Sen. Scott Bundgaard (R-LD4), the majority leader of the Arizona state Senate, participated in Dancing with the Stars Arizona 2011— a charity event benefiting the National Kidney Foundation on Friday night. Leaving the event, Bundgaard and his girlfriend, Aubry Ballard, got into an argument regarding his dancing partner.
Ballard, reported to be intoxicated, began throwing his clothing out of the car and onto the heavily trafficked expressway. While Bundgaard stopped the car to retrieve his clothing, Ballard attempted to commandeer his car and leave the scene. As he tried to pull her from behind the wheel of his vehicle, they were spotted by an off-duty patrol officer who called for units to respond. Ballard was arrested and spent the night in jail.
Bundgaard was briefly taken into custody on suspicion of domestic violence that evening but was released. According to reports, Ballard was booked into Maricopa County jail on a charge of assault and is awaiting her initial appearance.
Sen. Bundgaard’s statement can be read here. The Republic’s skewed report is available here.
Connie Cone Sexton and Kristena Hansen both labored on this report for the daily. Neither bothered to call Sen. Bundgaard for factual verification, as he points out in his press release.
He added, “I waive any and all ‘legislative immunity.’ If I did something wrong, charge me. I did not.”
Sen. Bundgaard has co-sponsored legislation challenging the claim of U.S. citizenship for children born in the state whose parents are residing in Arizona illegally, making him a juicy target for the pro-amnesty Arizona Republic.
UPDATE:
Since this news broke last evening, the Republic has added to the original report, including a photo and statement from Bundgaard’s girlfriend, Aubry Ballard and adding information regarding Governor Brewer that is irrelevant to this incident. Reporter Mary K. Reinhart jumped onboard with the original two reporters to further sensationalize the story, ensuring prominent placement in the morning edition.
Seeing Red AZ 
Another example of hitting the nail on the head. The last paragraph of this post says it all. Thanks for calling the Repugnant out in this instance of bias, regardless of what comes of this personal matter between the two adults involved. The newspaper’s agenda is always lurking just below the surface.
Bundgaard is a fine state senator. This is what gives the newspaper heartburn, and makes Bundgaard’s constituents shout for joy! These bills certainly illuminates the reason they prefer not to call him for verification.
http://www.azleg.gov/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=SB1308&Session_ID=102
http://www.azleg.gov/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=SB1309&Session_ID=102
Actually YOUR report is skewed. He DID invoke immunity at the scene and this is the ONLY reason he was not arrested along with his girlfriend.
I take it you were the officer who responded to the scene, eh, Mark?
Mark…MARK?!?! Any response to Sgt. Preston’s comment? Were you or were you NOT the responding officer, sir? Or are you just pokin’ a stick at a public official? If you’ve got some proof of your comment, we’re all waiting. Otherwise, take your gossip to a lib site.
Scott Bundgaard is being dragged through the muck by the Republic for having the temerity to co-sponsor bills they despise. They did they same thing to Sen. Pearce. It’s the newspaper’s style (or lack of it!).
Didn’t the Arizona Republic endorse George W. Bush for both terms and endorse John McCain for president? Yeah, really seems like a liberal newspaper to me.
Are you kidding? The Arizona Republic is a premier liberal newspaper. The agenda is open borders, same-sex marriage and all things far left of center. Both Bush and McCain ideally fit that mold. Don’t be swayed by the “R” after their names. Actually, the paper’s endorsements prior to elections are notoriously to the left as are the bulk of their editorials and Benson’s cartoons. Don’t you read? You’re probably like the conservatives I know who don’t buy the “Repulsive” anymore. But what’s your reason?
Zack, The ‘Z’ is the last letter in the alphabet. Which in this case indicates YOU are the last person to the party to understand some basic truths. The ‘Repugnant’s’ endorsement of GW Bush and McCain (both progressives, and NOT Conservatives) is understandable and expected. Remember, we said Liberal, not Democrat. Republican does NOT mean Conservative!
Pay a little more attention to the narrative and try to get a clue, please.
The Republic endorsed Mr. Bundgaard too didn’t they?
The “I had no choice but to take her from the car” bit is B.S., if you ask me.
He’d have been better off letting her take the car and phoning it in as grand theft auto.
If his juvenile record had been “expunged” why is it available to the Repugnant reporters? This man has turned his life around in the intervening years, serving in the legislature, obtaining a Master’s degree, running for congress and then re-elected to the state legislature, this time winning a senate seat and serving in leadership positions. Obviously the newspaper would rather see him at St. Vincent DePaul’s soup kitchen. This biased report makes me gag.
Moral of the story: If you are in a position of prominence, pick your girlfriends carefully. Jealousy isn’t called the green eyed monster without reason.
The news report incorrectly refers to this incident as one of “domestic violence.” It is not. Bundgaard was driving her to her home. There is no indication the two lived together. They have dated for seven months and thus have no children together. This should rightly be classified as a simple assault, with no aggravating circumstances.
The police refer to and handle these situations as domestic violence. As you write,that is incorrect, but the paper reported that correctly even though it was a slanted article with unnecessary references to past events.
If Bundgaard was a democrat, the Republic’s reporters would have given this a different spin. That’s the way of the world in Liberal Land. I very much appreciate the fact that this post includes the fact that he “co-sponsored legislation challenging the claim of U.S. citizenship for children born in the state whose parents are residing in Arizona illegally, making him a juicy target for the pro-amnesty Arizona Republic.”
That’s what the newspaper’s spin hinges on.
Let’s not forget that the Republic endorsed his opponent, Tony Bouie, who had previously run and lost in another district before he opportunistically moved to LD4 to run again. Bouie was a lifelong Democrat, changing his registration to Republican less than a week before filing his campaign documents. You might also remember that former Congressman John Shadegg actually endorsed him in that first race. Unbelievable!
Sen. Bundgaard is a decent man, approachable and smart. I am proud to have voted for him during this past election and will do so again without hesitancy.
Scott’s political handlers did a very poor job in crafting the press release. He could have avoided 90% of the comments if it were professionally handled. Unless you are sure of the history Scott had with his girlfriend it can be hurtful to speculate on legal issues.
It would appear the negative comments really have nothing to do with this incident but more to do with preconceived prejudices the writers have pro or con with Scott.
I agree with Walt, too many jump in with their own bias without reading the articles and statements fully. Connie Sexton’s report was accurate and not a smear-an incident occurred and she reported the information as obtained from the agency that handled the case. It was their classification of domestic violence, not hers.In first reports its rare to get comments from the participants. And it was the”good man”Mr.Bundgaard who slammed her professionalism for not reporting his spin of the incident, which is certainly turning into a fairly ordinary he said she said.
I noticed that th’ daily isn’t allowing comments on the article. Could that be because they KNOW that their story is so left leaning? ALL THAT ALLEGED INFO was in the police report?
I wasn’t there, so I’m not going to speculate. But the story IS skewed, & left leaning.
The comments regarding then Senator, now Governor Brewer are entirely inappropriate, in my opinion. I’m not Gov. Brewer’s biggest fan, but she beats the alternative hands down. Bringing her into the story just proves the lack of their journalistic integrity.
Also, Kurt Warner’s WIFE was the “Dancing” partner? I don’t know what kind of shape Sen. Bundgaard’s in…but I wouldn’t be touching Mr. Warner’s WIFE th’ wrong way. I’d imagine Mr. Warner’s ability to defend his wife’s honor is excellent.
Personally, had I been in the situation on th’ side of th’ 51…I’da let her take th’ car, gone to her place th’ next morning, got my car back, & asked the lady to lose my number. But that’s just me…
Good point about the newspaper disallowing comments, Doc. That’s their modus operandi when they don’t want to be taken to task for their leftist bent — clearly showing how controlling they are.
He should have taken the key when he left the car.
A responsible adult would have pulled the keys from the car and not his girlfriend and not ended up in the newspaper, friendly or not.
Police aren’t supposed to be involved in your relationship.
How easy to Monday morning quarterback. Wouldn’t it be nice if we were all as adult and responsible as Tim o?
Three liberal female reporters gang up on a Republican male who happens to be against the agenda they hold near and dear. THAT should be the headline.