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

A LOOK AT WEEK'S TOP STORIES, INCLUDING ATTORNEY GENERAL CRACKING DOWN ON THE STATE'S SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM.

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 IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER EDITION OF THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE.

JOINING US TONIGHT, JEREMY DUDA OF AXIOS PHOENIX.

WAYNE SCHUTSKY OF KJZZ RADIO AND MARY JO PITZL OF "ARIZONA REPUBLIC" AND AZCENTRAL.COM.

LOOKING AT THE SCHOOL VOUCHER SYSTEM AND SAYING HOLD ON A SECOND HERE.

>> WAITING FOR THE DEBATE BEFORE THE VOUCHER-STYLE ESA PROGRAM OVER WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE AND SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO BUY WITH THE MONEY.

AND WE'VE HEARD OPPONENTS TALKING ABOUT THOUSAND DOLLAR LEGO SETS AND LUXURY CAR DRIVING COURSES.

ATTORNEY GENERAL MAYES' OFFICE IS LOOKING WHETHER THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS ALLOWING PEOPLE TO BUY THINGS THAT ARE NOT PERMITTED BY STATE LAW.

BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, THERE'S A CONFLICT BETWEEN WHAT THE LAW SAYS, WHAT BOARD GUIDANCE SAYS AND WHAT THE DEPARTMENT HANDBOOKS ARE TELLING PARENTS WHAT THEY CAN BUY, LEADING PARENTS TO APPROVE THINGS THEY LEGALLY SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO PURCHASE.

TED: AND HAS TO CORRESPOND TO CURRICULUM, CORRECT?

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>> THEY POINT TO A SECTION OF STATE LAW THAT THE SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT'S OWN HANDBOOK SAYS DIFFERENTLY.

IT SAYS THE CERTAIN SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS DON'T NEED THAT DOCUMENTATION SHOWING THEY'RE CONNECTED TO THE CURRICULUM.

INTERESTING TO NOTE, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BLAMES IT ON THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION AND SAYS WE'LL STOP IT IMMEDIATELY.

TED: WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE LAW SAY ABOUT THIS, MARY JO.

>> THE LAW SAYING IT HAS TO BE TIED TO A CURRICULUM.

IF THE HANDBOOK DOES NOT FOLLOW THE LAW, SEEM THES LIKE YOU MIGHT NEED TO REVISE YOUR HANDBOOK, WHY THE DEPARTMENT OF ED WAS QUICK TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AND WE'LL MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES.

TED: DID STOP SOME VOUCHER PURCHASES, DID THEY NOT?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

>> THEY SAID THEY'RE GOING TO DISALLOW CERTAIN TYPES OF PURCHASES, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEY ARE, SAYING THIS IS A POLITICALLY MOTIVATED INVESTIGATION.

THEY'LL SAY WE'LL PUT THE BRAKES ON THIS FOR A WHILE AND FIGURE OUT WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE NEXT.

>> SEEING THE GOOD COP/BAD COP SITUATION HERE.

THE HEAD OF THE VOUCHER PROGRAM WAS POLITE AND SAID ANSWER THESE, WE'LL GET YOU THE DATA YOU WANT AND SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE BEN TOMA WHO SPONSORED THE BILL THAT EXPANDED THE PROGRAM SAID HEY, A.D., YOU DO WHAT YOU RIGHT, WE THINK THIS IS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED BY MAYES, AN OPPONENT IN THE PROGRAM, AND PAINTS IN THAT LIGHT.

TED: SO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

SEE MORE RED LINING OF CERTAIN PURCHASES?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> OH, I SUSPECT THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE UNIVERSE OF PURCHASES THAT THEY LOOK AT AND SAY THAT DOESN'T ALIGN, AND MAYBE YOU WILL SEE PEOPLE SCRAMBLING TO CREATE A CURRICULUM THAT WOULD JUSTIFY THE PURCHASE OF AN ESPRESSO MACHINE OR LEGOS, AS EVERYBODY HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

>> MAYBE THE BEST WAY FOR DEMOCRATS TO GET SOMETHING PARTIALLY, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET WITH THE LEGISLATURE, SOME KIND OF GUARDRAILS ON THE PROGRAM.

THEY'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET -- ADVOCATING FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO RESTRICT THEM, THEY'RE LOOKING AT EXTRAVAGANT PURCHASES.

THE REPUBLICANS CONTROL THE LEGISLATURE.

THERE IS A SHARP PARTISAN DIVIDING LINE, BASED ON WHAT THE DEPARTMENT OF ED COMES BACK WITH STEMMING FROM THE EDUCATION, THERE WILL BE INCREMENTAL STEPS TOWARDS WHAT THEY'VE BEEN TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.

TED: WAYNE, THERE SEEMS TO BE A FIGHT OVER THE BALLOT MEASURE.

THE WORDING, THE BALLOT MEASURE ON ABORTION RIGHTS.

WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT, AND WHAT KIND OF -- WE GET THIS SOMEWHAT REGULATED AS FAR AS THE BALLOT MEASURES ARE CONCERNED.

PEOPLE WANT THE PROPER VERBIAGE THAT WILL HELP THEIR SIDE IS.

THAT THE FIRST OF MANY COMING DOWN THE PIKE?

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> WHAT HAPPENED IS ALL VOTERS KNOW THE BOOKLET THEY GET IN THE MAIL THAT EXPLAINS THE BALLOT MEASURES COMING THEIR WAY.

THAT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE.

THEY USED THE TERM UNBORN HUMAN BEING IN ONE PART OF IT AND USED FETUS LATER ON.

WELL, THE GROUPS THAT BACKED THE BALLOT MEASURE TO PUT THE ABORTION AMENDMENT RIGHTS ON THE BALLOT, THEY SAY THAT'S A POLITICALLY CHARGED PHRASE AND WANT IT REMOVED BECAUSE BY LAW, THE DESCRIPTIONS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE NEUTRAL.

BY LAW, THE LEGISLATURE POINTS TO THE 15-WEEK BAN THAT USES THAT LANGUAGE.

WE'RE USING IT THERE AND LATER ON WE USE THE TERM YOU WANT, SO WE'RE USING BOTH.

SPEAKER BEN TOMA SAYS I THINK THAT'S FAIR.

TED: SOUNDS LIKE THOSE OPPOSED TO UNBORN HUMAN BEING SAYS IT CONFUSES THE ISSUE FOR VOTERS, TOO.

>> THAT'S WHAT THEY ARGUE AND MORE TO THE POINT AND WITH THE LAWSUIT SAYING THIS IS NOT A NEUTRAL TERM, IT'S POLITICALLY CHARGED AND THE MANDATE FOR THIS COMMITTEE IS TO APPROVE IMPARTIAL LANGUAGE, AND TO THE POINT THAT WAYNE WAS THINKING ABOUT SPEAKER TOMA, SAYING WE USED YOUR TERMS AND EVERYBODY GETS THEIR CHANCE AT LEAST ONCE IN THIS TO USE THEIR TERM, AND IT SHOWS EVEN IF YOU'RE TRYING TO BE IMPARTIAL, UNBORN HUMAN BEING, FETUS, IN THIS CONTEXT, THEY DO HAVE CERTAIN CONNOTATIONS AND THEY ARE POLITICALLY CHARGED.

TED: HAVE WE SEEN WHERE ONE SIDE GETS A PHRASE OR WORD THEY WANT AS LONG AS THE OTHER SIDE GETS A PHRASE OR WORD THEY WANT?

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>> I CAN'T RECALL A SPECIFIC TRADE-OFF.

THIS IS THE LEGISLATURE, THE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN IN CONTROL, THE DEMOCRATS FOR A GENERATION.

THEIR WORD IS THE LAW DOWN THERE.

THE DEMOCRATS CAN PEEL AFTER OFFER FROM THE REPUBLICANS WHICH THEY COULD NOT ON THIS.

WHAT THEY SAY GOES.

THERE IS NOT A NEED FOR THAT HORSE TRADING.

>> IT'S WORTH NORTH THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE WAS WRITTEN BY NONPARTISAN ATTORNEYS AND INITIALLY CHOOSED TO USE THAT TERM IT.

MIGHT GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL IDEA, THE LAW THAT WAS OVERTURNED WHICH WAS WHAT WAS BEING DESCRIBED, SO THEY USED IT TO DESCRIBE THE EXISTING LAW AND USED THE NEW LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE WHAT THE NEW LAW WOULD BE.

THE PROBLEM IS THE ATTORNEYS FOR THE CAMPAIGN SAY LAW IS ALLOWED TO BE POLITICALLY CHARGED.

NOTHING STOPPING LEGISLATORS FROM USING POLITICALLY CHARGED LANGUAGE.

THOSE GOING TO THE VOTERS CAN'T BE.

>> THE QUESTION WILL BE WHAT COUNTS AS IMPARTIAL.

IF SOMETHING IS TECHNICALLY CORRECT, IS IT IMPARTIAL?

WHICH TECHNICALLY CORRECT TERM GETS USED.

THIS WAS USED IN THE LAW, BOTH TERMS GET USED IN THE LAW.

IT WILL BE VERY MUCH A MATTER OF INTERPRETATION.

>> WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO THE LAW THAT SAYS WE SHOULD HAVE AN IMPARTIAL DESCRIPTION IN THE PUBLICITY PAMPHLET, WHY ARE WE HAVING THIS FIGHT?

HOW MANY PEOPLE READ THAT?

I KNOW PEOPLE RELY ON PUBLICITY PAMPHLET, I DON'T KNOW TO WHAT EXTENT, AND THE ABORTION MEASURE SEEMS TO BE BAKED IN IN TERMS OF THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT THAT IT HAS, MAYBE IT'S A WAY TO SPEND A LOT OF THAT CASH THAT THEY HAVE FOR THEIR CAMPAIGN.

>> CLEAR AND CONCISE AND AVOID TECHNICAL TERMS, THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ANY PROBLEMS THERE?

>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY ISSUES ON THOSE PARTS OF IT, NOW WE HAVE ISSUES WITH OTHER BALLOT MEASURES THAT THE DEMOCRATS BROUGHT UP.

ON THIS ONE SPECIFICALLY IT'S THE VERBIAGE USED IN HOW VOTERS READ THAT.

TED: TO END THAT ARE WE GOING TO SEE OTHER CHALLENGES FOR OTHER MEASURES?

>> HAVEN'T HEARD TOO MUCH YET, SO I WOULD DOUBT IT.

THE ISSUES THAT WERE BROUGHT UP WERE FOR INSTANCE THE BORDER BATTLE MEASURE, THEY FAILED TO INCLUDE HOW MUCH THAT'S GOING TO COST, BUT WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO COST, SO CAN'T INCLUDE THAT LANGUAGE.

THAT IS CHALLENGED ON OTHER GROUNDS SO I DON'T THINK WE'LL SEE ANOTHER LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THIS.

TED: WHO IS ARI DANIEL BRADSHAW AND WHY IS WENDY ROGERS IMPLICATING HIM AS REALLY ROUGH THINGS?

>> THIS IS VERY SOAP OPERAY POLITICAL DRAMA, ARI BRADSHAW IS A REPUBLICAN, RUNNING FOR ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN DISTRICT 2, THE NORTH PHOENIX AREA.

WENDY ROGERS, A SENATOR OUT IN RURAL ARIZONA, A VERY COMBATIVE TYPE KNOWN TO GET IN FIGHTS WITH FELLOW REPUBLICANS.

ARI BRADSHAW CALLED HER TO -- HE FELT TO ALERT HER TO ISSUES INVOLVING CANDIDATES SHE'S DEFLATING WHO THEY ALLEGE USED A RACIAL SLUR TO DESCRIBE A BLACK REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER ALSO RUNNING IN THAT DISTRICT.

HER RESPONSE IS KEEP QUIET, YOU'RE PLAYING WITH FIRE HERE AND SOME ISSUES WITH SOME OF HER ALLIES CAME UP WITH ALLEGATIONS OF FENTANYL DEALING OR STUFF THAT APPEARS TO HAVE NO EVIDENCE BACKING IT UP, BUT VERY NASTY ALLEGATIONS FLOATING AROUND AND EXTREMELY CONTENTIOUS.

TED: AND INSINUATED THAT BRAD SAW SOLD FENTANYL TO KIDS.

THE WENDY ROGERS RELATIONSHIP TO SLAYTON RECORD WHO HAS HIS OWN MILITARY RECORD.

>> THAT'S PERPLEXING BECAUSE SLATTON HAS A MILITARY RECORD, BUT THE ONE HE PORTRAYS IS NOT BACKED UP BY RECORDS.

HE DID NOT SERVE IN VIETNAM.

HE WENT INTO THE SERVICE, VIETNAM WAS DONE BY THE TIME HE GOT INTO THE SERVICE, AND IT HAS RAISED QUESTIONS ESPECIALLY AMONG THE MILITARY COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT THE CONCEPT CALLED STOLEN VALOR.

YOU DON'T MAKE FALSE CLAIMS ABOUT MILITARY RECORD, AND HERE YOU HAVE WENDY ROGERS, A RETIRED AIR FORCE GENERAL?

>> LIEUTENANT COLONEL, I THINK.

>> THERE HASN'T BEEN QUESTION ABOUT WENDY ROGERS'S MILITARY SERVICE.

WHY IS SHE STANDING BEHIND A GUY MISREPRESENTING HIMSELF?

IS IT BECAUSE HE RUNS THE TRUMP STORE IN SHOW LOW?

TED: WHAT'S THE DEAL?

HE SAYS HE FLEW COMBAT MISSIONS IN VIETNAM, AND WE'RE HEARING MAYBE HE WORKED ON MAINTENANCE ON PLANES IN KOREA.

>> THAT'S WHY THE RECORD DOESN'T MATCH UP.

BEYOND THAT, ALL THIS REPORTING LED OTHER REPUBLICANS TO QUESTION HIM AND THE NAVAJO GOP CALLED ON HIM TO STEP OUT OF THE RACE.

THE ONE PERSON STICKING BY HIS SIDE VOCALLY IS WENDY ROGERS, WHO I SHOULD SAY, HER NEPHEW RUNS A POLITICAL CONSERVANCY THAT SHE RUNS.

TED: SO THERE IS A CONNECTION.

>> A LITTLE BIT.

TED: WHY IS WENDY ROGERS DOING THIS?

>> CAN YOU ASK THAT QUESTION ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS WE PROBABLY HAVE ASKED ON THE SHOW BEFORE.

SHE'S GOING ALL-IN ON SLAYTON AS PRESSURE MOUNTS OVER MILITARY STUFF, A GUY WITH CONFEDERATE FLAG HANGING IN HIS STORE, AND WHY EXACTLY SHE CARES WHAT A GUY IN PHOENIX IS SAYING ABOUT A CANDIDATE IN SHOW LOW I'M NOT ENTIRELY SURE.

EVEN IF YOU HEARD WHAT YOU THINK YOU HEARD, AND VERY CLEARLY HEARD, THIS EVEN IF YOU HEARD WHAT YOU THINK YOU HEARD, IF YOU'RE PLAYING WITH FIRE STAY AWAY FROM IT.

THIS IS A DISTRICT THAT HAS TWICE ELECTED TWO PLAQUE REPUBLICANS.

THE ONLY TWO BLACK REPUBLICANS WHO SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE, ONE RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION, ONE RUNNING FOR HIS OLD SEAT AND WALT BLACKMAN AND HIS WIFE HAD CONFLICTS WITH STEVE SLAYTON.

HARD TO SAY WHY SHE'S MAKING SUCH AN ISSUE.

WAYNE RAISED AN INTERESTING POINT THERE.

WHATEVER IT IS, SHE IS ALL IN FOR SLAYTON.

TED: WENDY ROGERS, AS MOST OF US REMEMBER, RAN A LOT BEFORE SHE GOT ELECTED.

SHE RAN A LOT AND LOST A LOT, AND SHE WON, FINALLY WON.

IS THIS WHERE SHE'S REVERTING BACK?

WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> HER OPPONENT, REPRESENTATIVE DAVID COOK PICKS UP ON THAT OR OTHER OUTSIDE GROUPS THAT MIGHT WANT TO HIGHLIGHT SENATOR ROGERS' STATEMENTS.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT, THOUGH.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE SPENDING IT ON.

ONE OUTSIDE GROUP HAS POURED OVER $250,000 INTO EXPENDITURES AGAINST ROGERS.

IT GOES BACK TO A LABOR UNION PAC, A DEMOCRATIC GROUP, BUT THEY'RE RUNNING IT THROUGH A REPUBLICAN CONSULTANT FIRM TIED TO CONGRESSMAN GOESAR AND BIGS, WHO EVERYONE THOUGHT WERE WENDY ROGERS ALLIES IN THE SAME CAMP.

A LOT OF INFIGHTING, AND IT'S A SOAP OPERA.

TED: IT'S A CONFUSING SOAP OPERA, JEREMY.

>> IT'S A TOUGH RACE FOR SENATOR RODGERS BUT KEEP IN MIND, SHE'S WON EVERY ONE OF HER WINNING THE RACES.

OVER THE LAST TWO RACES SHE DEFEATED INCUMBENT SENATORS, REPUBLICAN HOUSE MEMBER TURNED OUT RUNNING FOR THE SENATE SEAT BUT DEFINITELY ISSUES THIS TIME THAT WERE NOT PRESENT IN THE LAST TWO RACES.

>> STAY TUNED FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS BECAUSE ROGERS AND COOK IS A ONE-ON-ONE RACE AND ONE OF THEM IS GOING TO WIN THE PRIMARY.

I DON'T THINK BRADSHAW HAS ANY REPUBLICAN OPPOSITION.

MR. SLAYTON, THOUGH, IS IN A FIELD OF I THINK SIX REPUBLICANS FOR TWO SEATS.

SO WE'LL SEE HOW THIS ALL PLAYS OUT AFTER THE PRIMARY.

TED: WAYNE, IT SOUNDS LIKE A COUPLE OF OUR ARIZONA CONGRESSMEN HAD MADE IT OFFICIAL.

THEY WANT JOE BIDEN, WANT HIM ADIOS, WANT HIM OUT OF HERE.

STANTON AND GRIJALVA.

WHY DO THEY MAKE THEIR DECISION AND WHY DO THEY MAKE IT BEFORE THE PRESIDENT WENT AHEAD AND TRIED TO CORRECT THINGS WITH THE PRESS CONFERENCE?

>> IT'S NOT A SURPRISING REASON.

THEY SAY THAT THE DEMOCRATS NEED THE BEST POSSIBLE CANDIDATE TO DEFEAT DONALD TRUMP, AND EVEN IF THEY WENT STRAIGHT-UP OUTLOUD.

THEY DON'T BELIEVE HE'S THE GUY DO IT AT THIS TIME.

CONGRESSMAN STANTON'S STATEMENT READS LIKE A LOVE LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT.

HE'S ONE OF THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL PRESIDENTS IN THE MODERN ERA AND ONE OF THE NICEST GUYS IN THE WHITE HOUSE BUT WE NEED THE BEST GUY AND YOU'RE NOT IT.

I THINK THE DEBATE HAD DONE DAMAGE AND DON'T HAVE THE CONFIDENCE THAT HE'S THE CANDIDATE TO BEAT TRUMP THIS TIME AROUND.

>> SO MUCH OF THIS SOUNDS LIKE A BREAKUP.

WELL, IT'S NOT YOU, BUT IT'S JUST LIKE THE BIGGER RACE, AND STANTON'S GOT A RACE, GRIJALVA DOES, NOT VERY COMPETITIVE, WHICH GIVES THEM MORE SPACE TO SPEAK OUT.

TED: THE BIDEN SITUATION WITH DOWN BALLOT RACES, ARE THEY LOOK AT THAT GOING WE'RE SEEING HEAVY HANGING HERE?

>> PROBABLY NOT FOR THEMSELVES.

TED: NOT FOR THEM, NO.

>> GRIJALVA UNBEATABLE DISTRICT FOR A DEMOCRAT.

BEEN AROUND FOREVER.

HAS THE FREEDOM TO DO WHATEVER HE WANTS, I DON'T THINK MOST PEOPLE EXPECT HIM TO CONTINUE TO RUN FOR ANOTHER TERM GIVEN HIS HEALTH ISSUES.

GREG STANTON, I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE HIM BE ONE OF THE FOLKS, HE IS A FAIRLY CAUTIOUS POLITICIAN, IN A DISTRICT THAT IS NEARLY OVERWHELMINGLY BLUE AS GRIJALVAS BUT PROBABLY DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT EXCEPT FOR THE BIGGEST OF REPUBLICAN WAVE YEARS.

HE DIDN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE PRESS CONFERENCE, WHICH WAS NOT AS BAD FOR BIDEN AS A LOT OF FOLKS THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE.

NOT AS GOOD AS SUPPORTERS HOPED HE WOULD BE.

HE DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE HIS RESPONSE HINGING HOW THE PRESIDENT GOT IN THERE AND GOT OUT AHEAD OF IT.

TED: THESE ARE RELATIVELY SAFE SEATS FOR THEM, AS FAR AS OTHER RACES IN ARIZONA, I THINK STANTON IS SAYING IT'S TIME TOS PAT TORCH TO A NEW GENERATION OF LEADERS.

SOUNDS LIKE HE'S SAYING, LOOK AT ME, I'M TRYING TO EXPAND THE BASE A LITTLE BIT HERE.

>> DEFINITELY.

DEMOCRATS HAVE FELT THAT THIS IS -- THIS YEAR, THEY COULD BE MAKING ESPECIALLY IN THE HOUSE, THAT'S LOOKING QUESTIONABLE.

HIS ANALYSIS AND THAT OF OTHERS IS THAT BIDEN IS THE IN THE CANDIDATE THAT'S GOING TO HELP THEM TAKE THE HOUSE.

TED: IF BIDEN IS THE CANDIDATE, HOW DO THESE FOLKS, HOW DO THEY RESPOND?

HOW DO THEY CAMPAIGN?

>> WELL, I WOULD GO BACK TO WHAT GOVERNOR KATIE HOBBS TOLD US A FEW DAYS AGO.

SHE WON'T COME OUT AND SAY WHETHER BIDEN SHOULD DROP OUT OR NOT, BUT THERE ARE SERIOUS QUESTIONS HE NEEDS TO ANSWER FOR ARIZONA VOTERS WHO LOST CONFIDENCE IN HIM.

BUT EITHER WAY, IF IT'S A CHOICE BETWEEN HIM OR TRUMP, THE CHOICE IS OBVIOUS FOR HER, SHE'S GOING FOR JOE BIDEN, THEY'RE IN THE SAME VEIN.

THEY WOULD PREFER SOMEONE ELSE TAKING HIM ON.

TED: HOW MUCH OF A HIT THOSE TWO FOLKS SAYING IT NOW AND IF BIDEN STAYS IN, WHICH LOOKS LIKE HE WILL.

IF HE STAYS IN, HOW DO THEY CAMPAIGN FOR HIM?

>> THAT'S GOING TO BE TRICKY FOR A LOT OF FOLKS WHO HAVEN'T MADE STATEMENTS OR SUPPORTED HIM PROBABLY ANTICIPATING THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD HAPPEN, AND YOU TALKED ABOUT THE DOWN BALLOT EFFECT SOMETHING DEMOCRATS ARE EXTREMELY WORRIED THIS COULD DRAG DOWN DEMOCRATS IN COMPETITIVE RACES FACING TOUGH RE-ELECTIONS TAKING REPUBLICAN-HELD SEATS.

YOU HAVE TWO REPUBLICAN-HELD CONGRESSIONAL SEATS IN ARIZONA.

DEMOCRATS ARE HOPING TO TAKE THOSE TWO SEATS THIS YEAR.

LEGISLATIVE HOPES THAT MARY JO MENTIONED, ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, SUCH A NARROW REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND NARROWER DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY IN THE SENATE, AND THEY'RE HOPING TO BUILD ON BOTH OF THOSE AND LOOK AT BIDEN, HE MIGHT BE DRAGGING US DOWN HERE.

TED: YEAH, YEAH.

A COUPLE OF LAWSUITS FROM CONSERVATIVE GROUPS FILING A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE ELECTIONS -- HOW MANY ELECTIONS ARE AGAINST THIS THING?

>> THIS IS THE FOURTH LAWSUIT AGAINST THE STATE'S ELECTION PROCEDURE MANUAL, THE ELECTION BIBLE.

ALL THE DETAILS, THE GRITTY DETAIL HOW TO RUN ELECTIONS, AND THEY HAVE TWO COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT, THEY DON'T LIKE A PROVISION THAT SAYS, IF A COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REFUSES TO CERTIFY THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION IN THEIR COUNTY, THEN AND MISS THE DEADLINE, WE WILL GO AHEAD AND CANVASS IT AND NOT COUNT THAT COUNTY'S VOTES.

AND THE ARGUMENT IS THAT'S GOING TO DISENFRANCHISE A LOT OF VOTERS BECAUSE OF THE VOTES OF A BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND MIGHT INCENTIVIZE A BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO SORT OF DRAG THEIR FEET AND NOT DO THIS, AND THIS IS ALL INSPIRED, I GUESS, BY WHAT HAPPENED IN COCHISE COUNTY AFTER THE 2022 ELECTION WHERE, WE DID HAVE A COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS THAT BALKED AT CERTIFYING ELECTION RESULTS.

TED: AND THE PROVISION REGARDING HARASSING SPEECH AND HARASSING BEHAVIOR AROUND VOTERS?

>> RIGHT, TO VOTERS AND THEY ARGUE, THIS GROUP, WHICH IS AMERICAN ENCORE AND THE AMERICAN FREEDOM SOMETHING, THEY SAY THIS IS TOO BROAD.

SOMEBODY COULD BE SITTING HERE ON "ARIZONA HORIZON" AND SAYING SOMETHING THAT COULD BE INTERPRETED AS HARASSING TO VOTERS AND THEY COULD BE, THEN, CRIMINALLY CHARGED.

TED: WAYNE, WHAT DO WE MAKE OF THIS?

>> I KNOW THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE RESPONDED IN A LETTER BEFORE THE LAWSUIT WAS FILED WHERE THEY SAID WE DON'T THINK ANYTHING IN THE PROCEDURES MANUAL IS DIRECTING US TO CRIMINALLY PROSECUTE THIS.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION AS THE FOLKS WHO BROUGHT THE LAWSUIT AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, SO IT'S ALL KIND OF UP IN THE AIR, IF YOU INTERPRET IT THE WAY THE GROUPS DO, ESPECIALLY THAT ELECTION OR THE SPEECH, THE VIOLENT SPEECH ASPECT, YOU COULD SEE THAT AS INFRINGING ON THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

ANYONE, ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME COULD ARE CONSIDERED HARSING TO VOTERS IS PROSECUTED BUT THE AG'S OFFICE SAYS THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

>> OBVIOUSLY WE'VE HAD CLEAR CUT EXAMPLES OF INTIMIDATING OR HARASSING BEHAVIOR WITH PEOPLE SITTING WITH GUNS OUTSIDE OF DROP BOXES IN MARICOPA COUNTY TWO YEARS AGO, BUT WHAT ABOUT SOMEONE WEARING A SHIRT OR SOMETHING THAT SAYS I SUPPORT THE 2nd AMENDMENT, HOLDING UP A SIGN WARNING PEOPLE OF PENALTIES OF VOTER FRAUD, FALSE ALLEGATIONS HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF CURRENCY.

WEARING A MAGA HAT.

TED: I'M WATCHING YOU SIGN.

>> YEAH, THERE IS DEFINITELY GRAY AREA, AND IT MIGHT BE HARD FOR PEOPLE TO SORT THAT OUT IF THERE ARE NOT CLEARER GUIDELINES.

>> THE INTENT ALLEGEDLY WAS MORE DIRECT, HARASSING PEOPLE AT DROP BOXES OR IF VOTERS ARE STANDING IN LINE, WHEN THEY'RE ACTUALLY OUT THERE BEING A VOTER BECAUSE I GUESS WE'RE ALL VOTERS, BUT -- TED: AND REAL QUICKLY, THE GOVERNOR, ATTORNEY GENERAL, SECRETARY OF STATE, ANY RESPONSE AT ALL FROM THIS?

>> I GOT NOTHING FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

>> AND JUST THE LETTER THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE RESPONDED SAYING WE BELIEVE THIS IS AN ISSUE.

>> IT'S A LAWSUIT.

ULTIMATELY THERE WILL BE A RESPONSE.

THE QUESTION IS, WILL THIS BE PUT ON ANY KIND OF EXPRESS JUDICIAL CALENDAR?

WE'VE GOT AN ELECTION COMING UP IN 2 1/2 WEEKS AND NOVEMBER 5 ISN'T ALL THAT FAR OFF AND LAWSUITS TAKE A LONG TIME.

OF THE FOUR LAWSUITS ON THIS MANUAL, ONE'S BEEN DISMISSED, NOW YOU HAVE THE NEW ONE, TWO OTHERS HANGING IN COURT AND THEY HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

TED: MAYBE ROOM FOR ONE MORE?

WE HAVE ONE MORE, THE DARK MONEY WEBSITE, WE'RE SUPPOSED TO SEE THE MONEY, SEE THE DARK MONEY.

ARE WE SEEING THE MONEY?

SOUNDS LIKE MAYBE NOT.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> YOU CAN -- YES, YOU CAN SEE IT SOW.

TO THE EXTENT THAT THINGS ARE REPORTED.

YOU CAN AT LEAST CLICK AND FIND OUT WHO IS THIS GROUP AND WHERE ARE THEY SPENDING THEIR MONEY AND WHO ARE THEIR CONTRIBUTORS BUT IT'S VERY UNEVEN.

SOME OF THE REPORTS ARE FAIRLY DETAILED.

OTHERS NOT.

SO THIS IS LIKE THE INAUGURAL LAUNCH OF OUR ANTI-DARK MONEY LAW, AND IT'S SOME OF IT YOU STILL DON'T KNOW WHERE THE DONORS ARE.

YOU HAD NAVIGATION PROBLEMS.

>> THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE WEBSITE, THIS IS NOT FOR ANY SPECIFIC SECRETARY OF STATE, BECAUSE IT GOES BACK MULTIPLE ADMINISTRATIONS IS TERRIBLE, WHEN WE HAVE THE EXPANSIVE LAW THAT HAS TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE SAME PEOPLE USING THE SAME SYSTEM, IT'S NOT EASY TO READ, IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED.

>> THE EXCUSE OR REASONING IS OUTDATED EQUIPMENT, STAFF TURNOVER, THESE SORTS OF THINGS.

HOW FAR DOES THAT GO?

>> THEY'RE WORKING ON REVAMPING THE WEBSITE AS IT EXISTED PRIOR TO THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DARK MONEY, CERTAINLY THERE ARE TECHNICAL ISSUES AND EVERY ELECTION WE RUN INTO NEW ONES OR REALIZE OR FIND PROBLEMS WE HADN'T EXPERIENCED BEFORE, A MESS OF A,HOPEFULLY GET IT FIXED FOR FOLKS LIKE US AND REGULAR VOTERS WHO WANT TO SEE THE MONEY AS IT'S CALLED.

>> YEAH, AND LOTS MORE INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES TO COME, SO I WAS TOLD THAT THEY'RE HOPING TO HAVE A NEW VERSION UP BY AUGUST.

I THINK THEY'RE WAITING UNTIL AFTER THE PRIMARY BECAUSE THEY'RE BUSY WORKING ON THE ELECTION.

TED: WE SHOULD MENTION THE DISCLOSURE REQUIRED BY PROP 11 IN 2022.

IS THE SPIRIT AT LEAST THERE?

>> WELL, YEAH, I GUESS.

THEY'VE HAD A WEBSITE SET UP, BUT IT'S LIKE IF ANYTHING IS BEING SET INTO IT, SOME OF THAT STUFF IS NOT SHOWING UP.

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW IS WHAT WE DON'T KNOW.

I'M AWARE OF A COUPLE EXTENTTURES THAT HAPPENED THAT SEEM TO QUALIFY FOR DISCLOSURE.

I DON'T KNOW, HAVE THEY FILED WITH THE STATE?

WE DON'T KNOW.

I JUST KNOW THAT THEY'RE NOT ON THE WEBSITE, BUT ARE THEY SITTING ON SOMEBODY'S DESK AND IT NEEDS TO BE INPUTTED?

I DON'T KNOW.

TED: SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF QUESTIONS THERE.

PANEL, GOOD CONVERSATION.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU ALL HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.