PHOENIX - Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has announced a Nov. 8 recall election for state Senate leader Russell Pearce. Pearce was the chief sponsor of SB1070, the state's controversial legislation against illegal immigration.
Fed up with what it calls "divisive politics," the group Citizens for a Better Arizona filed its petition with the Arizona Secretary of State last month.
The coalition gathered more than twice the amount of signatures required to submit the petition, a total of 18,315. The required amount is 7,756 signatures.
“Today, citizens from Arizona have come together to make a bold statement that the divisive and extreme politics of Russell Pearce must end,” said Randy Parraz, an organizer for the recall campaign.
Pearce is best known for sponsoring immigration measures, including the 2010 enforcement law SB1070. A judge has placed key provisions of that measure on hold while they're challenged in federal court.
Pearce says he'll remain in office and campaign for retention by voters in his legislative district.