News – Quail Creek Republican Club

Quail Creek Republicans Hear from Local Host of Wake Up with Chris DeSimone

The Quail Creek Republican Club met in the Kino Conference Center Friday, May 23. President Pat Colburn welcomed all attendees.

She gave the floor to Christi Emery, Precinct #84 Committeeman to discuss the latest information and news about Precinct 84. Christie recognized several of the precinct workers who were in attendance.

Pat then introduced Chris DeSimone, the meeting’s guest speaker.

Chris is the host of the talk radio show “Wake Up, with Chris DeSimone!” Chris is also the Vice President of Business Development for two companies, Live The Dream Media LLC and Blue-Chip Planning. Chris was born and raised in New York but now calls Oro Valley home. He is an unabashed supporter of all conservative causes. He speaks his mind and lets his audience know where he stands on those issues and causes. His Facebook description describes himself as a stubborn advocate for business owners, taxpayers and the working poor.

Chris began by reviewing the ineffectiveness of the previous administration and the wild ride that we have been on for the past 4 months and the success of Republicans gaining control of both houses of the Arizona state legislature. He emphasized the need for Republicans to win elections and that ALL Republicans need to support the most conservative candidate who can win. That led to a discussion of Andy Biggs versus Karrin Taylor Robson for Governor and more discussion on reasons to avoid a contentious primary.

Chris then switched to county, city and school board elections and announced that he is going to run for Oro Valley City Council. He brought up an idea that he has floated about annexations and areas breaking off and forming a new county. He stressed the importance of good candidates running for any of those three entities. He emphasized the importance of these positions as building a “farm team” for more advanced political positions.

A very active and engaging Q&A session followed.

Pat then gave some closing comments and gave a brief outline of the year’s planned guest speakers and events. The planned guest for June is Karrin Taylor Robson, candidate for the primary for Arizona Governor.

You can join the club for the first time or renew your membership for 2025 by visiting the club’s website at www.quailcreekrepublicans.com or contact Pat Colburn at 720-530-3594 or patcolburn5@hotmail.com for more information.

Steve Sanford, 1^st VP

Quail Creek Republicans Receive Information About the Arizona Corporation Commission

The Quail Creek Republican Club met at the Madera Ballroom on Friday, April 18. President Pat Colburn welcomed all attendees and acknowledged newly joined members.

A current 2028 Republican candidate for the Presidency, Gary Bavr, was introduced for a five-minute introduction of himself and his agenda for the future of the Republican Presidency. He is a pro-President Trump candidate and will continue with the America First Agenda.

Kevin Thompson, current Chair of the Arizona Corporation Commission, was the guest speaker.

In January 2023, Kevin was sworn in to a four-year term as a Commissioner with the Arizona Corporation Commission. In January 2025 he was elected by his peers as Chair of the Arizona Corporation. He currently serves on the Western Energy Imbalance (WEIM) Body of State Regulators (BOSR), an independent, self-governing states committee. He has over 25 years of utility, regulatory, and public service experience, including serving as a twice-elected Mesa City Councilman.

Kevin was previously the Manager of New Business Development for Southwest Gas for over 12 years, responsible for all new business engineering including the sale, design, and installation of billions of dollars of natural gas pipelines for residential, multi-family, retail, and commercial development.

Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is the recipient of multiple awards and recognition.

Kevin explained the mission of the Commission:
“The Arizona Corporation Commission’s mission is to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable utility services; have railroad and pipeline systems that are operated and maintained in a safe manner; grow Arizona’s economy as we help local entrepreneurs achieve their dream of starting a business; modernize an efficient, effective, and responsive government agency; and protect Arizona citizens by enforcing an ethical securities marketplace.”

In keeping with the club’s emphasis on educating members, the attendees received a complete explanation of the necessity of the Arizona Corporation Commission in the state government and the various functions of the Commission to protect the citizens of Arizona. The Commission was created as part of the State Constitution in 1912. It is an independent Commission created separately from the executive, legislative and judiciary branches of the state government.

Surprisingly, Kevin told the attendees that prior to 2023 the Commission did not adhere to any meeting rules of order, but that changed when Kevin and Nick Myers, another Republican Commission member, instituted Robert’s Rules of Order.

After explaining the current staffing of the Commission, Kevin reviewed all the ongoing issues facing the Commission from regulating rates for electric, natural gas, telephone and water/wastewater to pipeline and railroad safety.

Following his presentation, Kevin entertained 30 minutes of questions and answers. Many thoughtful questions were presented including ones concerning the increase of power requirements for future data centers in the state, water usage for new mining ventures and the future of Small Modular Reactors (SMR).

Pat Colburn then made some announcements about upcoming events and meetings. Unfortunately, the proposed trip to Douglas was scrapped. The planned guest for the May meeting is Chris DeSimone, local radio host and small business advocate. Karrin Taylor Robson, 2026 gubernatorial candidate, has been scheduled for the June 20^th meeting.

The Quail Creek Republican Club continues to pursue its goal to be the most educational and FUN club in Quail Creek. For more information and membership forms, visit the website at www.quailcreekrepublicans.com.

U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani and Mayor Tom Murphy
Visit the Quail Creek Republican Club

The Quail Creek Republican Club (QCRC) met on Friday, March 21. A standing room only crowd filled the Kino Conference Center to hear from recently re-elected Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) and Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy. QCRC 1^st VP Steve Sanford welcomed the capacity crowd, greeted new QCRC members and introduced Congressman Ciscomani.

Ciscomani has been a regular visitor to Quail Creek and thanked QCRC members for their support in the November election. He provided a comprehensive update on the congressional activities in Washington, D.C., including the rapidly improving conditions at the southern border. He recently hosted a number of freshmen congressmen and women at the border and gave them a first-hand view. He extensively discussed the actions of DOGE, the Dept. of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk. He emphasized that the focus and goal of DOGE is to identify where significant savings can be realized by rooting out fraud, waste and abuse while still ensuring that governmental services continue to be delivered to citizens who truly need them. He specifically referred to services provided by Veterans Affairs and Medicaid. The congressman also addressed the recently passed continuing resolution (CR) which keeps the government running through September and avoids a shutdown. The CR was passed through the budget reconciliation process which requires only a majority vote in both the U.S. House and Senate. He stressed, however, that any changes to Social Security or Medicare cannot be made through the budget reconciliation process. A majority vote in the House and a super majority of 60 votes in the Senate would be required to make any changes. The congressman summed up his presentation by inviting anyone with questions or concerns to contact his office. He received a standing ovation.

Steve then introduced Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy, also a frequent visitor to the Quail Creek Republican Club. Mayor Murphy spoke about several town issues, including economic development, water, road construction concerns – especially about the intersection of S. Abrego Drive and Nogales Highway. He also provided additional detail about the recent Town Council decision to contract with single trash collection provider. The decision was made to reduce costs for Sahuarita residents and to save taxpayer dollars flowing to the town. The mayor answered numerous questions from all attendees and stayed after the meeting to answer more questions.

Steve Sanford announced that the featured speaker for the April 18 QCRC meeting will be Commissioner Kevin Thompson of the Arizona Corporation Commission. A field trip to the border city of Douglas is planned for May with a stop in Sierra Vista, where Cochise County Sheriff, Mark Dannels, will give us a personal tour of the county jail. More exciting meetings and events are planned throughout the year. For more information about the QCRC and for membership forms, please visit the website at www.quailcreekrepublicans.com.

By Rich Ulery

The Quail Creek Republican Club met on Feb 21. The Republican Club had the pleasure to hear from Cochise County Sheriff Mark Danells on the status of our Southern border.

Sheriff Mark J. Dannels has been serving as Cochise County Sheriff since November 2012. With over 40 years of law enforcement experience, he has a master’s degree in criminal justice management from Aspen University and is a Certified Public Manager from Arizona State University. Sheriff Dannels has held various leadership roles and has been recognized with numerous awards for his service.

He is actively involved in community outreach programs and serves on several advisory boards and councils. Sheriff Dannels is also a member of the National Sheriffs Association, where he serves as the Border Security Chairman.

President Pat Colburn made opening remarks and welcomed new members and members who had renewed their memberships. She also thanked outgoing 2024 Board Members Bill Price and Deedee Stephens for their efforts in the Club. She then introduced Sheriff Danells.

Sheriff Dannels discussed the current border situation and his department’s integration with the CBP and other border states and counties. He told some humorous and serious anecdotes of his personal and his department’s interaction with bad actors.

He spoke of the seriousness of the fentanyl epidemic and the smuggling of children and adults by the cartels. Sheriff Dannels also spoke briefly about the privately funded Border Operations Center located in Sierra Vista.

The Quail Creek Republican Club has an educational, informative, exciting and fun year planned for 2025. Next month at our March 21^st meeting, the guest speakers will be US District #6 Representative Juan Ciscomani and Town of Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from two elected officials about Congressional updates and the Town of Sahuarita. There is so much happening that effect all of us regardless of political views. Everyone is invited to our meetings. The club is also working on a possible trip to Douglas later in the year as well as a BBQ social.

You can join the club for the first time or renew your membership for 2025 by visiting the club’s website at www.quailcreekrepublicans.com or at any of our meetings.

Quail Creek Republicans Meet with AZ LD19
Representative Gail Griffin

Pat Colburn

The Quail Creek Republican Club met on Jan 17. There was electricity in the air as everyone was excited for the Inauguration of President Donald J Trump on Jan 20 and to hear from State Representative Gail Griffin, reelected LD 19 State Representative.

State Representative Gail Griffin represents Legislative District 19 in the Arizona House of Representatives and was reelected in the 2024 General Election. District 19 includes portions of 5 counties: Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, and Santa Cruz.

Gail Griffin is currently serving as a member of the House of Representatives and serves as the Chairman of the Natural Resources, Energy, and Water Committee, and the Vice Chairman of the Rules Committee. She is also a member of the Land, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Committee and the Governor’s Water Council. She serves as Co-Chairman on the Ad Hoc Study Committees on Water Security, and Air Quality and Energy. Gail Griffin served in the Arizona State Senate and has been involved in issues at the local, state, and federal level for many years.

Gail gave the Oath of Office to the 2025 QCRC Board members; Pat Colburn, Doug Shumway, Steve Lewis, Lin Sanford, Jim Bremer, Steve Hammond and Steve Sanford.

Rep Griffin reviewed the results of the state election which provided a Republican majority in both the Senate (17) and the House (33). She gave a short description of her committee and legislative responsibilities, which are numerous. She described the results of a survey of Arizona voters which stated that high taxation, school improvement, security concerns, election security, big government and wise fiscal policies were the greatest concerns.

Rep Griffin iterated the Republican legislative plan for 2025-2026 which includes spending money wisely and efficiently, full transparency, the importance of water issues, passing good legislation and blocking bad legislation. There are also plans to introduce a comprehensive election integrity bill based upon the state of Florida example. In her Legislative Update, Rep Griffin provided attendees the Official Majority Plan of Preserve the American Dream, Promote Public Safety and Protect Individual Rights & Liberties. Additional priorities are Keep Government Out of Rural Arizona, Make Homebuilding Affordable Again and Prioritize Reliable and Affordable Power.

She congratulated the efforts of our Precinct #84 in the successful election monitoring in November through precinct committee work and poll watching. Gail would like to see that duplicated throughout the Legislative District 19.

She then entertained questions from the attendees.

President Pat Colburn then reviewed the Club’s efforts to support 2025 candidates for State and Local elections and emphasized the meeting dates for the rest of the year. The Quail Creek Republican Club has an educational, informative, exciting and fun year planned for 2025. Next month we will introduce the ever-popular Sheriff Mark Dannels of Cochise County as our guest speaker. We anticipate that Congressman Juan Ciscomani will attend one of our spring meetings. A proposed trip to Douglas later in the year was presented along with a BBQ social.

You can join the club for the first time or renew your membership for 2025 by visiting the club’s website at www.quailcreekrepublicans.com