Right before the press conference started at U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva’s campaign office yesterday afternoon, Grijalva primary opponent Amanda Aguirre’s campaign sent out a statement regarding the Grijalva mailer paid for by the PAC Opportunity for All.
Aguirre accused the congressman of bullying:
Yesterday, the Grijalva campaign sent a press release blindly accusing former State Senator Amanda Aguirre of “finance irregularities.” The Grijalva campaign has issued repeated attacks and false accusations that constitute a pattern of bullying behavior. Grijalva’s most recent attempt to manipulate the media in his favor is a direct example of his underhanded bullying tactics.
Arizona is tired of Grijalva’s intimidation tactics and threats, of which there is a long history, and tired of Grijalva bully his colleagues and constituents via leveraging the political power of his congressional position.
Sen. Aguirre responded, “This is typical desperation politics on the part of Grijalva. My campaign has never coordinated with an independent political committee nor on any independent expenditures.” Aguirre continued, “It is no surprise others feel unhappy with Grijalva. There are several groups of people extremely frustrated with him and his boycott of Arizona. In fact, Arizona has seen an increase in the number of groups that are displeased with Grijalva.”
Sen. Aguirre added, “This is merely another distraction ploy from Grijalva, again, to avoid facing the important issues that he has failed to address.”
At the press conference, Grijalva said the information they discovered onOpportunity for All, was gathered from the PAC’s statement of organization filed by Carlos Sierra using the address 5717 Upper Valley Road in El Paso, Texas. A google search by Grijalva’s campaign shows the PAC’s address, which they claim is an empty El Paso lot.
Sierra, according to Grijalva, is a former John McCain staffer, and they are currently investigating if the mailer violates Federal Election Commission rules. Here’s a post from the Center for Public Integrity that explains the world of PACs and elections:
Criminal prosecution is theoretically possible, but highly unlikely — and even civil sanctions are rare, according to a review of Federal Election Commission actions.
Since 1999, the FEC has conducted a total of three investigations into alleged coordination between a candidate committee and an individual or organization making “independent expenditures.” Two of those probes resulted in fines totaling $26,000, according to a Center for Public Integrity investigation.
The Citizens United Supreme Court decision and a lower-court ruling in 2010 allowed corporations, individuals and labor unions to make unlimited contributions to independent organizations that use the money to support or defeat a candidate. The ruling led to the creation of “super PACs.”
There is no established fine for offenders. It is up to the six-member FEC — split evenly between Republicans and Democrats — to decide on punishment.
“They have the final say in how much a committee will be paying for a civil penalty,” said Christian Hilland, an FEC spokesman.
Here is a copy of the Opportunity for All filing signed by Sierra:
carlossierra.pdf
We’re waiting to hear back from Sierra, whom we contacted by Twitter and e-mail. On his Twitter page, @THECarlosSierra, Sierra describes himself as “Severely Independent. Country before Party. Ex McCain aide. Buddy Roemer nat’l campaign manager. President, Sierra Public Affairs. CNN and POLITICO contributor.”
The PAC’s website is a tumblr page with only eight posts all from August focused on Grijalva and Aguirre. Earlier write-ups on Sierra were first posted by the Arizona Guardian when he was a McCain staffer facing DUI issues back in 2009.
Apart from that, the Tequila Party’s Dee Dee Blase gave Sierra a little praise on her Tucson Citizen blog. Blase wrote that Sierra was returning to Arizona to help with Mike Stauffer’s independent run for Maricopa County Sheriff.
Well, it looks like he’s helping out with much more.
This article appears in Aug 23-29, 2012.
This is one Democrat who will never vote for Raul Grijalva again. Amanda Aguirre will get my vote in the primary. If Raul Grijalva wins the primary I will vote for whomever is opposing him. In my opinion he is very bad for southern Arizona. I wish I lived a few blocks over so I could be in Ron Barber’s (Gabby Giffords old seat) district.
Well, that is extremely foolish as Aquirre is actually GOP flying different colors.I could never support anyone who was in bed with ALEC. Or the American (Voucher) Federation of Children.Your milage may vary.
I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about voting for Rep. Raul Grijalva. He is a staunch supporter of environmental issues and is an advocate for the middle class and for the less fortunate. I have voted for him in the past, and I will continue to support him for his progressive views.
Grijalva has a proven record. Aguirre’s campaign is long on innuendoes but short of specifics or substance. Congress doesn’t control gas prices. That’s something you’ll never see.
I’m in Barber’s district and I would prefer to be represented by Grijalva, who is much closer to my way of thinking than Barber. Grijalva is one of the few trying to keep southern AZ out of the hands of Homeland Insecurity and the loonies from Maricopa County. There is more to the quality of life here than another mine or powerline.
I’m voting for Grijalva only because he’s got no real power in DC. If he loses and comes back to Southern AZ, we’re all screwed.
Something to remember is that Amanda Aguirre was not elected to office, she was appointed by Jan “Crypt Keeper” Brewer. Considering a certain Texas based GOP shill and all one wonders just who she would support, the constituents or her GOP masters.
IMO – there is no real value or benefit in either of these 2 being elected to represent us. They both have tunnel vision and are only concerned with the issues that impact their best paying lobbying influencers.
It saddens me, because we all worked very hard to get Raul elected.
He has sold out to ‘alec’ – abandoned the Hispanic community – and based on his FaceBook and other ways of communicating his work back to the people, focuses 80% of his time and energies on things NOT related to Arizona.
Amanda seems to MAYBE have the right idea – but she does a very poor job of being specific. Her voting record is far from impressive in terms of being centered on actions to MAKE changes happen.
They are both looking for that nice fat job and all they are offering up to convince us to hire them is the same cookie cutter rhetoric.
In this race – as with many others – my vote is going with the candidate that has the least experience at bullshitting the public and selling out to lobbyists.
Michael to state so strongly that you aren’t going to vote for Grijalva without giving any reason rings hollow. You say he is bad for Arizona. Why?
Ollin Systems, I am Hispanic and part of “the community.” Do not speak for me! I feel that Grijalva represents me and the diverse issues and people in Southern Arizona.
I’m voting for Grijalva. Way too many have the perception that our representatives are islands onto themselves and their bidding is done when they wave their wand up on the hill. They are not kings, what they stand for is not automatic. Instead they must navigate the often complex paths to first sponsor a bill, to gain others that will support it, and to ultimately get it out of committee and onto the floor for a vote. Given the rabid nature of tea baggers and “blue dog” Dems, it’s tough, really tough to get anything done. As Democrats we need to restore the House back to the Dems, real Democrats that will work with President Obama to get the country moving forward. Grijalva knows the game and plays it well. I’m not so sure about Aguirre.
Francisco Escobar, owner, Ollin Systems International Media, Marketing, Advertising & Consulting.
So you’re on Amanda Aguirres pay roll Ollin?
northstar77 said it exactly as it is. Most people don’t understand the working of the legislature and how hard it is to get things done. Instead, they expect miracles.
Grijalva is out for Grijalva, he plays the issues and his constituates to gain whatever he believes is best for him…… Someday we may have politicians who actually work for what is best for Arizona….. That day is not today.
If I was on Amanda’s payroll, they’d be scraping Raul’s name off of doors and parking spaces. But……….
But I wonder and don’t trust anyone appointed by Brewer.
Yeah – who is Carlos Sierra?
Her record and rhetoric have more holes than – than – her record and rhetoric.
If he/she serves the interests of his/her constituents, why is this district in such crap-hole condition?
Ask him why he pays $5k a month to a consulting firm/s in DC?
Ask him what the hell he has an office in the Bay Area for?
Ask him why he and the party blocked other candidates from voter mailing lists and other resources that are supposed to be available to anyone that asks for them?
Both of these candidates and the rest of DC…….. “they must navigate the often complex paths to first sponsor a bill, to gain others that will support it, and to ultimately get it out of committee and onto the floor for a vote”…………..BS!!………..in my world, that’s called “selling out Peter so you can pimp Paul”. It’s a system that THEY built for themselves to bypass accountability or responsibility for being lame, lazy asses and get away with their lies and corruption.
I have voted for Raul since he was on the Tucson Unified School District Board and think he is one of the best things that has happened to southern Arizona. He cares about people and votes his conscience. He has the courage to be a true Progressive and sponsored the most creative solution to the budget crisis of anyone – even the Wall Street Journal said that budget was the best of all the budgets – Dem. or Rep. We need him back in Congress.
Aguirre was originally appointed to the legislature but it wasn’t by Governor Brewer Mr. Rowley. Legislators are appointed by the County Board of Supervisors so Aguirre would have been appointed by the Yuma County BOS.
Actually Randy, If you check, you will find that Amanda Aguirre WAS appointed by Jan Brewer.
I find the discourse absolutely amazing. The ad about Raul is true even if the head-in-sand Democrats cannot see it through their rose colored and biased glasses. I am an independent and vote based on record and actions. Raul is a joke on southern AZ and has been since TUSD school board. Then he appoints his lazy daughter to replace him. He is what’s wrong and you folls keep voting him in. what a bunch of tools!
I can’t believe this blind support for Grijalva. The Supremes have allowed anyone to put out campaign material beyond a candidates control, so spitten Raul is lying to you when he believes Amanda is involved. Grijalva only cares for “HIS” people, not all people. Has he spoken out about all the GUN VIOLENCE? No, instead he holds forums for people who aren’t citizens. Protector of the environment my behind! He’s an enabler to those who have polluted the once pristine deserts of Southern AZ. That’s no environmentalist in my book. Grijalva supporters are self centered and don’t care how his selfish views effect others. I voted for Amanda Aguirre.
I find the discourse absolutely amazing. The ad about Raul is true even if the head-in-sand Democrats cannot see it through their rose colored and biased glasses. I am an independent and vote based on record and actions. Raul is a joke on southern AZ and has been since TUSD school board. Then he appoints his lazy daughter to replace him. He is what’s wrong and you folks keep voting him in. what a bunch of tools!
I copied this from above because it sickens me to see the schills for Grijalva posting here. What is wrong with you people anyway? The ad rings so true but you can not see? Really. No Far-Logs for anyone who votes for the no-voter Grijalva. I am sickened that as Americans you can not see him as he is. Excuse me while I throw-up.
Far-Log Farley, I’ll hold the bucket for you as I remind that we live in a democracy. Obviously, just because you hate Grijalva doesn’t mean everyone does. Wait for the election results to see what other Americans in So Arizona think…pobrecito.
We don’t live in a Democracy, we live in a Republic. If you doubt me, try reading the Constitution, which specifically spells it out as our form of government, or you could recite the Pledge of Allegiance, which also mentions our Republic.