Arizona Leaders Gather at ASU for Bipartisan Forum on Civic Trust and the Rule of Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2026

TEMPE, Ariz. — Wednesday evening at Arizona State University’s Memorial Union, RightCount partnered with the McCain Institute to bring together students, faculty, and community leaders for a candid discussion on principled leadership: “Character, Constitution, and Country: Principled Leadership and the Rule of Law.”

Opening the discussion, former Maricopa County Recorder Helen Purcell reflected on her 28-year tenure overseeing elections in Arizona's largest county. She highlighted major evolutionary milestones in state election administration—from Maricopa implementing no-excuse vote-by-mail in 1991 and the 1996 MVD legal presence landmark that laid the groundwork for voter citizenship verification, to the transition to countywide vote centers and the landmark 2006 U.S. Supreme Court case bearing her name (Purcell v. Gonzalez). Throughout every shift, Purcell emphasized that her defining leadership directive was simple: instructing her staff to leave their political party affiliations at the door and serve every single Arizonan equally.

Former Arizona Supreme Court Justice Andrew Gould addressed the judicial duty to apply the law neutrally regardless of public pressure or personal political preference. Quoting the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia—“The judge who always likes the results he reaches is a bad judge”—Gould reflected on high-profile rulings during his time on the bench, including the court's 2018 Red for Ed ballot initiative decision. He emphasized that judicial fidelity to statutory text must outweigh political popularity or emotional rhetoric.

Bringing a crucial military perspective, former Adjutant General Major General Kerry L. Muehlenbeck spoke on the apolitical nature of military command and the sacred oath taken to uphold the Constitution above any individual or political party. Reflecting on her leadership of the Arizona National Guard during periods of heightened societal strain, General Muehlenbeck emphasized that maintaining public trust requires leaders to insulate their mission from political noise, adhere strictly to statutory authority, and lead with moral clarity in times of crisis.

Former Congressman Matt Salmon delivered one of the evening’s most poignant moments while discussing the personal cost of principled political leadership. Recalling former Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers’ emotional testimony before Congress regarding election pressure, Salmon shared that after 30 years of close friendship with Bowers, he knew one thing above all: "If Rusty said it, it must be true." Salmon recounted how standing up publicly in defense of Bowers brought immediate, intense political backlash—ultimately contributing to his decision to suspend his own gubernatorial campaign just two days later rather than compromise his principles.

Guided by Ambassador (ret.) Cindy Dyer, Chief Program Officer at the McCain Institute, the discussion transitioned into a lively Q&A session where ASU students and local residents engaged directly with the speakers. The evening offered an inspiring demonstration that maintaining public trust in our democratic processes depends on leaders across every sector choosing country over party.

RightCount extends its gratitude to the McCain Institute, our distinguished panelists, and the ASU community for making this forum a success.

To learn more about RightCount’s efforts to Protect Every Vote, visit RightCount.org.

Media Contact:

Mason Hunt
Echo Canyon Consulting | RightCount Arizona
mhunt@echocanyonconsulting.com

About RightCount

RightCount is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to protecting and building public confidence in American elections. By elevating constitutional federalism, state-level administration, and local accountability, RightCount works to ensure every election is secure, transparent, and accessible to voters across the nation. For more information, visit RightCount.org.