Guests - Alex Kolodin, Laurie Moore, Mark Lewis, Dave Smith
Election Integrity, Teacher Walkouts, and Grassroots Action in Arizona
On a today’s edition of Winn Tucson, host Kathleen Winn dove into pressing issues facing Arizona — from election security and voter roll maintenance to teacher activism and local political engagement. The conversation featured State Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R-Scottsdale), retired educator Laurie Moore, longtime precinct committeeman Mark Lewis, and community advocate Dave Smith.
Kolodin on Election Security and the SAVE Act
State Rep. Alexander Kolodin, currently representing LD3 and running for Arizona Secretary of State in 2026, joined the program to discuss recent legislative efforts around election integrity.
Kolodin described a hearing in the House Elections Committee on state-level implementation of the federal SAVE Act. He highlighted testimony from lobbyists representing three Democratic-aligned NGOs — the ACLU, Lucha, and Rural Arizona Action — who, he said, were funded by the same network of donors (formerly known as the Arabella network).
"I decided I was going to ask each one of them whether they thought people should even have to be U.S. citizens in order to vote in Arizona's elections. And watching them try to do anything except give a direct answer… well it was the highlight of my week."
Kolodin argued the groups' reluctance to affirm a citizenship requirement for voting revealed their underlying position. He pointed to one Democratic committee member who praised jurisdictions in other states that allow non-citizens to vote in local elections.
He tied the discussion to ongoing litigation involving Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, who Kolodin said has allied with these organizations in court to challenge Arizona's documented proof-of-citizenship requirement for voting — a case now pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Kolodin also criticized Fontes for resisting DOJ requests for voter data, citing concerns about protecting Social Security numbers — numbers issued by the federal government.
"The excuse that he's using to impede a DOJ investigation into violations of the Civil Rights Act… is the most laughable one you could possibly come up with if you think about it for five minutes."
He emphasized the difficulty of cleaning voter rolls under the National Voter Registration Act, which requires a four-year process including mailed notices. Kolodin noted resistance from Pima County and Fontes to even this minimal cleanup.
He spotlighted two of his own legislative priorities:
The Arizona Secure Elections Act (a ballot referral) requiring a "touch point" with voters each election cycle to confirm addresses before mailing ballots.
Legislation ensuring observers are allowed at all polling locations, including early in-person vote centers, ballot replacement sites, and any new "mobile voting centers" introduced in Pima County.
Kolodin urged listeners to visit alexforaz.com to sign his nomination petition, donate, and support Republican candidates.
"My opponent is funded by leftist billionaires. I'm not, so I need your help."
Teacher Walkouts and Immigration Enforcement Protests
Later in the program, retired 30-year teacher Laurie Moore joined Kathleen Winn to discuss a large-scale teacher absence that forced cancellation of classes at more than 20 Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) schools.
The absences aligned with a national day of protest against ICE and immigration enforcement. Moore expressed frustration that teachers used personal leave to participate, leaving students without instruction.
"When they can't read, write, spell or think at grade level, maybe they can get some sunshine and exercise… But the truth of this, the scary truth is…"
Moore connected the protest to broader Pima County policies, accusing the Board of Supervisors and figures like Supervisor Adelita Grijalva of enabling large-scale migration by acting as "sponsors" for hundreds of thousands of migrants. She argued this influx has drawn ICE activity into communities.
"Rahena and the board are the ones that brought ICE here… If they didn't let them invade… they wouldn't be in the community knocking on doors."
Both Winn and Moore criticized the prioritization of activism over classroom time, especially given persistent academic struggles in the district. Moore called for cameras in classrooms to increase transparency and accountability.
"I want cameras and audio on the teachers… As a taxpayer, we put cameras in homes for parents to check on babysitters. Well, these are your babies."
They also questioned why food service continued while instruction halted, and whether teachers should be paid for the day.
The 1776 Project – Recruiting Precinct Committeemen
Mark Lewis, a 47-year veteran precinct committeeman (PC), discussed the Pima County Republican Party's "1776 Project" — an effort to fill 1,776 open PC slots created by recent Republican voter registration gains.
Lewis explained that PCs form the grassroots backbone of the party: helping register voters, assisting with turnout, and serving as community leaders. He encouraged Republicans in LDs 16–21 and 23 to collect signatures and join.
"Precinct committeemen are the backbone of the leaders of the community that help you vote and help you get registered to vote."
He shared his own path — starting as a young PC during the Reagan era, eventually winning election to the Central Arizona Project Water Board for 24 years and later serving on the Salt River Project Council.
Lewis listed down-ballot races needing Republican candidates or support, including County Board of Supervisors District 5, various water district boards, health district seats, community college districts, school boards, and fire districts.
"If you're sick of all the infighting… go out and get 10 or 15 signatures… and you could become a precinct committeeman and start your process."
He urged interested residents to visit the Pima County GOP website to locate their precinct and legislative district.
Wrapping Up: Local Issues, Wildcat Basketball, and Looking Ahead
Dave Smith joined for the final segment, reacting to the teacher walkout and broader political climate. He criticized what he called selective empathy — defending undocumented immigrants while opposing law enforcement visibility and safety measures (such as masks for ICE agents).
Smith also promoted an upcoming event featuring Fox News contributor Joe Concha at Tucson Country Club, where attendees will receive a signed copy of Concha's book on President Trump's campaign.
The program closed on an upbeat note with excitement for the No. 21 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team (21–0 at the time), heading to Tempe to face Arizona State — a reminder that amid serious policy debates, Arizonans still rally around their teams.
Throughout the broadcast, the consistent message was clear: civic engagement at every level — from signing petitions and becoming a PC to demanding accountability in schools and elections — remains essential to shaping Arizona's future.