PEOPLE RETURNING RUNNING, I ENVIRONMENT MOST EXPERIENCE, QUITE FRANKLY.

I DECIDEDS A JUDGE ON THE COMMISSION AND THAT'S WHAT THE COMMISSION IS, A JUDICIAL COMMISSION, 2,700 CASES WORTH BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND WE PROSECUTED, SECURITY'S FRAUD AT THE COMMISSION AND I OVERSAW A DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AT THE COMMISSION ARMED AND BADGED AND BRAVE AND SOMETIMES OUR LAWYERS AT THE CORPORATION COMMISSION WERE DONE DEP DEPUTIZEZ AND WE HADD AND I MANAGED DOZENS OF ATTORNEYS AND OVERSAW AND MANAGED DOZENS OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES.

>> Ted: ABLE?

>> I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE WHO PRACTICED LAW AND BEEN A PROSECUTOR.

I'VE ACTUALLY SERVED IN THE ARMY AND GOT BACK FROM THE TOUR OVERSEAS.

I WAS HELPING TO MANAGE THE SECURITY NEEDS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT.

I WAS INTERACTING WITH FOREIGN GENERALS, HEADS OF MINISTRIES, CHUGINCLUDING WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND USED TO CHALLENGES AND WORKING WITH BIG BUREAUCRACIES AND THAT'S WHAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL NEEDS, A LEADERSHIP ROLE AND I'M READY TO TAKE OFFICE AND BRING THAT MILITARY LEADERSHIP SPOT ATTORNEYINTO THEATTORNEY GENERAL'S OCHES.

OFFICE.

>> THIS IS ABSURD TO SAY I DIDN'T PRACTICE LAW.

I SERVED AND WAS A JUDGE.

I KNOW, ABLE, YOU DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT ADMINISTRATIVE LAW AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, BUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS BASICALLY 70% ADMINISTRATIVE LAW AND SO THIS IDEA THAT HE CONTINUES TO PROMOTE THAT I HAVEN'T PRACTICED LAW IS RIDICULOUS.

>> THERE'S A DIFFERENCE, TED, BEING A CORPORATION COMMISSIONER DOES NOT REQUIRE YOU TO BE A LAWYER.

>> I AM A LAWYER.

>> I'VE BEEN A PROSECUTOR AND HAD TO DEAL WITH VICTIMS AND PUT CRIMINALS AWAY.

MY OPPONENT HAS BEEN A PROFESSOR OF ENVIRONMENTALISM AND A FORMER JOURNALIST AND I DON'T THINK SHE HAS THE LEGAL EXPERIENCE SHE'S TRYING TO CLAIM.

>> DEPEND, HEAGAIN, HE SEEMS NOT BE LISTENING.

I WAS AN ARIZONA COMMISSIONER WHICH IS A JUDICIAL POSITION.

SO I DECIDED 2,700 CASES WHICH IS A BIT MORE THAN WHAT A HALF DOZEN OR DOZEN CASES YOU DECIDED OR WORKED ON, ABLE, IN ABE, BUT THE TWO ARE NOT EQUIVALENT.

>> KRIS, THERE'S A DIFFERENCE THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE TO BE A LAWYER AND BEING IN THE COURTROOM AND ACTUALLY GOING UP AGAINST CRIMINALS AND UPHOLDING VICTIM'S RIGHTS.

>> I DON'T WANT TO SPEND TOO MUCH TIME ON THIS, BUT WE DID GO UP AGAINST CRIMINALS.

YOU'RE NOT LISTENING.

AS A COMMISSIONER, WE PROSECUTED CIVIL SECURITY'S FRAUD AND WORKED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TO PUT PEOPLE AWAY FOR FRAUD INCLUDING THE BAPTIST FOUNDATION CASE, BY THE WAY, WHICH WAS A FRAUD THAT INVOLVED THOUSANDS OF VICTIMS.

SO IT'S JUST NOT CORRECT ON THAT POINT.

>> LET ME JUMP IN.

WE WANT TO MOVE THROUGH TOPICS HERE AND OBVIOUSLY, ABORTION, ACCESS IN ARIZONA HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS A LOT FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS.

ABE, WILL YOU ENFORCE THE BAN ON ABORTION?

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

AS ATTORNEY GENERAL, I ENFORCE THE LAWS AND SO WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE LEGISLATURE PASSED THIS LAW BACK IN MARCH, THE 15-WEEK RESTRICTION AND IT WILL HAVE THAT ABILITY THAT IF ROE V. WADE GOT OVERTURNED, OUR LAWS REMAIN ATTACKED.

WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE ROLE IS NOT TO UNDERSTAND POLICY.

THE LAW IS THE LAW.

I DON'T WANT TO MAKE THE LAW.

THAT'S A JOB OF THE LEGISLATURE.

I ENFORCE THE LAW AND I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION BETWEEN MY OPPONENT AND MYSELF.

SHE HAS SAID ON RECORD THAT SHE WOULD NOT HAVE ENFORCED THE 1977 LAW OR 1901 LAW OR 15-WEEK LAW.

THAT'S DANGEROUS.

PEOPLE ARE ELECTING US TO ACTUALLY UPHOLD THE LAW AND NOT TO BE A LEGISLATURE.

I UNDERSTAND MY ROLE HAS A LIMITED AUTHORITY.

>> DID HE GET THAT RIGHT?

>> NO, COMPLETELY WRONG AND, UNFORTUNATELY, ABE, YOU FORGOT TO READ THE ARIZONA CONSTITUTION, THE HIGHEST LAW.

THE ARIZONA CONSTITUTION HAS WITHIN IT ARTICLE 2, SECTION 8, AN EXPRESS RIGHT TO PRIVACY.

WHEN YOU ARE READING ALL OF THESE LAWS, ARE IT'S THE 1901 LAW OR THE 15-WEEK BAN WHICH HAS NO EXCEPTION FOR RAPE OR INCEST AND OK WITH FORCING THE VICTIMS OF RAPE OR INCEST TO CARRY TO TERM, AND THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS.

BUT THE ARIZONA CONSTITUTION MAKES ALL OF THESE LAWS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

AND WHEN I RAISE MY RIGHT HAND IN JANUARY, I WILL BE DOING, I WILL BE DOING THAT AND MAKING AN OATH TO OUR CONSTITUTION.

LOOK, I THINK MY OPPONENT JUST ADMITTED THAT HE THINKS IT'S OK TO BAN ALL ABORTIONS IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA UNDER A LAW THAT DATES TO 1864.

LET'S REMEMBER, THAT WAS THE CIVIL WAR.

IT WAS A TIME WHEN WOMEN COULDN'T EVEN VOTE AND WOMEN ARE GOING TO DIE.

WOMEN AND GIRLS ARE GOING TO DIE BECAUSE OF THIS 1901 LAW AND PEOPLE LIKE MY OPPONENT AND MARK BRNOVICH ARE FORCING IT ON THE STATE OF ARIZONA, I WILL NOT PROSECUTE ANY DOCTOR, ANY PHARMACIST, ANY NURSE FOR ABORTION, PERIOD, BECAUSE OF THE ARIZONA CONSTITUTION.

>> Ted: PLEASE.

>> THIS IS EXACTLY WHY I MENTION LACK OF LEGAL EXPERIENCE.

THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ABORTION, TED.

THE PRIVACY INCLUDED IN THE CONSTITUTION, IF THAT WAS A LEGITIMATE ARGUMENT, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN USED PRIOR TO 1973 AND UP TO 1901.

I THINK THIS IS THE SIGN THAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES AND I. I CAN DISAGREE WITH THE LAW AND ULTIMATELY, I'M TASKED TO ENFORCE THE LAW AND I THINK IT'S A SIGN OF MATURITY TO UNDERSTAND YOUR ROLE AS ATTORNEY GENERAL NOT TO PUT YOUR PERSONAL BELIEFS INTO YOUR DECISION MAKING AS ATTORNEY GENERAL.

SO THERE'S A CLEAR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MYSELF AND KRIS.

>> YOU'RE MAKING A COMMITMENT IF THERE IS A LAW YOU DON'T AGREE WITH, YOU'LL ENFORCE THIS AS ATTORNEY GENERAL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT'S THE JOB OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

I MEAN, THE LEGISLATURE PASSES THE LAW ASSIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

I THINK IT'S DANGEROUS TERRITORY IF A DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATURE PASSED A LAW, I'M BOUND TO UPHOLD THAT LAW AS ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MY OPPONENT WANTS TO PICK AND CHOOSE ON HER PERSONAL BELIEFS AND THAT'S DANGEROUS TERRITORY WE'RE WORKING IN.

>> THIS IS ABSURD.

YOU WOULD HAVE DECERTIFIED THE 2020 ELECTION AND NOT CERTIFIED THE 2020 ELECTION.

FOR YOU TO SAY I'M PICKING AND CHOOSING LAWS IS RIDICULOUS.

AND, AGAIN, ARIZONA HAS AN EXPRESSED RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THAT IS THE SUPREME LAW OF ARIZONA.

OBVIOUSLY THE ARIZONA SUPREME COURT WILL HAVE TO DECIDE THIS QUESTION.

I BELIEVE IT IS A SERIOUS ARGUMENT.

AN ARGUMENT THAT A NUMBER OF SCHOLARS HAVE MADE, THAT THERE IS A RIGHT TO PRIEF PRIVACY AND THE WOMEN OF THIS STATE DO NOT DESERVE AN ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE CURRENT ONE OR ONE SITTING ACROSS FROM ME WHO WANTS TO BE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO WILL FORCE THEM TO -- WHO BELIEVE THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO TELL WOMEN WHAT TO DO WITH THEIR BODIES.

IT'S OUTRAGEOUS.

IT'S UNACCEPTABLE AND IT'S UNLAWFUL UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.

>> REASONABLE PEOPLE CAN DISAGREE WITH ABORTION.

THERE'S AN ARGUMENT TO BE MADE ON BOTH SIDES AND I'M TASKED TO UPHOLD THE LAW AND THAT'S ULTIMATELY WHAT I'M GOING TO DO.

SHE BROUGHT UP A POINT AND THIS IS WHY I GO BACK TO LACK OF KNOWLEDGE.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT CERTIFY AN ELECTION, KRIS AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT DECERTIFY AN ELECTION.

AN ELECTION.

>> I'VE BEEN CONSISTENT.

>> THERE'S TWEETS THAT SAY THE OPPOSITE OF THAT.

WHY DID YOU SAY -- >> Ted: HOLD ON.

>> WHAT I'M SAYING RIGHT NOW, YOU'RE BRINGING UP DISTORTING MY VIEWS RIGHT NOW AND DISTORTING THE ABORTION ISSUE.

YOU HAVE A LACK OF LEGAL KNOWLEDGE AND WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO IS PUT YOUR PERSONAL BELIEF INTO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS LIMITATIONS.

I'VE DONE THIS AS A PROSECUTOR AND SWORN TO A DEFENDANT AS AN INTELLIGENCE OFFICER.

>> Ted: YOU WOULD DEFEND AND YOU WOULD PROSECUTE UNJUST LAWS THAT YOU CONSIDERED UNJUST LAWS?

>> I THINK THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UNJUST VERSUS LAWS I DISAGREE WITH.

THERE'S ALMOST RARE CASES WHERE A LAW IS TO BLATANTLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> Ted: ISN'T THAT WHAT SHE IS SAYING, THIS WOULD BE AN UNJUST LAW?

>> SHE'S USING HER PERSONAL BELIEF.

>> Ted: HOLD ON.

>> SHE'S TRYING TO USE THIS PRIVACY IDEA AND NO LEGITIMATE LAWYER THINKING THAT AND BESIDES THAT -- SHE'S SAYING THE 15-WEEK LAW PASSED, 15-WEEK RESTRICTION IN MARCH, SHE WOULD NOT UPHOLD THAT AND I'M CONFUSED, WHY WOULD YOU NOT UPHOLD THAT IF YOU WANT THE INTENT OF THE PEOPLE?

>> I'M SORRY YOU'RE CONFUSED ABOUT THE ARIZONA CONSTITUTION AND I KNOW YOU GRADUATED FROM LAW SCHOOL A FEW YEARS AGO.

IT SAID SAID SAYS WHAT IT SAYS AND ARTICLE 2, SECTION 8, AN EXPRESSED RIGHT.

THE ARIZONA CONSTITUTION HAS IN IT A NUMBER OF THINGS THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION DOESN'T HAVE.

WHEN THE U.S. SUPREME COURT KICKED THE ISSUE OF ABORTION RIGHTS BACK TO STATES, WHEN THEY OVERTURNED ROE V. WADE, THEY KICKED IT BACK TO THE SUPREME LAW OF ARIZONA AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE STATES INCLUDING FLORIDA, ABE, THAT HAVE AN EXPRESSED RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THIS IS LITIGATED.

IN FLORIDA, IT'S LITIGATED AND WHEN I'M ATTORNEY GENERAL, IT WILL BE LITIGATED HERE.

THE MOMENT I TAKE OFFICE, I'LL REVERSE ATTORNEY GENERAL BRNOVICH'S OPINION THAT THE 1901 LAW IS CONSTITUTIONAL AND SHOULD GO INTO PLACE.

MY OPPONENT WANTS TO PUT DOCTORS AND NURSES AND PHARMACISTS IN JAIL FOR ABORTION CARE AND THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS.

>> TED, SHE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS NO ROLE TO PROSECUTE THESE JURISDICTION CASES.

YOU'RE MISTAKEN.

EVERY SINGLE QUESTION, YOU'RE MISTAKEN ON THE ROLE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> Ted: I WON'T FORGET ABOUT THE FRAUD OF 2020 AND HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

YOUR DAY OF RECKONING IS COMING WHEN I TAKE OFFICE IN JANUARY OF 2023. WHO WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT HERE?

>> ALL PEOPLE IN ARIZONA WANT RIGHT NOW IS FREE, FAIR AND COMPETENT ELECTIONS AND YOU KNOW, THE MEDIA HAS SHIFTED THE NEAR ACTIVITIESNARRATIVES AND NOT ENOUGH FRAUD TO OVERTURN THE ELECTIONS.

JUST THE OTHER MONTH, THIS ADMINISTRATION PROSECUTED IN YUMA COUNTY, THE MAYOR FOR BALLOT HARVESTING AND THERE ARE CASES AND THERE'S AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION STILL, TOO, TED.

I'M COMMITTED TO DEFENDING THE LAW.

IT'S AN INTERESTING ARGUMENT YOU'RE MAKING BECAUSE THERE'S AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION.

WHEN I'M ATTORNEY GENERAL, OF COURSE, I'M A FORM PROSECUTOR.

YOU PROSECUTE CRIMES IN THE PAST AND THAT'S WHAT I'LL DO.

>> Ted: DO YOU THINK THE 2020 ELECTION WAS RIGGED IN ARIZONA?

>> TED, IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED, WE LITERALLY AT THE TIME HAD ELECTED OFFICIALS CHANGING THE RULES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GAME.

ALL OF US WANT FREE, FAIR AND COMPETENT ELECTIONS.

WE HAD A FEDERAL JUDGE OBAMA APPOINTED AND NO AUTHORITY TO EXTEND THE VOTING REGISTRATION AND DID BY THREE WEEKS AND SLAPPED DOWN BY THE NINTH CIRCUIT COURT.

>> Ted: THE ANSWER IS YES, YOU THINK IT WAS RIGGED?

>> THE MEDIA HAD INFLUENCE, TOO, TED.

>> IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.

OBVIOUSLY, MY OPPONENT IS ANTI-DEMOCRATIC AND HE JUST TOLD YOU THAT HE DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT WE HAD A FAIR AND SAFE ELECTION, WHICH WE DID IN 2020.

YOU KNOW, MY OPPONENT KNOWS A FEW THINGS ABOUT VOTER FRAUD SINCE HE ADMITTED TO CASTING HIS OWN MOTHER'S BALLOT IN THE 2,000'S.

WE HAVE THE SAFEST, MORE SECURE ELECTIONS IN AMERICA.

MY OPPONENT WOULD ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, TED.

EXACTLY WHICH ELECTION OFFICIALS WILL YOU LOCK UP, ABE?

YOU STOOD ON A STAGE IN PRESCOTT VALLEY AND CHANTED, "LOCK THEM UP" ABOUT ELECTION OFFICIALS LIKE LESLIE HOFFMAN AND WHO ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT LESLIE HOFFMAN, CLINT HICKMAN, BILL GATES, BOTH REPUBLICANS?

NO, NO, NO.

ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT STEVEN RICHER, ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL REPUBLICAN RECORDERS IN ARIZONA?

THEY RAN SAFE AND FAIR ELECTIONS AND IT'S RHETORIC LIKE THAT THAT IS GETTING OUR ELECTION'S OFFICIALS INTO A SITUATION WHERE THEY'RE THE SUBJECT OF INTIMIDATION, HARASSMENT AND EVEN DEATH THREATS.

TED, I WANT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING, WHEN I'M AJ, WE WON'T PUT UP WITH THAT.

>> THAT WAS A LOT.

>> Ted: YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO RESPOND.

>> HELPING MY MOM PUT OUT A BALLOT WHEN I'M 15, THAT'S SUCH A RIDICULOUS ARGUMENT.

I'M GOING TO LOCK UP THOSE WHO ARE CRIMINALS AND COMMIT FRAUD, JUST LIKE THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION ISING TO.

IS DOING.

WHEN YOU SAW BALLOT HARVESTING, WOULD YOU DO THAT?

I WANT FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

WHAT YOU'RE WITNESSES IS EROSION OF SEVEN-DAYEROSION.

WE SEE VIDEOS OF THEM DIPPING THEIR FINGERS IN INK AND FAIR THEIR VOTING AND WE WANT CONFIDENCE IN OUR VOTING.

>> YOU CAST THE MOTHER WITH HELPING HER VOTE WITH SOMEONE SHE DIDN'T WANT TO VOTE FOR.

CLARIFY.

>> THIS WAS A 15, 16 YEARS AGO AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU DID THE VIEWERS A DISSERVICE BY MY OPPONENT WAS ACCUSED OFFED INNER OF INSIDER TRADING.

I CAME TO DEBATE MY OPPONENT AND NOT ALL THREE OF YOU.

I THINK IT'S RIDICULOUS TO SUGGEST THAT WHAT I DO AT 15 IS SOMEHOW GOING TO AFFECT ME WHEN I'M ATTORNEY GENERAL.

I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN POLITICS FOR AWHILE AND I THINK PEOPLE WANT A FAIR AND HONEST DEBATE.

I'M WILLING TO TAKE TOUGH QUESTIONS AND THIS IS NOT WHAT VIEWERS CARE ABOUT.

>> I WAS NOT 15 WHEN KRIS MAYES WORKED AT THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC.

>> THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC SHOULD DISCLOSE SHE WAS KICKED OFF THE CAMPAIGN BUS FOR JOHN McCAIN'S RUN.

>> THAT'S RIDICULOUS.

>> LOOK, I WAS A REPORTER FOR THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC 22 YEARS AGO AND I'M PROUD OF MY TIME AS A REPORTER AND I WAS KICKED OFF THEMcCAIN BUS BECAUSE JOHN McCAIN DIDN'T LIKE THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC LIKE A LOT OF HOMETOWN -- >> LIKE ME.

[ Laughter ] >> YEAH, I GUESS SO, ABE, BUT JOHN McCAIN ENDED UP SUPPORTING ME AND I SPENT 30 YEARS, ABE, AS A REPUBLICAN AND ONE YEAR SHY YOU'VE BEEN ALIVE ON THIS EARTH AND JOHN McCAIN SUPPORTED ME AND ONE THING I'M PROUD OF, SENATOR McCAIN, ONE OF MY MARROWS, HEROES, THE SECOND HIGHEST TO HIM WHEN WE WERE RUNNING AND I REPRESENTED SEVEN PEOPLE IN ARIZONA AND PROUDLY ON THE ARIZONA CORPORATION AND FIGHTING AGAINST UNDUE UTILITY RATE INCREASES AND THIS IS STUFF MY OPPONENT THROWS OUT AS ABSURD.

I WAS NOT ACCUSED OF ANYTHING AND IT'S A WHOLE THING.

>> NOT ACCUSED OF INSIDER TRADING?

>> NO.

>> YOU APOLOGIZE?

>> I THINK YOU SHOULD BE CAREFUL IN THAT REGARD.

GO BACK AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE RECORD.

I WAS A REPORTER 22 YEARS AGO.

>> Ted: I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CLEAR ABOUT THIS.

WOULD YOU HAVE SIGNED ON AS A WITNESS TO THE 2020 ELECTION?

>> AGAIN, I THINK THE VIEWERS -- I LIKE TOUGH QUESTIONS.

YOU WERE HERE AT THE PRIMARY AND I SAID THE SAME THING, TED.

WHAT I SAID, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RIGHT NOW, I THINK THERE'S A PROBLEM HEN YOU WHEN THERE'S A CEREMONY WITNESS AS A SIGNER.

IF I'M TASKED TO OPEN UP AN INVESTIGATION, THIS ISN'T YOU.

BUSH V. GORE.

>> NO, I WOULD NOT HAVE, UNTIL IT WAS ROW RESOLVED.

>> I WOULD HAVE SIGNED OFF ON THAT ELECTION.

THE OTHER THING MY OPPONENT IS NOT TELLING YOU ABOUT, HE WANTS TO END VOTE BY MAIL.

>> Ted: HOLD ON.

LET'S GET TO ONE LAST ISSUE BECAUSE WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME AND WE DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THINGS THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MIGHT NOT BE MAJOR FACTORS.

>> IN BOTH OPENING STATEMENTS, YOU ADDRESSED FENTANYL AND AS ATTORNEY GENERAL, ABE, HOW WILL YOU COMBAT THIS CRISIS?

>> I WANT TO WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND UNDER ARIZONA LAW, WE USE THE U.S. STATE'S DEFINITION OF WHAT A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION IS.

WHEN I WAS SERVING OVERSEAS, THE YEMEN WERE DELISTED BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND THEY'RE SHOOTING AT US.

ARIZONA HAS THE ABILITY TO KNOW WHAT THE THREAT IS AND THE NARCO TERRORIST BORDER AND WITH THAT DESIGNATION OF THE CARTELS, THEY WILL BE ENHANCED AND THIS IS ONE OF THE ISSUES I'LL TACKLE AT THE BORDER.

MY OPPONENT AND THERE'S ENVIRONMENTALIST AND VOTER ACCESS.

SHE'S NOT BEEN TO THE BORDER AND I SEE THE FENTANYL COMING IN AND IT'S PLAGUING OUR COMMUNITY.

WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> Ted: WE DON'T HAVE TOO MUCH TIME.

>> I'VE BEEN TO THE BORDER AND WORKED ON THE BODE ON BEHALF OF ON THE BORDER AND WORKED THERE AND HOW WOULD I TACKLE FENTANYL?

I WOULD BRING TOGETHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS AND GO AFTER FUNDING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ALONG THE BORDER.

THIS ADMINISTRATION, THE REPUBLICANS ARE SITTING ON A FIVE BILLION DOLLARS SURPLUS AND NOT SPENDING ANY OF IT TO TACKLE FENTANYL.

THE LAST THING I'LL SAY, WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS UNDER REPUBLICAN AG'S, A RISE IF THE MURDER RATE IN ARIZONA OF 20%.

THAT HAS TO COME TO AN END.

>> Ted: AND THIS DEBATE HAS TO COME TO AN END, UNFORTUNATELY.

TIME NOW FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS AND GOING IN REVERSE ORDER OF OUR OPENING REMARKS, WE START WITH ABE HAMADEH.

>> I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE BULLIED, FOR FORGOTTEN AND UNDERESTIMATED.

I'M THE SON OF IMMIGRANTS WITH A FUNNY LAST NAME.

WE CAME FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AND ON FOOD STAMPS.

EVERY DAY, I REMEMBER WHO I FIGHT FOR AND I'M FIGHT FOR THOSE VICTIMS WHO HAVE BEEN DEFRAUDED AND I'LL FIGHT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NO VOICE.

I'LL FIGHT FOR OUR SENIORS WHO ARE AFRAID TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE WITHOUT BEING ATTACKED.

I'M NOT RUNNING FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL BECAUSE I'M DESPERATE TO BE A POLITICIAN BUT DESPERATE TO BE WORRIED ABOUT OUR COUNTRY.

I'M ABE HAMADEH AND I'M NOT DONE FIGHTING FOR OUR COUNTRY AND I WOULD BE HONORED TO HAVE YOUR VOTE.

THANK YOU.

>> NOW THE CLOSING STATE FROM KRIS MAYES.

>> THANK YOU FOR HOSTING THIS DEBATE AND I APPRECIATE THIS WITH MY OPPONENT.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, AND I THINK WE HAVE TO BE HONEST THAT AMERICAN DEMOCRACY RUNS THROUGH THE STATE OF ARIZONA IN 2022 AND I AM RUNNING AGAINST AS OPPONENT WHO JUST ADMITTED TODAY THAT HE WOULD NOT HAVE SIGNED OFF ON OR CERTIFIED THE 2020 ELECTION.

HE HAS SAID THAT HE WANTS TO DECERTIFY THE 2020 ELECTION.

HE WANTS TO END VOTE-BY-MATE WHICH SOBY-MAIL SOMANY OF US USE.

I AM RUNNING FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL BECAUSE IT'S TIME FOR AN AG WHO WILL STAND UP FOR THE RULE OF LAW, WHO WILL PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY, WHO WILL GO AFTER FENTANYL, WHO WILL PROTECT OUR WATER SUPPLIES AND WHO WILL MAKE SURE THAT THE WOMEN OF THIS STATE HAVE THEIR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS RESTORED AND DEMOCRACY PROTECTED.

>> Ted: THAT'S OUR TIME AND THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU BOTH AND ARIZONA HORIZON'S NEXT DEBATE FEATURING CANDIDATES FOR STATE TREASURER AND THAT IS SET FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 3rd AT 5:00 P.M. AND 10:00 A.M.

HERE ON ARIZONA HORIZON AND LIVESTREAMED AT AZPBS.ORG.

>> Ted: THAT IS IT FOR NOW AND I'M TED SIMONS ALONG WITH STACEY BARCHENGER AND YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.