McCain challenger JD Hayworth addresses GOP at Lincoln Day Dinner

Former congressman JD Hayworth wants Arizona citizens to know he’s not John McCain.

Hayworth, who recently announced he will run against Sen. John McCain in the Republican primary, spoke in front of Legislative District 3’s Lincoln Day Dinner Saturday evening at the Nautical Inn. Hayworth, who served 12 years in the House of Representatives, said while he respects McCain, he has several political issues with McCain.

“Even as I thank our senior senator for his service, I do take polite yet profound exception to many of the decisions he has made in recent years,” Hayworth told about 150 Mohave County Republicans during his speech. “The question has come up, ‘Well you supported John so visibly, so outspokenly in 2000, why the difference now?’ Simply stated, with all due respect … the John McCain of 2000 is not the John McCain of 2010.”

Hayworth said he supports lowering taxes in Arizona, stating “the power to reduce taxes is the power to employ.” Hayworth also spoke of his position against using torture or “enhanced interrogation techniques” and against amnesty, two issues for which McCain has taken opposing sides.

Mohave County Republicans, including Lake Havasu City Mayor Mark Nexsen, District 3 Supervisor Buster Johnson, District 3 Director LaJuana Gillette and Sen. Ron Gould R-Lake Havasu, were enthusiastic about the speech, but seemed to want more.

“I think he’s a very good speaker and I think there was a lot of common ground

in the room, including areas as it pertained to fiscal conservatism,” Nexsen said. “Unfortunately I didn’t hear anything as it pertained to Mohave County or Lake Havasu City. I would’ve liked to see the speech be a little more personalized for us considering the difficulties we’re having here. But all in all he was a very good motivational speaker for the party.”

Gilette said she knew many of Hayworth’s policies before the speech and thought his words did much to revitalize the local party.

“I think he was very charismatic,” Gillete said. “I think JD will do what he can for (Mohave County). We need some help as far as the sewer is concerned and I think he will listen to us.”

Johnson said he feels Hayworth is probably the right candidate for Arizona.

“I’m hoping he’s going to strengthen the party and its ideals,” Johnson said. “In these times, maybe both parties have lost their way. I think Mohave County is a stronghold of principles and this is a great place to bring our party back.”

City Councilperson Margaret Nyberg said she hopes Hayworth establishes a positive vibe in the coming months.

“My thing is, I’m going to be for whoever is positive,” she said. “If you don’t have positive ideas, or just try to tear the state or city down, then that’s not who I’m getting behind. I would like to have someone do something for us and really be a voice for us.”

Gould, who appeared in Phoenix last Monday endorsing Hayworth, said he would prefer to see a conservative candidate in the Senate.

“With Hayworth, we could actually get some conservative representation and I think that is something that is much needed here,” Gould said. “We have a current senator (McCain) that endorses amnesty and not for lowering taxes … and is more concerned about relating to the other party than his own party. … I think (Hayworth) is going to be the conservative voice we need.”

Gillette said she’s unsure if the speech Saturday evening was enough to sway votes for Hayworth but it probably boosted morale amongst his supporters.

“I don’t think we’ll really know until we get closer to the primary or maybe until the primary is over,” Gillette said. “I think that most of the people (in attendance) know him from when he was a congressman and I think that’s the reason why they were there. We’re all excited about it and we’re hoping both he and McCain return to Mohave County.”

Nexsen, reading a statement from McCain’s office, said McCain had previous commitments elsewhere in Arizona and regretted he could not attend.

“It is clear the American people are fed up with big government and irresponsible spending,” Nexsen said, reading from the statement. “Senator McCain believes 2010 will be a very good year for Republicans and he looks forward to returning to Lake Havasu City and sends all of his best wishes to his friends here.”