
Journalists' Roundtable 10-16-26
Season 2026 Episode 205 | 27m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
It's Friday, which means it's time for the Journalists' Roundtable.
This week, "Arizona Horizon" host Ted Simons was joined by Kiera Riley of Arizona Agenda & Capitol Media Services, Camryn Sanchez from KJZZ and Jeremy Duda of Axios Phoenix.
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Arizona Horizon is a local public television program presented by Arizona PBS

Journalists' Roundtable 10-16-26
Season 2026 Episode 205 | 27m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
This week, "Arizona Horizon" host Ted Simons was joined by Kiera Riley of Arizona Agenda & Capitol Media Services, Camryn Sanchez from KJZZ and Jeremy Duda of Axios Phoenix.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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TED: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," IT'S THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE.
WE'LL LOOK AT THE WEEK'S TOP STORIES, INCLUDING A NEW STATEWIDE POLL THAT SUGGESTS WHAT MIGHT BE A MAJOR POLITICAL SHIFT IN THE STATE COME ELECTION DAY.
THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE IS NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."
.
TED: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."
I'M TED SIMONS.
IT'S FRIDAY, AND THAT MEANS IT'S TIME FOR THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE, AND JOINING US TONIGHT, KIERA RILEY FROM CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES.
CAMRYN SANCHEZ FROM KJZZ RADIO, AND JEREMY DUDA FROM AXIOS PHOENIX.
GOOD TO HAVE YOU ALL HERE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GINNING.
KIERA, START WITH YOU, HIGHGROUND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, BUNCH OF FOLKS LEANING TO THE RIGHT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE LEANING ANYMORE, THAT'S NEITHER HERE NOR THERE, THE SURVEY WAS DONE PROFESSIONALLY, HOLY SMOKES, WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN THE STATE?
>> THEY ARE IN DEEP DOO-DOO FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM.
IT'S GOING TO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S CASE AS WELL THAT DEMOCRATS ARE LEADING AND INCUMBENTS HAVE A PARTICULAR EDGE.
THE TREND HELD THROUGH THROUGHOUT THE TOP STATEWIDE "OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY" -- OFFICES.
TED: THE TOP CANDIDATES ARE UNDER WATER, DOES THAT SURPRISE YOU?
>> A LITTLE BIT.
I THINK IT'S MAYBE A LITTLE BIT TO BE EXPECTED WITH THE HEADWINDS AND MAYBE UNHAPPINESS WITH TRUMP AND THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION, NOT TOTALLY OUT OF LEFT FIELD.
TED: CAMRYN, A BIG FACTOR, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, THEY'RE NOT KEEPING THEIR OWN, THEY'RE EITHER NOT GOING TO VOTE OR NOT SUPPORTING THE CANDIDATES OR SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN.
>> REMINISCENT OF THE LAST MIDTERM ELECTION WE HAD FOUR YEARS AGO, AND THE RESPONSE FROM THE REPUBLICANS IS THIS POLL IS RIDICULOUS, THOSE NUMBERS ARE OUTRAGEOUS, THE DIFFERENCES ARE CRAZY.
AGAIN, IN 2022, IT'S NOT DISSIMILAR TO WHAT WE SAW, HOBBS VERSUS KARI LAKE, AND THE SLATE OF SAME DEMOCRATS GOING UP AGAINST REPUBLICANS WHO ARE SOMEWHAT SIMILAR.
TED: YEAH, AND AS KIERA MENTIONED, JEREMY, THE SDUBT DEMOCRATS LOOKING ESPECIALLY STRONG.
START WITH THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.
A 17-POINT LEAD FOR GOVERNOR HOBBS OVER CONGRESSMAN BIGGS?
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?
>> I MEAN PRETTY MUCH EVERY POLL WOVE SEEN FOR AGES NOW IS THAT HOBBS IN THE LEAD.
A LOT OF THEM WITH HEALTHY LEADS.
17 POINTS, NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
NOW I THINK EVERYONE IS PENCILLING HER IN AS THE WINNER AT THIS POINT.
DO I BELIEVE KATIE HOBBS IS GOING TO WIN THE RACE BY 17 POINTS?
I DON'T THINK ANYBODY BELIEVES THAT.
A CREDIBLE POLL BY A CREDIBLE POLLSTER SHOWS THAT.
YOU DIVE INTO THE NUMBERS, THE TURNOUT MODEL, 8-POINT REPUBLICAN ADVANTAGE OVER DEMOCRATS.
THAT IS CONSISTENT WHAT WE SEE.
THAT'S A LITTLE BIT UNDER WHERE WE SAW IN 2018 WHERE DEMOCRATS HAD A VERY GOODIERS, CONSISTENT WITH OTHER YEARS LIKE THAT.
AS KIERA MENTIONED, THIS COMES DOWN TO REPUBLICANS NOT NECESSARILY SUPPORTING THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.
REPUBLICANS ARE PRETTY DISSPIRITED RIGHT NOW, AND THE MORE THEY SEE THIS, THE MORE FOLKS STAY HOME.
TRUMP'S NOT ON THE BALLOT, A LOT OF THE FOLKS WHO CAME OUT TWO YEARS AGO ARE NOT GOING TO COME OUT FOR.
THIS THE NUMBERS ARE SHOCKING.
JUST THE ONE CREDIBLE POLLSTER SAYS THIS, IT'S BAD NEWS FOR THE G.O.P.
>> HIGHGROUND KNOWS THEIR BUSINESS, THEY'RE NOT FOOLING AROUND.
IF IT'S 17 POINTS, THAT'S WHAT THEY GOT AND FOUND.
LET'S SAY IT'S OFF BY HALF.
THAT'S CLOSE TO A DOUBLE-DIGIT LEAD, AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE -- PROBABLY NOT OFF -- CERTAINLY THIS SNAPSHOT IS NOT OFF BY HALF, SEE WHAT HAPPENS ON ELECTION DAY.
WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?
>> I MEAN, I THINK -- I DON'T KNOW TO HER CREDIT, I THINK HOBBS HAS DONE A GOOD JOB OF TRACKING TO THE MIDDLE AND HIGHLIGHTING PARTS OF HER TIME IN OFFICE THAT WOULD KIND OF DRAW INDEPENDENTS IN, I'M SURE, AND SPEAK TO HER BASE.
IT'S INTERESTING TOO, THAT AGAIN, IT TRAVELED DOWNBALLOT WHERE MAYES HAS TAKEN A MORE, I DON'T KNOW, I GUESS NOT AGGRESSIVE BUT PROACTIVE APPROACH, AND I THINK SIDED MORE WITH HER PARTY, BUT I DON'T KNOW.
TED: BUT INDEPENDENTS, CAMRYN, A BIGTIME, AWAY FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
>> YEAH, I THINK THAT TO KIERA'S POINT ABOUT IT TRICKLING DOWN FROM THE GOVERNORS, THE TRICKLING STARTS HIGHER UP.
I THINK TRUMP AND THIS ADMINISTRATION OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS HAVE DONE A LOT OF THINGS DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO POINT AT AND PICK AT AND PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT AND SAY THIS PERSON IS A TRUMP ENDORSEY, AND TRUMP DID THIS, THEREFORE THIS PERSON IS LIKE TRUMP AND WOULD FURTHER THE AGENDA, WHETHER IT'S I.C.E.
KILLING RENE GOOD, MEDICAID CUTS, THERE'S A LOT TO PICK FROM.
MULTIPLE THINGS RESONATE WITH INDEPENDENTS IN A NEGATIVE WAY.
TED: YOU AGREE WITH THAT AS FAR AS INDEPENDENTS ARE CONCERNED?
>> THEY'RE TRENDING AWAY FROM REPUBLICANS AND TRENDING AWAY FROM TRUMP.
THE WORST THING FOR THE REPUBLICANS ARE DOWNBALLOT RACES IN THE POLL.
TREASURER RACE THEY HAVE A DEMOCRAT UP NINE POINTS.
DEMOCRATS HAVEN'T WON THAT OFFICE IN 60 YEARS.
TED: THE STATE RARELY ELECTS A DEMOCRAT FOR TREASURE.
>> NOT SINCE THE 1960s.
THE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHO ELI NORTON OR NICK MANSOUR ARE.
THE FACT THAT SO MANY PEOPLE, EVEN PEOPLE WHO LEAN REPUBLICAN ARE GOING WITH HOBBS AND MAYES AND FONTES SEE THE FOLKS FLIP BACK, THAT'S ENOUGH DEMOCRATS FOR ME, I'M GOING BACK TO REPUBLICAN.
AT LEAST IN THE POLL, YOU'RE NOT SEEING.
THAT KIMBERLY YEE WHO WON STATEWIDE OFFICE A COUPLE OF TIMES, THE BIGGEST REPUBLICAN VOTE-GETTER IS DOWN SIX POINTS.
AGAIN, DO I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE NUMBERS ON ELECTION DAY OR ONCE ALL THE BALLOTS ARE COUNTED?
WE'RE NOT GOING TO KNOW ON ELECTION DAY, NOT NECESSARILY, BUT THIS IS FURTHER DOWN THE BALLOT, BAD NEWS FOR THE REPUBLICANS.
TED: GO TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RACE.
MAYES, 15-POINT LEAD OVER WARREN PETERSEN.
AGAIN, DOES THAT SURPRISE YOU?
>> HONESTLY NO.
I KNOW IT'S A LITTLE CONTRADICTION TO SAY HOBBS HAS TRACKED TO THE MIDDLE.
MAYES HAS BEEN MORE ON THE OFFENSE IN TERMS OF PUSHING DEMOCRAT POLICIES, AND I THINK THAT'S RESONATING IN A DIFFERENT WAY AND MAYBE ENERGIZING THE BASE, AND BIG ENOUGH TO AFFECT INDEPENDENTS.
TED: SENATE PRESIDENT WARREN PETERSEN, HAS HE JUST NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THAT TRACTION?
>> I MEAN, I THINK AMONG HIS OWN BASE, I DON'T KNOW.
IT'S TOUGH IF YOU ARE LIKE FRAMING IT AS A BATTLE OF LEGAL EXPERIENCE.
MAYES HAS RUN THIS OFFICE AND RUN IT WELL, AND PETERSEN SAYS HE'S SET UP LIKE A PSEUDOSOLICITOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, NOT IN COURT, NOT MAKING THE ARGUMENTS.
HE'S ON THE PLAINTIFF'S LINE, THAT'S ABOUT IT.
TED: IS THIS A INDICATE WHERE THE INCUMBENT STATEWIDE ELECTION WINNER COMING BACK AGAIN, PETERSEN NOT A STATEWIDE CANDIDATE UNTIL NOW.
BIG FACTOR?
>> MAYBE SOMEWHAT.
I DO THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE DISCREPANCIES TO WATCH.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOW HOBBS AND MAYES' STRATEGIES WORK FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE SO DIFFERENT.
AND HOBBS TAKING A QUIET AND RESERVED AND MODERATE AND DEMURE APPROACH, PERHAPS.
MAYES IS OUT THERE EVERY SINGLE DAY SENDING A BAZILLION PRESS RELEASES AND FILING FLASHY LAWSUITS FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM, AND I DO AGREE WITH IT RESONATES, I GUESS, FOR THEM IN VERY DIFFERENT WAYS.
THEY'VE BEEN RUNNING TWO DIFFERENT CAMPAIGNS BUT TWO DIFFERENT APPROACHES CAN BE SUCCESSFUL WITH INDEPENDENTS.
>> ONE ADVANTAGE HAVE YOU IS THE ABILITY TO GENERATE PRESS BEING THE LAWSUITS, YOU FILE ONE EVERY WEEK, IN THE HEADLINE EVERY WEEK, HALF OF THEM ARE AGAINST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.
PRETTY GOOD OPTICES FOR YOU WHEN TRUMP IS UNPOPULAR AND DRAGGING DOWN REPUBLICANS.
SOME OF THESE ARE MORE BIPARTISAN, CRAFTING INTO SOCIAL MEDIA STUFF.
WATER ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT TO FOLKS WHO ARE CONSERVATIVE OUT THERE.
NO ONE EXCEPT FOR THE GOVERNOR CAN MATCH THAT ABILITY TO GET YOURSELF IN THE NEWS EVERY DAY.
TED: LET'S GO TO SECRETARY OF STATE ADRIAN FONTES, 12-POINT LEAD OVER ALEXANDER KOLODIN.
I'M NOT GOING TO ASK IF YOU ARE SURPRISED BY THIS ANYMORE, A 12-POINT LEAD IS FIVE POINTS LESS THAN THE GOVERNOR HAS IN THAT RACE.
EVEN IF YOU ARE OFF BY 50%, THAT'S A SIX-POINT MARGIN, THAT'S NOT CLOSE?
>> IT'S NOT INSIGNIFICANT.
I DON'T KNOW, I THINK FONTES, SIMILAR TO MAYES, HAS KEPT A STEADY HAND ON ELECTIONS, AND BEEN IN THE MEDIA IN NEGATIVE WAYS BUT GENERALLY KEPT A GOOD -- HE STEERED THE SHIP IN A GOOD DIRECTION.
TED: IS THIS ALSO A QUESTION OF THE CANDIDATE?
WAS ALEXANDER -- IS HE CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE, PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHO HE IS, AND WHEN THEY FIND OUT WHO HE IS, MAYBE HE'S SAYING -- I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT PARTICULAR CANDIDACY, AND AGAIN, I CAN'T SEE IT GETTING TRACTION RIGHT NOW.
I'M WONDERING IF YOU SEE THE SAME THING?
>> YEAH, I THINK A LITTLE BIT.
I THINK, AGAIN, IT'S THE TROUBLE OF CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW YOUR NAME OR WHO YOU ARE.
I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S PRESENTED THE MOST INVITING PROFILE.
NOT AT LEAST THAT, IF WE'RE TALKING TRUMP, PEOPLE KNOW FONTES BETTER AND TRUST HIM.
>> THIS IS THE STATE'S HIGHEST ELECTION OFFICIAL, AND KOLODIN HAS VERY CLEARLY, MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE PAST SAID THAT OUR ELECTIONS WERE RIGGED, WERE STOLEN, TALKING ABOUT TRUMP AND KARI LAKE.
THAT'S NOT ONLY 2020 BUT 2022, AND IN THE DEBATE SAYS I'M NOT AN ELECTION DENIER.
I WAS LIKE, GIRL.
SORRY.
YOU CANNOT HAVE THAT RECORD AND CHANGE YOUR MIND ON SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
AND THIS OFFICE MORE THAN ANY OTHER OFFICE THAT MATTERS.
PLUS THE FACT WE SAID AT THE BEGINNING, BIGGS, PETERSEN, KOLODIN, ARE SUPPORTED BY TRUMP, SUPPORTED BY TURNING POINT, AND IF PEOPLE ARE MAKING THAT ASSOCIATION IN A NEGATIVE WAY, THAT CAN ONLY HURT THEM.
TED: YOU MENTIONED, JEREMY, THE TREASURER'S RACE, MANSOUR UP NINE, YEE DOING THE BEST OF ALL REPUBLICANS IN THIS PARTICULAR POLL, THIS PARTICULAR SNAPSHOT.
HOW MUCH ARE WE LEARNING FROM THESE NUMBERS ABOUT WHAT COULD HAPPEN AT THE STATE CAPITOL?
>> I MEAN, IF DEMOCRATS REALLY DO TAKE THE TREASURER'S OFFICE, SUPERINTENDENT, OKAY, WE'VE SEEN THAT.
DEMOCRATS TOOK THAT RECENTLY.
TREASURERS OFFICE, DEMOCRATS ARE TAKING THE LEGISLATURE, DEMOCRATS TAKING PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING THERE IS TO TAKE THIS YEAR.
THAT IS, MORE THAN ANYTHING, THE WEATHER VANE OF WHERE VOTERS ARE GOING.
IF THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GO BACK TO -- REPUBLICAN LEANING VOTERS AREN'T GOING TO SWITCH BACK TO REPUBLICANS IN THE TREASURER'S RACE, THAT'S AN OFFICE THAT HAS PERSUADABLE VOTERS.
REPUBLICANS RATHER HAVE A REPUBLICAN IN CHARGE OF THE FINANCES, AND DEMOCRATS LOOK AT DEMOCRATS WITH EDUCATION.
IF REPUBLICANS CAN'T COME BACK AND WIN THAT, THIS IS GOING TO BE A TIDAL WAVE.
TED: THAT COULD MEAN BOTH CHAMBERS?
ONE CHAMBER?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
>> I DON'T KNOW, STRANGER THINGS, RIGHT?
IT'S A DARN SHAME THEY DIDN'T LOOK AT THE STATE MINE INSPECTORS RACE.
TED: ACTUALLY, YOU ARE RIGHT.
WE'RE LOOKING AT BIGTIME POSSIBLE CHANGES DOWN THERE, OR ARE WE?
>> I WAS AFRAID YOU WOULD ASK THIS QUESTION.
I DON'T KNOW, A POLL IS NOT A CRYSTAL BALL BUT DEMOCRATS HAVE A CHANCE TO PICK UP A FEW SEATS.
UNLIKE THE LAST LEGISLATURE CYCLE, THEY DON'T HAVE ONE SEAT REPUBLICAN MAJORITIES, THEY HAVE TO PICK UP MULTIPLE SEATS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, SO THEY HAVE A HIGHER CLIFF TO OVERCOME.
I COULD SEE A TIME.
THE DEMOCRATS TO GET BOTH CHAMBERS WOULD BE A HECK OF A FEAT.
TED: YEAH.
>> THIS IS PROBABLY THE SIXTH OR SEVENTH ELECTION CYCLE IN A ROW, ARE THE DEMOCRATS FINALLY GOING TO WIN BACK THE LEGISLATURE AND CAME SO CLOSE IN RECENT YEARS, SAME WITH THE TREASURER, 1966 IS THE LAST TIME DEMOCRATS HELD THE ARIZONA HOUSE.
GOT A TIE, BUT THAT WOULD BE UNPRECEDENTED BASICALLY UNDER THE MODERN POLITICAL ALIGNMENT THAT WE HAVE.
TED: JEREMY, DID YOU HEAD OUT TO BULLHEAD CITY TO SEE THE PRESIDENT IN HIS SPEECH?
>> I DID NOT.
I HEARD HE MADE A TRIP UP THERE.
TED: YES, AN HOUR AND 45 MINUTE SPEECH.
TURNOUT, A LOT OF FOLKS WERE THERE, MAGA SUPPORTERS, NO SIGN OF JAY FEELY, NO SIGN OF JUAN CISCOMANI.
>> JUST FAR ENOUGH FROM PHOENIX, HEY, I CAN'T GET THERE MR.
PRESIDENT.
I'D LOVE TO GO.
FOR JUAN CISCOMANI, IT IS FAR, USE ITON.
FOR FEELY, THESE ARE TOSS-UP DISTRICTS, I DON'T THINK PEOPLE ARE AWARE HOW BADLY DONALD TRUMP IS DRAGGING THEM DOWN.
SEEN REFERENCES TAKING DONALD TRUMP OFF OF THE WEBSITE.
FEELY SWITCHED FROM A DIFFERENT DISTRICT TO.
SEE PEOPLE PUTTING THAT MUCH DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM AND THE PRESIDENT, NOT SURPRISED AT ALL.
KIND OF SURPRISING HE WAS HERE AT ALL.
OBVIOUSLY HE WANTS TO TRY TO DRIVE TURNOUT.
HE TOLD PEOPLE, PRETEND I'M ON THE BALLOT.
ALL THESE TRUMP VOTERS WHO WILL CLIMB OVER BROKEN GLASS TO VOTE FOR HIM.
IF HE'S NOT ON THE BALLOT, THEY DON'T CARE.
THAT'S HURTING FOLKS LIKE BIGGS, KOLODIN AND PETERSEN.
TED: WE DID HAVE PAUL GOSAR AND MARK LAMB SIGHTING THROUGH THE?
>> I DON'T THINK THAT'S UNSURPRISING.
I THINK THEY HAVE KEPT THEIR ALLEGIANCE WITH THE PRESIDENT, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE -- TED: YEAH, MY POINT IS, WE HAVEN'T SEEN THEM AT ALL, ANYWHERE.
>> YEAH, THEY'VE BEEN INCOGNITO.
I THINK THEY SHOWED UP THE LAST TIME TRUMP WAS IN TOWN.
WOULDN'T LOOK TOO GREAT.
TED: AND THEY ARE IN SAFE DISTRICTS, DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING.
>> AND HAMADEH.
TED: YES.
>> THOSE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING, THEY CAN SIT IN CONGRESS FOR AS LONG AS THEY WANT TO BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THEY'LL EVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT LOSING TO A DEMOCRAT THE WAIT DISTRICTS ARE DRAWN.
NOT ONLY FOR FEELY AND CISCOMANI TO NOT BE THERE, TRUMP DIDN'T MENTION THEM ONCE.
HE SAID I'M HERE TO SUPPORT BIGGS AND SUPPORT THE CONGRESSMEN IN COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS.
THOSE ARE THE TWO MOST COMPETITIVE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS IN ARIZONA BAR NONE.
CD6 AND CD-1, FOR HIM NOT TO SAY GET OUT AND VOTE FOR JUAN CISCOMANI AND GET OUT AND VOTE FOR JAY FEELY WAS A LITTLE WEIRD.
TED: WAS IT A GOOD THING FOR ALL THE CANDIDATES FOR THE PRESIDENT TO SAY PRETEND I'M ON THE BALLOT?
>> NOT AT THE MOMENT.
NOT NECESSARILY.
A FEW YEARS AGO, YES, TRUMP DID SO WELL IN ARIZONA, AT THE MOMENT, RATINGS ARE LOW, AND THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF HE'S DONE THAT PEOPLE TAKE ISSUE WITH, THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE INDEPENDENTS COULD POINT TO SOMETHING AND BE I DON'T KNOW IF I LIKE THAT AND BLAME TRUMP FOR IT BECAUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE -- WE'VE GOT A CONSERVATIVE SUPREME COURT.
THE REPUBLICANS HAVE THE U.S.
HOUSE, THE REPUBLICANS HAVE THE U.S.
SENATE.
THE REPUBLICANS HAVE THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE.
IT'S HARD TO SAY THAT ANYTHING BAD THAT'S HAPPENING ISN'T BECAUSE OF THEIR ADMINISTRATION.
TED: YEAH, JEREMY, OTHER NOTES.
HE CALLED GOVERNOR HOBBS A LOW IQ INDIVIDUAL, AND ALEXANDER KOLODIN A LITTLE NERDY.
DOES THAT HELP ANYTHING?
>> I DON'T THINK ANY OF THIS IS GOING TO HELP REPUBLICANS.
THE PEOPLE PRETENDING DONALD TRUMP IS ON THE BALLOT IS DEMOCRATS.
TED: STICKING WITH YOU, JEREMY.
SOUNDS LIKE BARACK OBAMA, FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA DID A 45-SECOND VIDEO RELEASED BY THE HOBBS CAMPAIGN, PRAISING GOVERNOR HOBBS.
DOES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
>> PROBABLY NOT.
OBAMA, HIS NAME IS RELATIVELY POPULAR.
NOT HERE IN ARIZONA WHERE HE LOST TWICE.
NEVER WAS COMPETITIVE.
WENT UP AGAINST JOHN McCAIN THE FIRST TIME, THAT'S NOT GOING TO HELP YOU IN ARIZONA.
HIGHLIGHTING THE GOVERNOR'S RECORD INCLUDING STUFF THAT WERE REPUBLICAN POLICIES THAT SHE CAME ON BOARD.
SHE VETOED A COUPLE OF THEM FIRST TIME AROUND, WHAT WE'RE SEEING A LOT IN OUR CAMPAIGN.
CAMRYN MANSIONING TRYING TO PRESENT THE MORE MODERATE PERSONA.
HAVING BARACK OBAMA PRESENT IT FOR YOU IS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING FOR YOU IN ARIZONA.
WILL IT HURT?
NOT LIKE THIS IS ON TV, I DON'T THINK.
PROBABLY NOT BE MUCH OF A FACTOR AT ALL.
TED: DIGITAL VIDEO.
BIGGS CAMPAIGN IMMEDIATELY CAME OUT AND SAID OBAMA WAS LYING ABOUT HOBBS' RECORD DOES.
THIS MOVE ANY NEEDLE AT ALL ANYWHERE IN ARIZONA?
>> I MEAN, I THINK IT'S A NET NEUTRAL.
IF YOU ARE SEEING HOBBS IS BREAKING WITH HER PARTY AND TOUTING TAX BREAKS, THAT SHE WAS RESISTANT TO AT FIRST.
YOU'RE GOING TO STAND YOUR GROUND ON THAT, THAT SHE'S FABRICATING HER RECORD OR PRESENTING THINGS IN A CERTAIN WAY.
YEAH, IF YOU ARE BEHIND HOBBS, NET NEUTRAL.
TED: IS IT A WASH?
TRUMP?
OBAMA?
WHAT?
>> I WOULD SAY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY DOESN'T HAVE EQUIVALENT TO DONALD TRUMP.
I WOULD SAY THAT OBAMA, HE NEVER WON ARIZONA, HE LOST ARIZONA EVERY SINGLE TIME, BUT OF ALL THE DEMOCRATS WHO ARE THE BIG NAMES WHO COULD STUMP FOR HOBBS, OBAMA IS NOT SUPER HARMFUL TO HER.
I DON'T THINK IT'S PARTICULARLY SUPER HELPFUL.
IT'S UNSURPRISING HE WOULD SUPPORT HER.
FOUR YEARS AGO, OBAMA HAD A RALLY AND SUPPORTED HOBBS AND MARK KELLY AT THE TIME, BECAUSE MARK KELLY WAS ON THE BALLOT THEN.
IT'S NOT UNUSUAL, IT WOULD BE MORE HARMFUL IF IT WERE JOE BIDEN, OBAMA, IT'S LIKE, OKAY.
TED: WAS IT HELPFUL FOR THE JAY FEELY CAMPAIGN TO HAVE KYRSTEN SINEMA APPARENTLY REPORTEDLY SUPPORTING HIM?
>> WELL, SINEMA IS AN INTERESTING PERSON BECAUSE SHE'S LIVED SO MANY LIVES.
SHE'S IN THE GREEN PARTY, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, INDEPENDENT AND NOW APPARENTLY, ACCORDING TO AXIOS, PUTTING SOME SUPPORT BEHIND JAY FEELY, BUT I THINK THIS MIGHT HAVE TO DO WITH DATA CENTERS MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.
SHE'S NO LONGER IN POLITICS, BUT SUPPORTIVE OF DATA CENTERS AND JAY FEELY IN THAT RACE AGAINST SHAH IS MORE SUPPORTIVE OF DATA CENTERS.
THAT'S THE FIRST THOUGHT THAT COMES TO MY MIND.
TED: JEREMY, TELLING BUSINESS AND POLITICAL LEADERS OF HER SUPPORT AND DOING SO, THE QUOTE WAS QUIETLY.
DOES KYRSTEN SINEMA DO ANYTHING QUIETLY?
>> APPARENTLY.
THIS IF IT WERE GOING TO HAVE ANY IMPACT, MAYBE IF SHE ENDORSED HIM, GOT PUBLICITY OUT OF THAT, MAYBE THAT MOVES THE NEEDLE.
YOU HAVE TO WONDER HOW MUCH SWAY KYRSTEN SINEMA'S OPINION HAS IN ARIZONA?
THE CURRENT LIFE, GOT TERMED OUT OF OFFICE, DEMOCRAT, SWITCHED TO INDEPENDENT, DECIDED NOT TO RUN AGAIN.
SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE PULL SHE USED TO.
ZONING COMMISSION LOBBYING FOR ZONING CHANGE FOR DATA CENTER, AND IT GOT UNANIMOUSLY KILLED.
THERE ARE PROBABLY FOLKS WHO LIKE THE WAY SHE CONDUCTED HERSELF IN OFFICE, VERY CLOSE TO CENTER, REACHING ACROSS THE AISLE A LOT.
TO SOME OF THOSE FOLKS, MAYBE THAT WILL PERSUADE THEM, IF FEELY WANTS TO GET THE WORD OUT WHICH I HAVEN'T SEEN HIM DOING.
TED: BEING CLOSE TO CENTER AND REACHING ACROSS THE AISLE, ALL IT MATTERS IS CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 1.
SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING CD-1 VOTERS LIKE?
>> THEY MIGHT LATCH ONTO IT, IT SPEAKS TO HOW RELEVANT SINEMA IS IN VOTERS' MINDS.
I DON'T KNOW, SHE'S NOT BEEN IN THE TOP OF THE HEADLINES IN ANY POSITIVE WAY, I DON'T THINK.
TED: RIGHT, RIGHT, AND SHE'S IN THE DISTRICT, FOUND OUT SHE LIVES IN THAT DISTRICT, THE LAST QUESTION ON THIS ONE, THE IRONY IS, SHAH SEEMS MORE LIKE SINEMA THAN FEELY BECAUSE HE DOES TOUT THE FACT HE GOES ACROSS THE AISLE AND DOESN'T ALWAYS STICK WITH THE PARTY.
>> I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT IN SOME WAY AND WRANGLING OF FELLOW DEMOCRATS DOING SO.
I ASKED SHAH ABOUT BEING AN INDEPENDENT THINKER.
I SAID ARE YOU COMMITTED TO STAYING IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, WOULD YOU THINK ABOUT BEING INDEPENDENT?
HE SAID NO, I'M A DEMOCRAT.
SINEMA AND SHAH SHARE SIMILARITIES WITH THE MODERATE.
TED: WHAT ABOUT DATA CENTERS, ARE THEY HOT FIRED ABOUT DATA CENTERS?
>> I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IS HOT FIRED ABOUT DATA CENTERS, NOT NEXT TO MY HOUSE, NOT IN MY BACKYARD, NOT WITH THE TRAFFIC, THE ENERGY, THE WATER USAGE, AND I THINK THE IDEA OF BRINGING IN JOBS IS SOMETHING PEOPLE LIKE, BUT MAYBE NOT FOR CD-1 AT THE MOMENT.
TED: JEREMY, EVERY WEEK WE HAVE A JUSTIN HEAP STORY, AND NOW THE FBI IS CALLING HEAP'S OFFICE WITH SOMETHING THEY COULD HAVE DONE NEFARIOUS.
>> COULD BE NEFARIOUS IF YOU WANT TO JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS BECAUSE YOU SAW SOMETHING ON TV AND YOU DIDN'T UNDERSTAND AND DIDN'T BOTHER TO ASK.
THIS IS UNFORTUNATELY THE PATTERN WE'VE SEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS NOW, WHERE PEOPLE JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS.
THESE PEOPLE ARE RIGGING THE ELECTION, DOING SOMETHING WRONG AND WE SAW JUSTIN HEAP SAY MAYBE YOU ARE RIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO SEND THIS OVER TO THE FBI TO INVESTIGATE.
TWO COUNTY ELECTIONS EMPLOYEES, NOT RECORDER'S OFFICE, GO IN LATE AT NIGHT, THEY THIS H TO UPDATE SOFTWARE BECAUSE THE MACHINES AREN'T CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET.
YOU HAVE TO GO IN WITH A FLASH DRIVE AND DO IT MANUALLY.
SOMEONE IS WATCHING THE LIVE FEED ON THE 24 HOUR LIVE STREAM CAMERA, MY GOD, DID YOU SEE THAT?
AND MADE ITS WAY TO THE FBI.
MUCH ATO ABOUT NOTHING, IT LOOKS BAD THAT YOU'RE GOING TO JUMP TO THE SAME CONCLUSION, KATE BROPHY McGEE SAID PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL, THAT WOULD TELL YOU WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
THAT WOULD HAVE SAVED A LOT OF GRIEF.
TED: KATE BROPHY McGEE SAID IT IS DISGUSTING THE FIRST THING HE DID IS CALLED THE FBI TO INVESTIGATE.
DO THEY HAVE A POINT THERE?
>> I THINK THERE ARE CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT SOAKING THE SAME FLAMES IN 2020 AND 2022, THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLF, TO GET PEOPLE RILED UP FOR THE SAKE OF IT, IT SEEMS.
>> THAT VIDEO WENT VIRAL.
SO EVERYONE HAD COMMENTS ON IT.
HERE COME THE ELECTION DENIERS AND HERE WE GO ALL OVER AGAIN.
EXCEPT WE DON'T BECAUSE THE FBI SAID NOTHING TO BE SEEN HERE.
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, NOTHING TO BE SEEN HERE, BUT DOES THAT KILL THE BEAST?
>> NO.
ONCE THE SEED IS PLANTED, NO GOING BACK, WHEN YOU HEAR THE TERMS MARICOPA COUNTY ELECTIONS, I'M NERVOUS, OH, GOD, WHAT IS IT NOW?
YOU COULD SAY THIS IS A WASH.
THE PEOPLE WERE DOING SOFTWARE UPDATES, THEY WERE ALLOWED TO DO IT, SOMEONE LOOKED CONCERNED AND REPORTED IT.
EVERYTHING IS GOOD GOING FORWARD.
THE CONTEXT IS TENSIONS ARE REALLY, REALLY HIGH.
WE HAVE THE HIGH-PROFILE ELECTION COMING UP, AND PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO JUMP ON, AND IT MIGHT COME UP AGAIN AS THEY'RE BUILDING CASES, DEPENDING ON WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS SKWLEEKZ IS THE RECORDER'S OFFICE READY AND CAPABLE TO HANDLE THIS ELECTION?
>> THEY HANDLED THE PRIMARY ELECTION PRETTY WELL.
IF THINGS GO THE SAME WAY, HYPOTHETICALLY YES.
BECAUSE IT WAS A PRIMARY ELECTION, REPUBLICANS WON THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES AND DEMOCRATS WON THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES.
IT COMES DOWN TO THE GENERAL ELECTION AND THE AFTERMATH.
TED: BEFORE WE GO, JEREMY, THE U.S.
SUPREME COURT IS NOT GOING TO LOOK AT VACATING SANCTIONS AGAINST KARI LAKE'S ATTORNEYS, THIS GOES WAY BACK TO INJECTING PALLETS INTO A RACE THAT WAS FOUND FRIVOLOUS.
>> MAKE SURE THERE IS NO BAMBOO IN THE BALLOTS, NO FAKE BALLOTS INJECTED.
DIFFICULT TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT LAWSUIT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT.
THIS ONE IS FOR A LAWSUIT THAT ACTUALLY PREDATED THE ACTUAL ELECTION.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE ACTUAL ELECTION TO FILE LAWSUITS BASED ON NOTHING.
SHE AND MARK FINCHEM WERE DEMANDING A HAND COUNT OF BALLOTS AS OPPOSED TO THE MACHINE TABULATION.
SUPREME COURT SAID THEY CAME BACK LATER ON AND PUT SILLY CLAIMS ABOUT INJECTING BALLOTS.
THERE IS NO BASIS IN FACT OR LAW.
LOOKS LIKE HE'S STUCK WITH THE BILL.
TED: IS THAT THE LAST WE'RE GOING TO HEAR ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR THING?
>> I WOULD HOPE SO.
THIS IS WHERE THE BUCK STOPS, AND THEY GOT NOWHERE ELSE TO GO.
AND AS FAR AS LOOKING AT THE DISCIPLINARY, THE STATE BAR AND PRESIDING DISCIPLINARY JUDGE, THOSE DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE, THAT'S ALL EXHAUSTED, YEAH.
TED: ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT.
PANEL, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
APPRECIATE IT.
THAT'S IT FOR NOW.
I'M TED SIMONS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
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