Guests - Katie Asher, Joel Strabala, Laurie Moore, Eileen Wilson
Faith, a Broken Boy Who Sees Heaven, the Sheriff Who Should Resign, and the Gala That Kicks Off the Campaign
Monday on Winn Tucson opened on Mother's Day weekend and closed on the eve of a Board of Supervisors meeting that could — if the board has the courage — change the face of law enforcement in Pima County. In between: a mother's two-decade journey with a son whose motor was destroyed by vaccines but whose spirit witnesses the spiritual realm; a tribute to a man whose rare gift was intelligence joined to kindness; an accountability session on election integrity and the LD-17 candidates; and an announcement of the party that will launch the campaign season in the most patriotic possible way.
Katie Asher: Houston's Motor Was Broken, But He Could See Heaven — and He Insisted on This Book
Katie Asher is a writer, researcher, and mother from Atlanta, Georgia. She is also the co-author of The Book of Heaven: A Story of Hope for the Outcast, the Broken, and Those Who Lost Faith — a book she wrote with her son Houston, who she describes as the most faith-filled, obedient, God-centered man she has ever met. Houston is 29 years old. He has never spoken.
What Happened to Houston
In 1997, Houston was injured by vaccines as an infant. A hematologist confirmed it at the time — the injury was vaccine-related. What was not known immediately was how extensive the damage would be, or that it would be permanent.
Houston's motor system was destroyed. He cannot speak. He cannot walk. He moves through the world with what his mother describes as a broken motor — but the person inside is entirely intact.
"Everything the experts told us was not true," Asher said. "He was completely in there. He understood everything. It was just his motor that had been destroyed."
Over time, the family developed his motor enough that Houston could point reliably to letters to spell out words. When he did, the conversation that followed changed everything.
"What we found out was that he is completely in there, that he understood everything. And that destruction of his motor gave him the ability to still see, perceive the spiritual realm. He can hear everyone's thoughts, feel everyone's feelings, see the light and the darkness fighting back and forth, the spiritual battle between good and evil. He has witnessed heaven — not as someone quoting scripture, but as someone describing it like they've actually seen it."
His understanding of the nature and holiness of God, of faith as a universal force, of what it means to be made in God's image — is not theological abstraction. It is first-person account.
The Book He Demanded
When the time came to write, Katie Asher tried to steer the subject toward something safer. Houston could write about autism, she suggested. They could help other families navigate what their family had navigated. Not God. People would attack them. She was afraid.
Houston's response was immediate and final: if they couldn't write about God's love, he refused to write a book.
"He is the most faith-filled, obedient, God-centered man I have ever met. His faith and love and endurance and capacity to believe God despite the circumstances is extraordinary. He doesn't look at the circumstances to determine whether or not God is going to be faithful. He believes God is going to be faithful and proceeds forward in spite of the circumstances."
The book has since reached readers in more than seven countries. The audience it has found was not one Katie Asher anticipated: young Gen Z men, scientists, atheists, staunch materialists, people who had experienced trauma and concluded God was not love, people who had stopped believing entirely.
"The reason it's resonating with all of those people is fundamentally that people are drawn to truth. They know it when they hear it. You can't, it's like light — the eye turns to light just like the heart turns to truth."
She added that when confronted with truth, one can only accept it or reject it — but cannot unknow it.
The Vaccine Court and the Justice That Was Never Delivered
The conversation took a pointed turn when Asher described what happened after Houston's injury and her attempt to seek accountability.
No one told her she could go to court. There was no informed consent. What she eventually learned — years later — was that vaccine manufacturers had been granted immunity from liability by Congress in 1986, the same year one of the three remaining vaccine manufacturers produced the shot that injured Houston. That manufacturer was later acquired by a major pharmaceutical company.
"They were facing liability 200 times more than their profit. What Congress did was they chose to protect profit as opposed to protect children."
The vaccine court that Congress created to replace civil litigation has, in Asher's experience, nothing in common with a court of law.
"I heard someone say the vaccine court gives kangaroo courts a bad name. And it's true. There's no due process. They change the rules arbitrarily. They decide what is a vaccine injury and what isn't. They deny evidence and take forever."
She cited the case of Hannah Pauling — injured in the same timeframe as Houston, by the same vaccine — whose family received $20 million plus $500,000 annually in compensation. Her family's father happened to be a neuroscientist working for a neuroscientist who testified in the proceedings.
Katie Asher received $39,000. She is required to use a government-paid employee who comes into her home to verify she is caring adequately for her son. She has to take notes, report everything, justify her decisions — and she does not even directly receive the funds. A fiscal agent receives them on her behalf.
"Basically it says that somebody who has a connection to the inside can get justice. If you're not one of the in-crowd, you don't get it. You don't get access to justice."
The 1986 law, she argues, is unconstitutional on its face. It violates the 14th Amendment by denying equal protection. Vaccine manufacturers earn $54 billion annually from childhood vaccines, liability-free. They pay the media $13 billion a year and Congress $450 million. They were required by law to report to Congress every two years on safety improvements. The number of times they have done so: zero.
"I will never stop advocating for the complete repudiation of that 1986 law and for the justice that is owed to us. My son's life is just as valuable as anyone else's life. They had no right to injure him and they had no right to deny us justice. I will continue to fight that the rest of my time on this earth."
What Houston Would Choose
At one point, someone asked Houston the question that lies beneath everything he has experienced: if you could choose between being as you are now — knowing everything you know — or being like everyone else, what would you choose?
He said he would choose to be as he is now. What he knows about the love of God is so extraordinary that no physical capacity would be worth trading it away.
His one request: "I would want to be included and respected."
"That's something we all need to do with every single human being," Asher said. "Treat every single person as made in the image of God with eternal, infinite value. And that's where I think we mess up — because we look at the external and make judgments."
Where to Find the Book
The Book of Heaven by Katie and Houston Asher is available on Amazon. The audiobook is on Audible and ACX. Contact: asher.house.hope at gmail.com | Social media: @AsherHouseHope | X: @KTAsher5 | Website: asher.house
A Tribute to Chris Sheaf: Intelligence Without Kindness Is Common. He Had Both.
The service for Chris Sheaf on Saturday drew what Winn described as a who's who of Tucson and Pima County. It also drew Congressman Juan Ciscomani, who eulogized Sheaf and presented the family with a copy of the remarks he had entered into the Congressional Record in his honor.
Kathleen Winn attended, and on Monday she offered the tribute she was unable to give at the podium.
Chris Sheaf worked in the background of Tucson's civic life for decades — on the Tucson International Airport Authority, the Pima County Habitat Conservation Plan, and the Rio Nuevo board, where he spent years fighting to bring transparency and integrity to a project that now faces scrutiny in the legislature and needs exactly what Sheaf provided: people who know it and care about it.
He helped build Lowe's Ventana Canyon in the 1980s. His path intersected with Rancho del Lago. His colleagues at Estes Homes came to say goodbye. So did the people he managed, and the people who managed him.
Winn quoted Howard Weiss, who wrote about Sheaf after his passing:
He listened to answers. When he disagreed, he explained why with a clarity that made you grateful for the correction. Intelligence without kindness is common in business. Kindness without intelligence is pleasant, but limited. Chris delivered both consistently, for many decades.
"He was authentic," Winn said. "He worked on the Tucson International Airport Authority, the Pima County Habitat Conservation Plan, Rio Nuevo's board, which we still need him. And he spent many years bringing transparency and integrity back to Rio Nuevo."
She described him as the rare person who did not put people in boxes — who took the time to know people across political and personal lines rather than deciding it wasn't worth the effort.
"When you meet someone who understands that you may not agree on everything, but still shows you respect and decency and kindness, those are rare individuals. Most people just disconnect. Chris never was like that."
He left her a book at the station — written in 2025, about homelessness — and asked her to find the author and have her on the show. That is now on the list.
"Constantly looking: how do I make it better? If we could do that this week, we could live in a different community a month from now."
Joel Strabala and Laurie Moore: Ballots, Double Registrations, Nanos, and the LD-17 Candidates
Joel Strabala, LD-17 chairman and Pima County Election Integrity Commission member, and Laurie Moore, longtime precinct committeeman and activist, joined to give a ground-level assessment of the coming primary cycle and the supervisor meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
Duplicate Ballots: A Report Worth Investigating
At Chris Sheaf's service, a man approached Winn with a concern she brought to Strabala directly: reports of households receiving two ballots — not one for an adult child who had moved out, but two separate ballots for the same person at the same address.
Strabala confirmed he had heard similar reports, without direct personal experience to verify them. "I have heard that that has happened."
The numbers Winn cited from the man's account were not large — approximately 600. But as she noted immediately, 600 votes in the Pima County sheriff's race would have changed the outcome.
"600 in the sheriff's race would have made a difference."
Strabala noted the recurring pattern before primary elections: voter rolls get cleaned, and some previously removed registrations mysteriously reappear. "It's amazing how some of those people come back."
Voting Centers: Green Valley Unresolved, Mobile Units Unannounced
The formal list of vote centers for the primary election has not yet been approved by the Board of Supervisors, meaning no official information is available on either early voting sites or the mobile voting center. The recorder's deputy confirmed at the last Election Integrity Commission meeting that 18 early voting sites are planned across the election month prior to the primary — but no locations were specified.
The Green Valley situation — where Green Valley Rec has declined to continue hosting polling locations, threatening access for a reliably Republican senior community — remains unresolved.
"Green Valley turns out to be a big Republican stronghold," Winn said. "We have a lot of good Republicans in Green Valley, LD-19. So the question is: is that by accident or by design?"
Strabala committed to raising the Green Valley question at the next Election Integrity Commission meeting that Friday.
The Oversight Project Lawsuit and the Elections Procedures Manual
Winn reminded listeners that the Pima County Republican Party is a named plaintiff in the Oversight Project's lawsuit against Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Attorney General Chris Mays over the state's Elections Procedures Manual — a document that, among other provisions, would prohibit uniformed law enforcement officers from voting in person.
"There's no evidence that the phenomenon of a cop coming in to vote intimidates anyone," Winn said. "In fact, the more you are reassured by the presence of uniform personnel."
The LD-17 Candidate Forum
Strabala hosted a debate and forum for the candidates in Legislative District 17 — Arizona's largest LD in Pima County — on Saturday. The event was open to the district's precinct committeemen and invited guests.
The candidates for the open Senate seat — Chris King and Anthony Dunham — were both invited. King was unable to attend due to a medical appointment. Dunham was present, along with incumbent Representative Rachel Keschel and House candidate John Winchester.
Questions came from the LD-17 body itself, collated at the executive committee level. Topics covered included campaign finance, illegal immigration, legislative overrides, government spending, income taxes, elections, the Second Amendment, education funding, ESAs, the role of government, data centers, and candidate public behavior.
"The candidates answered them all very honestly and I think we as PCs and our guests have a real good feel of what our candidates believe in and what they intend to do when they go up to Phoenix," Strabala said. "I think the three of them — Mr. Dunham, Mr. Winchester, and Representative Keschel — will do a good job for LD-17 for the 27-28 legislative session."
Moore was equally affirming of the quality of the forum. "I was proud of all three of them. It was really heartfelt and sincere."
Winn noted that Keschel's current seatmate, Kevin Volk, is under scrutiny for potentially not residing within the district boundaries — a legal requirement for state House members that does not apply to congressional candidates. Two Democrats are running in the House race, which makes it essential that Republican voters understand the two-for-two dynamic: in the general election, LD-17 voters elect two House members, and splitting a Republican vote or not voting for both is an effective vote for the Democratic candidates.
"Vote for two. Keschel and Winchester. Winchester and Keschel. Depending on what floats your boat."
Nanos: The Smart Thing
With the Board of Supervisors meeting the following day and the 100-day mark in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance approaching, both Strabala and Winn were direct about the Nanos situation.
Reports over the weekend suggested that when Nanos provided his response to the board's inquiry, he appeared confused about the questions — uncertain what he was being asked despite those questions having been framed in clear, simple terms. For a law enforcement officer who has spent a career in the field, that confusion raised additional concerns.
Strabala's assessment was unambiguous: "I'm of the opinion that Sheriff Nanos has failed Pima County and that he should do the smart thing and resign. Because it's going to get expensive if we go through the recall process. But I think the bottom line from what I'm seeing in the signature collection process is that Pima County is tired of Sheriff Nanos and we need something better."
The union — which must nominate a Democrat to replace a Democrat — has identified someone they would accept as a replacement. The path exists. The question is whether Nanos will take it.
"I think anything would be better at this point," Strabala said.
Winn drew the contrast that had been on her mind all weekend: Chris Sheaf, who gave his entire life to make the community better. And Chris Nanos, who in her telling gave his career to enrich himself.
"The supervisors have an opportunity to restore integrity and honor to law enforcement in this county in a way that really needed to happen a while ago. Bullies and egomaniacs and people that don't take their job seriously, but think they have a position they can lord over others, have no business serving in those roles."
Eileen Wilson: The Sparkle for Freedom Gala and the Party That Builds a Campaign
Eileen Wilson is the second vice chair of the Pima County Republican Party and its fundraising engine. She joined Kathleen Winn for the show's final segment to announce the event that Winn has been building toward for months.
The Sparkle for Freedom Gala
Date: July 4th, 2026 Time: 7 to 10 p.m. Location: JW Marriott Starpass, Tucson Theme: Formal patriotic — red, white, blue, sparkles welcomed and encouraged Tickets: $150 per person | $1,500 for a full reserved table Register: pimagop.org — scroll down for the Sparkle for Freedom Gala tickets
The venue's veranda provides an exclusive view of Tucson from the mountain. Fireworks are visible from the property. The evening includes carving stations, food displays, a make-your-own dessert station, music, dancing, games, and commemorative gifts.
Discounted hotel rooms are available for those who want to stay overnight — the link appears on the Pima GOP website just below the ticket purchase section. A limited block of rooms has been reserved specifically for gala attendees.
For anyone who wants to avoid driving home after an evening of celebration: plan ahead.
Why the Money Matters
Every dollar raised at the gala goes directly to electing Republican candidates in the 2026 general election — covering the legislative districts of Pima County from LD-16 through LD-23.
"We will elect people July 21st," Winn said. "And then we will be ready to promote our candidates from governor on down, but most importantly in Pima County — maintaining and picking up seats in the legislature."
This is the first July 4th event of its kind from the Pima County Republican Party in over a decade. The timing is deliberate: America's 250th anniversary, a primary three weeks away, and a general election that Wilson and Winn believe is the most consequential Arizona has faced in a generation.
"Think about this," Wilson said. "You are alive during the 250th anniversary of this country. And what a wonderful way to celebrate with like-minded people."
The County Fair Preview
Wilson had just finished working the Pima County Fair booth, where red, white, and blue merchandise moved faster than she could restock it. Spin wheel prizes with American flag pins and sparkling patriotic accessories drew attention from every corner of the fairgrounds.
"I can't keep enough 250th merchandise in stock," she said. "Everyone is excited."
The same energy that sold out the merchandise at the fair is, in her and Winn's estimation, the energy that will show up at the polls in July and November — provided the party does the work to organize it and give it a place to go.
Biggs campaign signs were already arriving at Pima County Republican Party headquarters at 4801 East Broadway as the show was closing — thousands of them, ready for distribution beginning Monday.
"We are the source for all things that support this community," Winn said. "We have a lot of work to do and this is go time."
Winn's closing challenge to the Board of Supervisors, offered the morning before their Tuesday meeting: "I am confident that we are red and we are not purple and we're going to return to red this election. And I hope and pray that the supervisors understand that you have an opportunity to restore integrity and honor to law enforcement in this county."
Winn Tucson airs Monday through Friday, 9 to 11 a.m., on KVOI 1030 The Voice.
The Book of Heaven by Katie and Houston Asher: available on Amazon and Audible | asher.house | @AsherHouseHope
Sparkle for Freedom Gala — July 4th, 7–10 p.m., JW Marriott Starpass: pimagop.org
Pima County Republican Party headquarters: 4801 East Broadway, Tucson. Visit for signs, merchandise, and PC forms.
Primary voter registration deadline: June 21. Early ballots: approximately June 23. Primary: July 21.