Aug 28, 2012
Payday Paton Not Right for Arizona
Republican congressional candidate Payday Jonathan Paton (AZ-01) moved to the first district to run for Congress, but he can’t run from his record of putting millionaires and big corporations first, and the middle class last. Payday Paton lobbied for the predatory payday lending industry, backed Congressman Paul Ryan’s plan to end Medicare and supports privatizing Social Security.
“Jonathan Paton is a payday lending lobbyist who wants to privatize Social Security and end Medicare, placing special interests ahead of the middle class,” said Amber Moon of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Arizona’s middle class families and seniors need someone who will stand up for them in Washington, not a lobbyist like Jonathan Paton who would end Medicare for seniors and risk their Social Security in the stock market.”
Background
Paton was a Registered Lobbyist. According to the Arizona Secretary of State Lobbyist System, Paton was a registered lobbyist in 2012 and between 2001 and 2005. [Arizona Secretary of State Lobbyist System, accessed 1/23/12]
Paton Worked for the Payday Lending Industry Association. In 2004, Paton worked for the Community Financial Services Association, the payday lending industry association. In 2008, Paton supported an industry-written ballot initiative that would allow payday lenders to remain open indefinitely, overriding a law that required them to shut down in 2010. [Arizona Daily Star, 6/6/10; Arizona Daily Star, 9/25/08; Arizona Capitol Times, 4/02/10; Arizona Daily Star, 10/19/08]
Paton Said He Would Moved to CD1 from Tucson Home in CD2. In 2012, the Arizona Capitol Times reported, “Paton has said he will move to CD1 from his Tucson home, which is in the new 2nd Congressional District.” [Arizona Capitol Times, 1/25/12]
Paton Advocated for Privatizing Social Security. In 2012, Paton said he supported “allowing younger workers to invest earnings that would otherwise go to Social Security.” [Arizona Republic, 7/25/12]
Paton Endorsed Paul Ryan’s Plans for Entitlements. On July 30, 2010, Jonathan Patton was asked if he supported privatizing Medicare and Social Security. In response, Patton said, “I think that Paul Ryan has a great plan dealing with the entitlements in this country…I think that Paul Ryan has got some great ideas. I think that we need to have some sort of entitlement reform in order to have a legacy for our children.” Paul Ryan’s Roadmap for America’s Future would “end traditional Medicare.” [Arizona Public Media, 44:20, 7/30/10; Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 7/7/10]
###
Want the latest updates? Follow the DCCC on Facebook and Twitter:
