Candidate questions LaWall funds

The Republican candidate for Pima County Attorney told local party members he has the endorsements of several police officer associations to help oust the two-term incumbent.

Brad Roach, who once worked in the county attorney’s office, also fired criticism at the incumbent Barbara LaWall at Wednesday’s party meeting at the Republican’s local office in the Green Valley Mall.

Roach shared the lectern briefly with Republican County Supervisor Ray Carroll, whose district is in Green Valley, and local activist Randy Graf, who told the audience why he thinks Green Valley-Sahuarita should secede from Pima County to join Santa Cruz County.

About 30 people listened, injected comments and fired questions at the trio.

Roach said he has the support of Pima County defense lawyers as well as organizations representing the rank and file of the Tucson Police Department, Pima County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Arizona Cops and Oro Valley police officers.

He criticized LaWall, who’s running for a third time, accusing her of using funds from RICO, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, for campaign material.

LaWall said she could have sought county funds for the publication, a summation of her office’s accomplishments.

Roach accused the LaWall county attorney’s office “of taking our money to get re-elected.”

He also said the crime rate in Pima County is higher than Maricopa County’s.

Supervisor Carroll said he once read an interview by County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry saying he’s working for the three supervisors in the majority.

Carroll and fellow Republican Ann Day aren’t in that group.

Carroll suggested that with hard campaigns, possibly one of the three Democrats could be ousted—Chairman Richard Elias or fellow Democrats Sharon Bronson, or Ramon Valadez, both District 2.

Then Huckelberry would have to work for three new bosses, said Carroll.

jlamb@gvnews.com | 547-9749