On June 18, 2013, the Pima County Elections Department issued a letter clearing Pima County Board of Supervisors Member Ally Miller of any and all campaign finance violations that were brought against her during the 2012 primary and general election season. The complaints against Miller weres filed during the primary season of 2012 and the investigation continued throughout the election cycle.
Complaints were registered questioning independent expenditures made in regard to the race for the office of Pima County Board of Supervisors Member District 1. Specifically the complaints questioned if coordination had occurred between Stallard and Company…and the “Ally Miller for Supervisor” campaign, according to Brad Nelson head of Pima County’s Elections Division.
Nelson wrote, “Coordination between the campaigns would be grounds to lead my office to make a reasonable cause determination that a violation of law had occurred (ARS 16-901.14).” Director Brad Nelson concluded his findings as follows: “I have reviewed the complaints and the campaign finance reports for Stallard and Miller and have determined that there was no coordination between the two campaigns during the 2012 Primary and General election cycles in Pima County.” (Click here to view letter)
The complaints were issued by some of Miller’s Republican Primary opponents with the support of members in the “establishment” of the Pima County Republican Party.
“At a time when a critical primary and general election season were in full swing, it was unfortunate that some became so obsessed with a seat of power they were willing to abandon principles and human decency, ” said one Republican insider. Much of the behavior on the part of Miller’s opponents grew into sheer lunacy as noted by ADI last summer: Hellon Launches Last Minute Smear Campaign.
“I can’t begin to express the extreme disappointment I have in two of my fellow republican opponents who filed this complaint based on their own bitter agenda over their loss of this primary election,” said Miller. “I would hope Mike Hellon and Stuart McDaniel feel remorse and shame over filing such an unjust allegation against a fellow republican who simply outworked them. Their attempts to assassinate my character so I would lose the general election failed and I have been 100% vindicated. Justice has prevailed.”
“What Ally Miller’s primary opponents and detractors fail to realize is their very public tantrums, fueled by jealousy, fear and insecurity, accomplished absolutely nothing except, perhaps, that it revealed exactly who some of these individuals are at the core: unworthy to hold public office,” continued the GOP insider, “To launch fliers wrought with falsehoods then attempt to assassinate one’s character by lying and deliberately filing complaints without merit to affect the outcome of a primary – or even a general election – proves that the people of Pima County and REAL issues are not at the forefront of thought for some running a campaign.”
Supporters, who have worked alongside Miller over the years, say “there was no question she was – and is – a leader unafraid to stand alone.”
Miller has delivered on her promise to her constituents to clean up the County corruption and fight to bring down taxes since entering office earlier this year. This has earned her the wrath of her fellow supervisors, who had long facilitated questionable spending, while County roads crumbled.
“Hopefully, Nelson’s findings will finally put to rest any questions about Miller’s campaign finances or integrity,” said one GOP member. “It would also be for the good of Pima County if certain individuals would apologize for their immature and selfish acts which did nothing to elevate their party or their aspirations.”
Bitter feelings have not left McDaniel, who just this week made the claim that Miller’s effort to involve the public in the budget process, caused an increase in taxes. In what one of his “friends” call a bizarre claim, McDaniel wrote on Facebook, “Especially when the original budget had a proposed 5.5% tax increase. It went up 1.5% in retaliation after the dog and pony show.”
Pima County voters have had some of the highest taxes in the state for years.