John Shadegg

U.S. Rep. John Shadegg: Getty Images PhotoReps. John Shadegg (R–Phoenix) and Jeff Flake (R-Mesa) are slated to appear as special guests at a July 30 fundraiser for the Senate Conservatives Fund, a political action committee founded by U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.).

The fundraiser, billed as a “South Carolina-style” event, is set to take place in Washington. A spokesman for DeMint did not specify how much the event aimed to raise. It is the Senate Conservatives Fund’s first public fundraising event.

DeMint, seen widely as one of the Senate’s most conservative members, launched the PAC in June. The stated goal of the Senate Conservative Fund is to endorse and support down the line conservative candidates who are running for the Senate this cycle. The PAC has yet to make public any endorsements.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Chandler)U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Chandler) probably doesn't have to worry about re-election. The 6th Congressional District is reliably Republican, and voters there returned Flake to Congress by a 50% margin in 2006. Also, thus far Flake has $1,820 on hand for every dollar his opponent, Chris Gramazio, has in his war chest. If Flake outspends his rival by a 100:1 ratio this cycle, he will still have well over $1 million in his re-election fund. That puts him in an excellent position to help out Republican incumbents and candidates who face tougher battles this year.

“Definitely,” said Matthew Specht, Flake’s Deputy Chief of Staff, when asked if other Republicans would be recipients of Flake’s largesse this cycle. “We have contributed to a lot of campaigns already.”

This week, if you are a politicial from AZ-1 and your name is not Kirkpatrick, there is a good chance you made the losers list. Find out who makes the cut in this weeks Winners & Losers.

Bob Lord, the Democrat opposing U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix) in the 3rd Congressional District, held a press event today during which he attacked his opponent for supporting the "privatization" of Social Security.

Flanked by senior citizens from the district, Lord addressed a small gathering of supporters and staff at his campaign office and condemned Shadegg for supporting Pres. Bush's plan to create "personal accounts" within the Social Security structure.

Lord also discussed second quarter fundraising totals, which, while robust, paled in comparison to Shadegg's take of more than half a million dollars.

U.S. Rep. John Shadegg: Campaign photoIn a statement, U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix) is touting his record-breaking second quarter fundraising total.

"In the most recent quarter, our campaign raised $564,205, which is well over twice as much as the $235,000 raised by my opponent," wrote Shadegg. "This figure is well above our prior record for any fundraising quarter.

"While total dollars raised is an important indication of support, even more important is the amount netted after deducting ongoing campaign expenditures. By this measure, we did even better. In the most recent quarter, after deducting ongoing expenses, our campaign netted $416,000 while my opponent's campaign only netted $74,000. This means our campaign netted almost six times as much as my opponent."

The continuing allegations of ethics violations against U.S. Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) may have consequences for Democratic politicians across the country, including in Arizona. Today, in their third such attack, the National Republican Congressional Committee is calling on 1st Congressional District candidate Ann Kirkpatrick to return campaign contributions she received from Rangel. The NRCC had previously called for U.S. Reps. Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe) and Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson) to do the same.

“Ann Kirkpatrick is not a voice for change, she is status-quo politician willing to get elected to Congress any way she can,” said NRCC Spokesman Ken Spain in a press release. “If Kirkpatrick wants to separate herself from a corrupt politician and an unpopular Democrat Majority in Congress, she will return the campaign checks she took from Rep. Charlie Rangel.”

Congressional candidate Bob Lord: Campaign photo3rd Congressional District candidate Bob Lord reportedly took in over $235,000 in the second quarter of the year, bumping his on hand total to about $706,000, according to his campaign.

"Bob Lord now has raised 10 times more than any other candidate who has ever challenged Rep. John Shadegg in Arizona's 3rd District," read a campaign press release announcing the figures.

Last quarter, Lord outraised incumbent U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix) by close to $70,000, which took both the Democratic and Republican leadership by surprise. Lord's 1Q total was $220,000, making 2Q his best to date, and the fifth consecutive quarter in which Lord has increased his fundraising totals.

John McCain may be the Republican nominee for President, but according to Right Wing News blog McCain is not a favorite among right wing bloggers. The blog sent out an email to right wing blogs asking them to name their least favorite elected Republican. Arizona’s senior senator came in 5th behind Chuck Hagel, Arlen Specter, Olympia Snowe and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Right Wing News had done an earlier survey asking bloggers for their favorite Republicans and four Arizona Republicans made the top 20.  Jeff Flake came in 11th, John Shadegg and Jon Kyl tied for 12th and McCain made that list too coming in 16th.

Bob Lord, who is challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix) for the 3rd Congressional District seat, released a "grassroots video" today highlighting Lord's stance on energy issues and attacking Shadegg for "blocking change."

"Arizona could power the entire country with solar energy," said Lord in the video, which portrays him standing in front of his Toyota Prius hybrid. "We just need leaders who are willing to invest in the future."

Lord also lambasted Shadegg for "taking thousands in campaign cash from Big Oil" and "consistently vot[ing] against renewable energy."