Guests - Dave Smith, Juan Ciscomani, Ava Chen
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Pima County Politics, Election Integrity, and Global Threats: A Deep Dive from Winn Tucson
Host Kathleen Winn opened the broadcast by shifting the usual China Watch Wednesday schedule to accommodate guests and pressing local issues dominating Pima County.
Heated Meetings on Immigration Enforcement in Pima County and Marana
Dave Smith joined Winn to recap two dramatic public meetings held the previous day: one at the Pima County Board of Supervisors and another at the Marana Town Council.
Smith described the Marana Town Council session as "high school drama class"—emotional, theatrical presentations dominated by opponents of a proposed private immigration detention facility in Marana. Speakers delivered heart-wrenching stories about detainees while omitting critical context, such as criminal allegations against certain individuals highlighted in the narratives.
"They tell the story like the Irishman who's being held... he's only wanted for murder and corruption... but they tell this whole heartbreak story without telling you the fact."
He contrasted the emotional appeals of progressive speakers with the more fact-based, rational (but "cold") arguments made by conservative attendees. Smith praised the Marana council for professionalism, noting they ultimately took a hands-off stance: the facility is a private transaction on private property, and the town does not interfere with legal land use.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors meeting, by comparison, felt far more confrontational and biased. Smith accused Chair Jen Allen and the majority of displaying overt leftist bias—allowing their side to react while shutting down conservative responses, creating what he called a "Soviet" atmosphere.
"If you thought Rex Scott was the least bit moderate, he is a clown show of leftist stupidity... They have simply stopped just showing you their ankles—they have lifted their whole skirts. They are leftist clowns."
He singled out Supervisor Steve Christy as the lone voice of reason on the 4–1 board. The board passed resolutions (4–1) restricting county property use by federal immigration agents and opposing masked federal officers during enforcement actions—moves Smith dismissed as unenforceable political theater.
Concerns Over Mobile Voting Centers and Election Integrity
Winn raised alarms about a mobile voting center donated by the Tohono O'odham Nation to the Pima County Recorder's Office. The vehicle, wrapped in the tribe's purple and yellow colors, will travel to remote areas including Sells, Arivaca, Ajo, and possibly the Nanini Library.
The critical issue: no election observers are permitted inside the van.
"There's no observers allowed... That violates the new law that was signed into law... We can't see anything from outside the van. It's like in Michigan when they put the papers up and the observers could not see through the windows."
Winn called it a "harvesting machine" that undermines trust in elections. She noted Republicans are currently leading Democrats slightly in early ballot returns (1.06% vs. 0.96% of requested ballots returned), but stressed that faith in the system remains fragile.
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Renewal Battle
Discussion turned to the upcoming vote on continuing the Regional Transportation Authority sales tax for another 20 years. Winn and Smith argued that Pima County and Tucson leaders have squandered previous funds—leaving potholes unfixed despite two decades of revenue—and destroyed public trust.
"They have a track record... of not keeping their promises and mismanaging and misusing this money... We're not Lucy and Charlie Brown. We understand the football's there—you're gonna pull it away."
Heavy marketing spending by RTA proponents (elaborate mailers, signs, ads) further fueled skepticism.
Congressman Juan Ciscomani on CD6, Fundraising, and National Priorities
Congressman Juan Ciscomani (CD6) joined the program fresh off receiving an endorsement from Turning Point USA. He described his district as one-third Republican, one-third Democrat, one-third independent—making it the nation's most competitive congressional seat after recent redistricting.
Ciscomani emphasized results over rhetoric:
Border security improvements have reduced human trafficking significantly (though fentanyl remains a challenge).
Economic policies are reversing Biden-era damage: no tax on tips, overtime, or Social Security (up to certain amounts), 100% write-offs for small-business brick-and-mortar expansion.
He highlighted attending naturalization ceremonies and stressed America remains "a nation of immigrants" while insisting on secure borders and streamlined legal pathways.
On fundraising: his campaign raised ~$4 million last year, sits on $3.2 million cash-on-hand—outpacing his opponent's <$1.5 million. He criticized ActBlue's top-down, out-of-state-heavy model as "shady."
Ciscomani strongly endorsed the SAVE Act (photo ID + proof of citizenship for voter registration), noting broad public support—even among Democrats—and called Democratic opposition nonsensical.
"It's offensive when you think that someone that looks like me wouldn't have a picture ID... It's absolutely nonsense."
China Watch Wednesday with Ava Chen: CCP Turmoil, Middle East Proxies, and Strategic Moves
Ava Chen, representing the New Federal State of China, analyzed Xi Jinping's recent purge of top PLA leadership—including childhood friend General Zhang Youxia (former procurement chief) and the joint staff/intelligence director.
Chen called it an unprecedented coup attempt within the CCP's 100-year history. The purged generals allegedly sought U.S. collaboration to prevent a Taiwan war and potentially dismantle the regime. Their replacements lack comparable qualifications.
"This is the first time the top general... the top professional commander inside the PLA... flipped."
She expressed frustration that Western media underplayed the event's significance, missing an opportunity to exploit CCP internal fractures.
On the Middle East: Chen described Iran as a CCP proxy. Beijing has reportedly built drone production lines, missile facilities, and provided wartime intelligence (via satellites) to Tehran. She warned of Belt and Road dual-use infrastructure preparing for confrontation.
Chen praised Trump administration actions—moving a small modular nuclear reactor from California to Texas (a capability China/Russia lack), threatening the International Energy Agency on "climate hoax" narratives, and restarting wheat exports to Bangladesh (previously CCP-captured).
She urged observers to focus on Trump's deeds, not words:
"Don't worry about what Trump is saying... Watch what he's doing... He's rebuilding U.S. economy, unleashing energy, resetting leverages in the Middle East, and confronting the real issue—not China but the CCP."
Chen closed by arguing the U.S. is in an information war: CCP scripts portray America as collapsing, yet reality (energy dominance, new markets, alliances) tells a different story.
The broadcast wrapped with Winn urging listeners to stay engaged in local fights for election integrity and to celebrate America's strengths as the country enters the Chinese Year of the Fire Horse—symbolizing bold action and forward momentum.