GOP Candidate Blasts Democrats’ Attack Ad

PHOENIX (CN) - The Republican candidate for attorney general claims an unregistered, Washington-based political committee spent $600,000 on an attack ad that misrepresents his stand on statutory rape and his actions as state schools superintendent. Tom Horne sued the Committee for Justice & Fairness and the media conglomerates that broadcast the ad.

Horne claims the Committee for Justice and Fairness began running the attack ad on Oct. 20, without registering with the Arizona Secretary of State, "as required by statute, nor is defendant making the required disclosure, required by Arizona statues."

Horne claims the defendant, whose largest contributor by far is the Democratic Attorneys General Association, spent $600,000 on the ad - "more than three times the entire general election campaign budget for the plaintiff."

The ad states: "As a state legislator, Tom Horne voted against tougher penalties for statutory rape. And when students caught a teacher looking at child pornography on a school computer, Horne used his vote on the Board of Education to allow that teacher back in the classroom."

In a memo attached to the Superior Court complaint, Horne states: "While untruth is not a basis for this legal action, I point out that this advertisement is a big lie." He claims that according to a Maricopa County Sheriff's report, "the computer at issue to which the teacher at issue had access (but others might also have had access) was examined, and the sheriff 'did not find images depicting child pornography.'" (Parentheses in memo.)

Horne adds: "Contrary to the impression created by the ad, I am strongly and intensely opposed to pornography, pedophilia, and statutory rape."

Horne claims that "these illegal advertisements will improperly cause people to vote against him, for which there could be no possible monetary compensation."

Horne wants the Committee for Justice and Fairness and the media defendant enjoined from running the ad "without complying with Arizona's laws, and that the defendant media outlets not run the illegal ads."

Defendants include Gannett Satellite Information Network, NW Communications, Meredith Corp., Scripps Media, Belo Corp., Evening Post Publishing Co., Journal Broadcast Group, and Raycom Media.

Horne, the Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, was a chief advocate of H.B. 2281, which was signed into law by Gov. Jan Brewer. It prohibits ethnic studies classes. Teachers in Tucson Unified School District No. 1 claimed last week in a federal lawsuit that the bill is unconstitutional.

Horne faces Democratic candidate Felicia Rotellini in the Nov. 2 attorney general race. He filed his complaint pro se in Maricopa County Court.

GOP Candidate Blasts Democrats' Attack Ad

Jamie Ross

PHOENIX (CN) - The Republican candidate for attorney general claims an unregistered, Washington-based political committee spent $600,000 on an attack ad that misrepresents his stand on statutory rape and his actions as state schools superintendent.

Tom Horne sued the Committee for Justice & Fairness and the media conglomerates that broadcast the ad.

Horne claims the Committee for Justice and Fairness began running the attack ad on Oct. 20, without registering with the Arizona Secretary of State, "as required by statute, nor is defendant making the required disclosure, required by Arizona statues."

Horne claims the defendant, whose largest contributor by far is the Democratic Attorneys General Association, spent $600,000 on the ad - "more than three times the entire general election campaign budget for the plaintiff."

The ad states: "As a state legislator, Tom Horne voted against tougher penalties for statutory rape. And when students caught a teacher looking at child pornography on a school computer, Horne used his vote on the Board of Education to allow that teacher back in the classroom."

In a memo attached to the Superior Court complaint, Horne states: "While untruth is not a basis for this legal action, I point out that this advertisement is a big lie." He claims that according to a Maricopa County Sheriff's report, "the computer at issue to which the teacher at issue had access (but others might also have had access) was examined, and the sheriff 'did not find images depicting child pornography.'" (Parentheses in memo.)

Horne adds: "Contrary to the impression created by the ad, I am strongly and intensely opposed to pornography, pedophilia, and statutory rape."

Horne claims that "these illegal advertisements will improperly cause people to vote against him, for which there could be no possible monetary compensation."

Horne wants the Committee for Justice and Fairness and the media defendant enjoined from running the ad "without complying with Arizona's laws, and that the defendant media outlets not run the illegal ads."

Defendants include Gannett Satellite Information Network, NW Communications, Meredith Corp., Scripps Media, Belo Corp., Evening Post Publishing Co., Journal Broadcast Group, and Raycom Media.

Horne, the Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, was a chief advocate of H.B. 2281, which was signed into law by Gov. Jan Brewer. It prohibits ethnic studies classes. Teachers in Tucson Unified School District No. 1 claimed last week in a federal lawsuit that the bill is unconstitutional.

Horne faces Democratic candidate Felicia Rotellini in the Nov. 2 attorney general race. He filed his complaint pro se in Maricopa County Court.

Follow @jamierossCNS

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit