Think Tank talks 2022 Arizona election with Terry Goddard, Kris Mayes

This week’s Think Tank features a former Arizona attorney general and a candidate for that office.

Terry Goddard is a former Phoenix mayor and attorney general of Arizona. He is the moving force behind Proposition 211, which would require the disclosure of the original source of large donations to and expenditures by independent groups that spend money trying to influence elections. We already require disclosure of direct donations to campaigns.

Independent expenditure groups were invented to conceal the original source of funding behind big money campaigns that claim to work independently of campaigns to avoid the identities of their large contributors.

Similar measures passed overwhelmingly in Phoenix and Tempe, but Goddard’s efforts have been stymied by COVID-19 and a variety of legal objections that have kept previous dark money proposals off the ballot.

Kris Mayes is the Democratic candidate for Arizona attorney general. Her Republican opponent Abe Hamadeh was invited to participate, but did not respond to multiple invitations.

Mayes was born in Prescott, is former member of the Corporation Commission (2003-07) and has a law degree from Arizona State University and a master’s degree from Columbia University.

We discuss a range of top issues including the role of the attorney general in elections and protecting the democratic process, abortion, crime, border issues and other matters.

The Think Tank airs on KTAR 92.3 FM on Saturday 6-7 p.m. and Sunday 9-10 p.m.
Podcasts are available after broadcast. Older shows are archived at www.mikeoneil.org.