Did Gordon recall group reach its goal?
15 commentsby Casey Newton - Jul. 9, 2008 04:01 PM
The Arizona Republic
Does the group trying to oust Mayor Phil Gordon have enough signatures to force a recall? Depends on who you ask.

Jarrett B. Maupin II, whose own run against Gordon fell short last year when he was forced off the ballot for a lack of valid signatures, said American Citizens United told him they have enough signatures to qualify. Maupin also said the group recruited him to run, but he declined. American Citizens United, on the other hand, would not say how many

signatures they have collected, and denied recruiting anyone to run for the office.

According to Maupin, group representatives told him they have the 23,571 signatures needed to force an election, but plan to wait until the last possible day, Aug. 31, to file them.

Recall organizer Phillip Quihuis acknowledged meeting with Maupin but said he hasn't told anyone how many signatures the group has collected, nor has he asked anyone to challenge Gordon.

“I'm the only one who knows the exact amount, and I haven't told him,â€