Don't let wolf Tom Horne guard the hen house

GUEST COMMENTARY

Felecia Rotellini statement on Tom Horne’s candidacy for Arizona Attorney General

PHOENIX (February 19, 2010) —Democratic Attorney General candidate Felecia Rotellini today issued the following statement in response to Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne’s entry into the Arizona Attorney General’s race:

“The Attorney General is the lawyer for all the people of Arizona. That office must stay focused on protecting Arizonans both physically and financially. Unfortunately, both Tom Horne and his likely primary opponent Andrew Thomas have repeatedly demonstrated that making government work for the people of Arizona takes a back seat to their politically and idealogically driven agendas.

I come to this race with priorities that have been shaped by the last 17 years I’ve spent as a tough prosecutor and financial watchdog, fighting for everyday people in Arizona. We are facing difficult challenges in our state and as Attorney General, I will exercise the discipline and discernment of a prosecutor to ensure that we are picking the right battles and using taxpayer dollars in the most efficient and effective way possible.

We have seen our education system put on the political bargaining table under Tom Horne’s leadership as our Superintendent of Public Instruction. Now he’s asking Arizona families to let the wolf guard the hen house just one more time.

I join with the people of Arizona in saying enough is enough! The Attorney General’s office must not fall into the hands of politically-motivated individuals who will use our state’s top law enforcement office as a platform for their own agendas. That’s not the kind of Attorney General we need in Arizona.

From Lake Havasu to Sonoita, I will lead with my focus on protecting Arizonans in their homes, on the streets, and in their dealings with business and with government.”

Felecia Rotellini is a veteran prosecutor and consumer advocate with more than 23 years of experience in private and public law. Although best known for her work on the Baptist Foundation of Arizona (BFA) case, she has earned a reputation as a fair and fierce financial watchdog and criminal prosecutor with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, working in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions.

In 2006, Governor Napolitano appointed Rotellini to head the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions. As Superintendent, Rotellini cracked down on mortgage and financial fraud, starting a Mortgage Fraud Task Force in 2006 and working with the legislature to license loan officers in both 2008 and 2009. Known for her willingness to take on the "Goliath" companies — who have unlimited resources for defense costs — she is a tireless advocate and a voice for victims of crimes.

For more information on Felecia Rotellini, visitwww.feleciaforarizona.com.