State GOP chair: Pearce will return to Senate - CBS 5 - KPHO

State Republican Party Chairman Tom Morrissey said he believes disgraced former Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce will return to the Senate in 2012.

"I understand he is running in the primary and I believe he will be successful and return to the Senate," he said, during an interview with the CBS 5 News Morning Show on Wednesday.

Pearce was recalled by voters in November, but Morrissey said that was not indicative of the Republican support Pearce has in Arizona.

"That recall was a power grab by the left," Morrissey said. "That was Democrats voting in a recall election against a Republican. That was not a primary."

"That wasn't any indication on how Russell stands in the party or with voters," Morrissey continued.

Pearce has filed paperwork with the Arizona Secretary of State's Office listed "State Senator - District No. 25" as the office he is seeking.

Morrissey said Pearce, the author of Senate Bill 1070, Arizona's controversial immigration law, is not a "one-trick pony. Immigration is not his only theme."

Morrissey said Pearce is concerned about security in the United States, particularly along the Arizona border with Mexico.

Morrissey said Pearce is supported by a lot of Latino Republicans.

Pearce was recently elected the first vice chairman of the Arizona Republican Party.

Copyright 2012 KPHO (Meredith Corporation).  All rights reserved.