♪.

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

WE'LL LOOK AT THE WEEK'S TOP STORIES, INCLUDING TROUBLE ALLEGATIONS INVOLVING CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE AND FORMER PINAL COUNTY SHERIFF MARK LAMB.

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, JEREMY DUDA OF AXIOS PHOENIX.

WAYNE SCHUTSKY FROM KJZZ RADIO, AND FREELANCE JOURNALIST MARY JO PITZL.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU ALL HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

JEREMY, START WITH YOU, EXPLICIT PHOTOS, TEXTS, NUDE PHOTOS, WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

>> YES, CD-5 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY GOT R-RATED, X-RATED REAL QUICK.

THIS RACE BETWEEN FORMER PINAL COUNTY SHERIFF MARK LAMB AND CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS OWNER DANIEL KEENAN AND MARK LAMB IS THE FRONT-RUNNER VIBES FOR A WHILE AND GOT INFORMATION THAT MIGHT TAKE HIM OUT OF THAT A LITTLE BIT.

EXPLICIT PHOTOS SENT TO A LOT OF WOMEN, VERY EXPLICIT PHOTOS IN SOME CASES, STUFF YOU COULDN'T SHOW ON TV.

THREATS, ALLEGED THREATS FROM ONE WOMAN TO KEEP IT QUIET, ALLEGATIONS OF GROUP TEXTS WHERE THEY'RE EXCHANGING A LOT OF PHOTOS, MAYBE PEOPLE ARE SWINGERS.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN WITH THIS.

COMMEND ALL THE WORK BY THE REPUBLIC FOR DOING A TON OF INVESTIGATIVE WORK, TALKING TO A LOT OF THESE WOMEN, REVIEWING A LOT OF THE TEXT MESSAGES THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO REVIEW, SO THESE ARE SHOCK ALLEGATIONS, AND WE'VE HEARD, THERE'S SOME ALLEGATIONS IN THE PAST WHILE HE WAS SHERIFF, THIS IS ALLEGEDLY WHILE HE WAS PINAL COUNTY SHERIFF, AND THERE HAVE BEEN WHISPERS FOR A WHILE, BUT THIS IS VERY EXPLICIT STUFF COMING OUT.

A MONTH, MONTH AND A HALF BEFORE VOTING BEGINS.

>> THIS IS "ARIZONA REPUBLIC" DOING A GREAT JOB ON THIS, DID IT CHANGE THE COURSE OF THAT PARTICULAR REPUBLICAN PRIMARY, THE DE FACTO ELECTION.

>> THE CONTEXT IS THIS IS VERY REPUBLICAN DISTRICT.

WHOEVER WINS THIS PRIMARY IS GOING TO WIN THE RACE MOST LIKELY.

LAMB IS THE FAVORITE, HE'S GOT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT.

WHETHER THAT IS ENOUGH TO KNOCK THE WIND OUT THE SAILS, WE'LL SEE.

HE'S RUNG AS A FAMILY FIRST, FAMILY VALUES CANDIDATE, AND WHEN YOU HAVE THE MESSAGES AS JEREMY INDICATE, SOME SORT OF SWINGING SITUATION, LOTS OF EXPLICIT PHOTOS SENT TO WOMEN, IT DOES UNDERCUT FAMILY VALUES IN A DISTRICT THAT IS VERY RELIGIOUS, VERY HEAVILY ORIENTED TOWARDS FAMILY.

TED: WE HAVE THE EXPLICIT PHOTOS AND THE SEXTING AND ALL THIS BUSINESS, BUT THE ALLEGED THREATS AGAINST WOMEN FOR POSTING AND COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS OR SAYING -- MAKING THEIR ALLEGATIONS PUBLIC, THAT'S PRETTY ROUGH STUFF.

>> I THINK THE ALLEGATIONS TARGETED ONE WOMAN IN PARTICULAR, WHO LEFT -- SHE'S DECEASED, BUT LEFT BEHIND A VERY RICH TROVE OF DIGITAL EVIDENCE OF HER ENCOUNTERS WITH LAMB, AND AS HE NEARED HIS CAMPAIGN FOR SHERIFF, HE ASKED HER TO JUST TAKE THE STUFF DOWN, DON'T POST ANYMORE, AND WHEN SHE SORT OF QUESTIONED THAT AND GAVE HIM A HARD TIME, HE THREATENED HER WITH PROSECUTING HER UNDER THE STATE'S REVENGE PORN LAW, EVEN SUGGESTING HE HAD CONTACTS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY THAT COULD SPELL BAD THINGS FOR HER.

DIDN'T STOP HER.

TED: YEAH, AND PIGGYBACKING ON WHAT WAYNE WAS TALKING ABOUT, WHAT DOES THIS DO TO THAT RACE?

>> HARD TO SAY.

WHAT THE FALLOUT IS, VERY CONSERVATIVE, VERY RELIGIOUS, VERY LDS AND FORMER SHERIFF LAMBB IS MEMBER OF THE LDS CHURCH.

ONE WOMAN BROUGHT HER CONCERNS TO THE CHURCH AND FELT THINGS WERE GETTING SWEPT UNDER THE RUG, THIS IS A COMMUNITY THAT DOES VERY MUCH VALUE TRADITIONAL FAMILY VALUES.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE, PUSH AND PULL IS OBVIOUSLY BETWEEN TRUMP ENDORSED, FRONT-RUNNER VIBES, BUT THESE ARE -- I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF VOTERS IN THE DISTRICT WHO PROBABLY WILL TAKE UMBRAGE WITH THE ALLEGATIONS AND HE HASN'T REALLY RESPONDED TO THE INDIVIDUAL ALLEGATION, A BLANKET STATEMENT FROM AN ATTORNEY SAYING THESE ARE MISLEADING AND DEFAMATORY AND HARMFUL, BUT HE DID NOT ADDRESS THE SPECIFICS WHICH IS GOING TO LEAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WONDERING, WHICH PARTS ARE YOU REFERRING TO, WHAT ISN'T TRUE?

CAN YOU ADDRESS -- THEY HAVE TEXTS, THE REPUBLICANS PUBLISHED SOME YOU CAN'T PUT ONLINE.

THERE ARE THINGS VOTERS IN THE DISTRICT, FAMILY VALUES VOTERS ARE GOING TO WANT TO HEAR HIS ACTUAL RESPONSE TO SOME OF THESE THINGS.

>> WELL, HE'S ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, SO WILL ANYBODY RAISE THIS, OR I THINK IT'S A LITTLE TOO LATE FOR LAMB TO GET IN FRONT OF THIS.

DOES HE JUST IGNORE IT?

TED: WHAT DOES THE CAMPAIGN DO?

>> HE'S GOT AN ATTORNEY.

I'M WONDERING IF THERE WILL BE A LAWSUIT, AND TO ME, I DON'T KNOW THIS, I FORMERLY WORKED AT THE REPUBLIC, I WONDER IF THEY HEARD FROM HIS ATTORNEY MORE THAN A MONTH BEFORE PUBLICATION, IF THERE WERE THREATS THERE WOULD BE LITIGATION IF THE NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED THIS INFORMATION, BUT I DON'T KNOW.

LAMB'S GOING TO BE OUT THERE.

EARLY VOTING STARTS JUNE 24, I GUESS, AND THERE'S A LOT OF CAMPAIGNING YET TO DO.

I WOULD THINK YOU'VE GOT TO ADDRESS IT.

TED: YEAH, DANIEL KEENAN BECOMES A NAME THAT IS GOING TO BE PROPPED UP PRETTY HIGH THERE IN THAT DISTRICT, IS HE NOT?

>> YEAH, UNDERDOG CANDIDATE, A LOCAL, GREW UP IN THE DISTRICT.

HE'S A HOME BUILDER, AND HE'S PUT OUT A STATEMENT SEIZING ON THIS AND CRITICIZING LAMB.

SEEN OTHER PEOPLE QUESTION WHY HE HASN'T DROPPED OUT YET, STILL THE FRONT-RUNNER.

AS WE MENTIONED, WE'VE SEEN LDS VOTERS IN SOME CASES MOVE AWAY, ESPECIALLY LDS WOMEN MOVE AWAY FROM CANDIDATES THAT OFFEND THEIR SENSIBILITIES, FORMER COUNCILWOMAN JULIA SPILLSBURY POLITICALLY WAS ATTACKED, SHE BROKE AWAY FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND SUPPORTED KAMALA HARRIS LAST TIME AROUND.

THIS IS SOMETHING I CAN SEE DRIVING THOSE VOTERS TOWARDS MAYBE DANIEL KEENAN.

>> DANIEL KEENAN HAS SOMETHING GOING FOR HIM BESIDE THESE ALLEGATIONS.

A GOOD AMOUNT OF MONEY, $1.5 MILLION OF HIS OWN MONEY INTO THE RACE.

AT LAST REPORT, HE HAD 1.2 MILLION ON HAND.

WHO KNOWS IF HE HAS MORE TO PUT IN.

THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY TO GET YOUR MESSAGE OUT.

THAT IS A MESSAGE HE WANTS TO GET OUT.

YOU CAN PUT OUT A STATEMENT ON TWITTER OR WEBSITE, THAT'S GOING TO GET A LITTLE TRACTION IN THE MEDIA.

IF YOU HAVE MONEY TO PUT BEHIND THE MESSAGING, HE'S GOING TO WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERY PRIMARY VOTER KNOWS ABOUT THIS.

>> MAYBE HE'LL BUY THEM ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE REPUBLIC TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES.

TED: I REMEMBER WE HAD DANIEL KEENAN IN HERE, MARK LAMB WAS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.

ASKED WHY DO YOU THINK THE PRESIDENT ENDORSED YOUR OPPONENT AND NOT YOU?

AND HE GAVE A STOCK ANSWER AND SAID, BUT HE MIGHT LATER ON, YOU NEVER KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE KNEW AND WHEN HE KNEW IT.

WOULD THE PRESIDENT UNDO AN ENDORSEMENT FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT HE NEEDS A REASON, HE'S UNDONE ENDORSEMENTS FOR LESS.

NOW GIVEN THE PRESIDENT'S HISTORY, WHO KNOWS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL DRIVE THAT ENDORSEMENT AWAY.

>> RIGHT.

>> BUT HE LIKES TO BACK A WINNER, IF HE SMELLS BLOOD IN THE WATER AND SENSES WEAKNESS AND SEES THE TIDE SHIFTING, HE MIGHT PERHAPS CHANGE.

>> INTERESTING SUBTEXT TO ALL THIS IS THE LDS CHURCH.

ONE OF THESE WOMEN WENT TO CHURCH ELDERS WITH HER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, AND SHE HAD EVIDENCE, APPARENTLY, AND NOTHING HAPPENED.

THIS REMINDS ME OF A CASE THAT HAPPENED YEARS AGO IN COCHISE COUNTY WHERE THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF SOME VERY HORRIBLE CHILD ABUSE THAT WAS GOING ON BY A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH, AND HE CONFESSED TO HIS -- TO A CHURCH ELDER, BUT BECAUSE OF THE CONFESSIONAL LAW, APPARENTLY, NOTHING HAPPENED.

>> ONE PERSON I'M WONDERING WHAT HE'S THINKING IS JAY FEELY, THE FORMER NFL KICKER RUNNING IN THAT DISTRICT.

LOOKED LIKE A HOTLY CONTESTED RACE, AND PRESIDENT TRUMP ENDORSED LAMB AND SAID, HEY, JAY, FIND YOURSELF A NEW DISTRICT, HE DID.

HE'S GOT TO BE LOOKING AT CD-5, I COULD HAVE TAKEN HIM.

ONCE YOU GET OUT OF THE PRIMARY, GENERAL IS ALL THAT MATTERS.

THAT IS NOT A GOOD DISTRICT FOR A REPUBLICAN LOOKING LIKE VERY WELL COULD BE A DEMOCRATIC WAVE HERE.

>> I ALSO WONDERED WHY NONE OF THIS CAME UP ON KARI LAKE'S RADAR WHEN LAMB RAN AGAINST HER FOR SENATE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION?

SHE NEVER LOOKED AT LAMB, SHE WAS ALREADY AIMING FOR GALLEGO WHEN SHE WAS IN HER PRIMARY ELECTION.

TED: WAYNE, WE GOT A BUDGET DEAL MAYBE GETTING CLOSER, I THINK THE SENATE PRESIDENT SAID IT'S 97% DONE BETWEEN THE LEGISLATORS AND THE GOVERNOR, IS THAT TRUE?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

>> I SAT DOWN WITH THEM THE OTHER DAY, NOW HE EMPHASIZED THAT THOSE FINER POINTS CAN TAKE A LITTLE WHILE, ESSENTIALLY GOING THROUGH LINE-BY-LINE, YOU LIKE, THIS I LIKE THIS, MAKE AN AGREEMENT AND BRING IT BACK TO THE LAWMAKERS, THE REST OF THEM AND GET THEM ON BOARD.

DOESN'T MEAN WE'RE CLOSE, CLOSE, HE ESTIMATED EARLY JUNE THEY ARE SCHEDULED TO COME BACK, JUNE 1, SO HOPEFULLY MAYBE WE'LL GET TO GO HOME BEFORE JUNE 30.

>> IS THERE ANY INDICATION THERE IS RESOLUTION ON PROP 123?

>> DIDN'T MENTION IT.

>> SEEMS LIKE A BIGGER ISSUE THAN 3% THAT'S NOT RESOLVED.

CURIOUS TO SEE WHERE THEY ARE ON THE EDUCATION FUNDING MEASURE?

>> I'M NOT EXPECTING TO SEE ANYTHING ON 123.

THE LEADERSHIP OVER THERE PUT THAT TO REST FOR THE SESSION.

COME BACK NEXT YEAR, AS FAR AS THE 97%, PETERSEN SAID THE SAME THING TWO WEEKS AGO, THE STOCK ANSWER, WE'RE CLOSE, WE'RE ALMOST THERE, HAVE THEY MADE ANY PROGRESS?

THESE THINGS HAPPEN BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

IT'S HARD TO GET A SENSE OF ARE THEY GETTING CLOSE OR WORKING OUT DISAGREEMENTS.

ONCE THEY COME BACK JUNE 1, MAYBE THEY WILL.

TED: IS THERE A WAY TO KNOW THE 3%, WHAT'S OUT THERE?

THE STICKING POINT?

>> WE HAVE IDEAS, AS MARY JO MENTIONED, EDUCATION FUNDING IS A BIG DEAL AND THE OTHER AREA IS WHERE ARE CUTS GOING TO HAPPEN TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.

WHAT'S NOT GOING TO GET FUNDED AND HAVE TO GET THE LAWMAKERS ON BOARD, WHEN THEY BRING IT BACK TO THEM, THERE HAS TO BE A LITTLE WIGGLE ROOM TO SAY HEY, THROW THIS ON THERE TO GET PEOPLE ON BOARD AND THROW THIS ON THERE TO GET THESE PEOPLE ON BOARD.

THERE'S NO WAY TO KNOW THE SPECIFICS BUT ALWAYS CHANGES.

>> THE HOUSE AND SENATE, ARE THEY DOWN THERE?

MEETING ONCE A WEEK?

>> THE SENATE IS COMING IN ON MONDAYS, THE HOUSE TOOK OFF UNTIL JUNE 1.

TED: OKAY, IF THERE IS SOMETHING FOR THE RANK AND FILE, THE RANK AND FILE ARE -- >> YOU CAN CALL THEM.

BRING THEM IN.

TED: WHAT WOULD BE AN INDICATION THINGS ARE MOVING?

>> IT'S NOT THE RANK, IT'S JUST THE LEADERSHIP AND STAFF DOING THE NEGOTIATING.

MOST OF THE FOLKS DON'T NEED TO BE DOWN THERE UNTIL THERE IS SOMETHING TO VOTE ON.

NOW THAT THE VETO MORATORIUM IS LIFTED, THEY CAN VOTE ON THINGS AND SEND THEM TO THE GOVERNOR IF THEY WANTED.

TED: ANY COMMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ON THIS?

>> NO.

>> I THINK LIFTING THE VETO MORATORIUM WAS THE SIGN THAT THINGS WERE MOVING.

SHE INITIALLY SAID THEY WOULD LIFT IT WHEN SHE PRESENTED THEIR BUDGET.

THE DEADLINE CAME AND WENT, AND ACTUALLY I WILL LIFT IT WHEN THEY ENGAGE IN GOOD FAITH NEGOTIATIONS AND SHE LIFTED IT.

THE SIGNAL I TOOK FROM THAT, NEGOTIATIONS WERE HAPPENING AND A WEEK LATER I SPOKE TO PETERSEN.

TED: A LITTLE BIT OF AGREEMENT, SOMETHING GOOD HAPPENING THERE.

TALK ABOUT THE MARICOPA COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND THE COUNTY RECORDER AND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

THE RECORDER SENDS A LETTER THREATENING PROSECUTION?

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> HIS ATTORNEY DID.

THIS IS REGARDING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTED THIS WEEK TO APPROVE DROP BOX LOCATIONS FOR THE JULY PRIMARY ELECTIONS.

12 LOCATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND QUICKLY GOT A LETTER SAYING, WAIT, YOU CAN'T DO THAT BECAUSE DROP BOXES ARE THE PURVIEW OF THE RECORDER, NOT THE SUPERVISORS WHICH OVERSEES PORTIONS OF THE ELECTION PROCESS, AND THE BOARD CHAIRMAN, BROPHY McGEE SAID, WAIT A MINUTE, WHO'S RUNNING THAT OFFICE?

THE ATTORNEY OR JUSTIN HEAP, THE RECORDER?

AND THEY CATEGORICALLY REJECTED HIS ARGUMENTS, AND THEN TODAY, I THINK TODAY, ATTORNEY GENERAL MAYES WEIGHED IN ON IT AS WELL, AND SIDED WITH THE BOARD, AND POINTED OUT IN A LETTER TO MR.

HEAP IN HIS OFFICE THAT, A DROP BOX IS NOT AN EARLY VOTING SITE.

THAT'S HEAP'S CONTENTION.

THAT'S PART OF EARLY VOTING, MY TURF, STAY OUT.

BUT MAYES IS ARGUE, NO, IT CERTAINTY, BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GO TO A DROP BOX AND REQUEST A BALLOT LIKE YOU CAN IF YOU ARE EARLY VOTING.

AND I NOTE THAT THIS POLICY THEY'VE BEEN FOLLOWING ON DROP BOX LOCATION APPROVAL HAS BEEN IN THE ELECTIONS PROCEDURE MANUAL FOR THE LAST THREE MANUALS, AND THE MOST RECENT ONE, RECORDER HEAP OR HIS STAFF WAS INVOLVED IN THE CREATION OF IT, AND I KNOW IT'S A BIG OLD DOCUMENT, BUT APPARENTLY DROP BOXES ARE NEAR AND DEAR TO HIS HEART.

WHY THAT DIDN'T COME UP DURING THAT PROCESS, I DON'T KNOW.

TED: ANOTHER CHAPTER IN THIS FIGHT OVER WHO HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DO WHAT WITH COUNTY ELECTIONS?

>> DEFINITELY A MUCH MORE EYEBROW-RAISING CHAPTER THAN BEFORE.

THIS IS A LITTLE MORE THAN ARGUING OVER WHO HAS WHAT AUTHORITY.

THE COURTS ARE SORTING THAT OUT.

THIS IS EXPLICIT THREAT OF I'M GOING TO GET YOU CHARGED WITH FELONIES, HAVE YOU ELECTION WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS.

I BELIEVE THE STATE'S ANTI-BALLOT HARVESTING LAW.

WHO WOULD ACTUALLY CHARGE THEM WITH TOUCH A THING OR PROSECUTE SUCH A THING?

OBVIOUSLY IT'S NOT GOING TO BE KRIS MAYES, SINCERELY DOUBT IT'S COUNTY ATTORNEY RACHEL MITCHELL.

YOU ARE OUT OF OPTIONS IF YOU ARE JUSTIN HEAP AND HIS ATTORNEY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE END GAME IS HERE, THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR OWN LIST OF DROP BOX LOCATIONS, THE SPECIAL ELECTION FOR CD-7 NO ONE OBJECTED TO DROP BOXES.

THE WAY THINGS HAVE DONE FOR YEARS AND YEARS, SO IT WAS A POINT THEY HAVE THEIR OWN DROP BOXES, NO DROP BOXES, BECAUSE THE FOLKS -- HEAP'S BIGGEST SUPPORTERS THE MAGA ELECTION CROWD, THEY DON'T WANT DROP BOXES AT ALL.

WE'VE SEEN PEOPLE SET UP SHOP, DISSUADE PEOPLE FROM USING THEM, LOTS OF TRUMPIAN ALLEGATIONS, THIS IS WHERE THE FRAUD IS COMING FROM.

TED: WAYNE, I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN COVERING THIS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING?

AS FAR AS ENDGAME IS CONCERNED, WE GOT A COUPLE OF BIG ELECTIONS HERE COMING UP?

.

>> WELL, SOME OF THE SUPERVISORS SAID THE QUIET PART OUTLOUD.

THEY SAID ALL THIS BACK TO 2020, CLAIMS OF FRAUD, ALL THE STUFF JEREMY MENTIONED, AND ESSENTIALLY HE'S DOING THIS TO UNDERMINE DROP BOXES.

THEY'RE THROWING EVERYTHING AT IT AND CREATING CONFUSION AND UNDERMINING OUR ELECTORAL SYSTEM, YOU KNOW.

AT ONE POINT IN HER LETTER, ATTORNEY GENERAL MAYES SAID IF YOU CONSIDER DROP BOXES IN EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS, THAT MEANS EVERY VOTE IN THE STATE IS EARLY VOTING.

ANY MAIL PERSON COULD BE ARRESTED FOR BALLOT HARVESTING.

I KNOW FOLKS, INCLUDING LAWMAKERS, WHO MIGHT ACTUALLY LIKE THAT.

SO IF YOU FOLLOW THE THROUGH LINES HERE, THE EFFECT OF THIS IS THAT IT'S UNDERMINING PREPARATIONS FOR ELECTION A MONTH BEFORE EARLY VOTING.

TED: TO WHAT END?

WHY WOULD HE WANT TO DO THAT?

>> SOME OF HIS ALLIES DISLIKE DROP BOXES.

>> AS FAR AS UNDERMINING ELECTIONS, YOU GOT TO VOTE AND YOU STILL GOT TO COUNT.

>> I THINK THERE ARE SUSPICION UNITED STATES THAT WANT TO DISSUADE CERTAIN GROUPS FROM VOTING BY MAKING A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT, IF YOU CAN'T DROP YOUR BALLOT OFF.

MAYBE YOU'RE A BUSY MOM WITH KID US AND CAN'T GET TO THE POLLS, SO YOU DO YOUR BALLOT EARLY, DROP IT IN A DROP BOX.

IT'S HARD -- I'VE NEVER SEEN A PROFILE WHO USES -- WHAT KIND OF VOTER USES A DROP BOX OR POLITICAL PERSUASION THEY HAVE.

A LOT OF IT IS TO UNDERMINE CONFIDENCE AND DISSUADE PEOPLE.

>> SUPERVISOR GALLARDO SAID HE WANTS US TO FAIL, JUSTIN HEAP WANTS THE ELECTIONS TO FAIL.

I DON'T KNOW IF THE OTHER SUPERVISORS WOULD HAVE GONE THAT FAR, BUT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF THE POINT IS SIMPLY TO CAST A LOT OF DOUBT, AND WE'LL SEE IN NOVEMBER, DEPENDING WHO WINS, WE'LL SEE, I THINK WE ALL KNOW WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF ALLEGATION PROBABLY WITH NO BASIS IN FACT, IF DEMOCRATS WIN THE KEY RACES, SO A LOT OF THIS COULD BE SETTING THE STAGE AND SAY THAT WAS RIGGED, A FRAUDULENT VOTE.

TED: BUT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE REPUBLICANS WIN, TOO.

WOULD THAT BE RIGGED?

YOU WANT TO UNDERMINE ELECTIONS?

>> WE'VE BEEN HAVING THIS CONVERSATION SINCE 2020.

TED: YES.

>> REPUBLICANS DID REALLY WELL LAST TIME AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ALLEGATIONS WENT AWAY.

THEY DIDN'T CHALLENGE ANY OF THE REPUBLICANS WHO WON IN 22 OR 20.

YOU SEE WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE, AND THAT SEEMS TO BE WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE.

>> AND MORE OF THE TURMOIL, IF YOU RECALL, HEAP, A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, SAID HEY, I'VE FOUND 137 PEOPLE WHO ARE NONCITIZENS AND THEY'VE -- AT LEAST 60 HAVE VOTED.

THIS IS A CRIME, AND I'M GOING TO REFER THIS TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

TODAY, YESTERDAY, IT'S ALL BLENDING TOGETHER, ATTORNEY GENERAL CALLS HIM OUT ON IT AND ONE HER DIVISION CHIEF SAYS WAIT A MINUTE, SEND THE NAMES OVER, THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE A LOT SOONER.

YOU CAN'T SIT ON THIS IF THIS IS A POTENTIAL CRIME, AND SO WE'LL SEE WHEN THOSE GET OVER AND IF THOSE ALLEGED NONCITIZENS INDEED ARE NOT CITIZENS.

THERE'S A LOT OF ISSUES WITH HOW YOU VET PEOPLE'S -- WHAT TOOLS YOU USE TO VET PEOPLE'S STATUS.

>> A FEDERAL DATABASE THAT'S BEEN KNOWN TO COME UP WITH A LOT OF FALSE POSITIVES WHETHER SOMEONE IS A NONCITIZEN.

HEAP SAID HE'S GOING TO CHANGE THE FOLKS' VOTER REGISTRATION, TO INACTIVATE IT, THAT'S NOT WHAT THE LAW IS, THOSE ARE NEWLY REGISTERED PEOPLE, YOU HAVE TO SEND IT TO US, THEY STARTED SENDING LETTERS, RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE, SEND THESE IMMEDIATELY AND THE 137 NAMES WERE REFERRED TO THE A.G.

TED: LAST QUESTION ON THIS, HOW STEAMED IS THE BOARD AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD WITH RECORDER HEAP?

>> QUITE.

I THINK SUPERVISOR CALVIN SAID WE'RE STUCK ON A HAMSTER WHEEL OF 2020, AND IT KEEPS GOING AND GOING AND GOING.

THEY'RE NOT JUST STEAMED AT HIM EITHER, THEY ARE STEAMED AT MARK STEWART, WHO IS KIND OF TRYING TO PLAY REFEREE, SITTING IN THE MIDDLE SIDING WITH HEAP, SIDING WITH THE SUPERVISORS, OFFERING SPLIT THE BABY-TYPE MOTIONS THAT GIVE PEOPLE A LITTLE WHAT THEY WANT.

WHERE YOU HAVE ELECTION WORKERS THREATENED WITH JAILTIME, SEVERAL OF THE SUPERVISORS BASICALLY LOOKED HIM IN THE EYE AND SAID IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO STAND WITH ELECTION WORKERS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING HERE.

TED: WAS THERE ANY RESPONSE?

>> NOT MUCH.

HE KIND OF DEFLECTED OFF OF THAT.

HE TOOK OFFENSE TO SOME OF THEIR MORE SPECIFIC COMMENTS, BUT HE'S POSITIONED HIMSELF AS THE ONE WHO'S TRYING TO GET A DEAL DONE, BUT I THINK THE SUPERVISORS ARE FRUSTRATED THAT THEY DON'T HAVE A MORE UNIFIED BLOC.

TED: JEREMY, WE HERE AT "ARIZONA HORIZON" HAD A "CANDIDATES IN CONVERSATION" FOR A TREASURER, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES, USUALLY REPUBLICANS WIN THE TREASURER.

THIS IS NOT THE DE FACTO ELECTION LIKE CD-5, BUT IN HAVING DONE DEBATES AND PSEUDODEBATES OVER THE YEARS, A TREASURER DEBATE IS A COMFORTABLE AFFAIR.

THIS WAS NOT AT ALL.

>> THE PROBLEM YOU HAVE WITH RACES LIKE THIS, I DON'T THINK DEMOCRATS HAVE WON THAT OFFICE SINCE 60s MAYBE.

TED: YEAH.

>> PROBLEM, IS THERE ISN'T A LOT OF ACTUAL AUTHORITY IN THE TREASURER.

THERE AREN'T A LOT OF WAYS TO DO THE JOB.

WHAT THE PRIMARIES COME DOWN TO IS PERSONAL STYLE, EXPERIENCE, BACKGROUND, AND SOME CASES SOME KIND OF POINTED PERSONAL INSULTS HERE.

THAT'S WHERE IT'S COMING DOWN TO WITH ELIJAH NORTON AND KATHERINE HALEY, AND NORTON SAID YOU ARE NOT IN THE INFORMATION DO THE JOB.

IT'S A QUESTION WHO OF RUNS THE OFFICE.

THE TREASURER HAS SETTLE ON CONTROL OVER THE INVESTMENTS THE OFFICE MAKES.

IT COMES FROM A BOARD, THEY HAVE A MENU TO CHEW FROM, BUT THE BOARD MAKES THE DECISIONS.

KATHERINE HALEY SAID WE'RE A STEWARD OF THE OFFICE, MAKE SURE THE FOLKS, DOING IT RIGHT.

NORTON SAID, NO, I'M THE ONE RUNNING THIS, AND THEY HAVE DISPUTES WHETHER MONEY WILL BE INVESTED SAFELY, BUT A LOT OF PERSONAL ANIMUS.

TED: YEAH, AND MARY JO, ONE POINT, MR.

NORTON CALLED HIS OPPONENT TOTALLY UNQUALIFIED AND NOT EVEN QUALIFIED TO BE A BOOK KEEPER AT A PIZZA PARLOR.

>> I THINK HE SAID SHE WAS A NICE WOMAN.

TED: SHE'S A NICE WOMAN BUT -- >> VERY CONDESCENDING COMMENT, IF YOU ASK ME.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT WILL GO OVER WITH VOTERS.

IT SHOWS -- HE CAME OUT ON FIRE.

TED: HE DID.

>> HE WAS CHARGING.

HE VERY MUCH WANTS THIS POSITION.

YOU'RE RIGHT, STATE TREASURER DOESN'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF AUTHORITY OVER THINGS, BUT CAN YOU MAKE IT INTO A BULLY PULPIT.

JEFF DeWIT DID.

DEAN MARTIN DID.

KIMBERLY YEE LESS SO.

>> AND GOT TO BE GOVERNOR, USING THE BULLY PULPIT.

TED: WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF ALL THIS?

TREASURER SHOULD BE INVESTING DUTIES AND PORTFOLIO, AND YOU HAVE THE SWAMP RATS, SHE WAS ENDORSED BY SWAMP RATS?

>> SHE PREVIOUSLY WORKED FOR FORMER SPEAKERS OF THE U.S.

HOUSE.

MORE MAINSTREAM REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE FALLEN OUT OF FAVOR.

ELIJAH NORTON WANTED TO BE IN ELECTED OFFICE.

HE PREVIOUSLY RAN FOR CONGRESS, HE'S THROWING PUNCHES.

IT SHOULD BE A FAIRLY BORING OFFICE.

THAT'S HOW I WOULD DESCRIBE THE TREASURER'S OFFICE WHEN IT'S FUNCTIONING RIGHT, BUT HE SEEMS LIKE HE WANTS TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

WHAT OPPONENT CALLS RISKY INVESTMENTS AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT APPETITE ARIZONANS HAVE FOR RISKY INVESTMENTS FOR THE STATE'S FUNDS, WHEN YOU ARE RUNNING IN A KIND OF DOWN TICKET, BORING, OVERLOOKED RACE LIKE THAT, IF YOU WANT A FEW HEADLINES -- .

>> I'M NOT SURE THE TREASURER CAN MAKE RISKY INVESTMENTS, THERE ARE GUARDRAILS IN THE OFFICE BECAUSE YOU ARE PROTECTING THE STATE TRUST FUND.

TED: CONSIDERING THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY HERE, JEREMY, WHO HAS THE HEADS-UP HERE?

IS IT A CHARGE TURNING POINT FREEDOM CAUCUS GUY OR TREASURER WHO IS A LITTLE MORE ESTABLISHED REPUBLICAN, WHAT DO YOU GOT?

>> I'M GOING TO BE THE GUY WHO PUT $2 MILLION INTO THE CAMPAIGN, BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO KNOW WHO THE PEOPLE ARE WHEN THEY GET THE BALLOTS.

IF YOU HAVE $2 MILLION TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHO YOU ARE, MIGHT GO A LONG WAY.

HALEY MIGHT BE ENDORSED BY YEE, THIS HAPPENED LATE IN THE CAMPAIGN.

LOOKED LIKE NORTON WAS GOING TO GET A FREE RIDE TO THE PRIMARY, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, HAIL EEDZ I'M RUNNING AND YEE ENDORSES ME.

ARE PEOPLE GOING TO CARE?

HOW MANY PEOPLE IN ARIZONA KNOW WHO THE STATE TREASURER IS RIGHT NOW?

FEWER THAN ANYONE RUNNING THE OFFICE.

>> I SEE HER ON TV EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE ON THE DIAMONDBACKS GAMES.

>> ANOTHER THING IS ELIJAH NORTON WAS TREASURER ARE THE STATE PARTY AND GIVEN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO BAIL IT OUT OF A BAD SITUATION.

THAT MIGHT NOT MATTER IN A GENERAL ELECTION, BUT IN A PRIMARY WHERE THE GRASSROOTS PARTY SHOW UP TO VOTE, THAT COULD GIVE HIM A SIGNIFICANT ADVANTAGE.

TED: DO YOU AGREE?

LAST POINT ON THIS.

IS THERE AN ADVANTAGE HERE OR IS THIS WAIT UNTIL ELECTION NIGHT?

>> I THINK BETWEEN NAME I.D.

WHICH IS WHAT MONEY GETS AND YOU BAILING OUT THE PARTY MEANS A LOT TO RANK AND FILE GIVES HIM AN EDGE.

I DON'T KNOW IF HE TOOK THE SHARPNESS OFF OF THAT EDGE WITH THE CONVERSATION WITH HIS OPPONENT.

TED: PANEL, GOOD TO HAVE YOU 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.