Russell Pearce is the President of the Arizona State Senate. He is probably best known as the author of the Anit-Immigrant SB-1070 law.
Yesterday recall petitions were submitted against Pearce, and the recall supporters claim that more people signed the recall petition than voted for Pearce in his last election.
Yet amazingly enough, that was the least shocking of the Russel Pearce news that came out yesterday.
In a little reported story (to this point) it turns out that Pearce has appointed a convicted violent felon who assulted a teacher to the State Child Support Committee. A man who "has been unemployed and receiving Social Security disability payments for mental health issues." for the last five years.
According to The Capital Times, via blogforarizona.com:
He [Pearce] appointed Terry Decker to serve on the Child Support Committee, according to a Capitol Times article (subscription only), a man with a felony conviction for trying to take his children out of school even though his custody agreement forbade it, then punching a teacher who tried to stop him.
Here are some of the charges which have been made against Decker:
•He "pled guilty in 2008 to aggravated assault and interference with or disruption of an educational facility" when "he punched a teacher while taking his children out of school, in violation of his custody agreement."
•In 2003, "his ex-wife reported to Scottsdale police that he opened the door to his home holding a handgun, but not pointing it at her."
•In 1982 he was convicted of aggravated assault "for firing shots at the passing car of his newspaper deliveryman as he threw the Wall Street Journal on his driveway."
http://www.blogforarizona.com/...
It is worth noting that when Pearce was made aware of Decker's violent history, his response was :
“I have every reason to believe Mr. Decker will be a strong voice for noncustodial parents and an excellent member of the Child Support Committee,” Pearce said in the statement.
It is also worth noting from a journalistic standpoint, given only one blog apparently picked it up, this story probably could have gotten much wider traction if it hadn't been reported behind a firewall.
Should the recall petitions be approved, hopefully Pearce will be removed from office.