Freshman Arizona Representative Victoria Steele is in the news again, but not for accusing a fellow democrat of harassment; this time she is going after individual campaign donors. On Wednesday, Steele joined the Arizona Advocacy Network and Louis Hoffman, in a petition filed with the Arizona Supreme Court seeking to rule HB2593 unconstitutional.
Steele, who enjoyed the support of organized labor is going after “big money.” Sam Wercinski, Executive Director of Arizona Advocacy Network, told the Yellow Sheet that they were going after “millionaires and billionaires.”
Under HB2593, candidates can accept increase amounts of money from individuals, PACs and Super PACs from about $500 to $5000 and up to $10,000 for super PACs.
According to the Yellow Sheet, Steele “believes the Court should take this case immediately because of the uncertainty it creates for candidates and donors in addition to the fact that it violates the contribution limits Arizona voters established in 1998. She wants to run as a Clean Elections candidate…” She is concerned that the unions will be outspent by business interests who will likely support pro-business candidates as opposed to her. According to the Yellow Sheet, as a Clean Elections candidate, she would have to agree to spending caps in the primary and general elections and could only accept $3813 in private, contributions of $160 or less.
Brewer signed into law House Bill 2593 only two days after the Arizona Senate voted 17-13 to send it to her.
Supporters argued that the legislation was necessary to address unconstitutionally low campaign limits and fight back against the increase in unions, big corporations, and other special interests groups using independent funds to influence elections. The Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizens United case in 2010 lifted many restrictions on corporate spending in political elections and opened the door for campaign cash from big corporations and unions.