Clean Elections Program's Future Uncertain

By Stina Sieg
Published: Monday, January 6, 2014 - 4:07pm
Updated: Monday, January 6, 2014 - 4:08pm

Some Arizona legislators said they will try again to negate public campaign financing. The voter-approved Clean Elections program provides funding for participating candidates for state offices.

Republican Rep. Paul Boyer of Phoenix plans to reintroduce a proposal to gut that program. According to the Arizona Capitol Times, Boyer said he will ask voters to sweep all of its money into K-12 schools.

Rep. J.D. Mesnard said he wants to introduce a resolution for a ballot measure on repealing the program outright. However, the Chandler Republican said he will only proceed if program opponents promise support for a campaign aimed at persuading voters to go along. The Arizona Supreme Court recently upheld higher limits for campaign contributions to privately funded candidates.