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October 24, 2002

Host: Michael Grant
Topics:
Candidates' Forum: Secretary of State
In-Studio Guests:
Jan Brewer, Republican;
Chris Cummiskey, Democrat;
Sean Nottingham, Libertarian.

>> MICHAEL: AS THE STATE'S CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER, THE SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFIES STATE CANDIDATES AND MEASURES FOR THE BALLOTS, REGISTERS LOBBYISTS, FILES CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS AND CERTIFIES AND TRANSMITS STATEWIDE ELECTION RESULTS. THE SECRETARY OF STATE SERVES AS THE ACTING GOVERNOR WHEN THE GOVERNOR ABSENT FROM THE STATE AND FIRST IN LINE TO SUCCEED THE GOVERNOR IN THE EVENT OF DEATH, RESIGNATION, REMOVAL OF OFFICE. KEY CAMPAIGN ISSUES, ELECTION REFORM, INCREASING VOTER PARTICIPATION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION.

>> TONIGHT, FROM THE CHANNEL 8 STUDIOS ON THE CAMPUS OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY. A "HORIZON" ELECTION 2002 SPECIAL. A FORUM WITH THE CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> MICHAEL: GOOD EVENING. I'M MICHAEL GRANT OF CHANNEL 8'S "HORIZON." WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL CLEAN ELECTIONS FORUM BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE. EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE UP TO 60 SECONDS FOR AN OPENING STATEMENT AND ANOTHER 60 SECONDS FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT. IN BETWEEN, I WILL ASK THE CANDIDATES QUESTIONS ABOUT SOME OF THE MAJOR ISSUES FACING THE NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE -- SOME QUESTIONS COME FROM "HORIZON" VIEWERS. FIRST, LET'S MEET THE CANDIDATES. JAN BREWER IS THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE. SHE IS A BUSINESS WOMAN, THE PROPRIETOR OF BREWER PROPERTY AND INVESTORS, A REAL ESTATE AND INVESTMENT FIRM. BREWER IS A FORMER STATE SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE. RECENTLY SERVED ON THE MARICOPA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. SHE HAS LIVED IN THE STATE 32 YEARS. BREWER IS MARRIED. SHE IS A PARTICIPATING CANDIDATE UNDER THE CITIZENS CLEAN ELECTIONS ACT. CHRIS CUMMISKEY IS THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE. HE IS THE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AT SOUTHWEST HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, A CHILDREN'S NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. HE IS A CURRENT STATE SENATOR AND FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS LIVED IN THE STATE FOR 26 YEARS. HE IS A PARTICIPATING CANDIDATE. SEAN NOTTINGHAM IS THE LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE. HE IS A HIGH SCHOOL GOVERNMENT TEACHER. HE WAS AN ACTIVE OFFICER IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY AS A COMMISSIONED AVIATION HELICOPTER CAPTAIN AND REMAINS AN ARMY RESERVE OFFICER. HE IS SINGLE AND HAS LIVED IN THE STATE FOR 30 YEARS. HE IS A PARTICIPATING CANDIDATE UNDER THE CITIZENS CLEAN ELECTIONS ACT. A FEW MINUTES AGO WE DREW LOTS TO DETERMINE THE ORDER OF THE OPENING STATEMENTS. MS. BREWER WON, SO WE BEGIN WITH HER

>> Jan Brewer: THANK YOU, MICHAEL. I AM JAN BREWER. I'M A CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE. I WANT TO BE THE BEST SECRETARY OF STATE ARIZONA HAS EVER HAD. I'M PLEASED TO HAVE THE ENDORSEMENT OF BETSEY BAYLESS, OUR CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE. I BELIEVE EXPERIENCE REALLY DOES COUNT. I HAVE SERVED FOUR YEARS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 10 YEARS IN THE ARIZONA SENATE, AND FIVE YEARS ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, ELECTED CHAIRMAN TWICE. WHEN I RAN FOR THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, MARICOPA COUNTY HAD BEEN DESIGNATED AS THE WORST RUN COUNTY IN THE COUNTRY. WE TURNED IT AROUND AND WE RECEIVED THE DESIGNATION OF THE BEST RUN COUNTY IN THE COUNTRY. I BELIEVE I HAVE EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP TO BE SECRETARY OF STATE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THE JOB.

>> MICHAEL: CHRIS CUMMISKEY, YOUR OPENING STATEMENT.

>> Chris Cummiskey: MY NAME IS CHRIS CUMMISKEY AND I'M RUNNING FOR SECRETARY STATE. I'M RUNNING BECAUSE IT'S TIME FOR A NEW GENERATION OF LEADERSHIP TO STEP FORWARD WITH INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO THE CHALLENGES FACING OUR STATE. WHETHER IT'S SECURING THE INTEGRITY OF THE VOTING SYSTEM, TAKING TOUGH ACTION AGAINST TELEMARKETERS, OR PROVIDING BETTER SERVICES FOR SMALL BUSINESS, I WILL BRING ENERGY AND NEW LEADERSHIP TO THE IMPORTANT OFFICE. THE SECRETARY IS THE SECOND HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE STATE, AND SUCCEEDS IN THE EVENT OF A VACANCY. WHICH OF THE CANDIDATES IS BEST SUITED TO LEAD? MY EXPERIENCE IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, WITH MY PROVEN RECORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENT MAKES ME THE BEST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE AND I HOPE YOU WILL VOTE FOR ME ON NOVEMBER 5.

>> MICHAEL: SEAN NOTTINGHAM, YOUR OPENING STATEMENT.

>> Sean Nottingham: HI, MICHAEL. WE ARE HERE TO DISCUSS WHO SHOULD BECOME ARIZONA'S NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE. BOTH OF MY OPPONENTS HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF EXPERIENCE, IN BIG GOVERNMENT AND PARTISAN POLITICS. WHAT IS NEEDED IS SOMEBODY THAT IS OBJECTIVE AND CAN FAIRLY SUPERVISE THE ACCURACY OF ELECTIONS WITHOUT CONNECTION TO THE BIG GOVERNMENT PARTIES. THIS OFFICE IS LIKE AN UMPIRE AT A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL GAME. WHO SHOULD NOT HAVE CONNECTION TO EITHER TEAM. THE FLORIDA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION FIASCO SHOWED US THE CHAOS THAT WITH RESULT FROM HIGHLY PARTISAN ELECTION OFFICIALS. NOW THE PARTY IS OVER NOW IS THE TIME FOR AN ORDINARY HARD WORKING CITIZEN TO CLEAN UP THE MESS. VOTE FOR SEAN NOTTINGHAM, SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> MICHAEL: THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL. JAN BREWER. YOU HAVE STATED THAT MR. CHRIS CUMMISKEY HAS BEEN INEFFECTIVE AND INATTENTIVE AS A LEGISLATOR. WHY DO YOU THINK SO?

>> Jan Brewer: MY OPPONENT TALKS ABOUT HIS RECORD AND MY OPPONENT TALKS ABOUT HIS RECORD OF REFORM. THE FACT IS, HE DOESN'T HAVE THAT KIND OF RECORD. HE SAYS I'M TRYING TO DISTORT HIS RECORD. HIS RECORD IS AVAILABLE. I BELIEVE THAT HE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS RECORD. ANYBODY THAT IS INTERESTED CAN GO TO HIS RECORD DOT ORG AND CHECK OUT THE FACTS. THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PULL UP HIS VOTING RECORD, THE RECORDS FROM THE FLOOR AND THE RECORDS FROM HIS COMMITTEE MEETINGS. THE BOTTOM LINE IS HE HAS MISSED 57 VOTES ON THE FLOOR AND IN COMMITTEE AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IS BEING EFFECTIVE. AND WHEN HE MISSED THOSE VOTES ON THE FLOOR, HE WAS PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL. THAT MEANS HE WAS THERE DOING BUSINESS, GETTING PER DIEM, BUT NOT TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS IN COMMITTEE.

>> MICHAEL: CHRIS CUMMISKEY, ARE YOU GOING TO RESPOND?

>>Chris Cummiskey: SURE. WELL, NOT ONLY ARE THESE ARE INACCURATE, THE RECORD THAT SHE POINTS TO HAS BEEN DEBUNKED BY THREE ON YOUR SIDE, THE ARIZONA DAILY STAR AND NUMEROUS MEDIA OUTLETS AROUND THE STATE. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS IN FEBRUARY WE HAD OUR SECOND CHILD AND HE REQUIRED HEART SURGERY IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS BIRTH. I WAS OUT OF THE SENATE AT HIS BEDSIDE AND DURING HIS EXTENDED RECUPERATION, AND I DID MISS SOME VOTES IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE. THE FACT IS THAT MY RECORD IN THE SENATE, IF YOU TALK TO REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES IT HAS BEEN CLEAR, I HAVE DONE THE JOB I WAS SENT TO DO AND I'VE BEEN PROVEN TO BE AN EFFECTIVE LEADER.

>> MICHAEL: WHAT ABOUT THE STATEMENT THAT YOU MISSED VOTES WHEN ROLL CALL INDICATED THAT YOU WERE IN ATTENDANCE?

>> Chris Cummiskey: THAT'S NOT ACCURATE. THE FACT IS I MISSED A HANDFUL OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS IN THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, I MISSED A HANDFUL OF VOTES -- OUT OF 669 THAT WERE CAST DURING THE LAST SESSION, I MISSED 51 VOTES, WHICH IS 7%. IF YOU LOOK AT MY VOTING RECORD AND ATTENDANCE WHEN WE DIDN'T HAVE THE FAMILY EMERGENCY, I HAD NEARLY 100% ATTENDANCE AND PERFORMANCE AT THE LEGISLATURE.

>> MICHAEL: ANY RETORT?

>> Jan Brewer: YOU BE THE JUDGE. I COMMEND MR. CHRIS CUMMISKEY FOR TAKING CARE OF HIS FAMILY. I'M A MOTHER, AND I'M NOT COUNTING THAT INTO MY FIGURES. HE WAS PRESENT IN THE SENATE, MISSED 57 VOTES. YOU CAN GO TO HISRECORD.ORG AND YOU BE THE JUDGE.

>> Chris Cummiskey: THOSE ARE DISTORTIONS OF THE FACTS. THE VOTES I MISSED ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE WERE ON FEBRUARY 4, 6 AND 11. THE BABY WAS BORN ON THE 6TH, SURGERY ON THE 11TH. WHILE SHE EXPRESSES HER CONDOLENCES TO OUR FAMILY, SHE CONTINUES THE ATTACK IN THIS WAY THAT IS A DISTORTION OF MY RECORD.

>>Jan Brewer: WE HAVE THE SENATE RECORD, THIS IS THE OFFICIAL RECORD. WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT FEBRUARY WHEN THE BABY WAS SICK, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES OF MARCH, APRIL AND MAY. AND THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE THE JUDGE. THEY CAN GO TO HISRECORD.ORG.

>> MICHAEL: MR. NOTTINGHAM, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT QUESTION TO ASK YOU.

>> Sean Nottingham: I WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND AND SAY YES, BOTH OPPONENTS SUPPORTED BIG GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS IN THE PAST. CHRIS CUMMISKEY HAS SUPPORTED SOME DEPLORABLE THINGS, WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT MAYBE A VOTE HE MISSED BUT HE VOTED THINGS LIKE AGAINST PARENTAL CONSENT NOTIFICATION. HE BELIEVES MINOR GIRLS SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET AN ABORTION WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT. HE ALSO VOTED FOR THE ALTERNATIVE FUELS BILL WHICH PUT OUR STATE IN A TREMENDOUS FIX. I AM HERE TO TELL YOU IN PERSON THAT MUST HAVE BEEN A DISAPPOINTING VOTE FOR YOU.

>>Chris Cummiskey: IT WAS DISAPPOINTING TO BE MANIPULATED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE WHO WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO DECEIVE ALMOST EVERY COLLEAGUE IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE. I MADE A MISTAKE BY VOTING FOR THAT. WE RECEIVED BAD INFORMATION. I WAS AMONG THE FIRST LEGISLATORS TO GEAR UP THE INVESTIGATION AND WE PUT AN END TO WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN OTHERWISE OUTRAGEOUS RUN ON THE BUDGET AND WE ALSO CHANGED THE RULES IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE SO IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> MICHAEL: MR. NOTTINGHAM, LET ME FOLLOW THE PARENTAL NOTIFICATION ISSUE. I USUALLY ASSOCIATE LIBERTARIANS WITH MINIMAL GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT THINK GOVERNMENT DICTATING TO PEOPLE, INCLUDING FAMILIES, ON HOW THEY DEAL WITH THEIR OWN FAMILY SITUATION IS UNNECESSARY GOVERNMENTAL INTERFERENCE. DO YOU BELIEVE THAT POSITION CONSISTENT WITH LIBERTARIAN PHILOSOPHY?

>> Sean Nottingham: OF COURSE. LIBERTARIANS SUPPORT FAMILY POLICY AND PARENTAL CONSENT MEANS THAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW WHEN THEIR GIRLS THAT ARE 17 OR UNDER ARE GETTING AN ABORTION WHICH CAN KILL THEM AND WE KNOW IT HAS HAPPENED IN ARIZONA. IT'S DEPLORABLE TO THINK THAT A SCHOOL NURSE CAN TAKE A GIRL AND TO HAVE HER GET AN ABORTION. THAT'S NOT GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE, THAT'S WISE FAMILY FRIENDLY POLICY.

>> MICHAEL: LET ME GO TO A SUBJECT I THINK ONE CONGRESS MANAGED TO GET DONE BEFORE IT LEFT. IT PASSED SOME ELECTION REFORM LEGISLATION, INCLUDING MONEY FOR UPDATING ELECTION MACHINERY.

>> Jan Brewer: THAT'S CORRECT. WE ARE REALLY PLEASED THAT IT PASSED THROUGH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SIGNED IT SO WE CAN GO IN AND APPLY FOR GRANTS AND GET THE OPTICAL SCANNING IN THE OTHER NINE COUNTIES IN ARIZONA. AND ALSO THERE'S MONEY TO CENTRALIZE THE VOTING ROLLS. WE'RE REAL PLEASED AND LOOKING FORWARD TO WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND THE FEDERAL DELEGATION TO GET THE MONIES BACK HERE AND MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR THE PEOPLE IN ARIZONA.

>> MICHAEL: THE FISCAL ASPECTS WERE GOOD AND I ASSUME WILL BRING MODERNIZATION TO THE COUNTY. ANY OTHER ASPECTS OF THAT FEDERAL LEGISLATION THAT YOU CONSIDER KEY OR IMPORTANT?

>> Chris Cummiskey: IT PROVIDES THE TECHNICAL AND TRAINING SUPPORT. IT ALSO REQUIRES STATES TO ESTABLISH A GRIEVANCE PROCESS. I'M GLAD JAN IS COMING TO THE DEBATE. I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS ISSUE WITH BETSEY BAYLESS AND WITH THE RECORDERS AROUND THE STATE FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. WE'RE IN A POSITION TO HELP THE NINE COUNTIES. I HOPE TO BE IN THE FOREFRONT OF THAT EFFORT.

>> MICHAEL: SEAN NOTTINGHAM, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE RECENTLY PASSED FEDERAL LEGISLATION?

>>Sean Nottingham: I'M OPPOSED TO THIS COMPLETELY. THIS IS FEDERAL MEDDLING IN STATE AFFAIRS. I HAVE A COPY OF THE BILL RIGHT HERE. IT'S GOING TO TAKE OUR TAX MONEY AND IT'S, THEY ACT LIKE THEY'RE DOING US A FAVOR, BUT THEY TAXED US TO GIVE THAT BACK. THE LIBERTARIANS, I'M OPPOSED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TAXING US AND GIVING IT BACK LIKE THEY'RE DOING SOME KIND OF FAVOR. THIS IS A RESULT OF THE FLORIDA ELECTION WHERE PRESIDENT BUSH HAD HIS PROBLEMS THERE AND HE THINKS THIS IS MAKING UP FOR IT. THIS IS A MISTAKE. ONE OF THE INSULTS, AS A PERSON WHO IS NOT PART OF THE BIG GOVERNMENT PARTIES, IT DOES NOT INCLUDE ANYBODY ELSE IN THE COMMISSION. IT IS A REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC ONLY COMMISSION. THAT'S OFFENSIVE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT IN THESE TWO BIG PARTIES.

>> MICHAEL: LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT AN ISSUE THAT I THINK CAME UP RELATED TO THE PASSING OF THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION AND IS NOT INCLUDED. THAT'S THE SAME DAY OR ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION. DO YOU THINK THAT'S A GOOD IDEA OR NOT?

>>Sean Nottingham: I SUPPORT IT, GREAT IDEA, PROVISION BALLOTING. LET THEM VOTE THAT DAY IF THEY FEEL LIKE IT AND CHECK THEIR CITIZENSHIP ON A PROVISIONAL BASIS. YES, I SUPPORT SAME DAY VOTING AND I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA.

>> MICHAEL: CHRIS CUMMISKEY. HERE IS THE PERCEIVED PROBLEM WITH IT. I THINK THE POTENTIAL FOR FRAUD ON TWO LEVELS. NUMBER ONE, PEOPLE BEING TRUCKED TO THE POLLS WHO HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON. NUMBER TWO, PEOPLE BEING TRUCKED TO THE POLLS OVER AND OVER AGAIN WHERE YOU CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW MANY, VOTE EARLY AND VOTE OFTEN. DO EITHER OF THOSE CONCERN YOU?

>> Chris Cummiskey: THESE ARE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS. I HAVE BEEN IN THE FOREFRONT OF FIGHTING AGAINST ELECTORAL FRAUD DURING MY TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE WE NEED TO BE CAUTIOUS OF. SAME DAY REGISTRATION THAT WOULD EXACERBATE THE PROBLEMS YOU HAVE ENUMERATED. IT'S THE KIND OF THING THAT PROMISES TO HAVE MORE TURNOUT AND MORE INDIVIDUALS COME TO THE POLLS, THE POSSIBILITY FOR FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY INCREASE.

>> MICHAEL: AS WAS POINTED OUT, IT ENCOURAGES VOTER PARTICIPATION, MAKES THE PROCESS MORE USER FRIENDLY, WHY NOT?

>> Jan Brewer: I THINK WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO BE ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT WE DO NOT ENCOURAGE ANY KIND OF VOTER FRAUD. I THINK WITH SAME DAY REGISTRATION AND VOTING, IT'S CREATING ALL KIND OF PROBLEMS FOR VOTERS, SO I DO NOT SUPPORT IT AND WOULD OPPOSE THAT. IF I MIGHT, I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT AS WE GO INTO THE OPTICAL SCANNING WHICH WILL MAKE IT A LOT EASIER, I WOULD LIKE TO TELL THE PEOPLE ABOUT EMBRACING THE IDEAS THAT CHRIS CUMMISKEY THAT HE REFERRED TO. I'VE BEEN WAY OUT FRONT ON ELECTION REFORM SINCE I STARTED MY CAMPAIGN BACK IN FEBRUARY. CHRIS CUMMISKEY VOTED AGAINST THE OPTICAL SCAN BILL IN THE SENATE.

>>Chris Cummiskey: THE REASON FOR THAT, THE MONEY FOR THAT WAS TAKEN OUT, THE $3.4 MILLION STRIPPED OUT OF THAT AND PLACED INTO THE BUDGET TO IMPROVE ITS GETTING TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK. IT DID. AND THE GOVERNOR VETOED THAT MEASURE.

>> MICHAEL: A VIEWER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW YOU WOULD IMPROVE VOTER PARTICIPATION IN A STATE THAT RANKS NEAR THE BOTTOM IN TURNOUT.

>>Chris Cummiskey: I THINK WE NEED TO FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON THE FRONT END OF THE EQUATION BY EXPANDING KIDS VOTING IN EVERY SCHOOL IN ARIZONA, WORKING TO MAKE RESOURCES AVAILABLE WOULD REALLY DO WELL IN EXPANDING THAT TO OTHER SCHOOLS. I AM CALLING FOR CREATION OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY WHICH WOULD IDENTIFY AN EDUCATOR AND NUMBER OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN EACH HIGH SCHOOL, HAVE THEM PARTICIPATE IN TRAINING OVER THE SUMMER AND GO BACK TO THE SCHOOL AND ENGAGE IN THE KIND OF PARTICIPATION AND VOTER REGISTRATION EFFORTS AND MAKE SURE THE UNIVERSITIES ARE WELL REPRESENTED IN DRIVES TO IMPROVE PARTICIPATION.

>> MICHAEL: SEAN NOTTINGHAM, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IMPROVING VOTER PARTICIPATION? DO YOU HAVE SOME IDEAS?

>> Sean Nottingham: I'M A HIGH SCHOOLTEACHER, AT CAMELBACK HIGH SCHOOL. I TEACH ARIZONA AND U.S. GOVERNMENT. I TELL THEM ALL THE TIME WHAT CESAR CHAVEZ SAID, THAT YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE. I GET THEM INVOLVED. I THINK HE IS RIGHT THAT WE NEED TO HAVE SOME ACTIVITIES AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE LEVEL TO GET SOME STUDENTS INVOLVED. LET'S ABOUT HOW WE HAVE OUR CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER BE AN INDEPENDENT THAT'S NOT CONNECTED TO EITHER OF THESE BIG GOVERNMENT PARTIES AND THAT WAY WE WOULD KNOW THAT OUR NUMBER ONE ELECTIONS PERSON WAS LOOKING OUT, THE VOTES GET COUNTED AND NOT LOOKING OUT FOR THE BIG GOVERNMENT PARTY.

>> MICHAEL: MS. BREWER, IDEAS TO IMPROVE VOTER TURNOUT.

>> Jan Brewer: THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE LAST GENERAL ELECTION, ARIZONA WAS DEAD LAST IN VOTER PARTICIPATION. I THINK WE NEED TO EDUCATE PEOPLE SO THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE ISSUES. I WOULD HOLD TOWN HALLS AND GOING INTO SMALLER COMMUNITIES AND INTO THE RURAL COUNTIES AND BRING THE CANDIDATES WITH US. THEN BRING PEOPLE THAT ARE SUPPORTING THE INITIATIVES AND THE REFERENDA ON THE BALLOT. I THINK THE VOTER IS ACTUALLY GETTING CONFUSED. IF THEY HAD THE INFORMATION AND WE COULD EDUCATE THEM, THEY WOULD FEEL MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE VOTING. ANOTHER THING I SUPPORT IS KIDS VOTING, SOMETHING THAT ENCOURAGES THE KIDS TO GO VOTES AND THEY TALK TO THE PARENT AND I CAN GO TO THE POLLS AND PARTICIPATE. THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO TO INCREASE VOTER PARTICIPATION.

>> MICHAEL: I THINK AT LEAST ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CLEAN ELECTIONS INITIATIVES OR THE STATED POSSIBLE GOAL OF THE CLEAN ELECTION INITIATIVES A FEW YEARS BACK WAS TO ENCOURAGE VOTER PARTICIPATION. CONGRESSMAN FLAKE, AS YOU KNOW, SUGGESTED THAT A TICKET BE CANCELLED. DO YOU THINK CLEAN ELECTIONS BE CANCELLED IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA OR NOT?

>> Jan Brewer: IT HAS BEEN AN INTERESTING PROCESS AND ONE VERY DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW BECAUSE THE RULES ARE NOT WRITTEN IN BLACK AND WHITE. THEY ARE GIVEN OUT TO YOU AS YOU GO. I'VE ATTENDED THREE OR FOUR MEETINGS TO BE SURE I WAS DOING EVERYTHING PROPERLY. THERE'S AN UNEASINESS OF EVERYBODY OUT THERE. I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SOME SEVERE CHANGES, DO THAT AT THE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL AND SEND IT TO THE VOTERS OR SUPPORT MR. FLAKE AND TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> MICHAEL: SO LET ME JUST CLARIFY. IT'S NOT NECESSARILY A REPEAL, BUT PERHAPS SUBSTANTIAL REVISIONS?

>> Jan Brewer: EXACTLY.

>> MICHAEL: CHRIS CUMMISKEY, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> Chris Cummiskey: I SUPPORT CLEAN ELECTIONS. I WAS ONE OF THE EARLY SUPPORTERS. IT SEVERS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN LOBBYISTS AND SPECIAL INTERESTS THAT TRADITIONALLY RAISED MONEY FOR CAMPAIGNS. IT PUTS THE POWER IN THE HANDS OF INDIVIDUALS. WE NEED TO COLLECT CLOSE TO 3,000 $5 CONTRIBUTIONS. I THINK IT ENCOURAGES A KIND OF COMMONALITY, MAKING SURE THAT YOU ARE NOT LINKED TO THE SPECIAL INTERESTS. SO I THINK THE CLEAN ELECTIONS HAS ITS FAULTS, THERE ARE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE TIGHTENED UP. I INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO TRY TO SPECIFY WHAT KIND OF THINGS MONEY COULD BE SPENT ON. FOR INSTANCE,YOU COULDN'T PAY YOURSELF A SALARY WITH CLEAN ELECTIONS MONIES, BUT IT REQUIRES A SUPER MAJORITY OF THE LEGISLATURE TO DO THAT.

>> MICHAEL: ARE YOU CONCERNED THAT THE CLEAN ELECTIONS AT LEAST IN CERTAIN INSTANCES SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN MAKING UP RULES AS IT WENT ALONG?

>> Chris Cummiskey: WHEN YOU HAVE A NON-PARTICIPATING AND A CLEAN ELECTION, IT GETS MORE DIFFICULT. THE PROBLEM WAS THERE WAS SO MUCH POWER VESTED WITH THE COMMISSION THEY WERE ABLE TO WRITE THE RULES AND THAT HAS BECOME A PROBLEM IN SOME INSTANCES.

>> MICHAEL: SEAN NOTTINGHAM, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE PUBLICLY FINANCED CITIZENS CLEAN ELECTION EFFORT?

>> Sean Nottingham: THE COMMISSION, THE ACT IS NOT CLEAN. IT NEEDS TO BE DRASTICALLY REFORMED OR REPEALED. IT NEEDS ACTION. WHAT HAPPENED WAS IN 2000 I WAS A CANDIDATE. I HAD, MY SUPPORTERS GAVE ME $5 JUST LIKE THEY GAVE THESE CANDIDATES HERE. I HAD $1100 GIVEN TO ME, MY SUPPORTERS HAD THEIR MONEY GIVEN TO OTHER CANDIDATES. IT HAPPENED IN THIS RACE TO A DEMOCRAT, YOU OUGHT TO BE STANDING UP FOR HIM. HE HAD HIS MONEY THAT WHAT HE COLLECTED GIVEN TO OTHER CANDIDATES, INCLUDING HIS OPPONENT.

>> MICHAEL: BECAUSE HE DIDN'T QUALIFY?

>> Sean Nottingham: HE WASN'T QUALIFIED. THEY TAKE THE MONEY THAT THEY HAVE AND THEY DISBURSE IT TO ALL CANDIDATES, MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO ALL CANDIDATES, INCLUDING YOUR OPPONENT. SO LITERALLY, WE COLLECTED MONEY HARD FOR MONTHS ONLY TO HAVE IT GO TO OUR OPPONENTS. THAT KIND OF THING HAS TO BE REFORMED, OTHERWISE IT HAS TO BE REPEALED.

>> MICHAEL: OKAY. SO YOU'RE SAYING CLEAN IT UP, NOT NECESSARILY --

>> Sean Nottingham: OR GET RID OF IT.

>> Jan Brewer: THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A NEW DAY, CLEAN ELECTIONS IN ARIZONA. IT HAS TURNED IT INTO A LOT OF MUD SLINGING AND NAME CALLING. AND IT HAS BEEN THROUGHOUT ALL THE RACES.

>> Chris Cummiskey: THAT IS UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE MS. BREWER WAS ONE OF THE FIRST ONES TO THROW MUD IN THIS PARTICULAR RACE.

>> MICHAEL: ALMOST OUT OF TIME, BUT I DO WANT TO TOUCH ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKETING. AS SECRETARY OF STATE, ARE YOU GOING TO RUN THAT PAST THE LEGISLATURE ONE MORE TIME?

>> Chris Cummiskey: I THINK SO. WE WERE ABLE TO GET A UNANIMOUS VOTE OUT OF THE SENATE. WHEN IT WENT TO THE HOUSE WE NEEDED 40 VOTES AND ONLY GOT 38. I SUPPORT THE NO CALL LIST FOR TELEMARKETERS, A STATE-BASED LIST. AS LATE AS SUNDAY, MS. BREWER SAID SHE WOULD PREFER A FEDERAL MODEL.

>> MICHAEL: WHAT DO YOU THINK, MS. BREWER?

>> Jan Brewer: I SUPPORT NO CALL LISTS FOR TELEMARKETERS AND CON ARTISTS, BUT I BELIEVE THAT WE HAD IN THIS LEGISLATURE A BILL THAT WAS A KNEE JERK PIECE OF LEGISLATION. IT WASN'T GOING TO REALLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE RULES OF COMMERCE THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH. THEY CAN MOVE TO LOS ANGELES, ORLANDO AND WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THESE PEOPLE, SO WE NEED TO LOOK TOWARD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE. FROM THE BEGINNING, MY CAMPAIGN HAS SUPPORTED A NO CALL LIST AND I WOULD SUPPORT EVERY LAW TO PROTECT OUR PEOPLE FROM BEING CONNED AND SCAMMED. I RESENT THE FACT THAT CHRIS CUMMISKEY KEEPS DISTORTING MY RECORD.

>> Chris Cummiskey: THE REALITY IS SHE DOESN'T SUPPORT A STATE-BASED NO-CALL LIST. SHE SUPPORTS FEDERAL LEGISLATION, WHICH IS MUCH DIFFERENT.

>> MICHAEL: MR. NOTTINGHAM, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IT, STATE OR FEDERAL?

>> Sean Nottingham: STATE. AND ARIZONA CITIZENS SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO SAY NO TO THE HARASSING CALLS. WE SHOULD HAVE THE LIBERTY, LET'S PUT THAT IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

>> MICHAEL: IT IS TIME FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS FROM THE CANDIDATES. WE DREW LOTS TO DETERMINE WHO GOES FIRST. MR. CUMMISKEY, IT THINK YOU WON THAT ONE.

>>Chris Cummiskey: THANK YOU. THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION IS WHO IS THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE. I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO RECEIVE MANY ENDORSEMENTS FROM NEWSPAPERS TO PROMINENT REPUBLICANS LIKE GRANT WOODS AND RICK ROMLEY. I HAVE TRIED HARD TO RUN AN ISSUE-BASED CAMPAIGN. MY OPPONENT, JAN BREWER, HAS WORKED HARD TO RUN THE OPPOSITE KIND OF CAMPAIGN, ATTACKING ME REGULARLY FOR MISSING VOTES AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS AT THE STATE SENATE. AS I INDICATED ON FEBRUARY 6, I TOOK TIME FROM THE LEGISLATURE WHEN MY CHILD REQUIRED EMERGENCY HEART SURGERY AND TIME OFF SUBSEQUENTLY INTO FEBRUARY AND MARCH. I MISSED A NUMBER OF VOTES AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS, BUT TO TAKE THAT EXPERIENCE AND TRY TO USE IT TO SCORE POLITICAL POINTS, I THINK IS NOTHING SHORT OF DESPICABLE. MS. BREWER HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES, SHE REFUSED TO RELENT OR APOLOGIZE. SAY NO TO THE KIND OF NEGATIVITY THAT THIS HAS BEEN REPRESENTED BY AND SAY YES TO RESULTS AND PLEASE VOTE FOR CHRIS CUMMISKEY FOR SECRETARY OF STATE ON NOVEMBER 5.

>> MICHAEL: MS. BREWER, YOUR CLOSING STATEMENTS.

>> Jan Brewer: THAT'S TOUGH TO FOLLOW. YOU KNOW, MY OPPONENT TALKS ABOUT HIS RECORD OF LEADERSHIP, HIS RECORD OF REFORM. MY OPPONENT HAS GOTTEN INTO KINDERGARTEN POLITICS, NAME CALLING. THAT'S UNFORTUNATE. HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH SOMETHING LIKE THAT? IT'S AN UNFORTUNATE CAMPAIGN THAT WE HAVE EMBARKED UPON. CHRIS CUMMISKEY HAS A RECORD. IT'S IN THE JOURNAL OF THE ARIZONA STATE SENATE. YOU CAN GO TO HISRECORD.ORG AND YOU CAN BE THE JUDGE. I WANT TO BE THE NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE, I BELIEVE I HAVE LEADERSHIP AND THE INTEGRITY. I WANT TO ASK THE PEOPLE TO JOIN SENATORS MCCAIN AND KYL AND HAYWARD AND BETSEY BAYLESS IN SUPPORTING ME. I WANT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF THE INTEGRITY OF THE VOTING PROCESS AND INCREASE THE FREEDOM OF OUR MILITARY BEING ABLE TO VOTE. I WANT TO INCREASE VOTER PARTICIPATION AND ENFORCE TELEMARKETING LAWS. TONIGHT I ASK YOU TO HONOR ME WITH YOUR VOTE. I WILL WORK HARD TO MAKE YOU PROUD. THANK YOU.

>> MICHAEL: SEAN NOTTINGHAM, YOUR CLOSING STATEMENTS.

>> Sean Nottingham: MRS. BREWER, I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT YOU HAVE TWO OPPONENTS IN THIS RACE. BOTH OF THE CANDIDATES ARE FINE PERSONAL INDIVIDUALS, BUT THE PROBLEM IS THEY ARE MEMBERS OF BIG GOVERNMENT PARTIES THAT ARE CONTINUE TO RAISE THE AMOUNT OF THINGS THEY ARE SPENDING MONEY ON. PARTISAN POLITICS SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED IN ELECTIONS. WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED IN FLORIDA, WE DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN HERE. I THINK IT'S TIME ORDINARY CITIZENS STAND UP TO THE TWO BIG GOVERNMENT PARTIES AND SAY THE PARTY IS OVER. NOW IS THE TIME FOR ORDINARY CITIZENS TO CLEAN UP THIS MESS. VOTE SEAN NOTTINGHAM FOR SECRETARY OF STATE. THANK YOU.

>> MICHAEL: SEAN NOTTINGHAM, CHRIS CUMMISKEY, JAN BREWER, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. BEST OF LUCK IN THE REMAINING 11 DAYS. IF YOU MISSED ANY PORTION OF THIS DEBATE OR WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON THE COVERAGE, PLEASE VISIT THE CHANNEL THE WEBSITE, WWW.KAET.ASU.EDU, CLICK ON "HORIZON." YOU WILL FIND THE SCHEDULE OF ELECTION COVERAGE, TRANSCRIPTS OF DEBATES, PLUS YOU CAN WATCH VIDEO OF THIS AND OTHER KAET DEBATES ON LINE. THAT CONCLUDES OUR ELECTION DEBATES FOR CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE. I'M MICHAEL GRANT. HAVE A GREAT ONE. GOOD NIGHT.