Russell Pearce Faces Recall Effort In Arizona

Russell Pearce Faces Recall Effort In Arizona

4/13/11 01:54 PM ET  

MESA, Ariz. — Activists seeking to recall the Arizona state senator who was the driving force behind the state’s recent anti-illegal immigration measures say they’re confident they will gather enough signatures.

Volunteers with Citizens for a Better Arizona official said Tuesday they already have two-thirds of the 7,756 verified signatures required by May 31 to set a recall election for Republican Russell Pearce, who is the president of the Arizona Senate.

Activists in the heavily Republican district in suburban Mesa began the campaign in January. They have been courting the support of Pearce’s base, mostly Republicans and Mormons.

Group chairman Chad Snow says reports that the Fiesta Bowl paid for Pearce to travel to out-of-state college football games have prompted a backlash and are helping to fuel the campaign.