Rep. Brenda Barton, R-Payson, and Sen. Richard Crandall, R-MesaPHOENIX (AP) -
A seemingly routine political spat over candidates' campaign signs is turning into something more serious.
Republican Rep. Brenda Barton of Payson said she plans to file a Senate ethics complaint against Sen. Richard Crandall, a Mesa Republican who is chairman of the Senate Education Committee.
Barton had witnessed a Crandall daughter and another young woman removing a sign belonging to Crandall's opponent and Barton posted photos on the internet.
In a recorded voicemail, Crandall bitterly criticized Barton and said she better not sponsor education bills during the next legislative session.
Barton says an ethics investigation is warranted because Crandall abused his chairmanship by bullying her.
Crandall said he spoke out of what he called paternal instinct because the posted photos prompted what he called "vile" emails regarding his 18-year-old daughter.
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