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Press Releases
David Lujan Condemns “Flagrant Abuse of Power,” Calls on Thomas to Withdraw, August 12, 2010
David Lujan: An Attorney General For All Arizonans, January 14, 2010
Lujan Targets Violent Criminals, January 14, 2010
Statement on Ruling Against Andrew Thomas, February 24, 2010
Lujan Statement on Thomas' Plans for Attorney General, April 10, 2010
David Lujan Endorsed By Planned Parenthood, Launches "Women For Lujan," May 13, 2010
Lujan Applauds President's Move to Send 1,200 Troops to the Border, May 25, 2010
Coconino County Law Enforcement Officials Endorse Lujan for Attorney General, May 27, 2010
Latino Elected Officials, Community Leaders Support Lujan for Attorney General June 1, 2010
Lujan Opposes Politicizing Arizona's Legal System
David Lujan Condemns “Flagrant Abuse of Power,” Calls on Thomas to Withdraw
Joins Rick Romley's call to restore the rule of law
PHOENIX — House Democratic Leader and Attorney General candidateDavid Lujan, upon the release of Grand Jury documents by Republican County Attorney Rick Romley, denounced the shocking and disturbing abuse of power perpetrated by Andrew Thomas during his reign as “offensive to all Americans who cherish liberty and the concept that a person is innocent until proven guilty”.
House Democratic Leader Lujan also called on Andrew Thomas to withdraw from the race in light of these new revelations saying that “Andrew Thomas has lost what little credibility he has left, his actions show a complete disregard for the rule of law, and a flagrant abuse of power for political purposes.” He continued by saying that “We are a nation of laws, and Arizona deserves an Attorney General who will not only enforce those laws against others, but obey them himself.”
Representative Lujan also made a promise to Arizona citizens that his office would operate out in the open, saying, “As Arizona's top law enforcement official, the Attorney General needs to be a leader in ethics and transparency. When I place my hand on that bible and take that oath to support our laws, you'll know I mean it.”
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David Lujan: An Attorney General for All Arizonans
Tireless victims' advocate, former Assistant Attorney General, pledges to seek justice for all Arizonans
Phoenix, AZ - Pledging to be a tireless public advocate that will seek justice for all Arizonans, victims' advocate and former Assistant Attorney General David Lujan today officially announced his candidacy for Arizona Attorney General.
"Often it is our most vulnerable who suffer and fall between the cracks," said Lujan. "I work every single day to make sure that our children are safe from abuse and the interests of all Arizonans are protected."
Announcing his candidacy in a video email to his supporters, denounced Arizona's current Republican leadership with putting partisanship and ideology above the public good. He said Republican mismanagement of the state has led to economic insecurity and higher dropout rates that have resulted in higher prison populations and jeopardized public safety.
"Governor Brewer and the Republicans have mismanaged our state, and now Arizonans are paying the price," Lujan said. "Now, more than ever, we need to elect an Attorney General who will seek justice for all Arizonans, not just the rich or the well-connected. We cannot afford to elect a Republican who will put ideology ahead of justice or politics ahead of people."
As Attorney General, Lujan will continue to crack down on criminals, protect children from abuse, and be a consumer advocate. In the coming weeks and months, he will roll out a series of specific policy proposals on each of these issues.
Lujan has a long record of fighting to protect Arizona families. In his current role as staff attorney for Defenders of Children, Lujan works to protect abused children and ensure their safe removal from violent situations. Lujan has aided women and children in escaping abuse at the hands of the polygamist sect in Colorado City, and helped train more than 1,000 attorneys and law enforcement officials on domestic violence and child abuse.
A former prosecutor, Lujan has courtroom experience taking on criminals, and has taken on corrupt politicians and corporations that violated workers' rights.
As a state Representative and current House Democratic Leader, he has been a powerful advocate for Arizona families, authoring legislation to crack down on violent crime and identity theft. And as a past President and current member of the Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board, has worked hard to ensure that the state adequately funds education from preschool to college.
"To me, it's all about protecting people - and with your help, that's what I'll do as your next Attorney General," he said.
Lujan is an Arizona native. He grew up in the Phoenix area, attended Washington High School, and received both his undergraduate and law degrees from Arizona State University.
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Lujan Targets Violent Criminals
Introduces legislation to crack down on violent crime, protect Arizona families
As the current legislative session opened, House Minority Leader and Democratic candidate for Attorney General David Lujan introduced and co-sponsored a package of bills aimed at protecting Arizona families from violent criminals. Those bills include several introduced on behalf of the Attorney General's office, with the goal of giving prosecutors more room to keep gang members and other violent criminals behind bars.
"Arizonans deserve to feel safe," said Lujan. "We have to give our prosecutors the tools they need to go after gang members and those cartels whose drug war is spilling over into our communities."
Last month, 22 suspected gang members were arrested and charged with committing violent assaults, home invasions, and selling pharmaceutical drugs smuggled into Arizona from Mexico. Earlier this month, a suspected gang member was arrested after two teenagers and a 10-year-old were shot in north Phoenix.
To keep violent gang members off of our streets, Lujan wants to impose tougher penalties for criminals prohibited from possessing deadly weapons when they use those weapons in violent crimes. He also seeks to provide tougher penalties for gang members who continue to commit crime while behind bars.
"In order to protect Arizona families from criminals, we sometimes have to look beyond our neighborhoods," Lujan said. "Our neighbors in Mexico are caught in a bloody drug war, and the effects of that war are beginning to spill across the border."
While drugs and human smuggling have contributed to Phoenix's newfound status as the "kidnapping capital" of the U.S., guns illegally purchased in Arizona continue to fuel a vicious cycle of border-related violence.
To curb this cycle, Lujan has proposed new laws to charge those who fraudulently sell or deliver deadly weapons using a false identity or with forged documents or with the intent to deliver the weapons to someone in a foreign country. He also seeks to provide tougher penalties for those who forge documents to rent or purchase a home that is used as a drop house for purposes of human smuggling.
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David Lujan Statement on Ruling Against Andrew Thomas
Judge ruled Thomas' actions were unethical and politically motivated
PHOENIX (February 24, 2010) Ń David Lujan issued the following statement today regarding today's Superior Court ruling disqualifying Andrew Thomas from a case against Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox:
"Today's ruling confirmed what we've known about Andrew Thomas for years. While Thomas wants us to think that he's tough on crime, the reality is that he's nothing more than an out-of-control politician who cares more about winning his own political vendettas than he does about keeping our streets safe from violent criminals. Judge Leonardo's ruling found that Thomas' actions in this case were driven by political retaliation rather than a pursuit of justice and amounted to an abuse of his office.
Arizonans don't care who's winning and who's losing when it comes to squabbling politicians. What they want from their law enforcement officials is for tax dollars to be spent wisely and for criminals to be kept off our streets. Andrew Thomas has failed on both counts."
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Lunaj Statement on Thomas' Plans for Attorney General's Office
Defends the efforts of county law enforcement, pledges support and cooperation
PHOENIX Ń David Lujan issued the following statement today regarding Andrew Thomas' plan to force county law enforcement to act as agents of the Attorney General's office:
"Over the past year, I've spent a lot of time meeting with County Attorneys and Sheriffs to talk about immigration issues. Not a single one has expressed a need for their office to take directives from the Attorney General on how to enforce the law.
What they do tell me is that they want the Attorney General to target the drug cartels that are fueling violence along the border and making Arizona the kidnapping capitol of the nation. That is what I will do as Attorney General.
Since Gov. Brewer and the Republicans have cut the Attorney General's budget to 1990 funding levels, the next Attorney General will have to use their resources effectively to get the biggest bang out of the taxpayers' buck. My plan does just that. Thomas' plan is a wasteful mandate on local officials.
I have a lot of respect for our law enforcement officials. They are elected by their local communities, and they know best how to deal with the issues affecting their communities. For Thomas to suggest that they don't know how to do their jobs is an insult."
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David Lujan Endorsed By Planned Parenthood, Launches Women For Lujan
Women leaders from around Arizona pledge their support for David Lujan
PHOENIX (May 13, 2010) Ń Democratic Attorney General candidate David Lujan announced today that he has received the endorsement of Planned Parenthood of Arizona. Planned Parenthood is the largest sexual health organization in Arizona, serving over 70,000 health care patients and more than 30,000 teens and adults through education, outreach and advocacy efforts. Planned Parenthood operates 19 health center locations in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Globe, Prescott and Yuma.
"I'm proud to once again receive the endorsement of Planned Parenthood. I admire their work in preserving a woman's right to choose and I've always counted myself as a supporter," Lujan said.
Lujan, the House Democratic Leader, has earned Planned Parenthood's endorsement for each of his legislative elections.
Lujan's campaign also launched Women for Lujan, a group of women leaders from around the state who want David Lujan to be our next Attorney General. The group includes prominent leaders like Rep. Kyrsten Sinema and Sen. Rebecca Rios, Assistant Democratic Leaders in the state House and state Senate.
The initial list of Women for Lujan is below:
Sen. Rebecca Rios
Sen. Amanda Aguirre
Sen. Leah Landrum Taylor
Rep. Kyrsten Sinema
Rep. Martha Garcia
Rep. Barbara McGuire
Rep. Lynne Pancrazi
Rep. Anna Tovar
Rep. Rae Waters
Rep. Nancy Young Wright
Hon. Mary Rose Wilcox
Hon. Marie Lopez Rogers
Hon. Coral Evans
Hon. Karla Brewster
Hon. Ginny Dickey
Dr. Cristy Lopez
Amy Kobeta
Lela Alston
Linda Abril
Dora Vasquez
Mary Peralta
Christina Martinez-Romero
Katie Hobbs
Theresa Ulmer
Jackie Thrasher
Michelle Steinberg
Gloria Furman
Donnalee Sarda
Allie Bones
Susan Swick
Nancy Marshall
Rosemary Irving
Jennifer Flores
Elita Irving
Judi Victor
Linda Douglas
Emily Verdugo-Aldrich
Liz Meza
Mari Alvarado
Lisa Urias
Amber Ybarra
Cynthia Leigh Lewis
Ann Miles
Meagan Kramer
Nancy Mangone
Rosemary Hernandez
Maria Hoffman
Carrie Sherman
Lynne Adams
Mayan Tahan
Flora Jessop
Regina Jeffries
Shirley Filliater
Regis Sommers
Kendra Diegan
Mary Durand
Janet Gould
Mollie Kidari
Carolyn Lane
Linda Elliot
Laura Pastor
Sandy Bahr
Chris Wertheim
Pearl Esau
C. Diane Bishop
Dr. Claire Bowey
Lori Good
Wendy Shepherd
Ann Cothron
Alicia Cybulski
Debbie Sant
Carol Comito
Jennifer Rauhouse
Louisa Stark
Leah Pallin-Hill
Melisa Tarango
Paige Frenkel
Mary Michaelis
Linda Pellegrino
Olivia Guerrero
Paula Maniszko
Kathy Wiebke
Fran Reich
Chris Monaco
Tara Bickford Bailey
Sheri van Horsen
Carol Jacobsen
Lujan is an Arizona native. He grew up in the Phoenix area, received both his undergraduate and law degrees from Arizona State University, and is currently the staff attorney for the non-profit Defenders of Children providing legal services to victims of child abuse and domestic violence.
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Lujan Applauds President's Move to Send 1,200 Troops to the Border
Border security key to protecting Arizona Families
PHOENIX Ń Democratic Attorney General candidate David Lujan issued the following statement today applauding President Obama's plan to send 1,200 National Guardsmen to help secure the border:
"For too long, Arizona has born the brunt of the Mexican drug cartels' human trafficking, illegal smuggling, and kidnapping activities. As Attorney General, I will go after the cartels with every tool we have, cutting off their funding and access to deadly weapons. To truly secure the border, however, the federal government must be an active partner in our efforts. President Obama's decision today reflects a federal government that is beginning to hold up their end of the bargain. I look forward to working with law enforcement officials at every level of government to secure our border, and to stop the spread of these violent cartels."
As House Democratic Leader, Lujan has fought for tough laws to restrict cartels' access to "drop houses" and guns, including stricter penalties for gun smuggling. If elected Attorney General, he
will lead a comprehensive, multi-agency effort to deprive border drug cartels of the money and the guns that they need to operate.
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Coconino County Law Enforcement Officials Endorse Lujan for Attorney General
Lujan pledges to work hand-in-hand with County Sherrif, Attorney
PHOENIX Ń Democratic Attorney General candidate David Lujan announced today that he has received the endorsements of Coconino County Attorney Dave Rozema, Coconino County Sheriff Bill Pribil, and former Coconino County Attorney Terence Hance.
"David has a record of strengthening laws against identity theft and violent crime, while working to protect victims of child abuse and domestic violence. Those are the priorities we need from our Attorney General," Rozema said.
Lujan enjoys a growing list of supporters in the law enforcement community statewide, including Greenlee County Sheriff Steven Tucker, Navajo County Sheriff K.C. Clark, Santa Cruz County Attorney George Silva, and the Arizona Police Association, which represents over 9,000 local law enforcement officers.
More locally, Lujan has also been endorsed by prominent Flagstaff attorneys Fritz Aspey and Dean Pickett, along with former Coconino County Supervisor Mel Hannah.
As an Assistant Attorney General, Lujan went after officials who misappropriated school funds, and helped to oversee a first of its kind school construction and renovation program. First elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2004, Lujan has been a powerful advocate for Arizona families, authoring tough laws to crack down on violent crime and identity theft. At the non-profit Defenders of Children, Lujan has helped to train more than 1,000 attorneys and law enforcement officials on domestic violence and child abuse.
If elected Attorney General, Lujan has pledged to protect consumers from identity theft, tackle the drug cartels that are endangering our communities, and fight child abuse and domestic violence.
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Latino Elected Officials, Community Leaders Support Lujan for Attorney General
Campaign launches Latinos for Lujan supporters group
PHOENIX Ń Dozens of Latino leaders from across Arizona have agreed on one candidate for Attorney General, House Democratic Leader David Lujan. The depth of Lujan's support in the Latino community includes state, county, and local elected officials, as well as other community leaders from every part of the state.
Sen. Rebecca Rios credits Lujan with leading the fight against reckless legislation and crippling cuts at the state capitol. "David has been a powerful advocate for Arizona families, offering common sense solutions to our state's problems, while keeping the House Democrats united against the worst bills we saw this year."
Lujan is proud to receive the support of these leaders in the Latino community. "One of the great things about Arizona is our diversity. These incredible leaders offer a unique perspective on the issues facing Latinos in all parts of our state."
Earlier this year, Lujan was honored by the Aguila Youth Leadership Institute for his work on behalf of the program, which focuses on improving college graduation rates among Latino and Latina students in Arizona. In April 2009, Lujan received the 3rd Annual Cesar Chavez "Continuing the Legacy" Award from the William Mitchell College of Law Latino Law Student Association in St. Paul, MN.
The initial list of Latinos for Lujan is below:
Senator Rebecca Rios
Senator Amanda Aguirre
Representative Anna Tovar
Representative Martha Garcia
Representative Robert Meza
Supervisor Elizabeth Archuleta, Coconino County
Supervisor Lenore Lorona Stuart, Yuma County
Supervisor Mike Pastor, Gila County
Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, Maricopa County
George Silva, Santa Cruz County Attorney
Felipe Fuentes, Santa Cruz County Assessor
Mayor Juan Carlos Escamilla, San Luis
Mayor Marie Lopez Rodgers, Avondale
Former Mayor Armida Flores, Eloy
Vice Mayor Michael Nowakowski, Phoenix
Councilman Thomas Chacon, Sr., Winslow
Former Councilman Ralph Varela, Casa Grande
Constable Virginia Duarte, Eloy
Linda Abril, Phoenix Union High School Board
Mari Alvarado, Alhambra Elementary School Board
Dr. Cristy Lopez, Phoenix Union High School Board
Former House Minority Leader John Loredo
Phil Austin
Larry Bracamonte
Margie Camacho
Mario Diaz
Jennifer Flores
Gloria Furman
Joanne Galindo
James Garcia
Olivia Guerrero
Gloria Guzman
Christina Martinez-Romero
Sylvia Mejia
Rudy Molera
David Morales
Robert Murillo
Danny Ortega
John Ortega
Luis Fernando Parra
Laura Pastor
Mary Peralta
Marci Rios
Sal Rivera
Mary Lou Rosales
Angie Sifuentes
Lisa Urias
Dora Vasquez
Emily Verdugo-Aldrich
Veronica Zapata Vaughn
Lujan is an Arizona native. He grew up in the Phoenix area, received both his undergraduate and law degrees from Arizona State University, and is currently the staff attorney for the non-profit Defenders of Children providing legal services to victims of child abuse and domestic violence.
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Lujan Opposes Politicizing Arizona's Legal System
Calls on other Attorney General candidates to defend judicial independence
PHOENIX - In response to calls to put more politics into Arizona's judge selection process, Democratic Attorney General candidate David Lujan called on his fellow contenders to defend the legal system from ideological politicians.
Arizona's current system of selecting judges for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Maricopa and Pima Superior Court is based on the merit of the candidates, with a panel of experts weeding out those applicants who are clearly unqualified to serve on the bench. Republican Andrew Thomas, whose record as County Attorney is riddled with examples of placing politics above justice, has proposed to do away with some of these protections. Instead of keeping unqualified judges off of the bench, Thomas wants the Governor to be able to appoint any lawyer they want to our most important courts, even if their only qualification is political support for the Governor.
"Our citizens can only trust the legal system if they know that their rights will be protected regardless of a judge's politics," said Lujan, a former Assistant Attorney General. He added that Arizonans could not be sure of those rights if the courts can be packed with political cronies, chosen without regard for their lack of qualifications. The merit selection system is not perfect, Lujan said, but it does a much better job of keeping politics out of the process than Thomas' proposed "reforms" would.
Lujan called on the other Democratic candidates for Attorney General to join him in standing up for Arizona's legal system against the influence of politics. In Maricopa County, he said, we've seen what happens when politicians try to manipulate the legal system to their own advantage. As County Attorney, Thomas racked up huge legal fees intimidating judges and political opponents, while letting thousands of felony warrants go unnoticed. Arizona cannot afford to see that kind of manipulation at the state level.
"Justice must always come before politics and this misguided plan would do just the opposite," Lujan concluded.
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