Democrat candidate for Maricopa County Sheriff, Dan Saban, will submit more than 8,000 signatures tomorrow.  2,480 valid signatures are required by June 4th for Saban to obtain ballot status against Sheriff Joe Arpio.

According to a recent story in the East Valley Tribune, Tempe Vice-Mayor Hut Hutson took thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from an ambulance company, owned by a friend. The company, PMT, had recently been given a high-paying exclusive city contract.

Hutson says PMT president Bob Ramsey is a personal friend, but can’t seem to remember if he solicited a donation before or after the vote on February 7th. Prior or post Feb. 7th is important because Hutson would be prohibited to talking to Ramsey while the contract was being considered by the City Council.

Hutson is currently in a four-way run off for the last two seats on the City Council.

Guadalupe Mayor Rebecca Jimenez had accused Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio of racial profiling in her community during April crackdowns of illegal immigrants.  Yesterday Jimenez was pulled over by the sheriff’s deputies and ticketed for a cracked tail light and driving without proof of insurance.

Jimenez has been threatening to drop the Sheriff’s office who currently provides law enforcement services for Guadalupe.  Inside Edge assumes this may speed up that process a little. 

CD5 Republican candidate Laura Knaperek today announced former Arizona House Majority Leaders Ernie Baird, Lori Daniels and Steve Tully have all endorsed her primary campaign today. Knaperek us seeking the nomination for the right to take on Harry Mitchell.

Congratulations to Tedski at Rum, Romanisn and Rebellion for being named the official Arizona blogger for the Democratic National Convention.

Thursday May 8th 2008 and Democratic County Attorney candidate Tim Nelson announces his candidacy against Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas. The following morning the staff of the Arizona Democratic Party shows up to work and there is an Andrew Thomas billboard outside there office.

Thomas sign outside AZDP and Nelson Office

Coincidence? Maybe. But what makes this story even better is the building directly behind the Democratic HQ (the tall building on the left in this picture) is the office of Tim Nelson.

PolitickerAZ.com, through some thorough investigative research, has obtained a copy of the original sign Thomas wanted, which was ultimately rejected. SEE BELOW

First Draft

According to a blog report today in the LA Times, Ron Paul’s supporters are looking to make a statement and to embarrass John McCain in Minnesota.  The report says Paul’s forces have been organizing across the country to stage an embarrassing public revolt against McCain. According to the latest numbers, Ron Paul has roughly 19 delegates to Minn.  If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to see it, does it make noise?

57 states down, only one to go. Obviously he is tired and needs a vacation, but it is entertaining.

Democratic Congressman Harry Mitchell has announced he will be supporting Barack Obama with his superdelegate vote.  Obama beat Hillary Clinton by 1500 votes in CD5.

The Washington Post is reporting John McCain pushed a land swap deal in Arizona that benefited a financial and political backer of his.  The McCain campaign is saying the story is inaccurate.