By Mary Jo Pitzl | The Arizona Republic
A group whose stated goal is to promote a vibrant Arizona economy has poured nearly $186,000 into the Republican race for the state’s top elections official.
The Arizona Free Enterprise Club reports it has spent $185,721 as of last week to support Justin Pierce in his run for the Republican nomination for secretary of state.
It’s the latest appearance of “dark money” in this election cycle, where undisclosed donors have underwritten ads and campaign materials in the races for governor and the Arizona Corporation Commission. And it marks a significant step up for the club, whose $381,442 in independent expenditures thus far in the campaign year overshadows its spending in previous years.
