The Mesa resident was the first legislator in state history to be recalled when voters ousted him in November.  He lost to challenger Jerry Lewis in Mesa's District 18.

Pearce came under fire for his views on illegal immigration. He was the author of the state's controversial immigration enforcement bill known as SB 1070.

Just last weekend, Arizona Republicans elected him to a state party leadership role. Pearce won election as first vice chairman at a state party meeting on Saturday in Phoenix.

PHOENIX - The man behind Arizona's controversial immigration law has taken his voice from the Arizona State Senate floor to the airwaves.

Former State Senate President Russell Pearce launched his new radio show Tuesday night on KFNX News talk Radio 1100 AM.

"Welcome to the Russell Pearce Show," he said at 7 p.m. from a central Phoenix office building. 

The show is sponsored by BanAmnestyNow.com and Pearce is the president of the group.