John Huppenthal Interview

CANDIDATE INTERVIEW

Q&A With John Huppenthal, Candidate for State Senate

Ed. Note: John Huppenthal, currently a member of the Arizona House of Representatives, is running for the State Senate in Legislative District 20, hoping to unseat the liberal Republican, Senator Slade Mead. Rep. Huppenthal is recognized by "JH," and The Arizona Conservative is identified as "TAC."

TAC: How would you rate your chance of re-election this year?

JH: Excellent.

TAC: What are the key issues in this year's race?

JH: Balancing the budget without increasing taxes, improving education, transportation, economic prosperity.

TAC: Why should voters elect you?

JH: I provide excellent constituent service, I work to balance the budget without increasing taxes, I support education reform and I do an excellent job of developing legislation which streamlines our laws and makes government operate more efficiently.

TAC: What were your top accomplishments in the legislature?

JH: In my first six legislative sessions, I have successfully support income, property and vehicle tax cuts which now accumulate to over $8 billion dollars. Arizona has ranked in the top ten states in job growth every year I have served in the legislature. I sponsored legislation which successfully removed caps on charter schools.

TAC: What's your opinion of this year's budget bill?

JH: This year's budget bill left created a deficit which is just too big.

TAC: How did the Legislature do on the social issues this year, in your evaluation?

JH: Our reform package for CPS was very positive - however we made few gains otherwise.

TAC: Can Republicans resist the governor's incessant push for tax increases?

JH: Resisting taxes is the easy part. The hard part is that the Governor is accumulating massive amounts of debt which will have to be dealt with after she leaves.

TAC: The 2002 GOP primary was a great election for conservatives. Do you expect that trend to repeat this year?

JH: Yes.

TAC: Have you determined which bills you plan to introduce next term, if re-elected?

JH: Vouchers for education choice. Corporate tuition tax credits for more education choice and elimination of the marriage penalty in the existing tuition tax credit.

TAC: In light of some legislators refusing to represent their district and refusing to vote on key issues (namely the marriage amendment postcard), will you commit to voting on all the bills for which you are physically present in the Senate chamber?

JH: Yes, although sometimes you can miss votes just because you are doing a lot of work. I have never walked in 12 years to avoid a vote. Do you believe the legislature can make better progress next term on judicial reform?

TAC: Do you support or oppose the Clean Elections initiative?

JH: I support elimination of Clean Elections. It is a terrible violation of the first amendment of the United States Constitution.

TAC: Do you support or oppose the Protect Arizona Now initiative?

JH: I support the initiative. In fact, as a freshman legislator chairman of an Appropriations subcommittee, I eliminated welfare benefits for illegal aliens to finance Governor Symington's first tax cut.

TAC: General comments: Please comment on anything that hasn't been included in the questions above.

JH: Thank you!