NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday September 26, 2007

Second Arizona newspaper tells Bee he can’t have it both ways

The Arizona Daily Star’s editorial board told Tim Bee in a succinct headline today to “Get in or get out.”

“It’s time for Tim Bee to quit wavering and tell voters whether he is or is not going to run for Congress in the Southern Arizona district represented by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords,” according to the Star editorial board. “By delaying a decision, Bee does a disservice to his Tucson constituents and to the Legislature.” (http://www.azstarnet.com/opinion/203003)

Arizona’s resign-to-run law requires that officeholders seeking another seat resign their existing position. The Star said Bee should honor the intent of the law to better serve the entire state.

The Green Valley News, Bee’s hometown newspaper, said on Sept. 20 he shouldn’t try to have it both ways.

“Clearly, though, he should consider resigning,” according to the News editorial. “He does not want to be seen as someone who’s hanging around on a technicality, the fact that he has not formally announced.” (http://www.gvnews.com/articles/2007/09/21/news/news12.txt)

“Clearly Democrats aren’t the only ones who think that Tim Bee needs to level with Southern Arizonans,” said Emily Bittner, communications director for the Arizona Democratic Party. “For weeks, Bee has been playing word games and hiding behind a so-called exploratory committee, even while he’s out talking to voters all over the district and raising money all over the state. We’re just asking him to be as upfront with voters as Congresswoman Giffords was when she resigned to run.”