As a small businessowner, family man, and candidate in the LD2 Arizona State Senate race, I normally refrain from wasting my precious time on specious smear attacks. As a result, I was initially going to ignore the remarks made by former Arizona State Senator Steve Kaiser, but after hearing from so many concerned supporters at the June XX LD2 meeting, I believe I must respond on their behalf.
Mr. Kaiser began his attack with a discussion of my record of running for office. Compared to many others in and out of office, my record is short and free of scandal. Yes, I lost a primary against David Schweikert. Hardly scandalous. What was scandalous was that I believe I lost it because another candidate entered the race months after me, spent almost $6,000,000, and garnered 10,000 more votes. My campaign was grassroots and based on hard work and name recognition.
Unlike Mr. Kaiser, I’m not here to attack anyone personally, including my opponent, Shawnna Bolick, but to present facts. If we are to believe as Mr. Kaiser appears to that losing is scandalous, then the irony is that my primary opponent has lost three previous races, including the 2010 House Primary, the 2014 House seat to Democrat Eric Meyer (won by Brophy McGee), and a recent defeat to Democrat Judy Schwiebert. She also lost the 2022 Secretary of State race, finishing third out of four candidates. Therefore, Kaiser’s claim that she is the only one who can win the general election is unfounded.
Kaiser is correct that school choice and ESA programs will be at risk if a Democrat wins the general election. However, my primary opponent previously introduced a bill to limit the ESA program, contrary to her claims of supporting ESA4ALL. Does Steve even know her record? Probably not. He is also correct that abortion rights will expand if a Democrat is elected. My opponent voted with Democrats to repeal the 1977 abortion law, which I would have opposed, advocating instead for future amendments. Protecting the 2nd Amendment, securing our borders, and fixing our election system are also priorities for me.
My primary opponent seems to believe we should move past the 2020 election despite ongoing issues with election integrity plaguing counties across Arizona. Mr. Kaiser’s apparent position is not only one with which I disagree, it is reckless. We know, and have known for some time what needs to be done to increase integrity of our systems and restore confidence in the voting public. Until we take reasonable measures to introduce those “fixes,” we will continue to face problems, as seen in the 2022 election.
I find it remarkable that Steve Kaiser, who abandoned the voters of LD2, has the audacity to attack me. It is rumored that Mr. Kaiser was rewarded for pushing his so-called affordable housing bill and quit the Senate – and his constituents – when that ill-fated bill failed to win enough support to pass.
My primary opponent, appointed (not elected) by the Maricopa Board of Supervisors, also failed to pass the same bill. I am committed to transparency and integrity, running a clean election campaign without accepting lobbyist or PAC money. There will be no rumors, innuendo, or speculation that I am or will be rewarded for sponsoring legislation should I win this race.
Kaiser is not very confident with his hand picked team in LD2 because he was calling Sergio Arellano and begging him to run for a House seat after Ari Bradshaw and Justin Wilmeth already announced their intention to run. His uncalled for attack against me, an America First type candidate, and his back stabbing of Ari and Justin reeks of desperation to keep some type of control.
I urge the people of LD2 to join me in fighting against the corporatists that Steve represents. Both Steve and my primary opponent are anti-AZ Freedom Caucus and anti-Trump. I have supported Trump from the beginning, valuing his policies that avoided new wars, controlled the border, and maintained low inflation and prices.
I am asking for your vote to break the cycle of establishment control and represent the will of the people in the State Senate. Together, we can protect our state and Constitutional Republic from Democrat and establishment Republican policies that compromise our values.
God bless you, and I hope to earn your vote on July 30. Mail-in ballots go out on July 3. Vote BARNETT to make real change in Arizona.
I find it ironic this person claims to be a god fearing conservative and still supports Trump. Trump is a felon, liar, adulterer, and a cheater. How can a morally responsible conservative support that?
I don’t and I won’t support Josh. My conservative morals don’t allow that.
I haven’t seen a load of fluff like this since the Obama speeches (you know, the ones he put on an IPod and “presented” to Queen Elizabeth, lol). Barnett is so weak he takes to groveling on behalf of 2 of the 3 dirtiest candidates running in local elections- Ari Bradshaw and Justin Wilmeth. I’m surprised he didn’t invite the 3rd one, Shawna Bollick, for Thanksgiving dinner with his family. All 3, by the way, are running on a slate that tried to sue Barnett off the ballot. Arizona doesn’t need spineless candidates like all 4 of these (Barnett included). Let’s hope for better options in the future, if there is anything left of Arizona by then.
Yes Josh. I totally agree with your comments. In the meeting a couple of comments were made to instead of pushing for censures of reps we should be focusing on supporting reps and candidates. So naive of them to assume just because we want to reprimand reps for not doing their job we are not putting work into candidates we believe WILL REPRESENT WE THE PEOPLE. I have your sign in my yard and will work to spread your name for votes. I will contact your campaign.
Oh. And Kim George to replace Schweikert. Jerry Sheridan for sheriff. Gina Godbehere for county attorney. Nickie Kelley for county superintendent of schools.
I spent a lot of time getting to know the candidates in this race. I have only endorsed one. Josh Barnett is a true conservative.
I encourage everyone in LD2 to talk to Josh and you will see exactly why he is the real deal.