REDISTRICTING TRUTH: HE SAID, SHE SAID

posted by Michael Chihak

The independent chairwoman and two Democratic members of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission have denied any wrongdoing in relation to the state Constitution and the Open Meeting Law.

One Republican commissioner reiterated his claim that the chairwoman offered him a quid pro quo in exchange for his vote to hire Strategic Telemetry as the commission's mapping consultant.

Chairwoman Colleen Mathis said in her written response to Gov. Jan Brewer's demand that commissioners explain why their actions aren't illegal that she sought unanimous consensus on Strategic Telemetry. She denied offering a quid pro quo, and she concluded her letter by saying, "I certify under penalty of perjury that my response to all questions and requests are true and correct."

Republican Commissioner Richard Stertz said in his letter, "Chairwoman Mathis confirmed that if I were to vote with her in regards to the selection of Strategic Telemetry, she would provide a favorable vote for me in the future."

Democratic Commissioners Jose Herrera and Linda McNulty in their letters denied any wrongdoing. The letter from Republican Commissioner Scott Freeman was not made available Monday morning by the commission's spokesman.