As expected, a Senate committee on Wednesday passed a resolution recommending that the former Democrat be denied the nomination as head of a state agency because of his past political rhetoric.

Former Senator Martin Quesada appointed by Gov. Katie Hobbs as Director of Arizona Contractor Registry, a small state agency tasked with licensing and regulating Arizona contractors that oversee construction projects was done. Quesada served as interim manager for 114 days.

The committee voted 3 to 2 against Quesada based on party affiliation.Republican Party issue a press release of a hearing shortly after calling Quesada an “unfit extremist” with a “racist past.”

The institution is no stranger to politics, but Quesada has been one of the most vocal leftists in Congress over the past few years, both on social media and on the floor.

During the hearings, committee members addressed transgender people in sports, masks during COVID-19, white nationalism, racism and sexism in employment, mass shootings, anti-Semitism, border security, He raised political topics such as ESG, empowerment scholarship accounts, and critical racial theories. and the relationship between Israel and Palestine.

Creosote lobbyist Gael Esposito said last week that he hadn’t heard that the contractor registrar’s job was political, but that the committee’s chairman, Senator Jake Hoffman (R. Queen Creek) will do political work.

“He’s going to cover everything he can, even if it has nothing to do with the activities of the Contractors Registry because A) no one knows and B) the conservative media definitely doesn’t care. ‘ she said at the time.

Most of Wednesday’s political questions didn’t come from Hoffman, but from Republican Senators TJ Shop (R. Coolidge) and Saine Carr (R. .

Quesada and the committee’s Democratic Rep. Rela Alston (D-Phoenix, Sen. Eva Birch, D-Mesa) kept the conversation away from (in Burch’s words) “hot” political topics. I tried, but in vain.

Quesada had to fight mainly on charges of anti-Semitism. Treasurer Kimberly Yee labeled him as During the election campaign for the same position in 2022.

Quesada has made multiple statements in favor of Palestine and against Israel, which most Republicans and some Democrats disagree.

Former Republican and Jewish congressman Adam Kwasman strongly opposed Quesada as a candidate for this reason. Kvassman said that historically people have used anti-Semitism based on religion, then ethnicity, and now, as in Israel, nationality.

“In my humble opinion, I think Martín Quesada got infected with this,” Kwasman said. He said he knew the Contractor Registry’s command had nothing to do with Israel, but argued it reflected Arizona’s values.

Shope said the Israeli Heritage Foundation had asked the government to terminate the contract with Quesada.

Quesada has repeatedly dismissed accusations of anti-Semitism as “abhorrent”.

During the public comment period, others also spoke in support of Quesada, including the president of the Arizona Associated Minority Contractors and the executive director of the Arizona Association of American Subcontractors.

Quesada’s voting history has made headlines several times, most notably on the Senate Judiciary Committee last year, when Quesada voted “against” all appointments under the guise of calling for diversity. He also voted against candidates of color, women and Jews. The committee at the time approved all candidates, with only one “no” vote for Mr. Quesada.

“You have a great background and you’re probably the best fit for the job,” he told Pima County Tribunal Appointment Commission candidate Nicole Barraza. “I have to thank and honor the excitement and willingness of everyone to play this role.” Barasa, a Hispanic woman, voted against Quesada after the hearing. I asked him why he cast. Quesada said he voted against two people of color because the committee deliberately disapproved of them. “I believe we are going back to our role as a company.Committeeof the Senate JudiciaryCommitteeYou have to be intentional about this. People of color shouldn’t be rubber stamped just because they are people of color,” Quesada said at the time.

Quesada mentioned Constitutional provisionsArticle 6, Section 36 stipulates that: “The composition of the Commission shall reflect, as far as possible, the diversity of the people of the State.”

“I expect high standards from every senator here, and I expect them not to be discriminatory when considering appointments, whether on the board, committee, or whatever. I look forward to picking a strong candidate,” former Senate Speaker Karen Huang said at the time.

Quesada cited the clause again on Wednesday, claiming he wanted more diversity but also said he believed it was inappropriate to make hiring and firing decisions based on race or ethnicity. . Hoffmann accused him of a “180 degree” change in his opinion.

Kerr said in the committee and subsequent press release that Quesada once said it was not his responsibility to deliver on his campaign promises. She asked how she could take him for granted. Quesada didn’t remember the comment or the context, she said.

The comment was made by June 22, 2022 To explain Quesada’s “no vote” against the main budget bill in the last Congress.

“I don’t think it’s our responsibility to do what we promised during the campaign. Our responsibility is to do what’s best for the people of Arizona, and it’s a bipartisan effort.” Sometimes it doesn’t,” he said. He continued to vote against the budget, protesting that Congress did not mention a cap on school spending.

Senate Democrats have not issued a statement as of June 1 afternoon, but Senate Democratic Communications Director Kari Jones said in a text: “A man has been accused of fraud and running a troll farm by Facebook and Twitter. It’s ironic that he was banned for life,” he said. He’s about to hurl social media comments at qualified and dedicated civil servants. ‘ She was referring to Hoffmann.

Looking ahead, Quesada said he did not know who would be selected as manager or what the next step would be.

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