Ex-Rep. Rhodes to Challenge Mecham in Recall

Former U.S. Rep. John J. Rhodes, saying that Arizona’s national image is suffering, announced Friday that he will run against impeached Gov. Evan Mecham, a fellow Republican, in the May 17 recall election.

“If there is an election on May 17, my name will be on the ballot,” the 71-year-old former House minority leader said at a news conference. “I don’t like to lose. In fact, I’m not going to lose.”

Rhodes will oppose Mecham, Democrat Carolyn Warner and a number of lesser-known potential candidates in the winner-take-all recall vote. Warner, a former state school superintendent, lost to Mecham in the three-way 1986 gubernatorial race.

Crime, Impeachment Trials

Mecham also faces a March 9 criminal trial on charges of concealing a $350,000 campaign loan and a Feb. 29 impeachment trial in the state Senate.

Rhodes, who served 30 years in the House before retiring in 1982, said that “because of the current acrimonious climate, the important issues facing the state are not being addressed adequately. . . . We cannot afford continued paralysis.”

Mecham is guaranteed a spot on the recall ballot. Other candidates must submit 3,336 signatures of registered voters by March 18. The secretary of state’s office said 86 people, including Warner and Rhodes, had picked up packets to collect signatures.

Atty. Gen. Bob Corbin has issued a non-binding opinion saying that, if Mecham resigns or is removed from office before the recall vote, the election still must be held, even though the governorship would have been turned over to acting Gov. Rose Mofford.

Court Action Foreseen

However, several lawmakers and others have said the matter is likely to be settled in court.

Mofford, a Democrat, has declined to say whether she will run.

Rhodes declined to criticize Mecham or Warner, who has labeled him a candidate of the power brokers because he is backed by people like developer J. Fife Symington and Keith Turley, chairman of Pinnacle West, parent firm of Arizona Public Service Corp.

“My service in the Congress should be adequate proof that I don’t wear anyone’s collar,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes said former Sen. Barry Goldwater has promised his support, and current Sen. John McCain, a Republican, said Friday he also backs Rhodes.

State Republican Chairman Burton Kruglick said the party has not endorsed either Mecham or Rhodes in the recall campaign.