Ol' Matt Salmon just threw his hat in the ring. Can he win it this time around?
Former Rep. Matt Salmon launches gubernatorial bid in Arizona
Former Rep. Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.) is jumping into the 2022 race for Arizona governor, making another run for an office that he narrowly lost two decades ago.
A former member of the state Senate, Salmon first won a seat in the U.S. House in 1994 before stepping down in 2001. He went on to run for Arizona governor in 2002, but ultimately lost to Democrat Janet Napolitano by fewer than 12,000 votes.
Salmon returned to the House in 2013 before retiring after the 2016 election.
In a statement announcing his candidacy for governor, Salmon cast Arizona as “under attack” from Democrats both in the state and in Washington, rattling off a list of conservative grievances ranging from “cancel culture” to the threat of “socialism.”
“We can’t allow liberal politicians to turn Arizona into California,” Salmon said. “We must protect the values that have made Arizona a beacon of opportunity.”
Salmon is the fourth Republican to jump into the race to succeed Gov. Doug Ducey (R), who is term limited, next year, joining Arizona state Treasurer Kimberly Yee, former TV news anchor Kari Lake and Arizona Board of Regents member Karrin Taylor Robson.
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) and former Arizona state House Speaker Kirk Adams are among Republicans said to be eyeing the governor’s mansion, as well.
So far, two Democrats have entered the governor’s race, Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs and former Nogales Mayor Marco Lopez.
I would call Salmon the instant Republican frontrunner.
“Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.” —John Adams
The Arizona Republic just published a six-month investigation into how Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, and high-level staffers, tried to help GOP megadonor G. Brint Ryan secure more than $100 million in tax refunds.
Paywall at the link. I couldn't find a better thread and didn't want to start a new one.
I was just reading that article, it's a real doozy! Still wrapping my head around everything, be back l8r. Nice reminder that although Ducey is persona non grata to Trump, he's still a flaming bag full of doggie doodle.
“Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.” —John Adams
The Arizona Republic just published a six-month investigation into how Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, and high-level staffers, tried to help GOP megadonor G. Brint Ryan secure more than $100 million in tax refunds.
Paywall at the link. I couldn't find a better thread and didn't want to start a new one.
I get to see the article
He made a fortune winning tax refunds. He needed help from Arizona’s most powerful leader
Craig Harris, Arizona Republic
Published 11:30 AM GMT+2 Jul. 14, 2021 Updated 3:15 PM GMT+2 Jul. 14, 2021
BY THE MIDDLE of 2016, Ryan LLC had an Arizona problem.
The Dallas firm had already spent years working on a tax break for a client in Flagstaff.
Based in a humble brown concrete building behind a row of gas pumps on Old Route 66, Carter Oil had sold diesel fuel to an Arizona gravel-mining company, and by law, had paid around $12,000 in sales tax on that fuel.
Ryan, a tax firm, argued with the state that Carter’s fuel should be tax-free under a state tax exemption for “mining equipment.” It wanted Carter’s money back.
The state Revenue Department rejected the claim, and by mid-2016, an administrative law judge had done the same.
If Ryan LLC was going to keep fighting for its $12,000 refund claim, it would have to file suit in Tax Court. Then it would need to hire local consultants to urge Revenue officials to settle the case and issue the refund.
It would have a fight on its hands.
The entire basis of Ryan’s claim was novel, according to Revenue Department officials. Diesel fuel for industrial use was exempt from federal taxes, but had been subject to Arizona’s state sales tax for decades.
Carter’s argument that fuel should now be considered “equipment” — and therefore suddenly tax-free — might have seemed a stretch. But making unprecedented and creative demands is how Ryan LLC and its founder, G. Brint Ryan, make their money.
Matt Salmon is going for the Trump Republican base!
Because of course he is.
“Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.” —John Adams