Republicans select former Senator Sylvia Allen to replace Senator Crandell

ALLEN_SPHOENIX – The Republican party has selected former Senator Sylvia Allen as nominee to replace the late Senator Chester Crandell for LD-6. The office of the Arizona Secretary of State announced today that the Committee to Elect Sylvia Allen filed today in preparation for the upcoming election.

Senator Crandell passed away August 4 while a nominee for re-election for the Senate seat for LD-6. Since ballots were already issued with his name for the primary without opposition, he automatically wins the primary. The Republican party is required to select a replacement.

Senator Allen is a well-known conservative Republican making her the logical replacement. Sylvia Allen served in the Arizona Senate from June 2008 to January 2013.

She chaired the Border Security, Federalism and States Sovereignty Committee of the Arizona Senate and was Vice Chair on the Natural Resources and Transportation Committee. She was a member on the following committees:

  • Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Health and Welfare
  • Education Committee
  • Education Accountability and Reform Committee
  • Rules Committee
  • Water, Land Use and Rural Development Committee

Senator Allen has a conservative voting record. She received an A- grade for her voting record from the Goldwater Institute in 2012.

LD-6 committeemen are still required to approve the selection.

Chester Crandell still on the ballot

Arizona-electsPHOENIX – With the recent fatal accident of Senator Chester Crandell, many have wondered what comes next. There is a system that was put in place following the death of Senator Jose Garcia in 2011 outlined in 16-343(F). Secretary of State Ken Bennett held a press conference and sent a letter to the election officials of Coconino, Gila, Navajo and Yavapai counties addressing the proper course of action.

Kim Crawford of the office of the Secretary of State explained that early ballots have already been issued and other ballots will appear with Senator Chester Crandell as candidate. Therefore, he will automatically win the primary election. He is in the unique category of running unopposed, even by a write-in candidate.

Because of his automatic selection, Republican Committee persons from Legislative District 6 will vote on a person to fill the void left by the late Senator.

No write-in candidates are allowed during this process. However write-in candidates are allowed in the general election provided their application is received by September 25.

There has been an outpouring of sympathy and condolences to the family of the Senator. Governor Jan Brewer issued the following statement:

“I am deeply saddened today to learn of the tragic and sudden passing of State Senator Chester Crandell. A fifth-generation native of Arizona, avid rancher, legislator and–above all – a gentleman with a tangible love for Arizona and those he served, Chester will be greatly missed.

“My thoughts and prayers – along with those of the entire state – are with Chester’s dear wife, Alice, and their family during this difficult time. In honor of Senator Crandell – and the service he gave to Arizona – I have ordered that flags be lowered to half-staff from sunrise tomorrow, August 5, 2014 until sunset August 11, 2014.”

Bill Roe, Chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party, released a statement saying:

“We are saddened to hear of the passing of Senator Chester Crandell. Our deepest condolences and sympathy go out to his entire family for their tragic loss.”

Arizona House Minority Leader Chad Campbell issued a statement saying:

“I am shocked and saddened by the news of Sen. Crandell’s passing. We didn’t always see eye to eye on things, but I have absolutely no doubt that Sen. Crandell worked on the issues he did because he believed they would improve Arizona. He served his constituents with honor and class. This is a great loss for our state and I offer my condolences to his family and his friends.”

All statements were issued on Monday following the announcement of the passing of the State Senator.

State Representative Brenda Barton, also an LD6 candidate, posted on her Facebook page August 4:

My friend and colleague passed away today doing what he loved; boots on in the saddle pushing cattle. I know the range he rides tonight, and I know he’s watching; but I miss him terribly.

(Updated August 8, 8:47)

Good-bye Cowboy… Good-Bye Sir!

Senate Web Site photo

Senate Web Site photo

By Lyle J. Rapacki

This Saturday, August 9th, 2014, I will have to say, “Good-bye” to a friend who just happened to be a real-life cowboy, as well as a real-life Arizona State Senator. When the sun sets this coming Saturday our Arizona State Flag will not shine as bright; the red and yellow rays which represent the original thirteen colonies in our Republic and also represent the beautiful sunsets for which Arizona is known will be a little duller, a little less vibrant. One of Arizona’s Favorite Sons has died, and with the last rays of the beautiful Arizona sun sinking in the west so will the last drops of tears be sliding down the cheeks of those who knew the cowboy and the senator – Chester Crandell.

Senator Chester Crandell was a fifth-generation rancher who loved the dirt of Arizona, as much as the people and the state itself! I enjoyed the privilege of working with him quietly and behind the scenes these past three years on a number of issues related to the safety and sovereignty of our Great State of Arizona, and her people. Many hours of private meetings, private telephone conversations, meals, and even traveling somewhere alone in a vehicle…you get to know a person well after hundreds of hours over three years! Chester Crandell never took himself seriously, but studied hard and took his position as a legislator seriously. He faced the mounting challenges coming to our state with the same determination as he did herding his cows (and herding is not for the faint-of-heart). Many times on his way to the senate floor or to Chair the Senate Committee on Public Safety, where serious issues awaited, he would grin at me and say, “I’m just a country boy.” He was a country boy, and a cowboy who loved riding the range bringing in his herd. I spent the day with him just a couple of months ago on his ranch as another State Senator snapped the photo above of Chester bringing in his herd for branding; he even had me the “City Slicker” being a real cowboy! He was a man who vigorously studied and then defended the rights and traditions of rural Arizona private property owners, ranchers, businesses, industry, the beauty of forests and high deserts, the rocks and mountains, and all that contributes to make Arizona still a rugged and beautiful place in which to live, much like other Favorite Sons of Arizona: Barry Goldwater, Carl Hayden, Sam Steiger, Bruce Babbitt, Mo Udall; they all had in common a respect for the land, and the nurturance of the same along with the enjoyment of all that God gave us through natural resources.

Chester Crandell believed he was a servant of the people, someone honored to have passing time at the State Capitol in which to leave a legacy, to make a difference for the good of Arizona, not be there to build a resume or maneuver for self-interest. “Service above Self” is the motto of a famous civic organization, but that statement also reflected the values in this man’s heart, captured in his daily attitude and telegraphed for all to hear in his public speeches. The senator gave up time with his family, he withstood the long 5-hour trips back and forth from the capitol, surrendered privacy we as citizens take for granted, missed community activities and traditions for official meetings in Phoenix, and the list goes on but I never heard him complain. He saw a moment in time that he could make a positive difference, and he went for it! So very many of us are still shocked that his moment was over far much sooner than any of us would have liked. I know his truly lovely, funny, and gracious wife, Alice, along with his wonderfully kind nine children have feelings that flow much deeper than any of us who shared the public side of this man with them.

Senator Chester Crandell saw himself as a simple country boy, and in ways he was just that. But he was also so very much more. Arizona truly lost a highly educated man who stood to defend our wonderful state from those who would just as soon rob us of our heritage as a sovereign western state. Senator Crandell could be called a cowboy in the truest and dearest terms of the west. But he also earned the privilege of being called, “Sir.” After a very long, hot, and dirty day working cattle with him on his ranch, Chester Crandell grinned when I called him a fellow cowboy. I also called him “Sir…Mr. Chairman…Senator.” I shall deeply miss this cowboy. I shall deeply miss this senator and true servant of the People of Arizona. Good-bye, Sir!


Lyle J. Rapacki, Ph.D. is an Intelligence and Threat Assessment Specialist. Since June of 2010, Dr. Rapacki has provided selected members of the Arizona State Legislature Intelligence Briefings on Border Security and related threats to Arizona State sovereignty. Lyle analyzes and disseminates critical intelligence and policy information from and to law enforcement, intelligence and governmental communities in Arizona and nationally, as well as to selected clients in industry and the private-sector.