Arizona was fortunate to have a man of the caliber of Russell Pearce as a legislative leader. A man of integrity and unwavering political resolve, he was admired by his cohorts and respected for his determination even by his adversaries. Russell Pearce was a longtime deputy sheriff who rose through the ranks retiring as chief deputy. Running for the state legislature, Pearce was initially elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2000 and later to the state Senate in 2008, where he was elected Senate president by his colleagues. Pearce later served as director of the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division and more recently worked for the Maricopa County Treasurer’s Office.
Pearce partnered with then-Kansas secretary of state Kris Kobach, a lawyer, who with Pearce, co-authored SB 1070 bearing the title, “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act.” It was signed into law by Gov. Jan Brewer in April 2010.
Kobach is now Kansas’ newly elected attorney general, who served as Kansas secretary of state from 2011 until 2019. A committed conservative, he rose to national prominence with his involvement in SB 1070. Arizonans owe both Sen. Russell Pearce and Kansas AG Kris Kobach debts of gratitude.
R.I.P. Senator Russell Pearce. You will long be remembered as a man of integrity and deep faith, a loving husband to LuAnne, devoted father of five, plus adoptive grandfather of three and respected friend to the state of Arizona.
“He lived a life of service to God, family and country. He loved us, and we loved him dearly,” Pearce’s family said in a statement.
Seeing Red AZ 
Russell Pearce provided my introduction to the meaning of conservatism. He was a strong fighter for the citizens of his district and the state. His influence will be missed.
There is no equivalent to Russell Pearce in today’s AZ GOP. He knew the issues, made his cases and well represented his constituents.
Sen. Pearce was unique among his legislative cohorts. His principles were deeply rooted and stemmed from his faith. Life dealt him and his family some hard knocks from his early years, but he turned adversity into a learning experience and provided a wonderful example of how to move forward.
This was the condolence message from AZ Senate Republicans:
https://www.azsenaterepublicans.com/post/senate-republicans-send-condolences-on-the-loss-of-dedicated-public-servant-russell-pearce
Russell Pearce was a well-respected leader due to his deeply held values. He will be missed.
As we mourn the death of conservative Russell Pearce, Biden is honoring Republicrat Rusty Bowers with the Presidential citizen’s medal at a WH ceremony on the second anniversary of Jan. 6. The departing AZ House Speaker will be going back to sculpting, since he could never be elected as a Republican again. I believe the fraud will reregister as the dem he is, but even they can’t trust this fool. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out, Rusty!!
A great loss for Arizona. Who will step up to fill his big shoes….and time’s a-wastin.
RIP Russell.
it won’t be a fake Republican like Rusty Bowers who should be relegated to the political garbage heap! Sen. Pearce was a man of honor. He will be sorely missed.
Having known Russell personally, I can attest to the fact that he was the exact opposite to everything that his detractors claimed he was. Definitely a great man in so many ways!