Harris kicks $100K into campaign after cutting child support

By Howard Fischer CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES PHOENIX — Scottsdale businessman Mike Harris has put $100,000 of his own money into his campaign for governor just months after convincing a judge he was too poor to make full support payments for his only child. Harris said he got the court to cut his support payments in half, to $1,000 a month, after coming close to bankruptcy. Harris said he now is in much better financial health, which is why he has committed to spend up to $250,000 in personal funds on his bid for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. But Harris said he doesn't intend to start paying more to support John Carter, 7, who lives with his mother in Northern California. Harris, who describes himself on his campaign Web site as a "proud and loving father," said $1,000 a month "for one kid for a four-year marriage is pretty darn generous." Court records also show Harris was taken to court by his former wife, Pamela Riggs, after falling $22,500 behind in his requirement to pay $1,250 a month spousal maintenance. Harris' spending priorities are linked to his political ambitions not only because of the reduction in child support but also because Riggs asked a Maricopa County Superior Court judge earlier this year to seize his campaign funds as money owed to her. Judge Connie Contes refused to do that. But she did rule that Harris owed his ex more than $44,000 from the sale of a farm in New Mexico, a farm Harris said was his "sole and separate property." He said there was "lazy judge-work" over determining the ownership and the net profit from the sale. Harris also denied allegations by his former wife's attorney that he purposely did not reveal the sale of the property to keep Riggs from getting any of the proceeds. He said the property sold between court dates. But Harris conceded he wasn't exactly forthcoming about the possible sale, either. "We had a court appearance in October, and they didn't ask the right question," he said. Harris said his request to reduce his child support came before he decided to run for governor. "At the time, I was struggling financially," he said, saying he was "very, very close to filing bankruptcy." Harris said he has paid off all debts except two: the lease on his car and the loan he took to get a graduate degree. And Harris said he was helped by the sale of the New Mexico ranch, in terms of cash received and not having to maintain it. He said that also enabled him to resume paying health-insurance premiums for his son, a requirement of his divorce decree, which he had let lapse due to his finances. Harris said he does not believe his improved financial health should obligate him to increase his child-support payments. He said his payments, both in support and spousal maintenance, were more than required under state guidelines. As to whether $1,000 a month is appropriate to the child of someone who says he is a successful businessman, Harris responded, "It's all a matter of perspective."

The Arizona Daily Star

Published: 04.20.2006

Harris said he got the court to cut his support payments in half, to $1,000 a month, after coming close to bankruptcy. Harris said he now is in much better financial health, which is why he has committed to spend up to $250,000 in personal funds on his bid for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. But Harris said he doesn't intend to start paying more to support John Carter, 7, who lives with his mother in Northern California.

Harris, who describes himself on his campaign Web site as a "proud and loving father," said $1,000 a month "for one kid for a four-year marriage is pretty darn generous." Court records also show Harris was taken to court by his former wife, Pamela Riggs, after falling $22,500 behind in his requirement to pay $1,250 a month spousal maintenance.

Harris' spending priorities are linked to his political ambitions not only because of the reduction in child support but also because Riggs asked a Maricopa County Superior Court judge earlier this year to seize his campaign funds as money owed to her. Judge Connie Contes refused to do that.

But she did rule that Harris owed his ex more than $44,000 from the sale of a farm in New Mexico, a farm Harris said was his "sole and separate property." He said there was "lazy judge-work" over determining the ownership and the net profit from the sale. Harris also denied allegations by his former wife's attorney that he purposely did not reveal the sale of the property to keep Riggs from getting any of the proceeds. He said the property sold between court dates. But Harris conceded he wasn't exactly forthcoming about the possible sale, either. "We had a court appearance in October, and they didn't ask the right question," he said.

Harris said his request to reduce his child support came before he decided to run for governor. "At the time, I was struggling financially," he said, saying he was "very, very close to filing bankruptcy." Harris said he has paid off all debts except two: the lease on his car and the loan he took to get a graduate degree. And Harris said he was helped by the sale of the New Mexico ranch, in terms of cash received and not having to maintain it. He said that also enabled him to resume paying health-insurance premiums for his son, a requirement of his divorce decree, which he had let lapse due to his finances.

Harris said he does not believe his improved financial health should obligate him to increase his child-support payments. He said his payments, both in support and spousal maintenance, were more than required under state guidelines. As to whether $1,000 a month is appropriate to the child of someone who says he is a successful businessman, Harris responded, "It's all a matter of perspective."

"We had a court appearance in October, and they didn't ask the right question," he said.

I know, I know, this has been brought up before, but in my travels around town, etc, over the past 4-6 months I have noticed a palpable frustration level with those politicians who have a R next to their name. The immigration issues I believe further increased that frustration.

I have known more than a few folks who have stated they wouldn't mind sitting out the next election. I don't know if they will, but it just seems to me that Joe SixPack is statrting to more strongly believe that there is not a whole lot of difference between Democrats and Republicans.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.