{"id":328533,"date":"2010-02-16T15:34:35","date_gmt":"2010-02-16T20:34:35","guid":{"rendered":"tag:www.opensecrets.org,2010:\/news\/\/8.1377"},"modified":"2010-02-16T16:02:21","modified_gmt":"2010-02-16T21:02:21","slug":"j-d-hayworth-readies-for-republican-rumble-with-a-well-heeled-john-mccain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/328533","title":{"rendered":"J.D. Hayworth Readies for Republican Rumble with a Well-Heeled John McCain"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"jdhayworth.jpg\"<\/a>\"johnmccain.jpg\"<\/a>Former U.S. Rep. J.D. Hayworth has officially announced his intention to this year challenge<\/a> U.S. Sen. John McCain in Arizona’s Republican primary.<\/p>\n

Hayworth, a staunch conservative and occasionally controversial political figure, plans to mobilize a large, conservative element of the state\u0092s population that has become disenchanted with McCain.<\/p>\n

A challenge to the four-term senator and two-time presidential candidate will, however, be a difficult and expensive endeavor.<\/p>\n

McCain benefits from a war chest of more than $27 million<\/a> through December, as well as a host of Republicans both young — Sarah Palin, Scott Brown — and veteran — Dick Armey, Grover Norquist — ready to campaign on his behalf.<\/p>\n

Hayworth has rounded up some notable endorsements of his own \u0096 among them is Chris Simcox, founder of the infamous Minutemen Civil Defense Corps who recently abandoned  his own ambitions to challenge McCain in the Republican primary.  <\/p>\n

McCain’s political acumen has given him a broad and diversified network of campaign funding. His top industry contributors<\/a> include retirees, lawyers and law Firms and the and real estate interests.He also attracts donors from across the nation, with metro areas<\/a> such as Phoenix-Mesa, Washington D.C. and New York City having thus far provided a healthy chunk of early money.<\/p>\n

Data compiled for the 2006 election cycle (Hayworth\u0092s most recent congressional campaign) shows the bulk of his funding<\/a> coming from leadership PACs, health professionals and casinos. Like his new opponent, Hayworth drew a majority of his individual donations<\/a> from the Phoenix-Mesa metro area. But he also had a strong showing in the Washington D.C. and Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif., areas.<\/p>\n

On the issue of ethics, it appears that any mention<\/a> of the subject could bring about mutually assured embarrassment for both candidates.<\/p>\n

McCain’s past association with corrupt financier Charles Keating threatens to undermine his credibility in responsible governance should the topic arise.<\/p>\n

Hayworth has his own ethics missteps<\/a>: his political action committee, TEAM PAC, received more than $100,000 in donations from former lobbyist Jack Abramoff starting in 1999.<\/p>\n

Though eventually cleared of any formal charges by the Justice Department, Hayworth took a publicity beating for the allegations of misconduct and spent considerable money in legal fees thereafter.<\/p>\n

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