Thin Red (Party) Line: Infighting in the GOP over stolen valor bill

Thin Red (Party) Line: Infighting in the GOP over stolen valor bill

Author: The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com April 16, 2025 Duration: 19:15
Arizona's purple-state status has made residents accustomed to arguing at the state Capitol. But this time, the feud is between Trump-supporting Republicans and themselves. A bill that would criminalize false claims of military service has Rep. Walt Blackman (R-Snowflake) and fellow veteran Wendy Rogers (R-Flagstaff) in a heated personal drama is playing out in the Capitol. A claim of purposeful blocking, the owner of a Trump merchandise story and a near fight on the House floor are all happening over a stolen valor bill. This week on The Gaggle, legislative reporter Ray Stern joins hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl to shine a light on the dramatic environment the bill is moving in and what it tells us about how certain laws get made. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok. Guest: Ray Stern Hosts: Ron Hansen, Mary Jo Pitzl  Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every Wednesday morning, The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast cuts through the noise to focus on a single issue shaping life in the state. Hosted by The Arizona Republic’s national political reporters Ron Hansen and Stephanie Murray, and produced by Amanda Luberto, this isn't just a recap of headlines. Instead, the conversation goes deeper with a guest-a politician, a journalist, or another key public figure-to unpack the real-world implications of a policy, a vote, or a debate. You’ll hear how decisions made at the capitol or in city halls ripple out to affect communities, schools, and wallets. The discussion is grounded in the expertise of the Republic’s newsroom, offering clarity and context that’s often missing from the daily churn. For anyone trying to understand the forces directing Arizona’s future, this weekly podcast provides an essential, focused look at the mechanics of state politics and government, making the complex both accessible and relevant. It’s a straightforward guide to what’s happening, who’s involved, and why it all matters for your day-to-day.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast
Podcast Episodes
A new Grijalva and the future of the Epstein files [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:43
On September 23, Congressional District 7 elected Democrat Adelita Grijalva to Congress and the narrow Republican majority in the United States House of Representatives is about to be slightly thinner. Adelita's win serv…
Charlie Kirk's legacy and where Gen Z gets their news [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:13
A vigil was held at Arizona State University for Charlie Kirk, conservative influencer and founder of Turning Point USA, after his assassination on September 10th. His career was kickstarted and his identity as a fierce…
Politics roundup + a farewell to Mary Jo Pitzl [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:05
It's nine months into 2025 and there may have been some Arizona politics stories you bookmarked for later but haven't just yet read them. There's a lot to keep up with, and The Gaggle gets that. This week on The Gaggle,…
Arizona's job growth boom hits snooze button [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:38
Arizona has been a reliable and long-standing national leader in job growth. But so far this year, the state has taken a big step backwards. Through the first seven months, Arizona has ranked 46th in bringing in new jobs…
Partisan passion in local government [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:57
There’s a conservative wave washing over some local governments in the Valley’s suburbs. Some point to Donald Trump’s aggressive efforts to erase DEI policies in city businesses. Others contend it’s a natural swing of th…
Kari Lake was right about ASU's collusion. What now? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:28
It's been three years since the 2022 gubernatorial debate went from a discussion to a debacle and the Arizona Republic just received the public records. The reports show behind-the-scenes deliberations involving ASU Pres…
Conservative judge heeds warning for his party [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:44
Anxieties you might assume are from a liberal law professor against President Donald Trump and his administration are coming from an unexpected source: Arizona Supreme Court Justice Clint Bolick. Appointed by Republican…
A conversation with Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:49
Rep. Yassamin Ansari has spent her freshman year in Congress making national headlines. She made national headlines for her travel to El Salvador where she tried, unsuccessfully, to meet with a man who was deported to th…
Remembering migrants-rights activist Alfredo Gutierrez [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:31
Alfredo Gutierrez, a nationally known migrants-rights activist and prominent politician, has died. At 79 years old, he succumbed to esophageal cancer on Tuesday, July 29. Through his long service in the state, Gutierrez…
Arizona Democrats are in crisis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:50
Arizona Democrats have held the spotlight this month with two very different votes. One elected legacy politician Adelita Grijalva for the party's representation in the CD 7 race to fill her late father's seat in Congres…