Proposition 211: Ballot measure to require disclosure for political spending wins in Arizona

Arizona Republic, News

Arizona voters decisively backed Proposition 211, the ballot measure requiring disclosure of significant campaign contributions.

Proposition 211 measure drew strong bipartisan in opinion polls and the support of allies such as the League of Women Voters and the Arizona Alliance of NonProfits. Former Gov. Fife Symington, a Republican, spoke in favor of the measure — creating a common interest between the two former rivals for the Governor’s Office. 

Symington argued that candidates and proposition proponents who have to contend with dark money attacks are like “being in a boxing match with an opponent you can’t see.” 

Read the full article here at AZ Central.

Proposition 211 would help bring honor back to Arizona politics

Arizona Republic, , , ,

Gov. Symington pens an editorial strongly supporting Proposition 211:

I had the pleasure of serving as your governor during a simpler time. A simpler time when you actually knew who your political opponent was.

Today, running for office requires great risk and great courage. Risk that you never know who your actual political opponent might be. It’s like being in a boxing match with an opponent you can’t see. It takes substantial courage to fight someone you can’t even see.

It is time to end that.

That’s why I am joining Democrats, Republicans and independents asking you to vote “yes” on Proposition 211, the Voters’ Right to Know Act. If passed, any group spending more than $50,000 on statewide campaigns or $25,000 on local campaigns will have to disclose the names of the original contributors who provided the money for the campaigns.

Read the whole op-ed piece in the Arizona Republic.

Symington Endorses Master As Polls Show Him Closing In On Kelly

Arizona Daily Independent, News

On Friday, Sen. Mark Kelly’s Republican challenger, Blake Masters, received the endorsement of Arizona Governors Doug Ducey, Jan Brewer, and Fife Symington. The endorsements came on the same day new polls show Masters within striking distance of Kelly.

“Blake Masters is the Senator Arizona needs and deserves. Blake is an experienced businessman and will be an independent thinker who will always put Arizona first,” said Symington. “I’m calling on all Arizonans to support Blake and his fight to stop Joe Biden’s runaway inflation, fix the chaos at our southern border, and keep Arizona great.”

Read the full story at the Arizona Daily Independent.

Brewer, Symington join Taylor Robson campaign for Arizona governor

KTAR, News

Republicans Fife Symington and Jan Brewer will serve as co-chairs of Taylor Robson’s gubernatorial campaign, it was announced Monday.

“Gov. Brewer and Gov. Symington truly embody what it means to put conservative principles into action,” Taylor Robson said in a press release.

“I cannot think of two conservative leaders better equipped than Govs. Brewer and Symington to lead my campaign for Arizona governor, and I am proud and humbled to have their support.”

Taylor Robson, a member of the Arizona Board of Regents and a seasoned political fundraiser, entered the race in May. She is the founder and president of Phoenix-based land use strategy company Arizona Strategies.

Read the full article on KTAR.com.

Outlaw Dirty Money gets a big lift from a Republican governor

Arizona Republic, Laurie Roberts, News

Former Republican Gov. Fife Symington confirmed that he’s endorsing the Outlaw Dirty Money initiative.

“I just feel it’s out of control,” he told me, referring to dark money spending on Arizona’s political campaigns.

Symington is the highest-profile Republican yet to support turning the lights on Arizona’s campaign-finance system.

Read Laurie Robert’s full op-ed piece here.