The re-election campaign of U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell says they've had trackers at their offices and at events, both in 2006 and this year. Seth Scott, Mitchell's campaign manager, additionally said the campaign's sentiments regarding tracking in the 5th Congressional District race have been mischaracterized, and that they are simply used to tracking, not practicioners of it.

"Congressman Mitchell has been followed around and videotaped by the other party for two years - whether in Washington or home in Arizona," Scott told PolitickerAZ.com via email. "In fact, just last week, we had someone at our office opening videotaping our supporters, our staff and the Congressman."

The issue arose when Laura Knaperek, candidate in the 5th district Republican primary, issued a press release in which she stated a man employed by the Arizona Democratic Party, David Judd, had been videotaping at a private fundraiser for her campaign. Fellow candidate in the 5th David Schweikert reported having Judd turn up at events of his as well. Sean McCaffrey, acting spokesman for the Arizona Republican Party, said his organization doesn't employ trackers and criticized Democrats for the practice.

However, the Mitchell campaign doesn't use trackers either. According to Scott, tracking is an accepted reality, and he questioned the fortitude of campaigns that complain about it.

"In the YouTube age, that's the reality of campaigning," said Scott. "If someone can't deal with that, if they're worried about being put on the record, and they're having trouble with the rigor of a congressional campaign, its highly unlikely they'd be able to handle the pressures and responsibilities of the U.S. House of Representatives."

ALSO on PolitickerAZ.com:

• What's going on with the CD5 Republicans?
  Knaperek invites Mitchell to debate
• Democrats admit to tracking Republican candidates