On Wednesday, Rep. Raul Grijalva invited supporters to join him in Phoenix for a visit with Senator Bernie Sanders.
I have really exciting news.
This Sunday, Senator Bernie Sanders will be joining Congressman Ruben Gallego and myself at the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix.
We’re fired up to fight for progressive values and candidates across the board in 2018, and we need your help to get it done. Here are the details:
Rally with Bernie Sanders, Ruben Gallego, and Raúl Grijalva
Where: Orpheum Theatre
203 W Adams St. Phoenix, AZ, 85003
When: Sunday, March 11 at 12:00pm
I can’t wait to see you at the Orpheum on Sunday. It’s free and open to the public — but RSVP now to confirm your attendance! We’re building the movement to elect progressives across Arizona, and we can’t do it without you.
Peace,
Raúl Grijalva
Grijalva’s last visit to Phoenix made headlines after a heckler asked Grijalva’s co-host, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, how much was she worth.
Grijalva, who represents the 8th poorest metropolitan area in the country, joined Rep. Nancy Pelosi in Phoenix to complain about the “crumbs” taxpayers have received as a result of the Trump Tax Reform package.
Pelosi told attendees at the small gathering that was billed as a town hall that Republican leaders are planning to cut social services and entitlements to cover the cost of the reforms.
“These are kitchen table issues for America’s families,” said Pelosi. “Most people are not in dead ending poverty, but some are. Most people have to struggle to make ends meet.”
Immediately life-long-democrat-turned-Trump-supporter, Terry Mendoza, of Mesa, shouted out, “How much are you worth, Nancy?” Pelosi responded, “No, we’re not talking about that.”
According to Heavy.com, “In 2014, Nancy reported between $43.4 million and $202 million in assets.”
Sanders had a surprisingly good financial year in 2016. While the Democratic socialist was warning against the concentration of wealth in the hands of “the top 1 percent,” he was also joining their ranks.
Though his annual income of $200,000 still makes him one of the least wealthy senators, “the former Democratic presidential candidate made some $858,750 off book royalties alone last year,” Newsweek reports. “Combined with his Senate salary, he likely cleared $1 million in earnings.”
That would place Sanders — whose website says that “the issue of wealth and income inequality is the great moral issue of our time, it is the great economic issue of our time, and it is the great political issue of our time” — in the unusual position of being among the top 1 percent of earners in the U.S.
In November, Newsweek reported:
Sanders spent much of the presidential race railing against Wall Street influencers—his campaign site even had the tagline “Paid for by Bernie 2016 (Not the Billionaires).” Since Trump took office, he’s pushed for minimum wage to be increased to $15, appeared on CNN to debate GOP Senator Ted Cruz of Texas on the tax code and suggested Democrats should prioritize concerns about affordability over the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. But he’s also been called out for his own bursting bank account.
In April, for example, Sanders tweeted, “How many yachts do billionaires need? How many cars do they need? Give us a break. You can’t have it all.” The backlash was swift, with dozens of Twitter users pointing out that Sanders had three houses.
How many yachts do billionaires need? How many cars do they need? Give us a break. You can’t have it all.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) April 21, 2017
This year, it was revealed that Grijalva was forced to “quietly” arrange a “severance package” in 2015 for one of his top staffers who threatened a lawsuit claiming the Arizona Democrat was frequently drunk and created a hostile workplace environment.”
Related article: Grijalva Had Secret Deal With Ex-Staffer, ‘Hush Fund’ Used For Cover Up
According to the Washington Times, after “the woman hired a lawyer and threatened a lawsuit, Mr. Grijalva halted her salary as part of the House Employment Counsel’s strategy to force her to settle the matter.”
The Washington Times reported that in violation of the law, Grijalva’s secret deal “provided for her pay to resume at her full salary for five months after she left the office.”
Grijalva is expected to face Republican challenger Sergio Arellano in the upcoming election. Arellano, a wounded warrior, who grew up in what is now Congressional District 3 (CD3), has earned the support of disaffected Democrats due to Grijalva’s neglect. Grijalva’s infrequent visits to struggling communities in CD3 such as Yuma and Nogales has weakened his once solid support. As a result, he has been forced to head north to Phoenix for fundraising.