Artist's rendering of the proposed West Valley Resort. Image from Tohono O'odham Nation
Rep. Ed Pastor (D-Arizona), an opponent of the Tohono O'odham Nation off-reservation casino, will retire from Congress after 23 years of service. Pastor is one of the co-sponsors of H.R.1410, a bill that bars the tribe from gaming on newly acquired trust land. Last year, he wrongly claimed that the proposed West Valley Resort is "300 miles from the reservation." The site, in fact, is about 75 miles from the reservation border. It's also about 60 miles from a tribal community that was flooded by the federal government. Other lawmakers from Arizona are fighting the casino so Pastor's departure won't soften opposition to the controversial project. Get the Story:
Congressman Ed Pastor won't run for re-election (AP 2/27)
Arizona Democrat Won’t Seek Re-election to House (The New York Times 2/28)
After 23 years, Rep. Pastor to retire (The Arizona Republic 2/28)
Surprise announcement sets off a scramble by aspiring replacements (The Arizona Republic 2/28)
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