Governor
We recommend Terry Goddard for Governor. As Attorney General, he pursued developers who harmed wildlife and habitat, and has been accessible to animal protection and conservation advocates.
In contrast, Governor Jan Brewer has consistently supported damaging measures. being contacted by individuals and groups representing hundreds of thousands of Arizona citizens, she signed SB 1200 into law. Since then she has appointed individuals to the newly created Appointment Recommendation Board that favor ranching and trophy hunting interests over wildlife protection.
Also, despite widespread opposition from citizens and organizations Gov. Brewer signed the bill to protect factory farms from zoning laws. And finally, she submitted a ballot statement in support of Prop 109.
Secretary of State
We recommend Chris Deschene, who as a legislator, has worked to protect animals and their habitat, and citizens’ voting rights. During his years in the legislature, Ken Bennett consistently voted the wrong way on these issues. His voting records are included in the HVA 2005 and 2006 Legislative Reports.
Attorney General
We are neutral on the Attorney General race. It is likely that both candidates would support animal protection. As a former legislator Tom Horne had a fairly good voting record; however, the fact that he supports Prop 109 and is endorsed by Sportsmen for Wildlife is of concern. Felecia Rottelini, on the other hand, has stated her opposition to Prop 109.
Ballot Propositions
NO on Proposition 109
Proposition 109 is a measure placed on the ballot by the legislature and is a blatant power grab by politicians and special interests intended to take away the rights of Arizona voters. This poorly-drafted measure would give the legislature exclusive authority over wildlife issues, and its drafters intend to stop voters from overseeing the legislature and proposing and voting on citizen initiatives. It could even jeopardize previous measures such as the 1994 ban on steel-jawed leghold traps and poisons on public lands. Management of wildlife would no longer be based on scientific expertise, but on partisan politics.
Proposition 109 declares hunting and fishing to be a “preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife.” That means the right to hunt will trump the use of sound science to establish wildlife management decisions. What will happen to wildlife programs that don’t involve hunting, such as Mexican wolf and prairie dog reintroduction?
For more information on Prop 109 visit the NO! on 109 website.
YES on Proposition 110
Proposition 110 would allow the Arizona State Land Department to authorize land exchanges with the Federal Government to protect military installations. The land exchanges can be for two purposes: protection of military facilities and proper management, protection, and public use ofArizona state lands.
Prop 110 will help address checkerboard land ownership that hinders protection of wildlife habitats. For more information visit the Yes on 110 website.
NO on Proposition 301
Proposition 301 proposes to raid a voter-protected fund for land conservation and sweep it into the General Fund, where the Arizona Legislature will determine how it is appropriated. The Land Conservation Fund was established by the voters in 1998 when they approved the Growing Smarter Act. The dollars in this fund provide a match for communities to acquire state trust lands for conservation.
Arizona devotes limited dollars to conservation overall and the legislature has already raided most of the ones that did not enjoy the protection of voters. Our State Parks provide an example of how little this legislature values conservation.
For more information see the Sierra Club’s Ballot Measure Recommendations
Congressional Candidates
For Federal Candidate information visit the Humane Society Legislative Fund Voter Guide