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

WE'LL LOOK AT WEEK'S TOP STORIES INCLUDING FORMER NAVAJO NATION PRESIDENT JONATHAN NEZ ANNOUNCING ANOTHER RUN FOR ARIZONA'S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE 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 THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE.

AND JOINING US TONIGHT, MARY JO PITZL FROM "THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC" AND AZCENTRAL.COM.

MARK BRODIE FROM KJZZ RADIO.

HOWIE FISCHER FROM CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES.

PANEL, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MARY JO, START WITH YOU, JONATHAN NEZ, IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED?

>> TRY AT LEAST ONE MORE TIME.

THIS IS SECOND ATTEMPT TO RUN FOR CONGRESS IN CD-2, A BIG CHUNK OF NORTHEASTERN ARIZONA.

THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE LAST YEAR, HE LOST TO CONGRESSMAN ELI CRANE.

TED: YES, AND -- I READ, I THINK IN THE REPUBLIC, HE OUTPERFORMED KAMALA HARRIS ACTUALLY IN THAT DISTRICT, SO IS THERE THOUGHT THAT ELI CRANE IS VULNERABLE?

IS HE DOING IT BECAUSE HE DIDN'T THINK HE HAD A STRONG ENOUGH -- WHY IS HE DOING IT?

>> I THINK HE BELIEVES HE'S GOT A PATH THERE, BUT IT'S GOING TO RELY HEAVILY ON TURNOUT ON THE NAVAJO NATION.

YES, HE LED UP THERE, AND THAT HELPED, BUT AGAINST A REPUBLICAN IN A DISTRICT THAT HAS A CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT THAT LEANS PRETTY HEAVILY REPUBLICAN.

TED: WHAT DO YOU THINK, MARK?

>> YES, HE OVERPERFORMED BUT YOU'D HAVE TO REALLY, REALLY OVERPERFORM IN THAT DISTRICT TO WIN, BECAUSE AS MARY JO SAID, IT'S A HEAVILY REPUBLICAN DISTRICT.

ESPECIALLY ON THE NAVAJO NATION, IT IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT WHAT HAPPENS NATIONALLY.

CERTAINLY HE WAS AMAZED BY THAT, BUT IF, IN FACT, THIS IS AN OFF-YEAR, THE PRESIDENT'S PARTY IS NOT LIKELY TO DO AS WELL, THERE'S A LOT OF KICKBACK OVER SOME OF THE THINGS IN THE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL THAT PEOPLE ARE FINDING OUT THERE, THERE'S CERTAINLY THE EPSTEIN CASE, WHO'S VOTING WHICH WAY?

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT LATER.

THERE'S THE BELIEF, THERE ARE PEOPLE FED UP WITH THE REPUBLICAN THAT THEY'LL SAY, I'M WILLING TO VOTE FOR A DEMOCRAT OR NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN.

TED: AMONG THE DEMOCRATS RUNNING IN THE PRIMARY, DO YOU THINK ANYONE IS RUNNING AGAINST NEZ, PEOPLE SHOWING UP HERE?

>> I DON'T HAVE A FEEL FOR THAT.

WHEN YOU GOT THE GUY WHO WON THE NOMINATION LAST TIME COMING BACK, HARD TO KNOCK HIM OFF.

WE'LL SEE IF IT WORKS FOR AMISH SHAH IN CD-1.

TED: DO YOU THINK HE'S GOING TO GET ANY?

>> HE'S A POPULAR PERSON IN THAT AREA.

HE WAS THE NAVAJO NATION PRESIDENT FOR SEVERAL YEARS, HE DID RUN, HE OVERPERFORMED VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS LAST YEAR, SO MAYBE HE'LL GET OPPOSITION, BUT AT LEAST FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY SIDE, HE SEEMS LIKE A SOLID, STRONG CANDIDATE.

TED: AS YOU MENTIONED, ELI CRANE, CONGRESSMAN CRANE DID VOTE FOR THE BILL, AND LIKELY GOING TO MEAN FEWER PEOPLE ON AHCCCS, LOTS MORE TROUBLE IN A DISTRICT WITH RURAL AREAS.

HOW MUCH OF A FACTOR IS THAT?

>> IT'S TRICKY, IF YOU REMEMBER, THEY PLAYED A GAME WITH THE BILL.

SOME OF THE STUFF THAT'S GOING TO KICK IN.

THE CUTS TO AHCCCS AND FOOD STAMPS KICK IN AFTER THE 26 ELECTION.

IT WAS LIKE A SHELL GAME THERE.

THEY MAY NOT SEE THAT, BUT THEY'LL SEE THE OTHER THINGS GOING ON.

IN TERMS OF THE IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, FOLKS WHO CLEARLY WANTED THE BORDER SEALED HAVE SEEN ENOUGH IN TERMS OF HANGING AROUND COURTHOUSES AND SCHOOLS AND EVERYWHERE ELSE, AND TO THE EXTENT THAT ELI CRANE IS LINKED TO THAT, TO THE EXTENT THE FARMERS AND RANCHERS SAY WAIT A SECOND, THESE ARE FAMILIES WITH US FOR YEARS, AND YOU'RE DEPORTING THEM?

I THINK THAT'S GOING TO WEIGH HEAVILY ON THE PARTY.

>> I THINK IT WILL BE INCUMBENT ON NEZ AND SUPPORTERS TO GET THE MESSAGE THROUGH ABOUT WHAT'S IN THE BILL THAT CONGRESS PASSED AND THE PRESIDENT SIGNED EARLY THIS MONTH, BECAUSE AS HOWIE SAID, THERE'S A DELAY IT TAKING EFFECT, BUT IF YOU CAN FORESHADOW WHAT THIS MEANS, AND PEOPLE, THERE'S ALL KINDS OF PREDICTIONS ABOUT WHAT THE CUTS TO MEDICAID MEAN.

IT'S HAVING THE MESSAGE AND THE MONEY TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT AND THE MONEY WILL BE A CHALLENGE FOR A DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE.

>> ONE OF THE IMPORTANT PIECES WHAT'S IN THAT BILL IS GOING TO HURT RURAL HOSPITALS BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST THE PEOPLE ARE LOSING COVERAGE, BUT THAT, IN FACT, SOME OF THE REIMBURSEMENT RATES AND THE UNDERLYING SUBSIDIES ARE DOWN.

YOU'RE TALKING A LARGE RURAL DISTRICT HERE.

IF THE THREAT SUDDENLY COMES DOWN, THE PEOPLE WHO RUN THE WINSLOW HOSPITAL OR THE HOLBROOK FACILITIES SAY WE'RE IN DANGER OF CLOSING, THAT REALLY WORKS.

TED: THAT BRINGS UP SOMETHING WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT IN A WHILE IS UNCOMPENSATED CARE, AND HOSPITALS THE BIG DEAL, NOT SO MUCH A BIG DEAL AGAIN.

>> HOWIE IS RIGHT, IN THE RURAL HOSPITALS THAT HAVE A LARGER MEDICAID POPULATION, THEY'RE STILL REQUIRED TO TREAT PATIENTS WHO COME INTO THEIR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

SO IF THERE ARE PEOPLE WITHOUT ANY KIND OF INSURANCE, MEDICAID OR OTHERWISE, WHO ARE COMING INTO THE HOSPITALS, THE HOSPITALS HAVE TO TREAT THEM, THAT'S MONEY THEY LOSE.

TED: KEEP ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL HERE, HOWIE.

FUND-RAISING FOR THE GOVERNOR AND THE A.G. START WITH THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, YOU REPORTED ON THIS.

>> THE GOVERNOR HAS A HOOVER VACUUM WHERE, SHE'S SUCKING UP MONEY LIKE CRAZY.

I THINK SHE'S APPROACHING $5 MILLION RIGHT NOW.

AGAIN, NO PRIMARY FOE HELPS.

WHAT'S INTERESTING IS WATCHING THE BATTLE BETWEEN KARRIN TAYLOR ROBSON AND ANDY BIGGS, BIGGS WAS LATE TO GET STARTED.

HE DID PICK UP A LITTLE MORE IN THE SECOND QUARTER WHICH ENDED ON JUNE 30.

WE GOT THE REPORTS NOW, BUT HE DIDN'T RAISE QUITE AS MUCH AS KARRIN DID IN THE SAME QUARTER.

HE HAS $50,000 LEFT OVER FROM WHEN HE WAS IN THE STATE SENATE.

MONEY SITTING IN THE BANK WHICH HE CAN USE ON THAT.

NOW KARRIN ROBSON HAS $2.2 MILLION OF HER OWN MONEY.

SHE SPENT CLOSE TO $17 MILLION OF HER OWN MONEY TO LOSE TO KARI LAKE SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

I TEND TO THINK ABOUT THE BOOSTERS MILLIONS MOVIE, HOW DO YOU SPEND UP SO MUCH MONEY TO COME UP WITH NOTHING AT ALL.

TED: AGAIN, THE FUND-RAISING IS CURIOUS THAT KARRIN TAYLOR ROBSON IS SO MUCH SELF-FUNDED.

CONGRESSMAN BIGGS IS GETTING MONEY FROM TURNING POINT.

COMING FROM ALL DIRECTIONS.

>> TURNING POINT IS A HUGE BOOSTER FOR BIGGS IN MESSAGING AND FUND-RAISING, YOU CAN'T LOOK AT JUST WHAT THE CANDIDATE THEMSELVES HAS RAISED BUT THE OUTSIDE MONEY COMING IN.

TED: YEAH, AND LET'S TALK ABOUT BIGGS AND TALK ABOUT THIS VOTE.

THE IDEA OF SUBPOENAING THE EPSTEIN FILES, AN 8-2 COMMITTEE VOTE, AND AMONG THE TWO PEOPLE THAT SAID NOT DO IT, WAS ANDY BIGGS.

>> TO HOWIE'S POINT, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE, A, HOW MUCH THAT PLAYS INTO -- WE'RE STILL AWHILE FROM ANY VOTES BEING CAST, THOUGH WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW, BUT IF IT IS STILL AN ISSUE AT THAT TIME, WHAT PUBLIC OPINION IS, AND WHETHER THAT WILL SEEM LIKE A GOOD VOTE THAT BIGGS TOOK NOW OR A TROUBLESOME VOTE THEY TOOK NOW.

>> AND TO GO BACK TALKING ABOUT NEZ AND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2.

HE AND CRANE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE, THEY SAID THAT THE EPSTEIN FILES SHOULD BE RELEASED.

TED: YES, YES, CRANE SAYS YES BUT BIGGS -- IS THAT SOMETHING THAT COMES BACK DURING DEBATES, CAMPAIGNS.

YOU SAID YOU WANTED IT, NOW YOU DON'T WANT IT.

>> LET'S ASSUME YOU HAVE THE CANDIDATES SITTING IN HERE, JUNE OR JULY, AHEAD OF AN AUGUST PRIMARY.

WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA?

WE HAVE THE HEAD OF A -- TULSI GABBARD SAYING I HAVE FOUND THE OBAMA SMOKING GUN!

I'M NOT SURE THAT I PARTICULARLY BELIEVE WHAT SHE'S PUT TOGETHER, BUT IS THAT THE ISSUE THAT IS FACING VOTERS?

IS IT EPSTEIN?

I THINK EPSTEIN IS NOT GOING TO DIE.

YOU GOT A JUDGE IN FLORIDA, REFUSED TO RELEASE THE GRAND JURY TRANSCRIPTS, NO BIG SURPRISE THERE, AND THE PRESIDENT SAID I WANT TO RELEASE RELEVANT INFORMATION BUT FOUND OUT THAT FBI AGENTS WERE PUT ON OVERTIME TO LOOK FOR TRUMP'S NAME IN D.O.J.

FILES.

SO HOW LONG DOES THIS BLEED?

I DON'T KNOW.

TED: AND THE DIFFERENCE, OBVIOUSLY, IS ONE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, ANOTHER IS NO LONGER THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> YEAH, SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE THERE.

AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK, IS PRESIDENT TRUMP TRYING TO DEFLECT, TRYING TO DISTRACT, TRYING TO DO THIS OR THAT, TO HOWIE'S POINT, IT WILL BE SUPER INTERESTING TO SEE HOW IT'S PLAYING OUT THERE.

BUT I THINK WHAT IS SAFE TO SAY IS REGARDLESS, MARY JO IS RIGHT.

NO MATTER WHAT THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS SAY, IT SEEMS THAT MONEY IS NOT GOING TO BE MUCH OF AN OBJECT IN THIS PRIMARY BECAUSE KARRIN TAYLOR ROBSON HAS A LOT OF IT, AND ANDY BIGGS WILL HAVE A LOT OF IT FROM TURNING POINT USA.

BOTH SIDES WILL BE ADEQUATELY FUNDED TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.

TED: ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RACE, WHAT ARE WE SEEING THERE?

>> TALK ABOUT IT'S GOOD TO HAVE MONEY.

RODNEY GLASSMAN, AN ATTORNEY IN PRIVATE PRACTICE, A PERENNIAL CANDIDATE HAS RUN AS A REPUBLICAN.

HECK, I KNEW HIM AS A DEMOCRAT RUNNING AGAINST JOHN McCAIN, IS ONCE AGAIN TRYING TO GET TO PUBLIC OFFICE.

PUTTING IN A MILLION DOLLARS OF HIS OWN MONEY WHICH GIVES HIM A LEG UP OVER WARREN PETERSEN, HE HAD MONEY LEFT OVER FROM PRIOR LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGNS WHICH HE CAN CARRY FORWARD, BUT PETERSEN HAS THE BENEFIT OF BEING AN INCUMBENT OF A BASICALLY A FULL-TIME PERSON AT THE SENATE WHO IS PUMPING OUT HIS NAME ALL THE TIME, AND THAT EARNED MEDIA THERE, BUT GLASSMAN, I THINK HE THINKS THIS IS HIS LAST HURRAH, HE CAME IN SECOND IN THE PRIMARY LAST TIME AROUND, AGAINST ABE HAMADEH, SO HE FIGURES HAMADEH IS OUT OF WAY.

WAIT, IT'S MY TURN TO BE THE NOMINEE.

>> I WOULD NEVER SAY IT'S HIS LAST HURRAH.

[LAUGHTER] >> YOU MAY BE RIGHT.

>> BUT AS FAR AS WARREN PETERSEN AND TENURE AS PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, DOES HE HAVE A LOT TO RUN?

I THINK IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY, HE DOES HAVE A LOT TO RUN, DOESN'T HE?

GENERAL IS A DIFFERENT STORY, REPUBLICAN PRIMARY IS AN INSIDE TRACK, RIGHT?

>> IN TERMS OF NAME ID?

TED: IN TERMS OF EVERYTHING, MARY JO.

>> HE CAN TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING, HE WORKED ON THE BIPARTISAN BUDGET, YOU KNOW, IT'S A BALANCED BUDGET.

IT DOES THIS, THIS, AND THIS, AND CAN TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE OTHER -- SOME OF THE OTHER MORE CONSERVATIVE BILLS THAT DID GET THROUGH AND GOT SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR, BUT YOU KNOW, IN THE BIG SCHEME OF THINGS, THE SENATE PRESIDENT, THE HOUSE SPEAKER, THEY'RE KNOWN BY THE TITLE, BUT PEOPLE DON'T NECESSARILY ASSOCIATE NAMES WITH THE INDIVIDUALS, BUT THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD UP THAT NAME ID.

TED: DO THEY ASSOCIATE THE LEGISLATURE WITH THAT INDIVIDUAL?

>> THAT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION, HOW MUCH ANYBODY KNOWS THE ACTUAL LEGISLATOR IS.

BUT I THINK IT WILL BE INTERESTING WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE BIPARTISAN BUDGET AND THE BIPARTISAN BILLS, I WONDER HOW THAT PLAYS IN A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

HE WAS SENDING OFF ACCUSATIONS BEING A RHINO A MONTH OR SO AGO, WHEN THEY WERE WORKING ON THE BUDGET WITH GOVERNOR HOBBS.

TED: COULD SOMEONE FROM THE RIGHT TIPTOE IN THE RACE?

>> SEEMS LIKE THE WIND RODNEY GLASSMAN MAY BE TRYING TO DRIVE IN.

IT WOULD NOT BE A SHOCK TO SEE THAT LINE OF ATTACK FROM THE GLASSMAN CAMPAIGN.

TED: RODNEY GLASSMAN TO THE RIGHT?

>> WHO KNOWS?

THERE'S ONE THING ABOUT WARREN PETERSEN, HE GETS PUBLICITY FOR THE THINGS HE DOES.

IN 2022, THE LEGISLATURE APPROVED THE QUOTE, UNQUOTE REFUNDABLE TAX CREDITS FOR PEOPLE WHO MAKE FILMS HERE.

BIPARTISAN BILL, CHALLENGED BY GOLDWATER, AND THERE IS THIS PRESS RELEASE PUT OUT BY HIS PAID PRESS AIDE FROM THE SENATE, SAYING I'M FILING AN AMICUS BRIEF TO SAY THESE ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

SO HE'S TRYING TO BURNISH HIS RIGHT WING TO SAY I'M THE PROTECTOR OF TAXPAYERS.

>> INTERESTING THE LAW WAS PASSED IN 2022, AND FORGET WHERE THE GOLDWATER SUIT WAS FILED, IT'S STILL ACTIVE.

I WONDER WHY WE'RE SEEING THE AMICUS BRIEF.

AND CLEARLY TO POINT TO SOME OF WHAT HE SEES AS CONSERVATIVE BONA FIDES.

TED: AS FAR AS THE GENERAL ELECTION IS CONCERNED, DO ARIZONANS WANT TO HEAR YOU'RE THE GUY THAT KILLED THE TAX CREDIT THAT KEEPS MOVIES FROM COMING HERE?

>> I MEAN, A.G., THAT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION, HOWIE REPORTED ON THE MOVIE ABOUT THE GRANITE MOUNTAIN HOTSHOTS THAT WAS ABOUT PEOPLE IN ARIZONA, THAT WAS NOT ACTUALLY FILMED HERE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE STATE HAS A LONG FILM HISTORY WAY BACK NOW, NOT UNTIL RECENTLY.

IT WOULD BE SURPRISING TO SEE THAT AS A BIG ISSUE IN THE A.G.'S RACE, BUT SOMETHING TO MARY JO'S POINT, I'M LOOKING OUT FOR THE TAXPAYERS HERE.

>> ANOTHER PIECE OF THIS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RUNNING AGAINST KRIS MAYES WHO WON BY A WHOPPING 280 VOTES, PUTTING OUT, SHE SUED 24, 25 TIMES, SHE AND 20 OF HER FAVORITE ATTORNEY GENERALS, SUED THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, MIXED BAG OF SUCCESSES AND FAILURES.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REPUBLICAN ATTITUDE IS GOING TO BE, ANTI-TRUMP, IS THAT A GOOD THING?

TO THE EXTENT PEOPLE SEE HER AS SIMPLY WASTING TIME AND TRYING TO PROTECT THINGS THAT MAY BE LESS POPULAR, WHETHER IT HAS TO DO WITH ABORTION, OR HAS TO DO WITH TRANSGENDER OR BIRTH CERTIFICATES.

THAT'S A HARDER MIX.

TED: ONE MORE CAMPAIGN THING BEFORE WE GET TO OTHER THINGS.

CHANDLER RACES, FAMILIAR NAME RUNNING FOR CHANDLER MAYOR?

>> REPRESENTATIVE JEFF WENINGER WHO CAME BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR.

HE SAID HE WAS ON A SABBATICAL.

HE WAS TERM LIMITED SO HE SAT OUT TWO YEARS AND MADE A NAME COMING BACK AS A TENURED LAWMAKER WITH HIS SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY FOR THE DIAMONDBACKS BILL, WHICH IS FUNDING IMPROVEMENTS TO CHASE FIELD, BUT HE WANTS TO GET INTO THE MAYOR'S RACE.

HE THINKS THINGS ARE OPERATED A LITTLE TOO LOOSELY IN THE CITY, AND IS GOING TO FINISH OUT HIS TWO-YEAR TERM IN THE LEGISLATURE AND JUMP INTO THE MAYOR SEAT.

>> AND TRADE SPOTS WITH THE CURRENT MAYOR OF CHANDLER, WHICH IS THE REALLY FUN PART.

TELL YOU WHAT, I'VE GOT A DEAL FOR YOU.

I DON'T KNOW THEY ORGANIZED IT THAT WAY, BUT THE CHANDLER MAYOR IS UNDER QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT HE'S SERVING LEGALLY, SO HE FIGURES I'LL GO TO THE LEGISLATURE.

HEY, THERE'S A VACANT SEAT HERE.

TED: WHAT DOES IT DO TO THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS IN THE LEGISLATURE PROVIDED IT STAYS IN REPUBLICAN HANDS?

>> WELL, IT'S HARD TO TELL.

THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS HAS ALWAYS BEEN DISORGANIZED ANYWAY.

YOU GOT A FEW PEOPLE ON EITHER SIDE THAT ARE DRIVING IT, WHEN ANDY BIGGS WAS THERE, IN THE SENATE, HE DROVE IT A CERTAIN WAY, RUSSELL PEARCE.

I DON'T KNOW.

WHAT'S BEEN MISSING THE LAST COUPLE YEARS ARE MODERATES.

THE MODERATES TEND TO GET KILLED, VOTED OUT.

SO I DON'T KNOW HOW WELL MODERATES ARE GOING TO DO.

>> IF KEVIN HARTKE, THE CURRENT CHANDLER MAYOR, WINS A SEAT IN THE HOUSE, HE WON'T BE JOINING THE FREEDOM CAUCUS, AND WENINGER IS NOT A FREEDOM CAUCUS MEMBER.

THEY'RE CONSERVATIVE BUT NOT FREEDOM CAUCUS CONSERVATIVE.

TED: SO PRETTY MUCH STRAIGHT ACROSS?

>> THE ONLY THING THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE A DIFFERENCE IS THAT SECOND HOUSE SEAT FROM THE DISTRICT.

THIS IS A FAIRLY COMPETITIVE DISTRICT RELATIVELY SPEAKING AND THE OTHER HOUSE MEMBER IS RUNNING FOR THE SENATE.

THERE'S POTENTIALLY AN OPEN HOUSE SEAT THERE, AND IT HAS BEEN IF DEMOCRATS FIND THE RIGHT CANDIDATE AND UNDER THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES, IT COULD POTENTIALLY BE A PICKUP FOR DEMOCRATS BUT COULD GO TO ANOTHER MODERATE REPUBLICAN OR A FREEDOM CAUCUS REPUBLICAN OR PRETTY MUCH ANYBODY.

>> SEEMS LIKE CHAIRS ARE SHUFFLED AROUND FROM A DISTANCE AT LEAST.

>> THAT'S WHY WE KEEP WATCHING IT.

>> YES, WE DO.

HOWIE, PRO-IRANIAN HACKERS GETTING INTO THE -- WHO KNEW THE AYATOLLAH WAS A CANDIDATE FOR ARIZONA OFFICE?

>> THE QUESTION OF RESIDENCY IS THEY TELL YOU IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER.

[LAUGHTER] >> LOOK, AFTER THE BOMBINGS, I THINK THAT THERE ARE FOLKS IN IRAN AND SOME OF THEIR ALLIES LOOKING TO LASH OUT.

LIKE ALL GOOD HACKERS YOU LOOK FOR THE WEAK POINTS OF THE SYSTEM.

WHAT CAN I GET AWAY WITH?

HERE WAS THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S CANDIDATE WEB PORTAL, NOT THE ELECTION MATERIALS, NOT WHERE THE VOTES ARE KEPT, NOT WHERE THE REGISTRATIONS ARE KEPT, BUT WHERE THE CANDIDATES FILE AND PUT UP THEIR PICTURES.

HEY, GUESS WHAT WE CAN DO?

SURE ENOUGH THEY DID.

SURE ENOUGH IT WAS FOUND.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE, ADRIAN FONTES SAYS, REMEMBER I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR THE MONEY FOR SECURITY AND DIDN'T GIVE IT TO ME, AND, OF COURSE, YOU HAVE THE PEOPLE RUNNING AGAINST HIM SAYING LOOK, IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT AND YOU'RE HIDING SOMETHING, AND HE SAYS, WHERE'S THE MONEY THEY ASKED FOR.

TED: VOTER REGISTRATION NOT AFFECTED HERE.

RESULTS NOT AFFECTED.

CAMPAIGN NOT AFFECTED.

AGAIN, HE GOT IN AND APPARENTLY WAS TRYING TO GET IN AGAIN NUMEROUS OTHER TIMES.

MAY BE TRYING TO GET IN NOW AS FAR AS WE KNOW.

>> THIS IS DESCRIBED AS A VERY SOPHISTICATED HACK, THEY WERE PERSISTENT WHOEVER THE ACTORS ARE AND BELIEVE THEY'RE ASSOCIATED WITH IRAN.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE VOTER REGISTRATION DATABASE AND ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY SITE ON THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE WEBSITE, THOSE ARE ON SEPARATE SERVERS.

SO THOSE SERVERS WERE NOT INFECTED OR ATTACKED, BUT FOUND A VULNERABILITY WITH THE CANDIDATE PORTAL, SWAPPED OUT THE PHOTOS, WHICH I GUESS SOMEBODY IN THE PUBLIC SAW IT BECAUSE THEY CALLED SOMEBODY AT THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE TO REPORT THAT.

I WISH WE CAUGHT THE SCREENSHOT.

TED: MADE YOU WONDER WHO WAS LOOKING AT THAT.

>> WHERE THE PICTURE SHOWED UP WAS ON THE ELECTION RESULTS PAGE.

WHO'S LOOKING AT ELECTION RESULTS IN JUNE?

THERE WERE NO RESULTS.

>> THE AYATOLLAH WON!

>> I GUESS HE WON.

THEY SHUT THAT DOWN QUICKLY, BUT THEY'RE STILL INVESTIGATING IT, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THERE ARE OTHER VULNERABILITIES AND MEANWHILE YOU HAVE THE SECRETARY ASKING THE LEGISLATURE FOR A PRETTY IMMEDIATE INFUSION, SHE WANTS $2 MILLION AND ONGOING 3.5 MILLION TO UPDATE VERY, VERY OLD EQUIPMENT.

TED: HOW LIKELY IS THAT GOING TO HAPPEN?

>> THAT'S WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

YOU HAVE THE FOE, ALEXANDER COLADEN, FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE IN THE FIRST PLACE, IF HE BLOCKS IT AND GET ANOTHER HACK, WHO'S FAULT IS THAT?

THAT'S THE CRUCIAL THING.

ANY TIME AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, PARTICULARLY DEMOCRAT ELECTED OFFICIAL IS LOOKING FOR MONEY FROM A REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE, IT'S TRICKY.

TED: IS THIS GOING TO HURT FONTES, DO YOU THINK?

>> CERTAINLY NOT A GOOD LOOK, IF NOTHING ELSE.

IT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION, COLADEN WILL IMAGINE, OR ANYBODY WHO COMES UP IN THE RACE, WILL BRING IT UP AMONG OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE.

IF FONTES IS GET OUT IN FRONT OF IT AND SAY, LOOK, THIS IS A VERY BRIEF ONE-TIME THING, HERE'S ALL THE THINGS THAT WERE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS.

I'M SORRY EVERYBODY HAD TO SEE THE AYATOLLAH'S PICTURE ON OUR WEBSITE.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING.

IT'S SO FAR AWAY FROM THE ELECTION, WHO KNOWS WHAT'S ON VOTERS' MINDS.

TED: JUST FEELS LIKE A CONSPIRACY THEORY SEED.

>> YEAH, I'M SURE WE WILL SEE THAT TALKED ABOUT A LOT IN THE 2026 ELECTION.

>> MAYBE EVEN SEE THAT PICTURE.

>> AND FONTES TRIED TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF THIS.

LOOK, THIS IS BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE FOR THREE YEARS, HAS NOT GIVEN ME MONEY TO FIX THE SYSTEMS.

SO WHETHER THAT WILL SELL WITH VOTERS -- AND WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE NEXT HACK ATTACK MIGHT COME FROM.

TED: HOWIE, JUSTINE WADSACK IS APPARENTLY LOOKING FOR REPRESENTATION, ARE YOU AN ATTORNEY?

>> NO, BUT I PLAY ONE HERE.

TED: THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH.

>> THAT MAY BE GOOD ENOUGH HAVE.

TO ASK THE FEDERAL JUDGE ABOUT THAT.

JUSTINE WADSACK WAS A STATE SENATOR WHO ACCORDING TO STATE POLICE WAS TRAVELING 71 MILES AN HOUR ALONG 35-MILE-AN-HOUR ALONG SPEEDWAY AT U OF A.

SHE SAID I'M RACING HOME BECAUSE MY TESLA IS RUNNING OUT OF CHARGE.

WE'LL LEAVE THAT ASIDE.

THEY DIDN'T GIVE HER A TICKET AT THE TIME, THEY GAVE HER A TICKET AFTERWARDS BECAUSE YOU CAN'T CITE PEOPLE DURING THE SESSION.

SHE PLEADS OUT TO DO TRAFFIC SCHOOL, END OF SUBJECT.

NO!

SHE IS SUING THE CITY OF TUCSON AND THE POLICE OFFICER AND THE MAYOR AND EVERYONE ELSE INSISTING THERE'S A VAST CONSPIRACY.

CASE IS SUPPOSED TO GO TO A FEDERAL JUDGE NEXT TUESDAY.

TWO DAYS AGO, HER ATTORNEY FILES THE PAPERWORK SAYING I'M WITHDRAWING WITHOUT MY CLIENT'S PERMISSION.

NOW HE IS PRECLUDED LEGALLY FROM TELLING US WHY, IT LEADS TO A LOT OF SPECULATION BUT ETHICAL RULES WHEN AN ATTORNEY HAS TO WITHDRAW, AND WE'RE WAITING TO SEE WHAT THAT IS.

TED: IT'S NOT JUST AN ATTORNEY, MARK, THIS IS A GUY THAT IS -- NO SHRINKING VIOLET HERE.

IF HE'S GOT SOMETHING, HE'S GOT SOMETHING BY THE THROAT.

>> HE'S AN ATTORNEY THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT SUPER PAYING ATTENTION TO POLITICS AND LAW WILL HAVE HEARD OF.

TED: YEAH.

>> I HAVE NOT KEPT UP WITH THE CASE, BUT WHY IS A SPEEDING TICKET IN A FEDERAL COURT?

>> IT IS A CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION.

SEE, SHE'S TAKEN CARE OF THE TICKET.

SHE DECIDED ONCE THE TICKET WAS DONE, WE FIGURED IF YOU GOT A HALF A BRAIN, YOU LEAVE IT ALONE.

NO!

SHE FIGURED I LOST THE ELECTION BECAUSE OF THIS.

SHE SAID MY CIVIL RIGHTS WERE VIOLATID AND WANT $8 MILLION WORTH OF DAMAGE.

TED: BACK TO THE HALF A BRAIN PART.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED TO THINK THAT THE ENTIRE CITY OF TUCSON, ALONG WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE COURTS, EVERYONE IS OUT TO GET YOU.

>> JUST BECAUSE YOUR PARANOID DOESN'T MEAN PEOPLE ARE NOT OUT TO GET YOU.

SHE HAS A CONSPIRACY THEORY AND WOULDN'T BE ALONE AMONG THE 90 LAWMAKERS, THERE ARE PEOPLE ARGUING THE 2016-2020 ELECTIONS, SHE IS CONVINCED THAT SOMEHOW SHE WAS SET UP.

SHE DOESN'T DENY SPEEDING, SHE SAYS I WASN'T QUITE DOING 71, MAYBE A LITTLE LESS.

SHE'S GUILTY!

SO HOW DO YOU PROVE THEY TARGETED HER?

TED: IS THERE ANY INDICATION THEY WERE TARGET HER?

WHERE ARE WE GOING HERE?

>> WITHOUT SEEING THE EVIDENCE.

DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT, IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE AN OFFICER PULLING -- EVEN IF SHE WAS DOING 65, THAT'S ALMOST DOUBLE THE SPEED LIMIT.

>> I THINK SHE HAD A LICENSE PLATE THAT SAID SENATOR WADSACK.

>> YEAH.

>> IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF EVIDENCE THAT SUGGESTS A VAST CONSPIRACY, BUT THAT'S WHY THEY HAVE COURT HEARINGS.

TED: WHAT'S NEXT WITH IT, HOWIE?

>> THERE IS A HEARING ON TUESDAY, AND THE JUDGE WHO WAS SURPRISED BY THIS DIRECTED THE ATTORNEY TO SAY YOU WILL SERVE YOUR CLIENT, I DON'T THINK HE'S GOING TO SHOW UP IN COURT, MAY SEND SOMEBODY FROM THE FIRM, BUT DIRECTED MS. WADSACK TO BE IN COURT.

JUDGE WANTS TO KNOW LESS THAN A WEEK OUT ARE YOU HAVING PROBLEMS WITH YOUR ATTORNEY?

NOW I DON'T KNOW, WE'LL BE SENDING ONE OF OUR COLLEAGUES DOWN THERE TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED.

THIS IS IN FEDERAL COURT IN TUCSON, BUT WAITING TO SEE WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY, IS THIS ETHICAL VIOLATION?

IS IT A QUESTION OF FINANCIAL DISPUTES OR ANYTHING ELSE?

WE DON'T KNOW, AND AGAIN, BASICALLY ETHICAL RULES, DENNIS CANNOT TELL US, CANNOT SAY.

HE SAYS I'M PRECLUDED, ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE.

TED: THE ENTIRE THING IS VERY INTERESTING.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK KEPT US IN JOURNALISM.

TED: I'M THINKING DOES JUSTINE WADSACK STILL HAVE A FUTURE IN POLITICS, MARY JO?

>> DEPENDS WHERE SHE LIVES AND WHAT SEAT SHE SEEKS.

>> SHE'S IN GILBERT NOW, SHE GAVE UP ON TUCSON AFTER BEING DEFEATED IN DISTRICT 17.

SHE HAS NOT YET ANNOUNCED.

EVERY TIME I SEND A NOTE, ARE YOU RUNNING FOR?

NOT DENYING IT, NOT ADMITTING IT, BUT I DON'T THINK WE'VE SEEN THE LAST OF JUSTINE WADSACK.

TED: WHAT DO YOU THINK, MARK?

>> SEEMS LIKE A REASONABLE, A REASONABLE SUSPICION HERE.

I DON'T HONESTLY KNOW, BUT IT WOULD NOT BE A SHOCK TO SEE HER RUN AGAIN FOR SOMETHING.

TED: IF SHE DOES, WE'LL COVER IT ON THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.