The Arizona Democratic Party is hitting a trio of Republican candidates over their tax policies, echoing an assault against 5th Congressional District Republican candidate David Schweikert by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee last week. Schweikert is joined in the Democrats' crosshairs by 1st Congressional District Republican front-runner Sydney Hay and incumbent U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix), as the Democrats attempt to paint the three as advocating higher food prices through new taxes.

However, the Schweikert campaign is attempting to turn the attack back around on the Arizona Democrats by taking issue with their characterization of his stance, and leveling a similar charge against U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe).

The Democrats argue that Hay, Schweikert and Shadegg support a national sales tax of 23 percent, which they say would have the effect of raising food prices commensurately. Hay and Schweikert have espoused support for the so-called "FairTax," which proponents claim is a more equitable alternative to the federal income tax, and Shadegg cosponsored H.R. 25, which put the FairTax theory into legislative form.  

Maria Weeg, executive director of the Arizona Democratic Party, said in a news release: "Arizona's middle class families are already struggling to put dinner on the table. The government shouldn't add to that burden with a hefty consumption tax that would raise prices by 23 percent.

"Rep. John Shadegg, Sydney Hay and David Schweikert are, essentially, hurting middle class families," she added.

Schweikert, responding to the original DCCC charges, refuted the way Democrats have framed the issue.

"In direct contradiction to a DCCC press release issued last week," read the statement put out by the Schweikert campaign, "David Schweikert does not propose a gas tax increase in addition to standing income taxes.  He proposes a fundamental overhaul of the tax structure including discussion and debate of all viable options - be it whatever vehicle is most likely to result in the greatest level of tax relief for the greatest number of Americans."

While the true effect the FairTax would have is the subject of intense debate - proponents maintain it would be, as the name suggests, fair, while critics claim it would be regressive, punishing the poor and rewarding the rich - Schweikert's finance director and spokesman, Michael Juel, said the point is moot.

"As Mitchell and his cohorts know, David has never supported an increase in taxes under HR 25. But when you have the abysmal record that Mitchell does on energy issues, you have to expect him to just make things up as he goes along," said Juel.