Category Archives: 2020 Election

Interview 3: Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) talks legislating, Valley Fever, optimism and ethics violation

Five-term Arizona GOP lawmaker Rep. David Schweikert joined me for a straight-forward discussion on a number of matters …

Episode #3: Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.)

Schweikert, who represents Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, spoke with me in late September – days before the House recessed until Election Day (or sooner should a COVID relief deal come together before that time.)

The self-described “shy” lawmaker opened up about many issues including his greatest accomplishments on behalf of his Scottsdale-based district, the ability to adapt to the new COVID reality for his constituents … hint – it involves a “secret weapon with a golden rolodex,” the bipartisanship achieved in a very partisan Congress and the support he received from fellow lawmakers following a House ethics violation due to a campaign finance matter …

Schweikert also discussed his bill to extend telemedicine visits, technological advances in carbon capture, the upcoming election and Arizona’s experience with mail-in ballots.

One of my favorite quotes …

“I’m inherently really optimistic – I’m 58 (years old) my wife’s 58 (years old) and we have a five-year-old.”

Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.)

This was an informative and enlightening conversation … please take a listen and share your feedback.

Get ready to hear from the purple district lawmakers …

The response to Article One has been fantastic – lawmakers and senators are enthusiastic to talk with me about the job of making laws and investigating those other two branches of government.

I plan to release four podcast episodes this week that feature lawmakers who represent so-called purple districts – swing districts – battlegrounds.

Over the past few weeks, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) and Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-N.Y.) sat down to speak with me via zoom. The conversations were wide-ranging and informative.

From left to right: Rep. Bacon, Rep. Spanberger, Rep. Schweikert and Rep. Brindisi

Each lawmaker is locked in a tight re-election contest. Brindisi is even running against the former lawmaker he unseated in 2018, former GOP Rep. Claudia Tenney (N.Y.)

These races are considered “toss-ups,” or “leans” one way by the non-partisan Cook Political report. Brindisi and Spanberger represent districts that President Trump won in 2016. Bacon and Schweikert’s seats are top targets by the House Democrats’ campaign arm, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC.)

Check out the next post for these lawmakers’ respective answers to the question: will Congress and the White House agree to a fifth package before Election Day?

As soon as the episodes are live, I will add an embedded link on this website and/or you will be able to subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.