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It’s official: Rep. David Lujan for AG

Back in October we had reported that Arizona State Representative David Lujan was exploring the possibility of running for state attorney general. He has now formally announced his candidacy

Back in October we had reported that Arizona State Representative David Lujan was exploring the possibility of running for state attorney general. He has now formally announced his candidacy (www.davidlujan.com).

Lujan, who has served as assistant attorney general, a prosecutor, and House minority leader, is currently serving his third term as state representative and second term on the Phoenix Union High School District governing board. The National Association of Social Workers - Arizona Chapter, recognized Lujan as its 2009 Public Elected Official of the Year based on his accomplishments, risks taken on a personal and professional basis, and the long-term impact of his work.

Lujan has worked on legislation to enact policies to protect victims of domestic violence and abuse.  Lujan is currently the staff attorney for Defenders of Children, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) agency.

Among Lujan’s growing list of supporters are Arizona Sens. Rebecca Rios, Amanda Aguirre, Ken Cheuvront,  Leah Landrum Taylor, and Debbie McCune Davis; Reps. Kyrsten Sinema, Chad Campbell, Jack Brown, Steve Farley, Ed Ableser, Cloves Campbell Jr., Tom Chabin, Martha Garcia, Barbara McGuire, Eric Meyer, Robert Meza, Lynne Pancrazi, David Schapira, Anna Tovar, Rae Waters, and Nancy Young Wright; Mayors Phil Gordon and Marie Lopez Rogers, and Amy Kobeta, president of the Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board.

In announcing his candidacy, Lujan stressed the state’s need for “an attorney general who will seek justice for all Arizonans, not just the rich or the well connected.”  While he was speaking in general terms, Republican School Superintendent Tom Horne comes to mind here. As you may recall after announcing his candidacy for AG, Horne conceived of a fundraising club where in exchange for $840, he would meet regularly with donors. He later scratched the idea.

“We cannot afford to elect a Republican who will put ideology ahead of justice, or politics ahead of people,” states Lujan. He was also speaking in general terms here, but for whatever reason, this reminds us of Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and his now highly publicized and costly altercations with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and his work on behalf of Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Rumor has it Andy Thomas is interested in taking his antics to the state AG office.

Seeking the Democratic nomination are two other former prosecutors with the attorney general’s office: former Superintendent of Financial Institutions Felecia Rotellini and former Assistant Attorney General Vince Rabago.

Rabago, a Cochise County native, announced his candidacy in late January with press conferences in Tucson and Phoenix. In announcing his candidacy, Rabago underscored his experience as a prosecutor and in dealing with the state’s open-meeting laws, mortgage fraud, and payday lenders. “In this time of severe economic crisis, the attorney general’s office needs a leader who is a proven fighter and who can hit the ground running,” says Rabago.