Endorsement: Chester Crandell For State Senate LD-6

By Elisha Dorfsmith

Before I get started, let me make a very clear distinction between Chester Crandell who is running for State Senator in LD-6 and State Senator Rich Crandall who is currently embroiled in  an ethics scandal in LD-16. The similarity of their names has caused much confusion on the AZ campaign trail.

This post is an endorsement of Chester Crandell for State Senate LD-6.

Over the past year or so I have spent a lot of time getting to know Crandell and his Democratic rival Tom Chabin as well as their voting records and it is very clear to me that Crandell is miles ahead of Chabin on the issues.

Crandell clearly understands the 9th and 10th Amendments in the Bill of Rights, strongly supports the 2nd Amendment and takes his oath to uphold the Constitution very seriously.

Chabin, on the other hand, is a huge proponent of gun control (NRA gives him and F), helped write the Top Two election law which destroys third parties and thinks the 10th Amendment is a joke. In fact, Chabin calls anyone who even mentions the 10th Amendment a “kook” on his Facebook page.

A closer look at some specific issues:

National Defense Authorization Act

On December 31, 2011 President Obama signed the Constitution shredding National Defense Authorization Act. Outrage from people across the political spectrum followed as they realized that this act authorized the arrest and indefinite detention of any American citizen on American soil without a trial. Goodbye Bill of Rights.

On April 19, 2012 Crandell and Chabin had the opportunity to vote for the Liberty Preservation Act SB1182, a bill which made a stand against the NDAA and protected the citizens of Arizona. The bill passed easily as many Arizona state representatives and senators realized that the NDAA was the biggest violation of the Constitution since the “Patriot Act.”

Chester Crandell voted for SB1182 and for the freedom and safety of the people of Arizona. Tom Chabin voted against the bill. Chabin later found an ally in Governor Brewer who turned her back on the Constitution and the people of Arizona and vetoed the bill on May 14, 2012.

Top Two

Most Arizonans know that Top Two will be on the Arizona ballot but what they don’t know is that Tom Chabin has been pushing this bill for years in the Arizona house with little support.

When I first found this out I thought Chabin may be a bit confused about the consequences of this bill and how it will obliterate third parties in Arizona. When I brought up the issue to Chabin on his Facebook page I was immediately blocked and my posts were deleted. Later Chabin wrote the following:

“I sponsored and support the Top Two primary that was put in place by the voters in Calif and will be on the ballot to approve or reject this fall. It will be different, and Dorfsmith will point out–if you want to vote for a Green or Libertarian candidate–because you believe in their cause or want a protest vote–you will not be able to do it. In addition, the organized parties can make some mischief no doubt. But all in all, the benefit is that all voters would be given a chance would be able to vote for more moderation in a race with would could include a conservative Republican against Joe Apraio–a Jerry Lewis against Russell Pierce–I just think it would be a better system.”

Click to read it for yourself.

Chester Crandell is opposed to Top Two and understands that voters need more than two choices on a general election ballot.

States’ Rights

Chester Crandell understands the 9th and 10th Amendments and is a strong supporter of States’ rights. In fact, Crandell helped write Proposition 120, a true states’ rights bill which will be on the November 6, 2012 ballot.

Tom Chabin does not believe in the 10th Amendment. He openly calls anyone who mentions it a “kook”. This leads me to question if Tom Chabin has ever actually read the Constitution or Bill of Rights. Every indication points to no.

Conclusion

Time and time again, Tom Chabin has failed to defend the Constitution and stand up for freedom and liberty in Arizona. Chester Crandell has a much stronger Constitutional record and has voted to protect the rights of the people he represents.

The choice is obvious. Chester Crandell has my vote in November.

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that Flagstaff Liberty Alliance and other organizations I work with do not endorse candidates. This endorsement is mine and mine alone.

Chester Crandell stood up to the Federal Government and said that Arizona will NOT allow the Constitution trampling NDAA to be implemented here. For this and similar actions, Tom Chabin has called Crandell a “kook”.

This common 25 round .22 magazine would be illegal if Tom Chabin had his way (Chabin has called for the ban of any magazine that holds more than 10 rounds).

Crandell discussing limited Constitutional government at a recent event in Flagstaff.

flagstafflibertyalliance.com