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Raul Grijalva's new committee assignment lands him on this week's Winners & Losers.

Arizona state Senate Minority Leader-elect Jorge Luis Garcia (D-Tucson) said in a statement Thursday that he and the Democratic caucus in the Senate are "ready to work" to resolve an estimated $1.2 billion budget shortfall.

"The Senate Democrats remain available to resolve the budget deficit in a special session despite statements from both the Senate and House Republican leaders saying that time has run out," said Garcia. "We were previously asked by Republican leadership to set aside time to address the budget in a special session. We continue to be ready to do so within the range the Governor has proposed."

The filing period for Mayor in Gilbert has closed and there are six total candidates running for Mayor. The five candidates hoping to unseat Mayor Steve Berman are:
Erick Hurley, Godaddy.com employee
John Lewis, University of Phoenix employee
David Petersen, former councilman
Don Skousen, councilman
Adam Turner, Arizona Cardinals executive

Arizona's 10 electoral votes will be officially cast for Senator John McCain on Monday. Arizona's soon-to-be Governor, Jan Brewer will lead the proceedings at the State Capitol.

Arizona House Speaker-designate Kirk Adams (R-Mesa) is getting close to having his office up and running, but additions to his team will continue to come in over the next weeks, said Adams's chief of staff.

Victor Riches, the former state Senate chief of staff who made the move across to the House to serve under Adams, told PolitickerAZ.com that he and Adams are in the process of finalizing candidates for a host of positions, including budget advisor and legal counsel.

"We have a few folks we're bringing on," said Riches, who noted that they are finalizing the selection for legal counsel. "We have a couple of new people to fill out some policy roles, and they'll be over here in the next week."

Jam Brewer

Wednesday marked the "official official" opening of the transition office of Arizona Secretary of State Jan Brewer, who will take over as governor after the expected confirmation by the U.S. Senate of Gov. Janet Napolitano as secretary of homeland security.

The office was operational Monday, its first official opening, but Kim Sabow, who came on board as the media coordinator for the transition Tuesday, explained that Wednesday was its first real day of business.

"We had someone here to answer phones Monday," said Sabow, but that Wednesday was its "official official opening."

Barrett Marson gave official word Wednesday that he will not be staying on as the spokesman for Arizona House Speaker-designate Kirk Adams (R-Mesa).

Marson sent out an email Wednesday afternoon confirming what has been widely expected since Speaker Jim Weiers (R-Phoenix) was unseated and Adams elected in his stead, that Marson is moving on from the Capitol.

"As you may have heard or read, I am leaving the House of Representatives after 4 glorious years serving House Speaker Jim Weiers, the House Republican Caucus, the people of Arizona and yes, the jackals of the media," wrote Marson.

The Maricopa County Attorney office has fined Joel Fox, a Maricopa County Sheriff, $315,000 for his SCA donation to the Arizona Republican Party earlier this year. His group, Sheriff's Command Association donated $105K to the party while never filing the proper paperwork with the state.

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Owens has been engaged by Pres.-elect Barack Obama 'stransition team to review the policies of the Environmental Protection Agency to see where changes are needed, according to an ADEQ spokesman.

Mark Shaffer, communications director for the department, told PolitickerAZ.com that Owens is serving as a "senior advisor on environmental issues," and that the role is expected to continue indefinitely. The group of ten officials, of which Owens is one, is expected to return its findings on the EPA to the transition team shortly.

Former Legislative District 11 Republican Chairman Rob Haney is auto-dialing for support in his race to lead the Maricopa County Republican Party. After announcing Saturday that he is seeking to lead the largest of Arizona's county parties, his drive to secure the position is already underway.

"We're calling every PC [precinct committeeman] we identify" as potential supporters, Haney told PolitickerAZ.com. "We're not going to be sending them to Wes Gullett or any of those people. Only to people we consider conservative Republicans."

He was referring to the former U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Phoenix) advisor and political operative, who is one of the people Haney identifies as among the culprits of steering the Republican Party off course.

Haney expects to face Jerry Brooks, the former mayor of Chandler and someone Haney calls a "McCain guy."

"It's going to be the same type of battle as LD11," said Haney.