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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.

Napolitano after dark

DENVER -- Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley informed the Arizona delegates to the Democratic National Convention of a hidden talent Gov. Janet Napolitano possesses - she can play a mean tambourine. (PolitickerAZ.com, Evan Brown)

Link: http://www.politickeraz.com/evanbrown/2086/napolitano-after-dark

Initiative foes to get hearing before ballots sent

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge Thursday night ordered that the printing of general-election ballots and other literature may go forward in Arizona. But he also said he would allow backers of an anti-affirmative-action initiative to continue to examine and contest invalid petition signatures at a Mesa elections facility throughout the Labor Day weekend. (Arizona Republic, Scott Wong)

Link: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/08/29/20080829affirmative29....

Primary race to decide county's top prosecutor

The choice of a new Coconino County Attorney will be decided in the Sept. 2 primary.

Two Democrats, David Rozema and Erika Arlington, have been stumping across the county to get the top prosecutor spot. Incumbent Terence Hance is not seeking re-election. (Daily Sun, Larry Hendricks)

Link: http://www.azdailysun.com/articles/2008/08/29/news/local/20080829_local_...

Dem hopeful ahead in fundraising

Tim Nelson, a Democratic candidate for Maricopa County attorney, bolted to a fundraising lead over Republican incumbent Andrew Thomas, but the two are still about neck and neck, new campaign-finance statements filed with the county Elections Department show.

Gerald Richard continued to fall short financially in his bid for the Democratic nomination for the county's top prosecutor job. (Arizona Republic, Yvonne Wingett)

Link: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/08/29/20080829MCAOmoney0829....

Mayor, wife allege racial profiling in Cave Creek

Amelia Blanco remembers when she first saw the truck.

It started following her from Loop 101 and Cave Creek Road, shadowing her up to Carefree Highway, and up to her driveway off New River Road, where she lives with husband, Cave Creek Mayor Vincent Francia. (Arizona Republic, Beth Duckett)

Link: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/08/29/20080829mayorswife0829...

Get early ballots in mail or deliver to polling place

Voters who have early ballots should drop them in the mail today or walk them into a polling place, Maricopa County elections officials say.

Tuesday's election comes on the heels of a holiday weekend, and there won't be mail service Monday. (Arizona Republic, Mary Jo Pitzl)

Link: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/08/29/20080829B1-update0829....

With 7 Dems seeking Dist. 29 House seats, strategies are varied  

The scramble is on in District 29, where seven Democrats are running for state representative.

With the race likely to be decided by as few as 8,000 voters, and the end of the primary season near, every vote is precious. (Daily Star, Josh Brodesky)

Link: http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/politics/255065.php

Attorney seeks end to public matching funds

PHOENIX — An attorney for several current and would-be legislators asked a federal judge Thursday to void a key provision of Arizona's public-financing law.

Nick Dranias of the Goldwater Institute told U.S. District Judge Roslyn Silver that it is unconstitutional for the state to provide matching dollars to publicly financed candidates when their privately funded foes spend more. (Daily Star, Howard Fischer)

Link:  http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/politics/255090.php

Judge stalls ballot mailing over Prop. 104

PHOENIX — A judge on Thursday blocked state and county officials from sending out ballots and publicity pamphlets until he rules whether an initiative outlawing affirmative action programs will be on the ballot — a move that could delay the start of early voting for the general election. (Daily Star, Howard Fischer)

Link: http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/politics/255087.php

Denogean: Blame game on immigrants getting nuttier

Illegal immigrants have become the nation's favorite whipping boy, blamed for everything from causing the collapse of the medical system to botching our orders at the fast food drive-through because of their poor English skills. (Tucson Citizen, Anne Denogean)

Link: http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/95201.php

2 Dem write-ins seek votes in Dist. 11 primary

A rematch is set in the legislative District 11 Senate race, while two write-in candidates are hoping Tuesday to qualify for the November ballot.

In the Senate race, Republican Barbara Leff, who has been in the Legislature since 1996, will seek her fourth term against the same Democratic opponent from two years ago, Ann Wallack. Two years ago, Leff defeated Wallack 55 percent to 45 percent, or by more than 6,000 votes. The vote between the two candidates will be in November. (East Valley Tribune, Brian Powell)

Link: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/124340

Mayor Gordon recall effort apparently dead

The recall effort against Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon is dead - for now, anyway.

In a surprise ending to a four-month saga, the anti-illegal immigration group American Citizens United failed to turn in any signatures before Thursday's 5 p.m. deadline.

Organizer Phillip Quihuis said the group failed to meet its goal of collecting 40,000 signatures. At least 23,751 valid signatures were needed to force a recall election, but campaigns typically gather many more to provide a cushion in case a significant portion are ruled invalid. (Arizona Republic, Casey Newton)

Link: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/08/28/20080828recall0829.htm...

Gilbert's first elected mayor dies

Wilburn "Wil" Brown, Gilbert's first elected mayor and a respected leader in the community, died Wednesday night after losing a battle with an aggressive form of lung cancer. He was 75. (Arizona Republic, Mike Walbert)

Link:  http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/08/28/20080828gr-brown0828-O...

Burke to assist Obama, Nelson

DENVER -- The outgoing chief of staff to Gov. Janet Napolitano, Dennis Burke, elaborated on the roles he will be playing in this year's election when he departs the governor's office Sept. 15, after over a decade of service to Napolitano throughout the stages of her career. (PolitickerAZ.com, Evan Brown)

Link: http://www.politickeraz.com/evanbrown/2088/burke-assist-obama-nelson

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.