Last week the Maricopa County Republican Committee Executive Guidance Council decided to get involved in the LD18 senate primary after it was learned Republican Kevin Gibbons had received $1,500 in campaign contributions from former Democrat Party Chairman Jim Pederson and his family. The County Chairman of the MCRC, Tom Husband encouraged Gibbons to give the donations back to Pederson.

Gibbons, brother-in-law to Congressman Jeff Flake, is running a traditional campaign and is facing state Representative Russell Pearce who is running a clean elections effort. To date Gibbons has received over $60,000 in donations. Pearce also explored a run for Congress late last year against Flake. Flake and Peace have a long record of butting heads on the extent of illegal immigration.

After the Pederson donation was brought to the attention of the EGC, a motion was proposed to endorse the candidacy of Pearce by 2nd Vice Chairman, Jeff Greenspan, who said that “although I would not ordinarily propose that we endorse one Republican over another, when a candidate has taken campaign funds from Democrats, that clearly demands that we show our distain for such action.” The vote only had one dissenting.

Gibbons' campaign said while they did not return the contribution, they did dontate it to a local shelter.  

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