Mark anderson

DENVER -- U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe) is not worried about the outcome of the Republican primary in the 5th Congressional District, which will lead to the selection of his  opponent in the general election.

"It makes no difference," said Mitchell, when asked if he had a preferred candidate to face after the Sept. 2 primary. "We've always run tough races. This is my 17th election. We always run against Republicans in Republican districts. This is no different, we're ready for any of them."

Up until a week ago, the 5th Congressional District primary has been most notable for the amazingly quiet contest the Republicans have been running.  But over the last week the theme seems to have shifted to whacky publicity stunts.

First we had Susan Bitter Smith accusing Harry Mitchell of push-polling against her. 

Another failure for Governor Jon Corzine’s embattled appointments office: the Senate Judiciary Committee has postponed consideration of Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Anderson’s nomination as Medicaid Inspector General.  Corzine didn’t have the votes to get Anderson through the Democratic-controlled committee amidst residency issues (Anderson lives in Pennsylvania) and questions about his qualifications.

Last week, PolitickerAZ.com sent out a questionaire asking the Republican candidates in the 5th Congressional District about their takes on some key questions currently facing Congress and the nation.

The first installment ran on Friday, where the candidates expressed their views on how the Iraq War should be handled.

Read Part 1.

In the second installment, the candidates discuss the question of Iran, and how they favor expanding educational benefits for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Again it must be noted that former Maricopa County Treasurer David Schweikert chose not to participate in this questionnaire. 

Last week, PolitickerAZ.com sent out a questionaire asking the Republican candidates in the 5th Congressional District about their takes on some key questions currently facing Congress and the nation. Now, the results are in.

With the exception of recently-identified Lee Adam Gentry, whose very existence was the source of speculation until today, and David Schweikert, who has chosen not to participate, all Republicans running to face Rep. Harry Mitchell in November responded, and gave their views on issues ranging from a national gay marriage amendment to the Iraq War to global climate change.

Here, then, is the first installment of On the Issues: CD5 Republicans. 

Last night's CD5 Republican candidate forum offered a different take on the contenders from last month's event in Scottsdale. While the candidates fielded questions on earmark spending, border security and cuts in government programs, what emerged spoke less to individual policies as the sense that whoever emerges as the nominee will shoulder a heavy burden for the Party.

The field acknowledged a profound dissatisfaction with the Republican Party among voters and a need to reconnect with conservative principles in action, not just as a campaign ploy. They also pledged not to let the primary get so heated as to destroy the victor's chances of beating Rep. Harry Mitchell, and that, once the ticket was set, the others would unite behind the effort of unseating Mitchell in the general.

Last week Inside Edge pointed out the curious decision of Susan Bitter Smith to make her formal announcement on a Friday, the day typically set aside to release bad or negative news.  Well now that decision also appears to be have cost her a public appearance with her Republican rivals.  While Mark Anderson, Laura Knaperek, Jim Ogsbury and David Schweikert will be appearing in a CD5 Republican forum being hosted by LD8, Smith will not be invited as she will not be an official candidate until the next day.

More Inside Edge

On Thursday, May 8th, the LD8 Republican Committee will be hosting a forum for the CD5 Republicans candidates.  Mark Anderson, Laura Knaperek, Jim Ogsbury, David Schweikert and Susan Bitter Smith will discuss the issues and make their pitches at the Mustang Library in Scottsdale starting at 7pm. 

More Inside Edge 

After two months of deliberations, Susan Bitter Smith is set to formally announce her entry into the CD5 Republican field. The official rollout will occur Friday May 9.

Bitter Smith has long been speculated to join the now six-person race for the Republican nomination, and today's news is in line with rumblings that came from the campaign last week to the effect that she was almost assured to enter in early May.

The months-long wait to see if Susan Bitter Smith will join the CD5 Republican primary race is finally wrapping up. A source with an inside perspecive on the exploratory committe said that Bitter Smith is heavily leaning toward jumping in, and a decision will come within days.