Robin Earl and Steve Sanford
The Quail Creek Republican Club (QCRC) met at the Kino Conference Center on March 20. Steve Sanford, president, welcomed everyone and introduced new members to the QCRC.
Following the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, Steve Sanford introduced State Senator Warren Petersen, candidate for Arizona Attorney General. Warren has served in the Arizona Legislature since 2012, beginning in the House of Representatives. He represents District 14, covering Gilbert and parts of Queen Creek. He is known for advocating limited government, reduced regulations, low taxes, and free-market principles.
His leadership roles have included: House Majority Leader, Rules, Commerce, Judiciary, and Ethics Committee Chair. He is a third-generation Gilbert resident and an Eagle Scout. He earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from Arizona State University.
He is extremely committed to ensuring that the state’s highest law enforcement official follows the letter of the law.
The next speaker introduced was Gail Griffin, State Representative, Ariz. District 19 and candidate for Arizona Senate. Currently, Gail represents District 19 and chairs the natural resources, energy, and water committee. Her key focus is water policy and infrastructure and rural agriculture issues. She has served in both the House and Senate and sits on multiple state committees and boards, including water policy organizations.
Gail has the reputation of getting bills written and passed, a government legislator who truly gets things done. She was voted “Senator of the Year,”(NFIB) Legislator of the Year and “Overall Legislative Champion.” She is a longtime real estate broker and active in numerous civic organizations.
Our third speaker was Pastor Lupe Diaz, a State Representative for Arizona District 19, and a candidate for re-election. Lupe Diaz has served as a State Representative since 2021 and as pastor of Grace Chapel Benson since 1988.
Lupe is a former Benson city council member, former president, San Pedro Valley/Benson chamber of commerce, and currently an instructor at Cochise College (philosophy, ethics, religion). He holds a bachelor’s degree in theology and is a longtime community leader. He and his wife have been married 51 years and have a large extended family. Truly, he is a man of faith and integrity.
The fourth and final speaker was Kara Egbert, vice mayor, Town of Sahuarita. She is a candidate for justice of the peace. Kara Egbert has nearly 20 years of public service and was first elected to the Sahuarita town council in 2009. She currently serves as vice mayor. Her service highlights include Fellow, Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy, member Governor’s Arizona State Citizen Corps Council, former chair, Southern Arizona Red Cross Board.
She emphasizes thoughtful, fact-based decision making and fairness, impartiality and accessibility in the Judicial System. She and her husband have been married for 28 years and have five children and grandchildren.
A fifth speaker, state senator David Gowan, candidate for Arizona House LD-19, unfortunately could not attend, due to a recent death in the family.
Steve Sanford made closing comments and reviewed the upcoming events for the April 17 QCRC meeting.