♪♪ >> COMING UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON, IT'S THE JOURNALISTS ROUNDTABLE AND WE'LL LOOK AT THE WEEK'S TOP STORIES INCLUDING A BUSY WEEK FOR DEBATES AND CANDIDATES CONVERSATION.

THE JOURNALIST ROUNDTABLE NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON, MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FRIENDS OF ARIZONA PBS, MEMBERS OF YOUR PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

>> Ted: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON, I'M TED SIMONS.

IT'S FRIDAY, THAT MEANS IT'S TIME FOR THE JOURNALISTS ROUNDTABLE AND JOINING US TONIGHT MARK BRODY FROM KJZZ RADIO AND WAYNE SCHUTSKY ALSO FROM KJZZ AND JEREMY DUDA.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE DEBATES AND CONVERSATIONS.

THE ATTORNEY GENERALS KRIS MAYES AND WARREN PETER SEN.

>> THE WORD I HEARD WORDS THAT WERE USED TESTY AND CHIPPY.

THE MOST COMMON WORDS USED.

THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT THE TWO CANDIDATES AGREE ON.

I THINK THAT KRIS MAYES TALKED A LOT ABOUT-- DEFENDED THE LAWSUITS THAT SHE FILED AND WARREN PETERSEN WAS NOT SO THRILLED, WHY NOT LET NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA FILE THOSE?

YOU'RE WASTING ARIZONA TAX DOLLARS AND MAYES SAYS WHEN WE WIN THOSE WE GET MONEY TO THE STATE.

NOT A LOT THAT THEY AGREED ON.

I THINK THAT'S NOT SURPRISING.

OUTSIDE OF THE DEBATE NOT A LOT THEY AGREE ON.

>> Ted: WHICH MADE THEIR CASE THE BEST.

>> THAT KRIS MAYES WENT OUT ON TOP, AND WARREN HAD HIS NOTES AND IT WASN'T OFF THE CUFF AND LEVELED HIS WAY BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND SHE SEEMED TO BE MORE PREPARED IN THAT SETTING.

>> AND PETERSEN SEEMED A LITTLE DISORGANIZED LOOKING AS WAYNE SAID, AND SHE DIDN'T BLOW THE DOORS OFF, A DECENT JOB MAKING HER CASE.

IN TERMS OF THE DISAGREEMENTS, PRETTY STANDARD, ARGUMENTS WE'VE HEARD A LOT BEFORE, CERTAINLY HEARD A LOT THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN, PETERSEN, THOUGHT SHE SPENT TOO MUCH TIME SUING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF ATTACKS ON EACH OTHER'S RECORDS.

>> Ted: DID IT CHANGE THE NATURE OF THE RACE IN ANY WAY, DO YOU THINK?

>> THAT'S A HARD ONE TO KNOW.

I MEAN, I HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN ANY POLLING ON THIS RACE TO KNOW IF THERE'S A LOT OF UNDECIDED VOTERSMENT I SUSPECT THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WHO HAD A FEELING BEFORE THE DEBATE OF WHO THEY WERE GOING TO SUPPORT, ARE STILL PROBABLY SUPPORTING THAT PARTICULAR CANDIDATE.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHETHER OR NOT ANYBODY WHO IS DECIDED WOULD HAVE BEEN SWAYED ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

>> Ted: DO YOU THINK ANY UNDECIDEDS MADE UP THEIR MINDS BECAUSE OF THIS.

NO, THEY PRESENTED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERALS WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO AND DEFENDING THE TRACK RECORD OF AN EXPANSIVE VIEW, WHETHER IT'S GOING OUT AND DOING CONSUMER FRAUD LAWSUITS, AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, THEY BROUGHT MONEY AND RESOURCES BACK TO ARIZONA AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WANTED TO TAKE AWAY AND PETERSEN TALKED ABOUT THE STRONGEST PART OF HIS CAMPAIGN WHICH HE HAS THE SUPPORT OF ALL THE LAW ENFORCEMENT GROUPS WHICH MAYES DOES NOT.

AND IF YOU'RE IN THE LAW AND ORDER OR WANT TO BACK THE BLUE TYPE OF CROWD, THEY'RE GOING TO BACK THEM AND PROBABLY ALREADY BACKING HIM AND IF YOU'RE IN THE CROWD THAT LIKES WHAT MAYES HAS DONE IN FOUR YEARS, YOU'RE GOING TO BACK HER AND NOT A WHOLE LOT OF WIGGLE ROOM.

>> Ted: ANY MINDS CHANGED?

>> I DON'T KNOW, ONE THING I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING PETERSEN TOOK A SWIPE AT MAYES FOR A DATA CENTER MORATORIUM AND YOU'RE SEEING THE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS GOING AFTER ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ON THIS ISSUE AND REPUBLICANS WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SUPPORTIVE, ANDY BIGGS SAID HE WOULD SUPPORT GETTING RID OF THE TAX INCENTIVES AND STAKING THE CLAIM ON THAT ISSUE AND BEING PRO DATA CENTER EVEN THOUGH IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS NO AUTHORITY ONE WAY OR ANOTHER TO ENACT.

>> THAT'S A GOOD REAL POINT AS SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES.

THERE'S QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT MAYES COULD DO FOR DATA CENTERS.

>> SHE COULD CALL FOR A MORATORIUM.

>> AND HE POINTED THAT OUT, BUT DOES IT PLAY WELL WITH VOTERS?

I DON'T THINK IT DOES.

THERE WERE POINTS HE TALK ABOUT ESOTERIC RULES THAT MAYES IS BLOCKING AND FIRST THING ON DAY ONE, LET THE RULES GO THROUGH.

THAT'S A POLICY OPINION, BUT I DON'T THINK IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO MAYBE MORE THAN FIVE OR SIX VOTERS OUT THERE.

>> Ted: DOESN'T MOVE THE NEEDLE.

AND WHO, WHAT HOW, NICK MANSOUR.

>> A LOT OF TALK ABOUT LAWSUITS AND INVESTMENT STRATEGIES.

THE LATTER WOULD YOU EXPECT IN A DEBATE BETWEEN TWO CANDIDATES FOR TREASURER, THE FORMER MAYBE NOT SO MUCH.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT DOWN BALLOT RACES, TREASURER IS PRETTY FAR DOWN THE BALLOT ESPECIALLY IN TERMS THE OXYGEN FOR ATTENTION ON THIS RACE, SO, YOU KNOW, BOTH OF THEM, I'M SURE HAD THEIR, YOU KNOW, ZINGERS READY TO GO AND TALKED ABOUT WHO HAD BEEN SUED FOR WHAT AND HOW MANY TIMES AND HOW BAD THAT WOULD BE FOR THE TREASURERS OFFICE.

I'M NOT SURE HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE THINKING ABOUT THE TREASURER'S RACE IN THE FIRST PLACE, MUCH LESS WATCH THE DEBATE AND SAY I'M GOING TO SWITCH FROM THIS ONE TO THAT ONE.

>> IF THEY DID, DO THEY THINK MORE ABOUT THE TREASURER'S RACE AND DOWN BALLOT WHEN THEY GET THERE?

>> AND PEOPLE GOING TORE THE R OR D, WITHOUT KNOWING MUCH ABOUT WHO THE PEOPLE ARE.

A DEMOCRAT HASN'T WON THIS OFFICE SINCE THE 1960'S, YEARS RELATIVELY RECENTLY DEMOCRATS DIDN'T PUT UP A CANDIDATE, IN 2014, 1998.

SO IF THE REPUBLICAN, ELI NORTON HAS TO WORRY ABOUT THIS RACE, I MEAN, WE HAVE SEEN THE POLLS AND PREDICTION THAT BLUE WAVE IS COMING, THE REPUBLICANS HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT RACE, THEN THINGS ARE WORSE THAN THEY THINK.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT ANY MORE OR ANY LESS BECAUSE OF THIS DEBATE?

>> I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT VIEW.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THE DEBATE MATTERS THAT MUCH.

LIKE THESE GUYS WERE SAYING, BUT I THINK THAT IN A BLUE WAVE YEAR, THESE ARE THE TYPE OF OFFICES THAT HAVE ACTUALLY KIND OF REVERSE MOMENTUM SITUATION.

YOU'VE GOT THE MODERATE REPUBLICANS LIKE WE SAW IN 22 VOTING FOR A DEMOCRAT FOR GOVERNOR, MAYBE, VOTING FOR A DEMOCRAT FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL AND GETTING TO A RACE WHERE THEY CAN FINALLY SAY, OH, I CAN VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN AGAIN AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE SAW THE LAST TIME AROUND WHEN WE SAW TREASURY GET MORE VOTES THAN ANYONE BECAUSE OF THE REPUBLICANS WHO DEFECTED IN THE OTHER RACES CAME BACK TO THE TREASURER'S RACE AND IF WE SEE THAT IT COULD HELP NORTON.

>> Ted: ARE YOU EXPECTING THAT HERE?

>> THE REPUBLICANS HAVE WON FOR TIME IMMEMORIAM.

I WOULDN'T BE PRICED.

>> Ted: HERE AT ARIZONA HORIZON WE HAD OUR CANDIDATES CONVERSATION WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT CANDIDATES, AND TAXES FLYING BACK AND FORTH.

>> POLICY-WISE IT'S SURPRISING HOW MANY AREAS OF AGREEMENT THERE WERE.

BOTH CANDIDATES AGREED PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEED MORE FUNDING AND SEEM TO AGREE MAYBE THERE NEED TO BE CHANGES TO THE ESA PROGRAM.

OF COURSE, THERE WERE PERSONAL ATTACKS IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, DR.

RUIZ WAS TALKING ABOUT MAYBE THINGS SHOULD HAVE DONE, TALKING ABOUT ESA'S AND THAT SORT OF THING AND TALKING ABOUT RUIZ'S CONTROVERSY ABOUT TAKING CAMPAIGN PHOTOS IN SCHOOLS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

CERTAINLY A GOOD AMOUNT OF THAT AS WELL.

POLICY-WISE, NOT INSIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF AGREEMENT.

>> Ted: I AGREE.

AND ON THAT.

YE CLAIMING THAT RUIZ CLAIMING THAT HE IS USING KIDS AS BACK DROP, AND THE OTHER EXPLOITED.

FUR FLYING THERE.

>> YOU'VE GOT TO FIND SOME WAY TO DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF FROM YOUR OPPOSITION, AND THE PERSONAL ATTACKS, THAT'S WHERE IT HAPPENS, I MEAN, THE CAMPAIGN STUFF AT SCHOOLS, THAT PROBABLY DOES NOT SIT WELL, A LOT OF VOTERS USING THAT AS KIND OF TAXPAYER FUNDED BACK DROP AND HE OBVIOUSLY FILED THAT COMPLAINT FOR RUIZ AND AN ATTACK FOR YE THE STUFF IN THE LEGISLATURE, AS TREASURER, DON'T HAVE A LOT OF AUTHORITY TO DO MUCH OF ANYTHING AS TREASURER.

>> Ted: THERE WAS A DISAGREEMENT REGARDING INCOME CAPS ON ESA.

JUST THE CONCEPT OF IT.

YE NO WAY, RUIZ, LET'S DO IT.

>> AND THAT'S NOT SURPRISING AT ALL, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT THE VOUCHER REFORM EFFORT WAS BOOTED OFF THE BALLOT.

YOU KNOW, BASICALLY ALL OF THE FOCUS NOW ON ENERGY FROM FOLKS WHO WANT TO SEE REFORM TO THE PROGRAM ARE GOING TO BE FOCUSED ON THIS RACE, THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AND LEGISLATURE, THE THREE OFFICES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE THERE, YEAH, AND THE DEMOCRAT WANTS A CAP.

YE WAS A LITTLE SOFTER ON REFORM THAN SHE WAS, AND JUMPED INTO THE RACE AND INCUMBENT HORNE, ANOTHER WHO LOVED ESA'S, AND KNOW SHE'S SAYING SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> Ted: GUARDRAILS NEEDED.

HOW IS THE RACE SHAPING UP.

>> WAYNE'S POINT IS A GOOD ONE.

SO MUCH THOUGHT THAT THIS ELECTION WOULD HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH ESA'S BETWEEN THE VARIOUS BALLOT MEASURES AND THIS RACE, AND NOW WITH ALL OF THOSE BALLOT MEASURES GONE, IT WILL BE REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW MUCH EFFORT LIKE THE TEACHERS UNION AND SORT OF THE ANTI-ESA CROWD, LIKE DO THEY PUT A LOT OF ATTENTION AND RESOURCES INTO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RACE.

OR DO THEY PUT IT INTO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE OR CERTAIN LEGISLATIVE RACES?

I THINK THAT WAYNE IS RIGHT, THAT'S GOING TO BE REAL KEY.

>> Ted: WOULD YOU BE SURPRISED IF EITHER CANDIDATE WON?

>> NOT REALLY.

I MEAN, YOU COULD SEE A DYNAMIC LIKE WHAT WAYNE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE TREASURER'S RACE, KIND OF THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND THEY SAY, HEY, YOU'RE GOING TO VOTE FOR THE REPUBLICAN SUPERINTENDENT, BUT I THINK THAT DEMOCRATS TEND TO DO KIND OF WELL ON EDUCATION RELATED RACES, ON 2018, THE BIG BLUE WAVE THE LAST TIME DONALD TRUMP HAD A MIDTERM THAT WENT AGAINST HIM.

WE SAW DEMOCRATS WIN THAT OFFICE, SO, IT COULD GO EITHER WAY.

>> Ted: SO IF THE TREASURER GOES RED, SUPERINTENDENT GOES BLUE.

>> POTENTIALLY, BUT AGAIN, I WOULD POINT BACK TO 2022 AND THE TWO RACES WE SAW STATE RED THAT TIME OR TREASURER AND SUPERINTENDENT.

I THINK THE WILD CARD HERE, IF THAT GROUP OF FOLKS WHO REALLY EAGER TO GET THAT ESA THING ON THE BALLOT IF THEY'RE ABLE TO MOBILIZE VOTERS ON THIS RACE, THAT COULD FLIP THIS DYNAMIC.

>> JEREMY, THE INVESTIGATION INTO PAY TO PLAY AND LAWMAKERS WITH JAKE HOFFMAN LEADING THE WAY.

JAKE HOFFMAN IS NOT LEADING ANYMORE, WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> THAT'S QUITE THE PIVOT.

AND JAKE HOFFMAN ANNOUNCED THE PRESS CONFERENCE, DEFIANT THAT HE DID NOT HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTERESTING IN INVESTIGATING KATIE HOBBS AND A FIRM, 1.2 MILLION TO CAMPAIGN AGAINST ANDY BIGGS AND NOW IT'S UP ABOUT 2 1/2 MILLION BY NOW, BUT HE WAS DEFIANT ON THIS, BUT, LO AND BEHOLD ON MONDAY PUTS OUT A PRESS RELEASE BECAUSE OF THE CROOKED POLITICAL MEDIA, HE PUT IT, THAT'S US, FOCUSING ON THAT HE'S GOING TO HAND OFF THE BATON TO FELLOW SENATOR DAVID FARNESWORTH WHO WAS AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WITH HIM LAST WEEK AND THEY WERE GOING TO APPOINT FORMER ARIZONA SUPREME COURT JUSTICE ANDREW GOULD AS SPECIAL COUNSEL.

DO WE TAKE THIS CONFLICT OF INTEREST QUESTION OFF THE TABLE.

HERE YOU GO.

>> Ted: YEAH, YEAH, CROOKED MEDIA, OKAY.

SUBPOENAS WERE THREATENED, SUBPOENAS, HAVE THEY BEEN ISSUED, ARE THEY GOING TO BE ISSUED NOW?

>> I MEAN, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THOSE THAT WERE-- HAD BEEN ISSUED PREVIOUSLY WHEN HOFFMAN WAS LEADING THE INVESTIGATION, WERE WITHDRAWN.

ALTHOUGH NOT ALL OF THEM AT THAT TIME, AGAIN, MY UNDERSTANDING IS NOT ALL OF THEM HAD ACTUALLY BEEN SERVED AT THAT POINT.

I SUSPECT THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO START OVER AND DO THAT AND IT KIND OF RAISES THE QUESTION OF THE TIMING OF THIS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, HOFFMAN, HIS COMMITTEE HEARING, TESTIMONY WAS GOING TO BE NEXT WEEK SO I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE NEW ONE IS GOING TO BE, EARLY VOTING STARTS IN LIKE A COUPLE OF WEEKS FROM NOW.

SO, THE TIMING ON THIS IS ALSO GOING TO BE REALLY INTERESTING AND WE'LL SEE WHO DECIDES TO SHOW UP AND WHO DOESN'T IF THIS HE GET SUBPOENAED.

>> AND TRYING TO GET THE INFORMATION WHEN ARE THE SUBPOENAS GOING OUT AND WHEN IS THERE GOING TO BE A HEARING AND WHAT LITTLE I GOT FROM HIM, THAT'S KIND OF UNDECIDED THERE, AND FIGURING IT OUT.

I ASKED IF THIS IS GOING TO BE BEFORE OR AFTER THE ELECTION, THE TIMING WITH HOFFMAN'S HEARING, DIDN'T GET AN ANSWER ON THAT.

WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME TO SEE THIS DRAWN OUT MORE TO AVOID, CAN SOME OF THOSE ACCUSATIONS, YOU KNOW, THAT SENATOR HOFFMAN WAS GETTING AND TIMING RIGHT BEFORE.

>> Ted: ARE YOU SURPRISED HOFFMAN BACKED AWAY FROM THIS?

>> A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE HE'S NOT ONE TO BACK DOWN TO CRITICISM TO REMIND THE VIEWERS, MEDIA, CROOKED OR OTHERWISE, HAS NO POWER TO FORCE A SENATOR TO TRANSFER HIS COMMITTEE SO I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS, NO REPORTING ON THIS, BUT I'M IMAGINING SOMEONE BEHIND THE SCENES HAS MORE INFLUENCE OVER HIM THAN THE MEDIA WOULD SUGGEST IT'S A BETTER LOOK TO HAND THIS OVER TO SENATOR FARNESWORTH.

>> Ted: WHATEVER LEGS THIS STORY HAD, ARE THEY STILL THERE?

>> LEGS ON THE STORY KEEP GETTING SMALLER AND SMALLER, BUT AS WE'VE SEEN THE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO KEEP IT IN THE NEWS CYCLE.

I THINK THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT'S ABOUT AT THIS POINT IS JUST KEEPING IT IN THE CONVERSATION BECAUSE IT IS THE BIGGEST CUDGEL THAT ANDY BIGGS HAS AGAINST THE GOVERNOR AS WE GET CLOSER TO ELECTION DAY.

>> Ted: STILL A STORY?

>> I THINK IT'S STILL A STORY TO THE EXTENT THAT THERE'S GOING-- ASSUMING THERE IS GOING TO BE A HEARING, I MEAN, THAT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT I SUSPECT WE ALL COVER AND PROBABLY SHOULD COVER.

SO, YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK IT'S-- TO WAYNE'S POINT, I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH OF A STORY IT IS, BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER INVESTIGATIONS STILL ONGOING AND WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THOSE ARE GOING TO BE WRAPPED UP.

WE SAW THE ONE THAT CHRIS MAYES CONDUCTED THAT DIDN'T REALLY FIND ANYTHING THAT GOVERNOR HOBBS DID IMPROPERLY.

SO, I THINK WAYNE'S PROBABLY RIGHT, THE LEGS, THERE ARE LEGS, BUT THEY'RE GETTING SHORTER.

>> Ted: LITTLE SHORT LEGS THERE.

>> JUST LITTLE ONES, BUT YOU KNOW, HEARING WHAT IS IN THE NEWS, WE COULD HAVE HAD INTERESTING TESTIMONY.

KATIE HOBBS IS NOT GOING TO TESTIFY BEFORE THIS COMMITTEE ANY MORE THAN SHE'S GOING TO SIT DOWN FOR A DEBATE WITH ANDY BIGGS, BUT FOLKS HAD INTERESTING THINGS TO SAY, BUT REMEMBER, THERE ARE OTHER INVESTIGATIONS ANOTHER THING THAT HOFFMAN GOT HIT ON TO FIND OUT.

AUDITOR GENERAL AND COUNTY ATTORNEY ARE INVESTIGATING THIS TOGETHER.

THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAPITOL LONG AGO OUTSIDE LAW FIRM WITH TRUMP TIES, THIS WOULD BE THE THIRD OUTSIDE INVESTIGATION ASIDE FROM THE AG TO LAUNCH IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Ted: AND WONDER WHAT'S THE POINT HER HERE.

I'M SEEING DEMOCRATS FOR BIGGS SIGNS IN A LOT OF PLACES.

THESE SIGNS ARE ACTUALLY, I THINK, THE PUBLIC SHOW THEY WERE PAID FOR BY TURNING POINTS.

IS THERE A GROUP OF DEMOCRATS FOR BIGGS?

>> YEAH, AS FAR AS I'VE SEEN MIGHT NEED TO CHANGE THE WORDING TO DEMOCRAT FOR BIGGS.

AND A VIDEO THEY PUT OUT CLAIMING TO BE A FORMER DEMOCRAT SUPPORTING ANDY BIGGS AND INITIALLY CAME OUT WITH A.I.

GENERATED VIDEOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT I WROTE ABOUT THAT TRIED TO SHOW THAT REPRESENTATIVE LORRAINE AUSTIN WAS BACKING THE CANDIDATE WHICH WAS PATENTLY FALSE.

ONE OF THE MOST PROGRESSIVE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY QUICKLY CAME OUT AND SAID THIS, NOT ME.

AND TURNED OUT THOSE WERE A.I.

GENERATED.

I THINK THIS IS JUST A REACTION TO, YOU KNOW, ONE SUCCESS THAT GOVERNOR HOBBS CAMPAIGN THIS TIME AROUND AND LAST TIME AROUND HAD AND PUTTING TOGETHER THE COALITION OF FORMER REPUBLICANS, INDEPENDENTS BACKING HER CAMPAIGN THAT GIVES HER THAT KIND OF MIDDLE OF THE ROAD SUPPORT SHE NEEDS TO GET OVER THE TOP SO THIS, I THINK, IS JUST TURNING POINT'S TROLLING EFFORT TO TRY TO REACT TO THAT.

I DON'T THINK IT'S MAKING MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE OTHER THAN GETTING A LOT OF E-MAILS SENT TO ME.

>> Ted: AND THERE ARE SOME FOLKS SAYING IT'S VIOLATING CAMPAIGN LAWS BECAUSE OF THE FONTS THE TYPE AT THE BOTTOM WHO IS PAYING FOR THIS IS NOT BIG ENOUGH OR PROMINENT ENOUGH.

>> THERE ARE RULES, I DON'T KNOW THE SPECIFICS OF THE RULES, BUT THE DISCLOSURE HAS TO BE A CERTAIN SIZE RELATIVE TO THE REST OF THE SIGN.

AND YOU KNOW, I WAS OUT SOMEWHERE AND SAW ONE OF THOSE AND I WALKED UP TO IT.

AND THE FONT IS, I COULD READ IT, BUT IF YOU GET UP CLOSE, BUT IT WAS PRETTY SMALL AND THE COMPLAINT IS THAT IT'S NOT BIG ENOUGH SO THAT'S SORT OF THE CASUAL PASSERBY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THAT IT WAS PAID FOR BY TURNING POINT.

>> Ted: DRIVING IN A CAR MIGHT BE MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE.

IS THERE A GROUP, IS THERE A KNOWN GROUP, AN ORGANIZATION, I MEAN, JUST A COFFEE CLACHE FOR BIGGS?

>> IF THERE IS I HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT IT.

BIGGS CAMPAIGN HASN'T TOLD ME ABOUT IT AND IF THIS IS COMING FROM TURNING POINT, NOT A GROUP THAT HAS THE FINGER ON THEIC DEMOCRATIC PULLS.

WE SAW KRIS MAYES PUTTING OUT A LIST OF REPUBLICANS ON THE CAMPAIGN, AND CONSERVATIVES MAY QUIBBLE HOW GOOD REPUBLICANS THESE FOLKS ARE OR WERE, THEY WERE ACTUAL REPUBLICANS, I HAVEN'T SEEN BIGGS PUT OUT ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

WARREN PETERSEN PUT OUT LYDIA HERNANDEZ, SHE ENDORSED HIM, AND WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT FROM THE BIGGS CAMPAIGN SO I DON'T THINK, I MEAN, WHAT EFFECT IS THIS GOING TO HAVE?

WHAT DEMOCRAT IS GOING TO LOOK AT THAT, OH, I WASN'T THINKING ABOUT VOTING FOR ANDY BIGGS, NOW THE SIGN SAYS SO, I'LL GIVE IT A SHOT.

>> Ted: BIGGS SEEMS TO BE PUSHING THE IDEA OF BIPARTISAN AND ACROSS THE AISLE.

IS THAT WORKING?

>> IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE, A WAY LIKE A HAIL MARY ATTEMPT TO TRY TO PUSH THAT.

AND TURNING POINT WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE SIGNS WHEN THE A.I.

VIDEOS WERE OUT, THE CAMPAIGN FLATLEY SAID THEY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH US, TURNING POINT IS AN OUTSIDE GROUP AND THE CAMPAIGN CANNOT COORDINATE WITH THEM UNDER THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAW.

THEY SAID WE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SIGNS.

SINCE THE BEGINNING OF HIS CAMPAIGN HE'S BEEN TRYING TO PITCH HIMSELF AS A-- AS THIS GUY WITH THE ABILITY TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE, KIND OF A HARD SELL FOR ANYONE WHO KNOWS ANDY BIGGS.

>> Ted: AND THE REASON HE WON SO BIG IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY IS BECAUSE HE IS WHO HE IS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT SOMEBODY WHO DOESN'T NECESSARILY WANT TO BE WHO THEY WERE AND PURGING THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS AND REMOVING COMMENTS ABOUT GEORGE FLOYD AND WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL CAMP.

>> THIS IS JOANNA MENDOZA, ONE OF THE COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS NOT ONLY IN ARIZONA, BUT SHE'S THE CHALLENGING TO JUAN CISCOMANI.

AND SHE'S SCRUBBED HER SOCIAL MEDIA.

THE COVID 2020 AND GEORGE FLOYD WHERE SHE HAD THINGS ABOUT THE POLICE AND THINGS SHE DIDN'T REALLY WANT TO STILL BE A PART OF HER POLITICAL PERSONA NOW.

BUT IT'S ALSO PROBABLY WORTH NOTING THIS IS NOT A SUPER UNCOMMON THING FOR POLITICIANS TO DO, INCLUDING IN THIS CYCLE.

YOU KNOW, UPDATING VIEWPOINTS OR REMOVING OR ADDING THINGS TO YOUR WEBSITE.

I MEAN, DEPENDING ON THE SCOPE OF THE SCRUBBING OF HER SOCIAL MEDIA MAYBE IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN OTHER CANDIDATES, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT CANDIDATES TEND TO DO.

>> Ted: WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THIS, JEREMY.

IF THOSE THINGS WOULD HAVE BEEN THERE, PEOPLE WOULD HAVE FOUND IT, BUT WHEN YOU SCRUB IT, HERE COME THE HEADLINES.

>> YEAH, KIND OF DAMNED IF YOU DO, DAMNED IF YOU DON'T.

NOTHING EVER DIES ON THE INTERNET.

OBVIOUSLY THIS IS WHY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT.

AND IN A SENSE YOU MIGHT AS WELL LEAVE IT UP THERE, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FIND IT ANYWAY AND THEN IT'S A NEWS STORY AND WE SIT AROUND THE TABLE TALKING ABOUT THIS.

THIS IS SUCH A COMPETITIVE DISTRICT.

SHE'S TRYING TO DIVERT ATTENTION AWAY FROM MORE LEFTIST PROGRESSIVE STUFF SHE'S SAID IN THE PAST.

SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE, HYPE HE COMPETITIVE CRICKET.

AND A LOT OF STUFF LIKE THAT IS NOT GOING TO FLY IN A YEAR LIKE THIS WHEN THE DEMOCRAT IS COUNTING ON THE BLUE WAVE THEY'RE EXPECTING, WE HAVE TO SEE IF IT ACTUALLY MATTERS.

>> Ted: WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE PLACES OCCUPYING ARMY, MILITARIZED, SYSTEMIC RACISM BEING A PROBLEM IN THE NATION AND AGAIN, THESE ARE THINGS DATING BACK TO FIVE, SIX YEARS AGO, IF YOU REMOVE THOSE, IF YOU'RE AT ALL ASSOCIATED WITH -- IN A RACE THIS CLOSE, THE SLIGHTEST THING LIKE THAT, HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT COULD THAT MAKE?

>> IT COULD MAKE A PRETTY BIG IMPACT IF IT'S DECIDED BY A FEW PERCENTAGE POINT, LESS THAN A PERCENTAGE POINT FOR SURE.

I THINK IT'S INCUMBENT FOR HER TO GO OUT AND EXPLAIN HER VIEWS.

SHE'S ALREADY BEEN TRYING TO EXPLAIN HER VIEWS ON THE POLICE BECAUSE SHE'S BEEN ACCUSED OF DEFUNDING THE POLICE IN THE PAST.

IF THE PAST HER ACTUAL COMMENTS WERE ACTUALLY MORE IN THE VEIN OF REALLOCATION RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY SERVICES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THE NUANCE GETS LOST IN THE HEADLINE AND IT'S UP TO HER CAMPAIGN TO EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE.

>> Ted: DISTRICT 6 HOW MUCH DO THEY CARE ABOUT THIS?

>> I THINK TO WAYNE'S POINT.

IF THIS IS A RACE SORT OF WON ON THE MARGINS, IT COULD CERTAINLY BE AN ISSUE AND MAYBE PEOPLE WHO ARE KIND OF ON THE FENCE, YOU KNOW, CISCOMANI IS SEEN AS SORT OF TRADITIONAL REPUBLICAN IN MANY WAYS, NOT LIKE SUPER INTO MAGA WORLD.

THERE COULD BE FOLKS ON THE FENCE WHO SAY OH, WHAT ELSE IS SHE HIDING.

TO JEREMY'S POINT, WHY WOULD SHE TAKE THEM DOWN?

WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

IT COULD POTENTIALLY PLAY A ROLE.

>> Ted: IF ANYTHING THAT'S THAT CLOSE YOU'VE GOT TO FIGURE A LITTLE BIT OF A RIPPLE MAKES A BIG WAVE ON SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> AND A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK 6 AND TUCSON, IT'S ONLY PART OF TUCSON AND A LOT OF OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT ARE NOT SUPER LEFT.

LIKE YOU KNOW, CASA GRANDE, AND A LOT OF THE RURAL COMMUNITIES, COCHISE COUNTY AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THERE ARE THOSE THAT ARE PRO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND NOT GOING TO THE CUT OF THOSE.

>> Ted: AND CHAIRMAN LOOKS LIKE OUR FORMER SENATOR KYRSTEN SINEMA BACK IN THE NEWS YET AGAIN AND SOUNDS LIKE, HOUSE PARTY GONE BAD-- I SHOULDN'T JOKE ABOUT THIS BECAUSE SOMEONE APPARENTLY, HER EX-BOYFRIEND, HOME WRECKER, ACCUSED OF HOME WRECKING, WRECKED A HOME.

>> IT'S ALL VERY UNFORTUNATE.

WE'VE SEEN-- WE TALKED BEFORE ABOUT KIRSTEN WAS SUED IN NORTH CAROLINA BY THE EX-WIFE OF HER EX-BODYGUARD SHE'D BEEN HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH.

THAT CASE IS STILL IN COURT AND APPARENTLY HE'S AN EX NOW AND SHE WAS OUT OF TOWN AND ALLEGEDLY ACCORDING TO POLICE HE WENT TO HER HOUSE IN CAVE CREEK AND CALLED HER AND WANTED HER TO POST A VIDEO ON TWITTER OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT AND WHEN SHE WOULDN'T DO IT STARTED TRASHING PIECES OF ART AND THROWING IT IN THE POOL AND DESTROYING EXPENSIVE BOTTLES OF ALCOHOL AND HE WAS ARRESTED AND PUT IN FOR A MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING OF SOME KIND.

IT'S ALL VERY TAWDRY.

THEY UNFORTUNATE.

THEY SORRY TO SEE THIS HAPPEN AT ALL AND HOPE EVERYONE GETS WHATEVER HELP THEY NEED.

>> Ted: YEAH, 22 PAINTINGS TOSSED IN THE POOL.

PRICEY BOTTLES OF ALCOHOL AND SMASHED A MIRROR.

ING THIS SOMEONE WHO OBVIOUSLY NEEDS HELP HERE, BUT FORMER SENATOR CINEMA, SHE CAN'T KEEP OUT OF THIS KIND OF STUFF OUT OF THE HEADLINES.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK THAT JEREMY'S WORD IS EXACTLY APT UNFORTUNATE.

THE WHOLE THING IS UNFORTUNATE.

THE LAWSUIT THE AFFAIR, WHAT HAPPENED AT HER HOUSE, IT'S SAD AND UNFORTUNATE AND, YEAH, I MEAN, SHE'S NOT IN PUBLIC LIFE ANYMORE AND YOU KNOW, I'M SURE IF SHE WAS GOING TO BE IN THE NEWS SHE WOULD NOT WANT IT TO BE FOR THIS REASON.

>> Ted: I WAS GOING TO SAY SHE'S NOT IN PUBLIC LIFE ANYMORE, BUT HER LIFE IS IN PUBLIC.

>> DECISIONS SHE'D MADE IN HER LIFE MADE HER A PUBLIC FIGURE AND THE DECISION WHEN SHE SUPPOSEDLY LEFT PUBLIC LIFE KEPT HERE IN THE LIMELIGHT.

THE FIRST TIME THE REPORTERS AND MEDIA MET THE GUY WHEN SHE BROUGHT HIM TO THE CAPITOL TO SAY THE DRUG TREATMENT THAT HELPED HIM IN HIS PTSD STRUGGLE AND HIS TESTIMONY AND OTHER FOLKS' TESTIMONY HE'S STRUGGLING.

HE'S DEALING WITH ISSUES.

>> Ted: LET'S TRY TO LEAVE AND NOT SO UNFORTUNATE A NOTE.

FONTEZ VERSUS HEAP.

SAYING THEY'RE HOLDING A LIST OF FELONS THAT SHOULDN'T BE ON THE VOTER ROLLS.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> SOMETHING THAT THE DOJ PERIODICALLY GO TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE AND PASS THAT INFORMATION ALONG TO THE COUNTIES.

VERY MUCH A HE SAID-HE SAID SITUATION.

AND HE SAYS THAT FONTEZ IS LYING ABOUT THE INFORMATION, AND FONTEZ'S OFFICE, SCREENING, AND NOT USER FRIENDLY PDF.

I TALKED TO DOJ.

THEY SENT THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE MOST RECENT INFORMATION WHICH KIND OF BEGS THE QUESTION WHY DIDN'T THEY SEND IT ALREADY, MAYBE THAT'S KIND OF A POINT FOR FONTEZ THERE, THAT YOU KNOW, TOOK JUSTIN CALLING DOJ TO ACTUALLY SEND INFORMATION THEY'RE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO SEND OVER.

>> Ted: IS IT BASICALLY THAT FONTEZ AND HIS OFFICE SAID IT'S THE FED'S FAULT.

ANTIQUATED EQUIPMENT.

WE ARE NOT GETTING IT ON TIME AND THE END OF THE WEEK.

>> IT'S A HE SAID-HE SAID SITUATION, AND A LOT OF REPORTERS TRYING TO GET THEIR HAND ON THE DOCUMENTS AND SUS THIS OUT AND WHEN THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM GETS THIS POLITICAL SIZED.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED BY THESE INDIVIDUALS AND OFFICES BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AND E-MAIL, WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED THE DATA YET, FIGURE IT OUT WITHOUT EXPLODING INTO PUBLIC VIEW A MONTH BEFORE AN ELECTION.

>> Ted: YAY OR NAY, BIG DEAL?

>> I WOULD SAY AT THIS MOMENT PROBABLY NOT, BUT AGAIN, EARLY VOTING STARTS IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

>> Ted: ALL RIGHT, GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

GOOD CONVERSATION, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

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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