PHOENIX – With just one week until Arizona’s primary election, political spending to affect legislative races paid for by outside groups that don’t disclose the source of the money amounts to almost half a million dollars.
The $478,000 in “dark money” was spent in the past six weeks, ramping up during the past two, once early ballots were mailed to Arizona voters.
A Republican-leaning legislative district representing northwestern Arizona, including Kingman and Lake Havasu City, has attracted the most money — about a quarter of the spending so far. “Dark money” groups have spent almost $65,000 to help Rep. Sonny Borrelli, R-Lake Havasu City, defeat former Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, in the race for their district’s senate seat. “Dark money” groups spent $50,000 in the fight over the district’s two house seats.
Another $84,000 has been spent in Legislative District 12, a Republican district in the suburban, southeastern corner of the Phoenix metro area, including parts of Gilbert and Chandler. All of the “dark money” spent in the district has gone to help one slate. Positive spending has gone to help Rep. Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, move from one of the district’s two House seats to the Senate, and to help re-elect veteran legislator Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, and to help newcomer Travis Grantham, R-Gilbert, replace Petersen. Negative spending has gone to defeat fellow Republican candidate for Senate Jimmy Lindblom, R-Gilbert, and Republican House candidate LaCinda Lewis, R-Gilbert.
American Federation For Children, Inc. spent the most “dark money” in Arizona so far, with $213,000 going mostly to help specific Republicans in primary fights. The group spent $24,000 to help one Democrat, Steven Begay, who is running for the Senate in the heavily Native American Legislative District 7. The pro-charter school group spent only $205,000 during the entire 2014 election cycle.
Arizona Free Enterprise Club spent roughly $77,000 so far, also entirely to sway Republican primaries. The group ended up spending roughly $248,000 in legislative races during the 2014 cycle, and another $1.2 million in statewide races that year.
Be sure to follow AZCIR’s Dark Money Twitter Bot (@AZDarkMoneyBot) for near-real time “Dark Money” updates.
Download all “dark money” transactions
| Expenditure Date | Filing Committee | Elect or Defeat | Target Committee | Race | Chamber | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/13/16 | Arizona Cattle Feeders' Association | Advocating Election | David Cook 4 Office | AZLD8 | House | $5,420.00 |
| 7/14/16 | Arizona Wins | Advocating Election | Re-Elect Quezada 2Q16 | AZLD29 | Senate | $14,480.00 |
| 7/14/16 | Arizona Wins | Advocating Election | Committee to Elect Maritza Miranda Saenz | AZLD27 | Senate | $14,480.00 |
| 7/25/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Conservatives for Stringer | AZLD1 | House | $9,772.79 |
| 7/26/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Election | Friends of Warren Petersen 2016 | AZLD12 | Senate | $2,119.20 |
| 7/26/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Election | Eddie Farnsworth 2016 | AZLD12 | House | $2,119.20 |
| 7/26/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Election | Grantham for Arizona | AZLD12 | House | $2,119.20 |
| 7/26/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Election | Bowers 2016 | AZLD25 | House | $2,049.50 |
| 7/27/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Griffin for Senate 2016 | AZLD14 | Senate | $2,969.27 |
| 7/27/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Friends of Warren Petersen 2016 | AZLD12 | Senate | $3,101.98 |
| 7/27/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Bowers 2016 | AZLD25 | House | $3,593.05 |
| 7/27/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Anthony Sizer For AZ State House | AZLD14 | House | $2,969.26 |
| 7/27/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | VOTE BECKY | AZLD14 | House | $2,969.26 |
| 7/27/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Eddie Farnsworth 2016 | AZLD12 | House | $3,101.97 |
| 7/27/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Bob Worsley for State Senate 2016 | AZLD25 | Senate | $3,593.06 |
| 7/27/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Grantham for Arizona | AZLD12 | House | $3,101.97 |
| 7/27/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Elect Ross Groen | AZLD25 | House | $3,593.05 |
| 7/28/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Election | CTE Paul Mosley | AZLD5 | House | $6,810.68 |
| 7/28/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Election | Syms for Arizona | AZLD28 | House | $6,099.00 |
| 7/28/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Election | Elect Ross Groen | AZLD25 | House | $2,049.50 |
| 8/1/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Friends of Warren Petersen 2016 | AZLD12 | Senate | $1,216.96 |
| 8/1/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Bowers 2016 | AZLD25 | House | $998.81 |
| 8/1/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Eddie Farnsworth 2016 | AZLD12 | House | $1,216.96 |
| 8/1/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Grantham for Arizona | AZLD12 | House | $1,216.96 |
| 8/1/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Syms for Arizona | AZLD28 | House | $1,279.20 |
| 8/1/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Elect Ross Groen | AZLD25 | House | $998.81 |
| 8/2/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Election | Friends of Warren Petersen 2016 | AZLD12 | Senate | $565.60 |
| 8/2/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Election | Eddie Farnsworth 2016 | AZLD12 | House | $565.60 |
| 8/2/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Election | Grantham for Arizona | AZLD12 | House | $565.60 |
| 8/3/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Conservatives for Stringer | AZLD1 | House | $10,858.00 |
| 8/3/16 | Arizona Cattle Feeders' Association | Advocating Election | Drew John for State House - Primary | AZLD14 | House | $3,450.00 |
| 8/3/16 | Arizona Cattle Feeders' Association | Advocating Election | VOTE BECKY | AZLD14 | House | $3,450.00 |
| 8/3/16 | Arizona Cattle Feeders' Association | Advocating Election | Grantham for Arizona | AZLD12 | House | $8,280.00 |
| 8/5/16 | Market Freedom Alliance | Advocating Defeat | CTE Ron Gould | AZLD5 | Senate | $6,120.00 |
| 8/5/16 | Market Freedom Alliance | Advocating Defeat | CTE Ron Gould | AZLD5 | Senate | $3,500.00 |
| 8/5/16 | Market Freedom Alliance | Advocating Defeat | CTE Ron Gould | AZLD5 | Senate | $3,794.40 |
| 8/5/16 | Market Freedom Alliance | Advocating Defeat | CTE Ron Gould | AZLD5 | Senate | $3,230.55 |
| 8/5/16 | Market Freedom Alliance | Advocating Election | BORRELLI SENATE COMMITTEE | AZLD5 | Senate | $3,230.55 |
| 8/5/16 | Market Freedom Alliance | Advocating Election | BORRELLI SENATE COMMITTEE | AZLD5 | Senate | $3,500.00 |
| 8/5/16 | Market Freedom Alliance | Advocating Election | BORRELLI SENATE COMMITTEE | AZLD5 | Senate | $3,794.40 |
| 8/5/16 | Market Freedom Alliance | Advocating Election | BORRELLI SENATE COMMITTEE | AZLD5 | Senate | $6,120.00 |
| 8/5/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Griffin for Senate 2016 | AZLD14 | Senate | $2,927.60 |
| 8/5/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Griffin for Senate 2016 | AZLD14 | Senate | $1,695.94 |
| 8/5/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Friends of Warren Petersen 2016 | AZLD12 | Senate | $3,068.64 |
| 8/5/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Bowers 2016 | AZLD25 | House | $3,779.97 |
| 8/5/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Defeat | Regina E.Cobb 2016 | AZLD5 | House | $9,358.71 |
| 8/5/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Defeat | Regina E.Cobb 2016 | AZLD5 | House | $4,279.60 |
| 8/5/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Anthony Sizer For AZ State House | AZLD14 | House | $1,695.93 |
| 8/5/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Anthony Sizer For AZ State House | AZLD14 | House | $2,927.59 |
| 8/5/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Defeat | Committee to Elect Mary Hamway | AZLD28 | House | $6,619.70 |
| 8/5/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | VOTE BECKY | AZLD14 | House | $1,695.93 |
| 8/5/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | VOTE BECKY | AZLD14 | House | $2,927.60 |
| 8/5/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | CTE Paul Mosley | AZLD5 | House | $4,679.36 |
| 8/5/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Eddie Farnsworth 2016 | AZLD12 | House | $3,068.64 |
| 8/5/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Conservatives for Stringer | AZLD1 | House | $12,137.45 |
| 8/5/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Conservatives for Stringer | AZLD1 | House | $4,730.80 |
| 8/5/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Committee to Elect Sam Medrano | AZLD5 | House | $4,679.35 |
| 8/5/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Bob Worsley for State Senate 2016 | AZLD25 | Senate | $3,779.98 |
| 8/5/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Grantham for Arizona | AZLD12 | House | $3,068.64 |
| 8/5/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Elect Ross Groen | AZLD25 | House | $3,779.98 |
| 8/6/16 | Market Freedom Alliance | Advocating Defeat | CTE Ron Gould | AZLD5 | Senate | $2,571.85 |
| 8/6/16 | Market Freedom Alliance | Advocating Election | BORRELLI SENATE COMMITTEE | AZLD5 | Senate | $2,571.85 |
| 8/6/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Friends of Warren Petersen 2016 | AZLD12 | Senate | $126.06 |
| 8/6/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Bowers 2016 | AZLD25 | House | $110.06 |
| 8/6/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Eddie Farnsworth 2016 | AZLD12 | House | $126.06 |
| 8/6/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Grantham for Arizona | AZLD12 | House | $126.06 |
| 8/6/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Syms for Arizona | AZLD28 | House | $82.21 |
| 8/6/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Elect Ross Groen | AZLD25 | House | $110.06 |
| 8/8/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Bowers 2016 | AZLD25 | House | $1,066.31 |
| 8/8/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Syms for Arizona | AZLD28 | House | $1,383.99 |
| 8/8/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Elect Ross Groen | AZLD25 | House | $1,066.31 |
| 8/9/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Defeat | Committee to Elect Mary Hamway | AZLD28 | House | $9,753.10 |
| 8/9/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Committee to Elect Steven C Begay | AZLD7 | Senate | $9,285.62 |
| 8/9/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Committee to Elect Steven C Begay | AZLD7 | Senate | $4,483.50 |
| 8/10/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Defeat | Committee to Elect Diane Landis | AZLD13 | Senate | $6,177.00 |
| 8/11/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Election | Friends of Warren Petersen 2016 | AZLD12 | Senate | $3,291.20 |
| 8/11/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Election | Elect Matt Morales | AZLD28 | House | $3,999.50 |
| 8/11/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Defeat | Jimmy Lindblom for State Senate | AZLD12 | Senate | $3,291.20 |
| 8/11/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Election | Syms for Arizona | AZLD28 | House | $3,999.50 |
| 8/11/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Friends of Warren Petersen 2016 | AZLD12 | Senate | $666.62 |
| 8/11/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Friends of Warren Petersen 2016 | AZLD12 | Senate | $1,463.74 |
| 8/11/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Eddie Farnsworth 2016 | AZLD12 | House | $1,463.74 |
| 8/11/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Eddie Farnsworth 2016 | AZLD12 | House | $666.62 |
| 8/11/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Grantham for Arizona | AZLD12 | House | $666.62 |
| 8/11/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Grantham for Arizona | AZLD12 | House | $1,463.74 |
| 8/12/16 | Arizona CATalyst, Inc. | Advocating Election | Committee to Elect Diane Landis | AZLD13 | Senate | $6,500.00 |
| 8/12/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Defeat | Regina E.Cobb 2016 | AZLD5 | House | $3,745.00 |
| 8/12/16 | Arizona Trucking Association | Advocating Election | BORRELLI SENATE COMMITTEE | AZLD5 | Senate | $3,564.21 |
| 8/15/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Defeat | Jimmy Lindblom for State Senate | AZLD12 | Senate | $4,554.51 |
| 8/15/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Defeat | LewisforAZHouse | AZLD12 | House | $4,554.50 |
| 8/14/16 | Market Freedom Alliance | Advocating Defeat | CTE Ron Gould | AZLD5 | Senate | $3,500.00 |
| 8/14/16 | Market Freedom Alliance | Advocating Defeat | CTE Ron Gould | AZLD5 | Senate | $4,680.00 |
| 8/14/16 | Market Freedom Alliance | Advocating Election | BORRELLI SENATE COMMITTEE | AZLD5 | Senate | $4,680.00 |
| 8/14/16 | Market Freedom Alliance | Advocating Election | BORRELLI SENATE COMMITTEE | AZLD5 | Senate | $3,500.00 |
| 8/5/16 | Home Builders Association of Central Arizona | Advocating Election | David Cook 4 Office | AZLD8 | House | $1,000.00 |
| 8/15/16 | Home Builders Association of Central Arizona | Advocating Election | Friends of Warren Petersen 2016 | AZLD12 | Senate | $4,831.00 |
| 8/15/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Bowers 2016 | AZLD25 | House | $1,240.01 |
| 8/15/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Syms for Arizona | AZLD28 | House | $1,225.66 |
| 8/15/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Elect Ross Groen | AZLD25 | House | $1,240.01 |
| 8/16/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Friends of Warren Petersen 2016 | AZLD12 | Senate | $1,342.00 |
| 8/16/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Eddie Farnsworth 2016 | AZLD12 | House | $1,342.00 |
| 8/16/16 | CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY ACTION | Advocating Election | Grantham for Arizona | AZLD12 | House | $1,342.00 |
| 8/17/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Election | CTE Paul Mosley | AZLD5 | House | $4,323.26 |
| 8/17/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Election | Conservatives for Stringer | AZLD1 | House | $9,198.11 |
| 8/17/16 | Arizona Cattle Feeders' Association | Advocating Election | Friends of Warren Petersen 2016 | AZLD12 | Senate | $500.00 |
| 8/17/16 | Arizona Cattle Feeders' Association | Advocating Election | Bowers 2016 | AZLD25 | House | $1,000.00 |
| 8/17/16 | Arizona Cattle Feeders' Association | Advocating Election | David Cook 4 Office | AZLD8 | House | $4,352.00 |
| 8/17/16 | Arizona Cattle Feeders' Association | Advocating Election | Grantham for Arizona | AZLD12 | House | $500.00 |
| 8/17/16 | Home Builders Association of Central Arizona | Advocating Election | Friends of Warren Petersen 2016 | AZLD12 | Senate | $1,250.00 |
| 8/17/16 | Home Builders Association of Central Arizona | Advocating Election | David Cook 4 Office | AZLD8 | House | $1,000.00 |
| 8/17/16 | Home Builders Association of Central Arizona | Advocating Election | Grantham for Arizona | AZLD12 | House | $1,250.00 |
| 8/17/16 | Arizona Student Achievement Coalition | Advocating Election | MIRANDA FOR SENATE 2016 | AZLD27 | Senate | $1,629.00 |
| 8/17/16 | Arizona Student Achievement Coalition | Advocating Election | Friends of Reginald Bolding | AZLD27 | House | $1,314.00 |
| 8/17/16 | Arizona Student Achievement Coalition | Advocating Election | Rios for House 2016 | AZLD27 | House | $1,315.00 |
| 8/17/16 | Arizona Student Achievement Coalition | Advocating Election | Bowers 2016 | AZLD25 | House | $6,077.00 |
| 8/18/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Election | Bowers 2016 | AZLD25 | House | $3,400.00 |
| 8/18/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Election | Elect Ross Groen | AZLD25 | House | $3,400.00 |
| 8/18/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Defeat | Committee to Elect Diane Landis | AZLD13 | House | $5,533.00 |
| 8/18/16 | Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association | Advocating Election | Regina E.Cobb 2016 | AZLD5 | House | $3,249.00 |
| 8/18/16 | Arizona Trucking Association | Advocating Election | BORRELLI SENATE COMMITTEE | AZLD5 | Senate | $3,564.21 |
| 8/19/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Griffin for Senate 2016 | AZLD14 | Senate | $1,646.52 |
| 8/19/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Bowers 2016 | AZLD25 | House | $1,997.38 |
| 8/19/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Defeat | Regina E.Cobb 2016 | AZLD5 | House | $1,869.35 |
| 8/19/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Anthony Sizer For AZ State House | AZLD14 | House | $1,646.51 |
| 8/19/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Defeat | Committee to Elect Mary Hamway | AZLD28 | House | $5,488.65 |
| 8/19/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Defeat | Committee to Elect Mary Hamway | AZLD28 | House | $8,690.13 |
| 8/19/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | VOTE BECKY | AZLD14 | House | $1,646.51 |
| 8/19/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | CTE Paul Mosley | AZLD5 | House | $1,869.36 |
| 8/19/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Committee to Elect Sam Medrano | AZLD5 | House | $1,869.35 |
| 8/19/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Bob Worsley for State Senate 2016 | AZLD25 | Senate | $1,997.39 |
| 8/19/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Committee to Elect Steven C Begay | AZLD7 | Senate | $7,714.24 |
| 8/19/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Committee to Elect Steven C Begay | AZLD7 | Senate | $320.25 |
| 8/19/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Defeat | Jimmy Lindblom for State Senate | AZLD12 | Senate | $2,544.66 |
| 8/19/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Defeat | LewisforAZHouse | AZLD12 | House | $2,544.66 |
| 8/19/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Elect Ross Groen | AZLD25 | House | $1,997.39 |
| 8/19/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Election | Friends of Warren Petersen 2016 | AZLD12 | Senate | $2,730.58 |
| 8/19/16 | Arizona Free Enterprise Club | Advocating Defeat | Jimmy Lindblom for State Senate | AZLD12 | Senate | $2,730.58 |
| 8/19/16 | Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association | Advocating Election | Drew John for State House - Primary | AZLD14 | House | $1,392.00 |
| 8/19/16 | Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association | Advocating Election | Bowers 2016 | AZLD25 | House | $2,748.00 |
| 8/19/16 | Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association | Advocating Election | Chip Davis for AZ | AZLD1 | House | $5,001.00 |
| 8/19/16 | Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association | Advocating Election | BORRELLI SENATE COMMITTEE | AZLD5 | Senate | $2,876.00 |
| 8/19/16 | Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association | Advocating Election | Committee to Elect Sam Medrano | AZLD5 | House | $3,249.00 |
| 8/22/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Committee to Elect Steven C Begay | AZLD7 | Senate | $2,324.70 |
| 8/22/16 | American Federation for Children, Inc. | Advocating Election | Committee to Elect Steven C Begay | AZLD7 | Senate | $250.00 |
An earlier version of this story inaccurately accounted for Steven Begay as running in the House Republican primary. He is running in the Senate Democratic primary.