Al Melvin

Conservative leaders have been giddy about the new Senate Committee assignments from incoming President Bob Burns. They are particularly happy about the important Appropriations Committee. The important committee is headed by two freshmen Senators who are also two of the most conservative legislators Russell Pearce and Al Melvin. Joining them on the committee for the Republican majority are Pam Gorman, Sylvia Allen, Ron Gould, Jack Harper and Steve Pierce.

Full list of Appropriations Committee.

Chair: Sen.-elect Russell Pearce, R-18
Vice Chair: Sen.-elect Al Melvin, R-26
Members:
Sen. Paula Aboud, D-28
Sen. Amanda Aguirre, D-24
Sen. Sylvia Allen, R-5
Sen. Pamela Gorman, R-6
Sen. Ron Gould, R-3
Sen. Albert Hale, D-2
Sen. Jack Harper, R-4
Sen.-elect Steve Pierce, R-1
Sen. Rebecca Rios, D-23

Political observers on both sides of the isle seem to agree, this year's legislative races will be interesting to watch. On the surface, it looks like there will not be much change, but then again anything could happen this year. Voters are angry, but the question that remains to be unanswered is will they take that anger out on the Republican held legislature or the Democratic Governor?

The Arizona conservatives declared all out war on moderate Republicans they deemed not conservative enough and they won; big.

Conservative activists and blogs got behind both Sydney Hay in AZ-1 and David Schweikert in AZ-5 as their congressional candidates of choice and both ended up winning close primary races.

In the legislature they had even more success.  In the Senate they were able win every seat they targeted.  The were able to fend off a challenge of conservative favorite Jack Harper in LD4.  In LD1 newcomer Steve Pierce was able to knock off incumbent Senator Tom O'Halleran.  Conservatives put an all out effort in LD18 where Russell Pearce was able to easily hold off Kevin Gibbons.  The other senate race they concentrated on was in LD26 where their pick Al Melvin defeated Pete Hershberger.  

Wrapping up our look at the LD26, we focus on the Republicans running to unseat Rep. Nancy Young Wright and replace Rep. Pete Hershberger, who's undertaking a run at the State Senate. There are three going after the two open slots, which will leave one of the candidates out in the cold after the September 2 primary.

Trent Humphries is considered a cinch to become the top vote-getter among the trio, which would leave Vic Williams and Marilyn Zerull to battle it out for the number two berth.

Today we begin our new special series entitled "Better Know a District Race," which, yes, unabashedly cribs from The Colbert Report's segment of nearly the same name.In this new series, which will continue throughout the election year, we will examine the primary fights and general election match-ups in the state's most hotly contested races for the Arizona House and Senate.

We start with 26, which has what is sure to be among the most heavily-scrutinized Senate primaries in the state, as well as what is currently a five-way battle for the two House seats.

So now, get to know the Senate race in LD26 - The Fightin' 26th!