Many notable conservatives supported the bill’s honest, market-driven approach, including Arthur Laffer, a noted economist and former economic policy advisor to President Reagan, who said: “The bill that Jeff Flake cosponsored was a smart, free market, conservative approach to expose the Democrat’s Cap and Trade bill for was it was — a massive tax increase.”

“I’ll trust Arthur Laffer’s conservative opinion on economic matters over that of a Big-Government Republican like Wil Cardon any day of the week,” said Andrew Wilder, communications director for Flake for Senate.  “Cardon has made a habit of attacking proponents of conservative economic principles in this race, and this dishonest ad is only his most recent effort to shade the truth.”

Laffer also penned an op-ed in the New York Times in support of the bill: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/28/opinion/28inglis.html.

Tom Jenney, Arizona director for Americans for Prosperity, wrote an op-ed in the Arizona Republic laying out the conservative case for the approach Flake supported: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2010/03/12/20100312jenney13.html.

And conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer wrote in the Weekly Standard describing a net-zero gas tax approach as “a once in a generation opportunity that we cannot afford to miss”: http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/015/949rsrgi.asp.

Jeff Flake is a leading conservative reformer, known for his battle against earmarks and wasteful spending in Congress. His record is one of supporting lower taxes, limited government and less regulation.

Wil Cardon Dishonestly Attacks Conservative-Supported Response to Liberal Cap-and-Trade Bill is a post from: Jeff Flake for U.S. Senate | JeffFlake.com

Here’s what Wil said in a speech last month: “I would go be the marketer-in-chief for Arizona. I think a senator will get much more of a reception with a Fortune 500 CEO, especially if that senator has been in business.” (Northwest Conservatives meeting, April 12, 2012)

Click here to listen to the audio: http://youtu.be/p-fI8Xry1TE

“Marketer-in-Chief? That’s an odd ambition for any U.S. Senate candidate, let alone one who claims to carry a copy of the Constitution in his pocket,” said Andrew Wilder, communications director for Flake for Senate. “We don’t need more purveyors of crony capitalism. We need conservatives, like Jeff Flake, in the U.S. Senate who understand that the role of Congress is to establish a tax and regulatory environment under which all businesses can flourish — then get out of the way.”

For more information on Jeff Flake and why he’s running for the U.S. Senate, please visit his website at www.JeffFlake.com.

While Jeff Flake Campaigns for Lower Taxes and Less Regulation, Wil Cardon Campaigns for “Marketer-In-Chief” is a post from: Jeff Flake for U.S. Senate | JeffFlake.com

Flake’s record was also acknowledged earlier this month by respected conservative reformer, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint:“When it comes to fighting wasteful Washington spending and parochial politics, nobody has done more to advance the cause of freedom than Jeff Flake. Nobody.

“Jeff Flake has fought a lonely battle against earmarks for years, even when it meant standing up to members of his own party who refused to stop pork barrel spending. Without his leadership, House Republicans would not have adopted the earmark moratorium last year.”

The fight isn’t over however. Unfortunately, Congress only agreed to an earmark moratorium that is temporary. Jeff Flake isn’t giving up until earmarks are permanently a thing of the past.

But Wil Cardon sees things a different way.

Cardon’s position on steering government spending to special projects could be described as “evolving.” That happens with some in Washington.

While Cardon is spending millions on TV these days trying to convince voters that he opposes earmarks, The Yellow Sheet Report noted on May 10 that statements in Cardon’s latest ad “…seemingly flies in the face of statements he made when he announced his candidacy last summer. At the time (YS, 8/5), he said he opposed earmarks, but touted the need for federal spending on projects that would almost certainly be decried as pork today…”

“Wil Cardon represents the big spending ways of Washington that has put the country in the fiscal mess it’s in,” said Andrew Wilder, Communications Director for the Flake campaign. “We don’t need more people like that in Congress. Thankfully we have someone who’s been fighting for us…Jeff Flake.”

While Jeff Flake Fights Against Earmarks & Wasteful Spending, Wil Cardon Sees Things Differently is a post from: Jeff Flake for U.S. Senate | JeffFlake.com

Vice Mayor Ron Aames, Councilmember Joan Evans, Councilmember Dave Pearson, Councilmember Tony Rivero and Councilmember Cathy Carlat joined Mayor Barrett in supporting Flake.

“I believe in the adage that government is best when it governs the least,” said Mayor Barrett. “Whether it is Peoria or in Washington, we need leaders that enable communities to grow and prosper with the least amount of government interference. Jeff Flake will bring those values to the Senate.”

“I greatly appreciate the support of Mayor Barrett and Councilmembers Aames, Evans, Pearson, Rivero and Carlat,” said Flake. “I look forward to working with them to address the needs and issues facing Peoria and the state.”

For more information on Jeff Flake and why he’s running for the U.S. Senate, please visit his website at www.JeffFlake.com.

Mayor Bob Barrett & Peoria City Council Leaders Endorse Jeff Flake for Senate is a post from: Jeff Flake for U.S. Senate | JeffFlake.com

No debt? The fact is that Wil Cardon’s businesses took out a $2.5 million loan from Comerica bank in August 2011. A $2.5 million loan using houses owned by corporate entities that Wil manages is the same as those corporate entities going into debt. So taking out the loan plainly contradicts his repeated “no debt” claim.

The $2.5 million loan prompted an FEC complaintfiled against the Cardon campaign since corporate entities cannot loan money to political campaigns.

The Cardon campaign adamantly denies that it was, saying “Wil Cardon has never taken out a line of credit for $2.5 million dollars to fund his campaign.” [Arizona Daily Star/Pueblo Politics, “Flake Stays On Offensive in U.S. Senate Race,” May 4, 2012]

If the loan wasn’t for the campaign, what was it for? Again, it is worth noting that Cardon’s campaign finance reports show personal loans now totaling $4.2 million.

As a new video released Friday by the Flake campaign points out, using the loan for the campaign would be illegal, since it was secured by his residence. Cardon does not own his home, however; three Cardon family corporations own it. Corporate money cannot beused to fund a political campaign.

“So what is the truth, Mr. Cardon?” asks Andrew Wilder, Communications Director for the Flake campaign. “You cannot simultaneously claim that your businesses are not in debt and that you have not taken out loans for your campaign. Public records clearly suggest otherwise.”

Another card falls from the House of Cardon. Stay tuned for more.

Is Wil Cardon Using his Businesses to Fund his Campaign? is a post from: Jeff Flake for U.S. Senate | JeffFlake.com

PHOENIX – The Flake campaign today released a new web video that examines how millionaire self-funding Senate candidate Wil Cardon appears to be funding his campaign with corporate money – which would be against the law. This is the central matter of a complaint filed against Cardon with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

Watch the video online here: http://youtu.be/Kf0Wec2wZWQ

“Wil Cardon isn’t the first person to try to buy a Senate seat, but self-funders use their own money,” said Andrew Wilder, Communications Director for the Flake campaign. “It appears Wil’s money comes from corporate, and therefore, illegal sources. He should come clean with Arizona voters about his campaign finances.”

The video’s script is below:

VOICE OVER (VO): “Wil Cardon. His campaign’s spending millions to try to buy Arizona’s Senate seat. Like running this ad.”

CARDON: “I’ll say what we believe and stand for what is right.” [http://goo.gl/eEh6r]

VO: “But who refuses to answer questions about the legality of his campaign money?”

VO: “Wil Cardon.”

VO: “Cardon took out a $2.5 million loan just days before filing to run for U.S. Senate, and used a house as collateral.”[http://houseofcardon.com/docs/FECComplaintCardon0112.pdf, page 8]

VO: “Problemis: Cardon doesn’t even own the home. It’s owned by three corporations. Corporations?”

VO: “It raises the question: who’s really funding Wil Cardon’s campaign? And is it legal?”  [http://houseofcardon.com/docs/FECComplaintCardon0112.pdf, page 14]

CARDON: “I’ll stand for what is right.”

VO: “In fact, both of his luxurious homes are owned by corporate entities — owned by members of Wil’s family. But family members’ corporations are not allowed to fund a federal campaign.” [http://houseofcardon.com/docs/Flagstaff1.pdf &http://houseofcardon.com/docs/Flagstaff2.pdf]

VO: “Who’s really paying for Wil Cardon’s campaign?”

VO: “Corporate-owned homes? Loans secured by businesses? Mr. Cardon, does this sound right to you? Arizona voters have questions that deserve answers.”

VO: “And you want to be our Senator?”

VO: “Another card falls…from the House of Cardon.”

VO: “Stay tuned for more.”

Background

In January, the Arizona Republic reported that Wil Cardon was the subject of a complaint filed by Mesa resident and contractor Dave Smith with the FEC about whether he is improperly funding his campaign with corporate money.

The Republic story details that the complaint “…cites public records that suggest the money may have come from a $2.55 million loan Cardon secured using his Mesa home as collateral. However, it appears that the house is owned not by Cardon personally but by two businesses and a limited partnership associated with him.” It goes on to say that “If the money given to Cardon’s campaign was secured with corporate assets and with inadequate collateral, it could violate a federal law governing corporate campaign spending and other FEC regulations related to loans to candidates.”

Under the FEC process, Cardon was required by now to formally respond to the complaint against him.

Links

Click here to view the January 2012 FEC complaint filed against Wil Cardon: http://houseofcardon.com/docs/FECComplaintCardon0112.pdf

Click here for the entire Arizona Republic story: http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2012/01/20/20120120wil-cardon-accused-fec-violation.html

Click theselinks to view ownership documents for the Flagstaff home:

http://houseofcardon.com/docs/Flagstaff1.pdf
http://houseofcardon.com/docs/Flagstaff2.pdf

Click here to read the story where Cardon vows: “I won’t be outspent”:

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2011/08/05/20110805kyl-senate-seat-candidate-mesa-investor05-ON.html

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Is Wil Cardon Funding his Campaign with Corporate Cash? is a post from: Jeff Flake for U.S. Senate | JeffFlake.com

The members of the Payson Town Council that are supporting Jeff Flake are Mayor Kenny Evans, Vice Mayor Michael Hughes, Councilman Fred Carpenter, Councilwoman Su Connell, Councilman Richard Croy, and Councilman John Wilson. Additionally, Payson Chief of Police Donald Engler and Mike Vogel, Economic Development Director, a Democrat, have also endorsed Jeff Flake in this race.

“I have had the privilege of observing Congressman Flake for the past decade in Congress as well as back here in his home district. He talks the talk and walks the walk,” Mayor Evans said, speaking on his own behalf. “In a U.S. Senate that seems increasingly more pre-disposed to trying to tear down the Constitution from which they derive their powers, Congressman Jeff Flake has the credentials to truly make a difference.”

“Payson is a beautiful and special place,” said Flake. “I admire the Town’s resiliency in weathering our recent economic challenges and its commitment to preparing for a promising future for its many current and future residents.”

For more information on Jeff Flake and why he’s running for the U.S. Senate, please visit his website at www.JeffFlake.com

Payson Mayor Evans & Bipartisan Group of Key Town Leaders Endorse Jeff Flake for Senate is a post from: Jeff Flake for U.S. Senate | JeffFlake.com

“When it comes to fighting wasteful Washington spending and parochial politics, nobody has done more to advance the cause of freedom than Jeff Flake. Nobody.

“Jeff Flake has fought a lonely battle against earmarks for years, even when it meant standing up to members of his own party who refused to stop pork barrel spending. Without his leadership, House Republicans would not have adopted the earmark moratorium last year.

“Jeff Flake has also authored legislation to devolve the federal highway program back to the states where it belongs. His plan would empower states to build moreroads with less money by removing union wage mandates and unnecessary federal red tape.”

“Senator DeMint is one of the most recognized national conservative leaders and has been a reformer in the U.S. Senate,” said Jeff Flake. “I am grateful to have his support in this race and I look forward to joining his efforts in the Senate to support economic freedom and limited government.”

The SCF is dedicated to electing strong conservative leaders to the United States Senate who have the courage to fight for the timeless conservative principles of limited government, strong national defense, and traditional family values.

Click here to see DeMint’s letter: http://senateconservatives.com/site/post/1431/jeff-flake-for-u-s-senate

Jeff Flake has also received the endorsements of several leading conservative organizations and leaders, including Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, Arizona Right to Life, the Club for Growth PAC, FreedomWorks PAC, the National Taxpayers Union Campaign Fund, Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife, Governor Bobby Jindal, Congressman Paul Ryan, and Senators Pat Toomey and Mike Lee.
For more information on Jeff Flake and why he’s running for the U.S. Senate, please visit his website at www.JeffFlake.com.

U.S. Senator Jim DeMint Endorses Jeff Flake is a post from: Jeff Flake for U.S. Senate | JeffFlake.com

Love it or hate it, Facebook recently changed its look. One the changes in the new Timeline feature allows people to view the “page insights.” Wil Cardon’s Facebook page insights reveal something interesting: the city where most of his page fans reside.

For Jeff Flake it’s Phoenix. Richard Carmona it’s Tucson. And for Wil Cardon it’s Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Dhaka, Bangladesh? That’s weird.

See for yourself: https://www.facebook.com/wilcardonforussenate/likes

With a quick search on Google, it’s easy to find websites like “buylikes.com” and “buyfacebooklikesfans.com” that promise to increase friends, fans and likes, all for a fee. Of course, it may be impossible to know for certain if this is what Wil Cardon has done.

“Money can’t buy love but it can buy you likes,” said Andrew Wilder, Communications Director for the Flake campaign. “Perhaps his campaign simply resonates more in Dhaka than with the voters of Arizona.”

A screenshot of Cardon’s page, taken April 26, 2012, can be seen here:

Is Wil Cardon Outsourcing His Friends? is a post from: Jeff Flake for U.S. Senate | JeffFlake.com

Love it or hate it, Facebook recently changed its look. One the changes in the new Timeline feature allows people to view the “page insights.” Wil Cardon’s Facebook page insights reveal something interesting: the city where most of his page fans reside.

For Jeff Flake it’s Phoenix. Richard Carmona it’s Tucson. And for Wil Cardon it’s Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Dhaka, Bangladesh? That’s weird.

See for yourself: https://www.facebook.com/wilcardonforussenate/likes

With a quick search on Google, it’s easy to find websites like “buylikes.com” and “buyfacebooklikesfans.com” that promise to increase friends, fans and likes, all for a fee. Of course, it may be impossible to know for certain if this is what Wil Cardon has done.

“Money can’t buy love but it can buy you likes,” said Andrew Wilder, Communications Director for the Flake campaign. “Perhaps his campaign simply resonates more in Dhaka than with the voters of Arizona.”

A screenshot of Cardon’s page, taken April 26, 2012, can be seen here:

Is Will Cardon Outsourcing His Friends? is a post from: Jeff Flake for U.S. Senate | JeffFlake.com