Ariz. Senate President Russell Pearce

As I write this, Election Day is ticking away its last minutes. Among all the results, both surprises and their opposite, it’s looking very much like we won’t have Russell Pearce to kick around anymore.

As the Arizona Daily Star reported late last night:

“Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce—architect of some of the nation’s toughest state laws against illegal immigration—was ousted by voters Tuesday in an unprecedented recall.

“Results late Tuesday showed challenger Jerry Lewis, a political newcomer, with a 53-to-45 percent margin over Pearce in his east Mesa district. Both are Republicans. A small percentage also cast ballots for Olivia Cortes, although she withdrew from the race.

“Pearce conceded defeat, saying he is disappointed and will spend some time ‘with my family and my God’ before deciding what to do next. He has not ruled out another run—including to get his seat back.”

God wasn’t available for comment. But you can read the whole story here.

There were many twists and turns in this race, but at its heart, there was no more “legal” election battle this year. The Senate President may have disputed it, but SB1070 and its fellow immigration laws were all over this race.

The ouster of Russell Pearce likely pleases or dismays many Arizona lawyers, whose opinions on immigration and a great many other things are very diverse. But for me, the surprise in the race was farther down the tote board.

252 votes for Olivia Cortes.

Who? Oh, yes, that Olivia Cortes. The one caught up in allegations that she was a sham candidate whose sole purpose was to draw votes away from Jerry Lewis and therefore to help Russell Pearce.

The tale of the tape

Well, if that was the plan, it didn’t work very well. But her inclusion on the ballot still garnered some support, long after interminable news stories documented her lack of genuine commitment to public service and to this race.

Who are those 252 people, you have to wonder?

I will grant her this: Her family probably supported her with their votes. I mean, even if my mom were a sham candidate running for town council back in Poughquag, N.Y., I’d still be inclined to cast my vote her way. Sham or not, family’s family.

So let’s give Olivia the credit of 10, no, 20, hell, let’s say 50 family votes.

Given that, who are those 202 other people who voted for a woman who had formally withdrawn after having barely been in the race to start with? A woman with no positions, no record, no political accomplishments? Someone whose withdrawal opportunely came immediately before a scheduled candidate debate and a court hearing that would have put her “supporters” on record under oath?

I am inclined to search out those 200 or so voters and to ask them to leave the state. Just leave.

At the very least, those voters should be included in a list of potential jurors who are unaware of and unswayed by news stories.

Happy Election Day-after.