Journalists’ Roundtable: Clean Elections lawsuit, SNAP benefits and more

It’s Friday, which means it is time for another edition of Journalists’ Roundtable where we discuss Arizona politics. This week, “Arizona Horizon” fill-in host Steve Goldstein was joined by Jeremy Duda of Axios Phoenix, Howie Fischer of Capitol Media Services and Camryn Sanchez of KJZZ.

This weeks topics included:

Clean Elections lawsuit on No Labels becoming Arizona’s Independent Party

A new lawsuit filed on Tuesday aims to challenge the name change of the Arizona Independent Party. They are claiming it could lead to widespread voter confusion. The Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission is taking legal action against Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. The party was initially known as the No Labels Party. Fontes is being targeted legally because he approved the change in October.

Secretary of Agriculture said administration may withhold SNAP benefits from certain states; Governor Katie Hobbs rejected the assumption

The Trump administration threatened to withhold Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from several states, including Arizona. The administration’s rationale behind this threat is that these states have refused to share information about their residents who utilize these food assistance programs. Arizona’s Governor Katie Hobbs rejected this assumption, stating that she will not comply with the Trump administration’s threat to withhold SNAP funding due to privacy concerns.

Mark Kelly vs. Trump Administration

U.S. Senator Mark Kelly criticized President Trump and the Pentagon’s investigation into him, labeling it an attempt to suppress dissent. This criticism follows Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers’ release of a video urging service members to refuse illegal orders. Additionally, Kelly and others called for accountability regarding recent U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said lawsuit may be filed against Superintendent Tom Horne over ESA mismanagement; Governor Hobbs expected to try again to curb ESA expansion

Arizona’s Attorney General Kris Mayes has threatened legal action against Tom Horne, the state’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, due to concerns about the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA)’s risk-based auditing system. Mayes made this announcement on Tuesday and accuses both Horne and parents of misusing ESA funds.

Arizona Supreme Court rejected Goldwater Institute’s suit on appellate judges

Arizona’s Supreme Court upheld the merit-based system for retaining Appellate Court judges, rejecting a challenge from the Goldwater Institute that aimed to dismantle it.

Peoria Mayor Jason Beck’s decision not to run for reelection

Peoria’s Mayor Jason Beck says he wont run for reelection saying he instead plans to focus on his family and growing his business. He was elected in 2022 and this was his first political position.