TDA: What are your political qualifications?

JH: I ran for state Senate in 2002 by knocking on 7,500 doors, asking citizens to vote for me. I won against a three‑term incumbent who had been unaccountable to his constituents. My voting record is very consistent with the beliefs of the citizens of my district.

TDA: What are the biggest issues among constituents in your district and throughout the state, and how do you plan to address them?

JH: I believe government should emphasize on its core function. We should have the National Guard on the border to deter terrorists and illegal aliens from entering our country. We should do an excellent job on education, whether it is through the public system or school choice. We should accelerate our freeway construction. And we should allow citizens to enjoy the success of our hot economy and give them back some of the money they overpaid in taxes.

I have already achieved this list. The governor has taken credit for two issues that were my agenda, elimination of the tax on active‑duty military pay and National Guard on the border.

We are spending nearly $600 million more on public education this year than in 2005 and increasing school choice.

TDA: Tell us why you should be chosen to represent your party in the general election, rather than another candidate from your party.

JH: I put my faith and principles before politics. I have never accepted a bribe. I have always communicated with my constituents personally. I have the right values that match the voters of my district.

TDA: Are you a Clean Elections candidate?

JH: Yes.

TDA: Tell us anything else voters should know about you or your views.

JH: I am honored that the voters have chosen me to serve them for the last two terms. I have honored every pledge and campaign pledge that I made. I was successful in eliminating the income tax on active‑duty military pay so that Arizona is not taxing soldiers while they are sacrificing for us.

Reach the reporter at barry@thedesertadvocate.com.

BW: I’ve walked the district. We have a huge district and the issues are numerous, from water to transportation. But one recurring issue among the people I’ve spoken with is illegal immigration and how it adversely affects everyone and the costs to the criminal justice system, schools and the health‑care system.

As a law enforcement officer, it was very frustrating. I remember stopping a van full of illegal aliens while on duty in Quartzsite. I couldn’t arrest them –I had to wait for the U.S. Border Patrol. And if they didn’t come, we had to let them go because there was no criminal violation.

First thing you have to do is change the law so all active law enforcement, regardless of jurisdiction, have the authority to enforce the immigration laws. It’s not an officer’s prerogative to enforce the laws as he sees fit– it’s the legislature’s. They need to give law enforcement the resources to protect the citizens of Arizona. This would have a huge, huge impact on everyone in Arizona. We have failed miserably in this area.

The other big issue is transportation. My district has two of the hugest parking lots, I‑17 and 1‑10. Money taken out of HURF (Highway Use Revenue Fund) needs to put back so we can accelerate the building of freeways. This is a huge, huge issue where our representatives have failed to look down this road. Legislators need to provide safe transportation for the people of the state.

TDA: Tell us why you should be chosen to represent your party in the general election, rather than your opponent.

BW: It’s always good to have choices. I retired in August 2005 and had no interest in being a politician or running for office. So many politicians at the national level had been in the news for corruption, for compromising their integrity. But rather than sit around and complain, I decided to offer myself up for consideration. My opponent in the primary has four years in public service, compared with my 25.

The senator for District 4 needs to maintain his respectability and professionalism to deal effectively with fellow senators. I’m coming into the race with my integrity and I’ll leave with it. Sen. Harper was forced to give a public apology on the Senate floor.

He has totally isolated himself. It’s unprofessional to use those kinds of tactics. I will have opportunity to debate him, and I look forward to it.

TDA: Are you a Clean Elections candidate?

BW: Yes, I’m running Clean.

TDA: Tell us anything else voters should know about you or your views.           

BW: Everybody has areas of concern, and it would be my job to represent the people in the district. I’ll have an open door and be approachable. You cannot isolate yourself or demean people. I believe I’m more of a mainstream Republican, conservative but not radical.

Reach the reporter at barry@thedesertadvocate.com.