Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce, who is on the clock for appointing a new commissioner to the Independent Redistricting Commission, may have been handcuffed by one of the candidates.
Mary Jo Pitzl of the Arizona Republic reports that Tucson Republican Richard Stertz, recently added to the list of candidates eligible for appointment failed to disclose material facts required of him when he applied to become a commissioner. Tax lien records show that Stertz had owed money to the IRS. He apparently also had judgments filed against him.
Questions on the application to become a commissioner covered those issues but Stertz did not provide any indication that he had any tax lien issues or court judgments.
Pearce may still appoint Stertz, or he could opt for the other eligible Tucson Republican Bennie White. But now, Stertz, who is closely tied to 2010 Tea Party GOP Congressional candidate Jesse Kelly, could be thrown off of the IRC if appointed. That is, if someone were to file suit to challenge Stertz's credentials. The Tucson Weekly has reported already that Jesse Kelly may want to try again to run for Congress.
Pearce has until Wednesday next week to decide how to proceed. And we wait and watch and listen.
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