By Phil Riske | Senior Reporter/Writer
Yuma Republican Don Shooter, who was expelled from this year’s session of the Legislature for improper sexual behavior, nevertheless thought he could return to the Capitol.
Doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.
Shooter has fallen a distant third behind incumbent Sen. Sine Kerr, a Buckeye dairy farmer in her first race for the Legislative District 13 Senate seat. Kerr has represented the district since January, when she was appointed to the Senate to fill a vacancy. Shooter also trails Brent Backus, a Waddell Republican, in the primary election, reports Arizona Capitol Times.
Shooter’s chief accuser Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita holds a slim lead in a three-way race for the GOP nomination for the Senate in Legislative District 23.
The Scottsdale Republican faces a challenge from former DES chief, Tim Jeffries, who’s in second, and political newcomer Kristina Kelly, a distant third.
In all, nine women said they were offended by Shooter’s sexual behavior toward them.
David Gowan, whose tenure as House Speaker ended under a cloud of investigation, Tuesday defeated Rep. Drew John in the race to be the GOP nominee for the Senate in Legislative District 14.
During his tenure as speaker, Gowan repaid the state $12,000 that he had wrongfully received as reimbursement for trips he had taken in state vehicles, but reported as taking in his own vehicle, and for per diem pay for days he had claimed to work, but didn’t.
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office did not pursue criminal charges against Gowan, but found there was “substantial disregard for determining whether state funds for per diem, mileage, and official travel were paid pursuant to proper authority” under Gowan’s leadership, the Times reported.
Observers say scandals at the Arizona Corporation Commission caught up with Commissioner Tom Forese as he sought a second term. He was running fourth out of five GOP candidates in a race that will send the top-two finishers to the November general election.
