Kevin Gibbons

According to an Arizona Opinion poll, state Representative Russell Pearce has a huge lead over primary challenger Kevin Gibbons in the LD-18 senate race.  The poll showed Pearce with 51% and Gibbons with 13%.  36% remained undecided. 

There is a newcomer to the Legislative District 18 senate race, and it's not a candidate. Judgment Matters, a new political action committee, is trying to raise funds for a "primary voter education and mobilization effort in Arizona Legislative District 18" - one that opposes the Arizona Senate candidacy of state Rep. Russell Pearce (R-Mesa).

The group is urging donations so that it can mount "independent expenditures" - usually advertising - against Pearce in his primary fight with Kevin Gibbons.

"A surgically-timed contribution from you and others can help excise Russell Pearce and his strain of politics from Arizona's legislature," read the Judgment Matters pitch.

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.