TDA: Tell us about your career/background and how it relates to the position you’re seeking.

NB: I believe my career as a wife and mother more than prepared me for the position because, as a parent, you learn the fine art of negotiation. The way each family runs is based on its set of values, and as an elected official you also need a framework of where you’re coming from. As a wife and mother, I identify with families, have a passion for the family.  I’ve been an advocate for family issues for 20 years, helping other pro‑family candidates get elected and advocating for family issues at the legislature.

TDA: What are your political qualifications?

NB: I was precinct committeewoman for District 7 and was later elected chairwoman. Along with other people, we grew the district into a very effective political force in the area.

I also have the advantage of several months in the legislature.

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

NB: Education is extremely important, especially to me. We need to keep school choice moving forward in our state and put accountability measures in the public school system. Money is important, but it doesn’t teach children. I would like to see school choice and accountability initiatives continue. One of the biggest things is making sure Arizona continues to have the most charter schools. This gives parents an option of where to send their children to school. Some people want to eliminate charter schools as an option, but I think we need to keep them going. We had quite a lot of success in this sesssion with increasing corporate tuition tax credits for private education. The more options you have in education, the better the overall education policy.

Having a healthy tax policy in Arizona is extremely important. The economy in Arizona and in the country is booming; unemployment is low. In Arizona, we need to decide what we’re going to do with excess money. I would like to see individual and property taxes decline. The legislature just passed some healthy tax cuts, which is extremely important for families. People are concerned about property tax rates going up, so we have to address that.

It’s important for families that we protect parental rights, making sure parents are in charge of how they educate their children and where they educate them, giving them the last word on their health and education. For instance, labeling students as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and having them tested means parenteral rights are under attack, and I’m concerned about that.

Securing the border is on everyone’s mind. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a lot done this session. We need to use technology to make sure we have barriers at the border and that we have more Border Patrol agents. We (the legislature) are dealing with illegal immigration on many levels, putting some things on the ballot. I’m just not sure how effective they will be at solving the problem. But we’re moving in the right direction. Until we get our borders secure, however, anything we do is not going to solve the problem. We’ve got to start somewhere, holding employers accountable and giving law enforcement the resources they need to do the job.

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

NB: I believe I have been uniquely prepared. My kids are at an age where they’re independent, so I have the energy to focus on the issues–and I’m very passionate about them. I’ve proved my commitment to the family by serving my own family and volunteering in the schools. This is the next logical step for me.

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

NB: I come from a very political family. My parents were wonderful examples. My father was always involved in one group or another. In fact, he started the Arizona Committee for Responsible Education. They rewarded excellence in education and educators in the public school system.

TDA: Tell us about your career/background and how it relates to the position you’re seeking.

DBS: While living in Colorado, I was district chairman of the Republican party in Jefferson County, outside Denver.

I was also vice president and founder of the South Jefferson Republicans Club. I moved to Arizona in 1981 and served as presiding judge for Peoria Municipal Court from 1987‑94, judge pro tem for the Town of Wickenburg from 1985‑86, and as presiding judge for Cave Creek Municipal Court from 1995‑98.

I ran for the Arizona Senate three times, but lost all three elections. I then ran for the House seat in 2004 and won. I’ve been a precinct committee person in Carefree since 1996. I also was chosen to be an Arizona delegate to George W. Bush’s nomination in 2004 but couldn’t go because I was involved in my own campaign.

TDA: What are your political qualifications?

DBS: I’m well‑educated. I served as prosecutor in Littleton, Colo., a defense lawyer in Arizona for 25 years and as a judge for 25 years. I have experience in all three sides of government: executive, judicial and legislative. I had some good bills pending when I left office. I have a job to finish for the people in District 7 and in the state.

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

DBS: The No. 1 issue is illegal immigrants. People are sick and tired of what’s going on. The

illegals are driving up health‑care costs, driving up costs of education. And more are coming in. They say we have 12 million illegals, but I think we have more than that. In criminal court, I’d say 40 percent of the defendants are non‑English speaking. I’m the strongest candidate to do something about illegal immigration.

I was working on a bill while in the legislature that would determine the cost of each illegal criminal defendant. We would then submit the cost of illegal defendants to the federal government and, in turn, ask them to ask the Mexican government to pay it. I also supported a bill to make illegal aliens criminals once they crossed the border illegally. This is an emotional issue, an expensive issue.

Taxpayers are demanding action.

Tax reform is another major issue. I got most of my (petition) signatures in Carefree, and people told me we have to do something about property taxes. A lot of people are retired.

Property taxes are a lien on our property. We need to put a cap on it. Second, eliminate corporate income taxes over the next ten years. This will bring new business to the state, making up for the loss of income due to lower tax rates for corporations.

I also favor removing the state income tax over a period of years, gradually reducing the rate, and we’ll have to make up the revenues some way. More businesses will mean more income tax. This will take some planning and strategy, but that’s my goal. It’s not going to be an easy sell because the people in the legislature want to spend more, not cut more.

I also want to make Arizona the education state of the union. I represent three school districts and all have a good education system. I want to bring the rest of the state up to the standards of the

Paradise Valley, Scottsdale and Cave Creek school districts. What brings down education is illegals who can’t speak English. We also need to reward teachers for doing a good job. We should have an incentive program for higher salaries based upon performance. If the students

succeed, the teachers should be rewarded.

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

DBS: I’m going to work harder to get elected, and I believe my ideas and philosophy represent what the voters want. While in the legislature, I was a friend of taxpayers and families. The only criticism they may have is that I was removed. But you don’t cry over spilled milk, and I’m going to look forward. None of the candidates have my background and qualifications. I plan to go door to door during the next several months and see 10,000 people in the district.

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

DBS: I’m a conservative Republican. I supported former President Reagan and his goal to reduce the size of government. Government is not the solution. Government is the problem.

If people liked Ronald Reagan’s philosophy, they will like me.