Thomas and Horne Go Head to Head in Republican AG Primary

PHOENIX - The race for the Republican nomination for Attorney General is turning into one of the more vicious battles of this primary season.

State Superintendent Tom Horne and former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas, both seasoned politicians, may be in for the toughest campaign of their careers.

Andrew Thomas resigned as Maricopa County Attorney to run for AG.

"I think we need new energy and vision in this office for these tough challenges we have ahead of us," he says, hoping to take some of his illegal immigration programs statewide -- particularly his war against human smugglers.

"I think that that can be done very successfully on a statewide basis. We have a model in Maricopa County that I have done with the sheriff and it worked," says Thomas.

With 1070 dominating the political climate, Thomas says Arizona needs an AG who's willing to take on the legal challenges.

"I helped write 1070 and every major crackdown for the last 5 years. And we have a track record of winning in court."

Thomas wants to beef up security along the border and also hopes to reenergize the fight against identity theft. But immigration enforcement is where he is most ambitious.

"I think you need to have somebody who fully believes in this fight, and Tom Horne supports amnesty for illegal immigrants."

Tom Horne's response? "I am not in favor of amnesty... and the fact that he would make a reckless charge like that is why you can't trust him."

State Superintendent Tom Horne has run Arizona schools for the past 8 years, but what you may not know is that he's been battling it out in the courtroom for most of his life.

"Not as well known is my legal background. I was a practicing lawyer for 30 years," says Horne. "I have more trial experience than almost anyone who works in the AG's office. I was a special assistant attorney general."

Horne supports 1070 and says he'll defend it. He feels the current Attorney General, Terry Goddard, has fallen short fighting illegal immigration.

"They have not pressured the federal government, the way the Arizona AG should lead the effort to pressure the federal government."

While the two Republican candidates have similar goals when it comes to immigration, Horne says Thomas can't be trusted with public dollars. He cites the often-criticized attempts to prosecute County Supervisors Don Stapley and Mary Rose Wilcox.

"I think he is reckless and dangerous… I think that financially while I have saved the taxpayers hundreds of millions, he has wasted money significantly," says Horne of Thomas.

Thomas will be the first to admit -- public corruption cases are difficult to prosecute and can't always be won.

The winner of the Republican primary will go on to challenge one of three Democrats running to be the state's top prosecutors.