Conservative Congressman Hayworth in trouble

Conservative Republican Congressman J.D. Hayworth of Arizona, a 12 year incumbent, is in serious danger of losing in November. Both he and his opponent, Democrat Harry Mitchell, the former mayor of Tempe and a high school civics teacher, agree that immigration policy is the most important issue in the campaign.

Hayworth feels that illegal immigration is ruining the country. He has written a book "Whatever It Takes: Illegal Immigration, Border Security and the War on Terror" and authored an immigration bill with a goal of not only stopping illegal immigration but trying to force illegal immigrants already here to leave. He opposes any plan that would provide a path for legal status or eventual citizenship for any illegal immigrants.

Harry Mitchell agrees that we need to secure our borders and stop illegal immigration and he opposes amnesty. But he goes on to say

Still, we must deal with the millions of illegal immigrants who are already here. Catching and deporting 11 million illegal immigrants, as some have suggested, is neither realistic nor wise. I believe we should give families an opportunity to gain legal status if they pay a penalty for breaking the law, pay their taxes, learn English, and hold a job for a period of years.

In a solid Republican district which has elected Hayworth 6 straight times the polls are showing a very close race.

Corruption is also an issue:

J.D. is the top Congressional recipient of campaign contributions related to convicted felon and lobbyist Jack Abramoff. And he's refused to return or donate more than $150,000 he reported taking from those sources. Even today, the New York Times profiled Hayworth as one of seven figures in the Abramoff influence-peddling scandal.

It will be interesting to see how the immigration issue plays out in November.