Earlier this year, I met with Representative John Kavanagh, concerning some non-partisan campaign petition issues. These issues dealt with paid out-of-town petition circulators, who were the root cause of severe problems in past Fountain Hills elections.

John, as he has done on other constituent based issues I have brought to him, was very attentive and inquisitive. He spent a good hour with me, and at the end of our time together, agreed to propose legislation that would rewrite and modernize a whole section of notoriously weak laws.

That legislation, which makes Arizona one of the leading states regarding petition circulator transparency, passed the Senate 28-2 and the House 60-0. This overwhelming show of bi-partisan support was due in no small part to John’s ability to present these bills with great skill and clarity.

You can imagine my surprise this past week, when I received a “hit piece” from an organization by the name of Arizona Victory Alliance. That paid political mailer contained a number of negative assertions about John that do not even merit comment.

My research into Arizona Victory Alliance revealed that the chairman of this group is Camilla Stongin. Now, I am not sure why Camilla does not want John Kavanagh to succeed in the upcoming primary, but I am sure that Camilla really likes money.

It appears that Camilla’s Arizona Victory Alliance hired Camilla’s marketing company, The Engaging Company, to publish the anti-Kavanagh mailer. Maybe Camilla could have saved her client some money by realizing that the citizens of Fountain Hills don’t need negative ads from outside groups to tell folks in this town how to vote.

Rep. John Kavanagh listened to and advocated for the wishes of his constituents on election reform. For those efforts he deserves our support.