Enough signatures to force Pearce recall election

PHOENIX Senate President Russell Pearce has until Friday to decide whether he’ll resign or face a recall election, after officials announced that they have verified over 10,300 signatures of Mesa residents who want the Republican ousted.Governor Jan Brewer now has 15 days to call the election, as part of protocol, which means the vote will likely come in the November election, barring any legal challenges.Pearce spearheaded controversial immigration measures including SB 1070 and birthright citizenship, and now may be known as the first legislator to be recalled in state history; the only organized effort that came remotely close was against former Governor Even Mecham, before he was impeached.

“Imagine how extreme you have to be to ignite this type of movement. Anyone can file a petition to recall somebody, but to get hundreds and hundreds of volunteers, and over one thousand people donated online – that means there’s something going on,” said Randy Parraz, co-founder of Citizens for a Better Arizona, the group that gathered the recall signatures. “This is a small victory … but we didn’t get in for the recall, we want to remove him from office.”

Still, some Pearce supporters like Republican Representative Vic Williams believe this recall, which will cost over $80,000, is a waste of taxpayer money."I think there's no one who works harder in the state legislature than Senator Pearce," Williams said. "There is no real need for this recall. The voters of Arizona will have the opportunity to make this choice within twelve months.

Others say that recalling Pearce is one thing, but finding a candidate who can garner more votes than the well-known Senator will be an even bigger challenge.“We are going to do whatever we can to back up whatever candidate steps forward. We are going to educate the voters of Legislative District 18 of what Russell Pearce is really about,” said Chad Snow, chairman of Citizens for a Better Arizona.  

So far, nobody has stepped forward to challenge Pearce. The Secretary of State’s office says the Mesa resident will be able to formally file candidacy in early August.Pearce did not return calls by KGUN9 News for comment, but has said that he will fight to keep his seat.

Gov. Brewer will officially declare recall within next 15 days