If you watch the GOP candidates debate, you know what uncontrolled that was! The most ludicrous claims were made by Mesa native Karrin Taylor Robson, who no doubt has spent any time on the Arizona border while becoming a millionaire and making a fortune speculating on unsustainable real estate schemes creating endless suburban sprawl
AZ Democratic Gubernatorial debate becomes interview with one candidate absent
"What was supposed to be a debate between Arizona's Democratic candidates for Governor ended up being a one-man interview with Candidate Marco Lopez and Arizona PBS’ Ted Simons.
After Wednesday night's contentious and often disjointed Republican debate, the former Nogales mayor and Obama administration alumni wasted no time Thursday sending jabs to his absent, Democratic opponent Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs.
“The refrain has now always become, 'Dónde está Katie,' where is Katie,” said Lopez.
We asked the Hobbs Campaign that question hours before the debate and got this response:
"Katie's out talking to Arizona voters, meeting them where they're at in their communities, and hearing directly from them about their most pressing concerns like how much groceries will cost next week or if their child will get a good education. As the only candidate on either side of the aisle with a clear path through the primary, Katie remains focused on the big picture: winning in November so that she can defend Arizona from Kari Lake’s conspiracy theories and never-ending lies that threaten Arizonans’ freedoms."
Lopez wants to put aside $2.5 billion for students prioritizing public school over charter schools.
"We have to invest in our public education in district schools, once we fix that, I'm happy to consider it,” said Lopez explain the lack of equity with the current public education dynamic in Arizona.
Lopez was dubbed America's youngest mayor when he held the office for the border city of Nogales at just 24-years-old.
His immigration plan calls on using $364 million dollars to invest in infrastructure, technology and man-power instead of focusing on a border wall.
“I'm tired of the smuggler winning and we have to go after this fentanyl, I think that is two areas the state government can partner correctly with federal government,” said Lopez.
On the supreme court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Lopez unveiled a new plan to codify reproductive rights into the state constitution and pardon health care providers that perform abortions.
Afterward, Lopez told us women's reproductive rights are a top issue for AZ voters.
“It's a difficult issue for me to fully comprehend it's a difficult decision for women to make, with their families and healthcare providers,” he said."
Elections 2022 debates: Democratic candidates for governor
"Democratic gubernatorial candidate Marco Lopez came to discuss his candidacy. This was meant to be a debate between Marco Lopez and Katie Hobbs, but Hobbs declined to participate.
Marco Lopez became one of the youngest mayors in the country at age 22, served Governor Napolitano as Director of Commerce, and then served President Obama at the Department of Homeland Security. Since then, Marco has started his own small business which has brought high speed internet to 1 million low income families.
In this segment:
Duration: 26:51
Posted: 4 days ago
Duration: 3:40
Posted: 4 days ago
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Marco Lopez, business consultant and ex-Napolitano aide, running for Arizona governor
Marco Lopez, an international business consultant, former Nogales mayor and Napolitano administration aide, and advisor to Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, announced his candidacy for governor, kicking off the race for the state’s highest office in 2022.
Lopez is one of several candidates expected to vie for the Democratic nomination in next year’s gubernatorial contest, and is the first notable candidate to enter the race from either major party. Gov. Doug Ducey is termed out, leaving a wide open race for governor.
Lopez came to prominence in 2001 when he was elected mayor of Nogales at age 22, making him one of the youngest people to ever serve as a mayor in the United States. He served Gov. Janet Napolitano as executive director of the Arizona-Mexico Commission and later as a policy advisor on Latin America and foreign trade. Napolitano later appointed him director of the Arizona Department of Commerce.
After President Barack Obama appointed Napolitano as his homeland security secretary, Napolitano appointed Lopez as chief of staff of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Lopez in 2011 founded Intermestic Partners, an international business advisory firm, and is also president and CEO of International Business Solutions, another business advisory firm. In addition, Lopez is a senior advisor to Slim, formerly the world’s richest person and currently the fifth richest.
In his announcement video on Tuesday morning, Lopez touted his “uniquely Arizonan” story and roots in Nogales, where his parents came seeking a better life. His father was a plumber who rose to become a general contractor, and his mother owned a small business making candy and piñatas.
“My parents taught us that hard work and education opens the door to opportunity. And it did for me. At 22, I became the mayor of the city of Nogales, then headed up Arizona’s department for jobs and trade, and worked for President Obama, helping run the country’s largest law enforcement agency and tackling crises head on,” he said.
Lopez said he creates jobs and opportunity now, helping to bring high-speed internet to low-income families and bringing a cargo hub to Mesa, which he said helps American companies export their products to Mexico and will create 15,000 jobs.
Lopez said his company also stepped up during the COVID-19 crisis when the government failed us, donating personal protective equipment to frontline workers.
“Let’s face it: State leaders failed us as the coronavirus cost us lives and hammered our economy,” Lopez said as the video showed an image of Ducey meeting with former President Donald Trump. “And our legislature is run by extremists promoting bizarre conspiracy theories instead of actually getting things done for you, the people. For too many, the promise of Arizona isn’t being met.”
Lopez said he wants to bring “bold leadership that transforms our education system” to the governor’s office, including apprenticeship and certification programs, implement a “make it in Arizona plan” that brings new manufacturing and technology jobs to the state, and ensure that all Arizonans have access to affordable health care.
Next year’s gubernatorial primary could be the most competitive that Arizona Democrats have seen in years. Secretary of State Katie Hobbs and Congressman Greg Stanton are also viewed as potential contenders for the Democratic nomination.
***UPDATE: This story has been updated to include additional information from Lopez’s announcement video.
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