Rick Perry, who once said he was “intrigued and open” to an amnesty program for illegal Mexican workers, is now courting the support of a famous immigration hardliner: Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona.
Jay Root
Jay Root is an award-winning journalist who reported for the Tribune from 2011 to 2020. He covered the dramatic collapse of Gov. Rick Perry’s 2012 presidential campaign and went on to write an ebook about it called “Oops! A Diary from the 2012 Campaign Trail.” Root also broke the story that put the Texas attorney general, Ken Paxton, on the path toward criminal indictment, co-wrote an exposé that brought an end to privately funded prosecutions in Travis County, and authored a series of watchdog articles that prompted a wave of firings and resignations at two major state agencies.
In 2017, Root co-directed “Beyond The Wall,” a film exploring border politics in the age of Trump, which won a national Edward R. Murrow award for best news documentary. Root’s latest film, “Border Hustle,” was released in early 2019 and reveals how desperate migrants have become cash cows on both sides of the border.
Previously, for a dozen years, Root was Austin bureau chief of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, where he chronicled the rise of then-Gov. George W. Bush, wrote about cartel violence in Mexico and covered Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. During a three-year stint at the Associated Press, Root was twice named AP Staff Reporter of the Year for his watchdog reporting, including a story that sparked felony charges against a sitting state representative.
Posted inState Government
Sheriff Arpaio on Governor Perry and Endorsements
Excerpt from an interview between Jay Root and Sheriff Joe Arpaio about Gov. Rick Perry.
Posted in
Demographics
Sheriff Arpaio on Perry and the Dream Act
Excerpt from an interview between Jay Root and Sheriff Joe Arpaio about Gov. Rick Perry.
Posted inState Government
Sheriff Arpaio on Perry Not Asking for His Endorsement
Excerpt from an interview between Jay Root and Sheriff Joe Arpaio about Gov. Rick Perry.
Posted in
Demographics
Sheriff Arpaio Disagrees with Perry on an Immigration Issue
Excerpt from an interview between Jay Root and Sheriff Joe Arpaio about Gov. Rick Perry.
Posted inState Government
Perry a No-Show at Wildfire Press Conference
Gov. Rick Perry had been expected to appear in Bastrop County today to tour areas damaged by wildfires and hold a press briefing, but after state and local officials spoke at the briefing, aides said that the governor had remained in Austin.
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Health care
Perry Takes Fire From All Directions in GOP Debate
Gov. Rick Perry took shots from all directions Wednesday in his first nationally televised debate as his opponents unloaded on the presidential front-runner again and again, seeking relevance in a line of questioning that largely centered on Perry.
Posted inState Government
Perry’s Big Debate Moment Draws Near
Hordes of reporters have descended onto the grounds of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library to see if Rick Perry will stumble or shine in his first nationally televised debate.
Posted inState Government
Rick Perry Comes Out Swinging Before Debate
Rick Perry’s front-running presidential campaign went on the attack a day before the Texas governor is scheduled to appear at his first nationally televised debate. The campaign hit both Mitt Romney, Perry’s main challenger, and Ron Paul, who unveiled a new attack ad against the governor.
Posted inState Government
Front-runner’s Absence Noted At Forum
Rick Perry missed his first opportunity to appear on a national stage with his Republican rivals, but the absence of the presidential front-runner did not keep him out of the conversation.
