Andy Tobin has repeatedly put the priorities of his special interest backers ahead of Arizonans, and recent comments prove he is still disconnected from reality. Just this month in a radio interview, Tobin claimed he’s a member of the “working class” but clearly doesn’t know what that means. Tobin makes over 50 percent more than the median income in Arizona, to say nothing of the gifts Tobin has taken from lobbyists.
“Andy Tobin has repeatedly proven that his special interest agenda is totally out of touch with Arizona’s values,” said Tyrone Gayle of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “There’s no question that after years of abusing taxpayer dollars and cozying up to lobbyists, Andy Tobin has become so disconnected from middle class Arizona families that he’s lost touch with what it means to have to work for a living.”
BACKGROUND:
Tobin Called Himself a Member of the Working Class. In September 2014, Tobin called himself a member of the working class while speaking about the loss of potential coal industry jobs in Arizona. “In many cases our Native American communities certainly Kayenta, this coal doesn’t come from Kayenta but it comes from New Mexico, but these are Arizona jobs. I mean you know it’s just hard to realize that as difficult as things are, especially for us working class folks that the federal government continues to have time with the never-ending ongoing crisis that they create themselves every week.” [Tobin Inside Track Radio Interview, 9/13/14]
TOBIN’S HISTORY SUGGESTS OTHERWISE
Holds a Minimum of $172,000 in Personal Investments. As of November 30, 2013 Tobin reported holding stocks and other investments valued between $172,010 and $505,000. [2013 Tobin Personal Financial Disclosure Form, filed 11/30/13]
…And Earned at Least $54,000 from Investments in 2013. Tobin’s investments earned between $54,307 and $111,500 in 2013. [2013 Tobin Personal Financial Disclosure Form, filed 11/30/13]
Earned Income of $77,000 in 2013. In 2013, Tobin earned a combined $77,000 from his employment with the State of Arizona and with his insurance company, Andrew Tobin Insurance Sales. [2013 Tobin Personal Financial Disclosure, filed 11/30/13]
Arizona’s Median Income was Reported at $50,256. According to United States Census figures collected between 2008 and 2012, Arizona’s median household income was $50,256.[Census.gov, accessed 9/29/14]
Top Recipient of Lobbyist Dollars in State Legislature. From 2011-2012, House Speaker Tobin topped the list of recipients of lobbying dollars records that reported a beneficiary. In those years, Tobin received $4,295 in 45 transactions. In the first quarter of 2013, Tobin again was the top recipient of the most lobbying dollars. Of lobbying dollars reported with a recipient, $2,844.24 was spent on Tobin. [Arizona Capitol Times, 4/22/13; Arizona Capitol Times, 5/20/13]
Involved in Fiesta Bowl Investigation on Whether Lawmakers Paid Enough for Trips. In April 2011, the Fiesta Bowl launched an internal investigation into whether elected officials paid enough for trips while on bowl junkets.Fiesta officials confirmed they would seek reimbursement from lawmakers for tickets and travel at bowl expense and said they never should have given them away. Tobin said he attended the 2009 matchup between the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas because bowl officials said they were afraid of losing the Bowl Championship Series to Dallas and wanted to demonstrate the support of Arizona lawmakers. [Arizona Republic, 4/17/11]