With the PolitickerAZ.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Arizona's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

With the PolitickerAZ.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Arizona's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

Candidate's wife keeps family humming

CORONA DE TUCSON — The decorative wreath on her front door says it all: "Bee Happy."

Grace Bee's husband, Republican candidate Tim Bee, is in the middle of one of the most competitive congressional races in the country. She already had a house full of six children that she's responsible for mothering and home-schooling. Her title of "mom taxi" is well-earned — her home is 30 minutes southeast of Tucson. (Daily Star, Daniel Scarpinato)

Link: http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/politics/253237.php

Poor timing may doom Senate president

TUCSON - Right guy, wrong time.

Republicans believe they have the right man in state Senate President Tim Bee to wrest Arizona's 8th Congressional District seat from Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords come Nov. 4 and return it to GOP control. But observers say his timing isn't the best. (Arizona Republic, Arthur Rotstein)

Link: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/08/18/20080818district8.html

Campaign Corner: First Congressional District leans Democratic

The Cook Political Report has re-rated Arizona's sprawling First Congressional District, saying voters lean toward electing a Democrat.

Previously, this report has simply listed this district, now held by U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Flagstaff, as an open seat since Renzi is resigning amid felony charges. It had declined to predict which party had the advantage in November. (Daily Sun, Staff)

Link: http://www.azdailysun.com/articles/2008/08/17/news/local/20080817_local_...

Your voting options

For the next 17 days, Arizona voters will be going to the polls — although for many, that means traveling only as far as the mailbox in front of their homes.

Early voting for this year's primary election started more than two weeks ago, and before the votes are counted it's anticipated that as many as 60 percent of those who participate will have filled out their ballots before the official Sept. 2 Election Day. (Daily Sun, Staff)

Link: http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/politics/252363.php

Bitter Smith burnishes law enforcement cred with new ad, endorsements

Susan Bitter Smith, Republican primary candidate in the 5th Congressional District, is playing up her tough stance on issues of illegal immigration and crime with two new endorsements from law enforcement unions and a just-released ad featuring Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. (PolitickerAZ.com, Evan Brown)

Link: http://www.politickeraz.com/evanbrown/1895/bitter-smith-burnishes-law-en...

Pastor Chewning challenges perennial candidate Sweeney

What is the biggest issue facing Congressional District 7?

Sweeney: Immigration impact(s), consequences, effects, evaluations.

Chewning: Energy and border.

Should the U.S. set a timetable for withdrawing combat troops from Iraq? (Daily Star, Staff)

Link: http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/politics/252268.php

Political Notebook by Daniel Scarpinato : Giffords floated as governor candidate

Arizona's next big political race is looming right around the corner.

A crowded field on both sides is being anticipated to mark the 2010 contest for governor.

And earlier this month on a widely watched Sunday morning round-table show in Phoenix, lobbyist Chris Herstam threw a new name into the mix — Southern Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. (Daily Sun, Daniel Scarpinato)

Link: http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/politics/253132.php

Democratic candidates for county attorney make their case

Each week leading up to the Sept. 2 primary election, The Republic will pose a question to the two Democratic candidates, Tim Nelson and Gerald Richard, who are vying to face Republican incumbent Andrew Thomas in the Maricopa County attorney's race.

This weeks' question: Why are you the better candidate to challenge Thomas? (Arizona Republic, Staff)

Link: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/08/17/20080817MCAOquestions0...

Three-term veteran Cox will face Bernal

Why are you running?

Cox: I have been the constable for the last 12 years and feel there is still lots of work to do. I have pushed for legislation to make the constable more accountable, getting legislation passed for an ethics committee and an increase in training. (Daily Star, Staff)

Link: http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/politics/252266.php

Campaign sign placement frustrates candidates

Campaign signs have blossomed at major intersections throughout the East Valley, and in most cases, they are placed in a way that allows them all to be seen clearly by passing traffic.

But sometimes, a candidate's sign intrudes on another. And when that happens, it can ruffle political feathers.

That was the case with one recent incident involving a congressional candidate and another campaign involving the Arizona Corporation Commission. (East Valley Tribune, Blake Herzog)

Link: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/123278

Running for mayor costs city worker his job

A city worker lost his job because of his decision to run as a write-in candidate for mayor.

Terry Pennington, a four-year electrician, said he filed to run, in part, because residents should have a choice. (Arizona Republic, Carrie Watters)

Link: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/08/16/20080816gl-pennington0...

Initiative on state trust land lacks enough signatures to make ballot

PHOENIX — An initiative to put about a half-million acres of state trust land off-limits to development, the largest share of it in Pima County, does not have enough valid signatures to make the ballot, Secretary of State Jan Brewer concluded Friday. (Daily Star, Howard Fischer)

Link: http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/politics/253086.php

Land preservation measure may not reach ballot

An initiative to put more than 570,000 acres of state trust land off-limits to development does not have enough valid signatures to make the ballot, Secretary of State Jan Brewer concluded Friday.

Brewer said backers turned in nearly 370,000 signatures. (East Valley Tribune, Howard Fischer)

Link: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/123186

Napolitano pet project at center of commission member's complaint

A state utility regulator is lashing out at the head of the Department of Environmental Quality for agreeing to settle a pollution claim with money for one of Gov. Janet Napolitano's pet projects.  (East Valley Tribune, Howard Fischer)

Link: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/123180

With the PolitickerAZ.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Arizona's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.