Steve gallardo

The campaigns of Tim Nelson and Gerald Richard, the two candidates running for the Democratic nomination in the Maricopa County attorney's race, continue the barrage of accusations, refutations and counter-accusations they've been hurling at each other.

The latest round of elbow throwing comes amidst charges by the Nelson campaign that Richard "inflated his resume" in saying he was "Director of the Phoenix Police Department" in a press release.  

“That, in fact, was my official title for the last 15 years at the Phoenix P.D.,” said Richard in a press release. “I was the one and only Director, a civilian position at the level of Assistant Chief. In that position I oversaw various divisions of the Department on a rotating basis, just as an Assistant Chief would do.”

It is the relationship between the titles "assistant chief" and "director" that the Nelson campaign contends is the source of their criticism.

"When he uses the phrase 'the director' it implies he had more responsibility than he did," said Joshua Kilroy, Nelson's campaign manager. "There were a number of people, department heads, he was on the same level as. The others have the title 'assistant chief,' though. It's misleading."

County Attorney candidate Gerald Richard appears to be having his second "endorsement" problem of the campaign.  A few months back Richard had a quote on the news section of his website that said "Saban Endorses Gerald Richard for Maricopa County AG."  Problem was, it was misleading.  When you clicked on the link, it brought you to a blog that made the statement.  While Richard's campaign themselves never said Saban endorsed them, the link with that title implied it.  The blog was later updated to make the correction. 

Now Scott Wong is reporting Richard's campaign is claiming the endorsement of two state Representatives, Ed Ableser and Steve Gallardo, who actually support his opponent Tim Nelson.  Either the candidate or the campaign need to start being a little more careful when it comes implying endorsements

After a Democratic effort to hold it back, the Senate will now consider a bill that seeks to strip the memorial of a dozen controversial inscriptions. 

With the spending freeze in place to help cut down on spending and balance the state’s budget, Speaker Jim Weiers is getting serious on his spending cuts. Some of his fellow House members may not be to happy about it though. While the elected officials are essentially exempt from the hiring freeze, Weiers has yet to replace staffer Brad Regens, Director of Fiscal Policy.  read more »

Several Phoenix Latino political leaders have publicly endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president Tuesday. Former House Minority Leader John Laredo, State Rep Steve Gallardo, former State Senator Alfredo Gutierrez and State Rep David Lajan were among those Arizonan Hispanic Latino leaders who endorsed Obama today.