McComish says Schweikert has best chance
By Adam Sneed, The Arizona Guardian

Congressional candidate David Schweikert is racking up support from the Legislature's GOP leadership for his bid in a packed Republican primary for Arizona's 5th Congressional District.

Among those backing Schweikert are House and Senate majority leaders, John McComish and Chuck Gray. Others include House Appropriations Committee Chairman John Kavanagh and Commerce Committee Chairwoman Michele Reagan.

Perhaps the most high-profile supporter is Sen. Russell Pearce, author of the state's new immigration law.

The Schweikert campaign printed a handout comparing SB 1070 to federal immigration law that included Pearce's endorsement. The flier has a photo of Pearce alongside a statement saying, "David Schweikert understands how Washington has failed Arizona, and I trust him to be the guy to fix it."

"It's so great to have the ground support of GOP leadership," said Oliver Scwhab, Schweikert's campaign manager.

The legislators are set to appear at a June 10 fundraiser for Schweikert, himself a former legislator and Maricopa County treasurer. He ran unsuccessfully against incumbent Democrat Rep. Harry Mitchell in 2008.

Schweikert said he hasn't asked for public endorsements but has received support from the lawmakers, whom he worked with at the state and county level.

Kavanagh and Reagan currently serve in Legislative District 8, which covers the area Schweikert represented from 1991 to 1994. During that time he served in the Legislature with Pearce's brother, then-Sen. Lester Pearce.

While Pearce might not sit well with all voters, Schweikert said it's helpful to have his support.

"He rubs some people the wrong way, because sometimes he's blatantly direct," Schweikert said. "But having Russell stand up in front of some of the conservative groups, the Tea Party groups, is sort of like having a Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval," he said. McComish said he believes Schweikert has the best shot at capturing the northeast Valley district for the GOP.

"While there are a number of attractive and qualified candidates, I think David's experience... makes him the most qualified and most able to beat Harry Mitchell in the general election," McComish said.

With six Republicans filing signatures in the primary to face Mitchell, all candidates can use endorsements to stand out.

Retiring Rep. John Shadegg, a Republican from CD 3, endorsed businessman Jim Ward for CD 5 earlier this year.

The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association has endorsed former Scottsdale City Councilwoman Susan Bitter Smith. Bitter Smith has also made it appear that she has the endorsement of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, but the sheriff says he will stay out of the district's Republican primary.

Schweikert said he doesn't typically believe in asking for endorsements, but might reconsider this time around.

"Maybe in this election I need to step up and ask my friends to give me an official endorsement," he said.