PHOENIX AZ — (February 28, 2013) – Attending his first Commission meeting this morning, Mitchell Laird has joined the Citizens Clean Elections Commission, filling the seat vacated by Jeffery Fairman, whose term had expired. Laird, a Republican from Maricopa County, was appointed to a five-year term by Governor Jan Brewer. He is a successful business owner and an attorney with more than 30 years of experience practicing law.

As one vacant seat was filled, another became open. The Commission announced this morning that Commissioner Lori Daniels resigned shortly before her term was to expire. Daniels, a Republican from Maricopa County, was appointed in 2008 to serve a five-year term by then-Secretary of State Brewer. A search for Daniels’ replacement is underway.

“The Commission and staff appreciate the hard work and time Lori Daniels has provided over the past five years,” said CEC Chair Louis Hoffman. “While we’re sorry to see Lori go, we are happy to welcome Mitchell Laird to the Commission. We look forward his contributions in the coming years.”

Anyone interested in Daniels’ seat can apply by visiting the Citizens Clean Elections website at www.azcleanelections.gov.

The law governing the Citizens Clean Elections Commission requires that “no more than two members of the commission shall be members of the same political party. No more than two members of the commission shall be residents of the same county. Because of the makeup of the Commission, the person replacing Daniels will have to reside in a county other than Maricopa or Pima, and cannot be a Republican.

Since Governor Brewer made the most recent appointment, the next selection to the Commission is required by law to be made by the highest elected Democrat. Senate Minority Leader Leah Landrum Taylor is the highest elected Democrat in Arizona and has the responsibility to make that appointment.

The Citizens Clean Elections Act, passed by voters in 1998, created a new campaign financing system that provides full public funding to qualified candidates who agree to abide by the Citizens Clean Elections Commission guidelines. Candidates for statewide and legislative offices are eligible to participate in the public funding program. To qualify for funding, participating candidates gather $5 qualifying contributions from constituents who are registered voters. Participating candidates also adhere to strict spending and contribution limits and agree to attend required workshops and debates.

“Clean Elections is a highly popular and effective system that ensures elected officials in Arizona are working for their constituents and not their wealthy special interest donors,” says Eric Ming of the Public Campaign Action Fund, a group that has organized a MoveOn.org on-line petition to stop changes to the Clean Elections contribution limit proposed under HCR 2026. Ming says HCR 2026 would quadruple the contribution limit. The present limit is $5.

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