Grand Canyon Times

In Arizona's recent Republican primary, state Reps. Joanne Osborne (13th District) and Joel John (25th District) lost their bids, while state Rep. David Cook (7th District) advanced from the primary despite a tight race. Election Transparency Initiative says that Osborne and John lost their seats due to their "liberal agendas," and that the group is monitoring Cook's voting record.

“On August 2, Arizona voters sent a resounding message to Republican lawmakers who vote like Democrats. Three such Arizona lawmakers, Joanne Osborne, Joel John and David Cook never even tried to hide their liberal agendas. Now, two of them have been replaced by voters,” National Chairman of the ETI and former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said in a statement.

“From election integrity to school choice and higher taxes, this trio racked up a litany of key votes putting liberal interests before the conservative principles they had pledged to put first, causing immeasurable harm to their constituents," Cuccinelli said. "Make no mistake, although David Cook narrowly secured reelection in the newly drawn 7th District by working to conceal his liberal record from voters and making promises he has no intention of keeping, he’s been exposed as another politician who will say and do anything to get elected.

"Now more than ever, we urge the people of the 7th District to pick up the phone and tell David Cook that he’s been put on notice, that he’s being closely watched and will be held accountable. Arizona can’t afford two more years of the same—he’s only made matters worse,” he said.

The Arizona Free Enterprise Club accused Cook of having a liberal agenda, often voting like a Democrat. In 2021, Cook voted with Democrats to allow immigrants lacking permanent legal status to receive in-state tuition on the ballot under SCR1044 and sponsored HB2458, which would protect sanctuary cities and incentivize those without legal status to stay in Arizona by forcing governments to accept foreign identification. 

He also voted for a statewide sales tax increase under SCR1049 and with Democrats on HB2161 to impose a new tax on small businesses. This year, he opposed HB2447, which would allow students and faculty members at universities to carry a firearm for protection on campus.

AZ Free News reports that John and Osborne were co-sponsors of a bill introduced by Michelle Udall that would require annual standardized testing for Empowerment Scholarship Account recipients from grades 3-12, in order for students to access school choice. John, Udall and Osborne’s voting records caused the Maricopa County Republican Committee to pass a resolution in January that pledged to oppose their campaigns, labeling the three legislators as in opposition to parents’ interests.

Republican state Rep. Shawnna Bolick (20th District), who sponsored an ESA expansion amendment, said she believes school choice is “a modern civil rights issue,” according to AZ Mirror. Bolick added that parents should have the ability to pick their children's education not by looking at a building, but by what outcome that school can provide for students. AZ Mirror says the measure failed when John, Osborne and Michelle voted against it.

According to Ballotpedia, Osborne was defeated in her bid for the newly re-drawn 29th Senate District by Janae Shamp, 13,070 votes to 8,121 votes. John was defeated in his bid for the newly re-drawn 25th House District by Tim Dunn, who received 14,499 votes, and Michael Carbone, who received 11,473 votes. John received 7,584 votes.

Cook, meanwhile, held on in a tight primary for the newly re-drawn 7th House District. Cook received 20,791 votes, while David Marshall received 17,673 votes. John Fillmore trailed the two with 16,287 votes.