Bill would let candidates use campaign cash for security
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Political candidates would be able to use campaign funds for personal security under a bill working its way through Arizona's Legislature with bipartisan backing.
Why it matters: Political violence is a growing concern, with high-profile tragedies including last year's assassinations of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
State of play: The bill sponsored by Sen. T.J. Shope (R-Coolidge) says candidates can use campaign funds for security for themselves and their families.
- Secretary of State Adrian Fontes last October gave his approval for candidates to use campaign cash on security, but state law doesn't address the issue.
- Shope told Axios it's unlikely a future secretary of state would reverse the policy, but "There's a lawsuit born every day," so he wanted to ensure it's in statute.
The latest: The Senate Judiciary Committee last month unanimously approved the bill.
- Shope said the bill was necessitated by recent incidents, including the Hortman and Kirk shootings, and he mentioned that he serves on the board of directors for several national legislative organizations, all of which have recently raised the issue.
- Sen. Shawnna Bolick (R-Phoenix) said she used campaign funds to put cameras at her home — she's also married to Arizona Supreme Court Justice Clint Bolick — after Fontes issued his guidance.
- Sen. Wendy Rogers (R-Flagstaff) noted that a man was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for making a death threat against her.
What's next: The bill goes next to the full Senate.
- Shope said he doesn't expect any issues getting it passed.