Conservative Pals From Gilbert, Arizona, Are Primary Foes

Summary

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It's a contest between two sworn conservatives - and friends - in the GOP primary race for the District 22 Senate seat, but a third candidate is hoping the two will split some votes and leave him with enough to snatch a victory on Sept. 2.

Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, who has reached a term limit this year, is challenging Thayer Verschoor, the Senate majority leader from Gilbert. The two are among the most conservative lawmakers in the Legislature. On the same page ideologically, they see eye to eye on most issues. They also are former carpool buddies.

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Conservative Pals From Gilbert, Arizona, Are Primary Foes

But Farnsworth said he is unhappy with Verschoor's voting record. "My good friend, Thayer, has chosen to make decisions as majority leader that I just disagree with and I don't think it represents what he believes," Farnsworth said in April. It's a serious charge. Farnsworth is effectively saying Verschoor has set aside his conservative values because of leadership pressures.

But Verschoor blamed term limits for Farnsworth's decision to run. "This is an unfortunate issue that we have to face because of term limits. He is termed out of there," Verschoor sa...

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