Journalists’ Roundtable: 09-30-22: State Attorney General Debate and more

Sept. 30, 2022

It’s Friday and that means it’s time for the journalists’ roundtable. Joining us tonight for a look at the week’s top stories are Bob Christie of the Associated Press, Camryn Sanchez of the Arizona Capitol Times and Mary Jo Pitzl of the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com.

Topics this week include:

Recent Attorney General Debate
Abortion Law Confusion
RGA Shifts Pro-Lake Spending
Political Polls for US Senate & Governor
New Voter Registration Law Blocked
Court: Lone ACC Regulator can Demand Dark Money Records

Did We See Indifferences Between the Attorney General Candidates?

Bob Christie: “Yeah, we certainly did. Kris Mayes was pushing on Abe Hamedeh quite consistently throughout the debate. We had several topics that really took over the debate, like abortion. They spent a lot of time on abortion. Kris Mayes argued heartily that A.) she would not prosecute abortion cases against doctors under the old law, which is now under effect, and B.) the state constitution gives a right to privacy. Abe Hamedeh came back and said, ‘listen, if I’m attorney general, I don’t get to pick and choose what laws I enforce.’

The juxtaposition between the two candidates on elections was stark, according to Christie.

Camryn Sanchez: “In terms of performance, I thought they both did well. It was much less chaotic and much more measured than, for example, the gubernatorial debate with the Republicans. I thought they both made some good points.”

Abortion Law Confusion:

Camryn Sanchez: “As viewers probably know, there are two laws in Arizona and various public officials think that various forms of those laws are taking effect. The governor has said for a very long time that the 15 week ban that was instituted this year is the law. He has stood by that.”

The people who drafted that law say that this was not the intention, according to Sanchez.

Mary Jo Pitzl: “The bottom line is that confusion still reigns as it has ever since the Supreme Court overturned Roe.”