Scottsdale- A coalition anchored by a conservative Christian policy group is organizing an election campaign to support Scottsdale’s tougher regulations of its two strip clubs.

A political committee is expected to be formed in the coming days, which will allow the group to raise money and campaign in favor of Proposition 401, which if approved on Sept. 12, will uphold a Scottsdale City Council vote to strengthen regulations at Babe’s Cabaret and Skin Cabaret.

The Scottsdale-based Center for Arizona Policy – founded in 1995 by current Republican gubernatorial candidate Len Munsil with a profamily, pro-marriage and antiabortion platform – will be taking an active role, general counsel Peter Gentala said.

“We will urge a ‘yes’ vote among our supporters,” Gentala said. “I think you’ll see a committee come together in support of Proposition 401 and we’ll work with those folks as closely as we can.”

Who will participate, or become the face of the campaign or contribute financially is yet to be determined. A number of big political names that move in social conservative circles are being recruited, which could play a role in the city election that happens to be the same day as Republican primaries involving Munsil, Rep. Colette Rosati, RScottsdale, and Rep. Laura Knaperek, R-Tempe.

Munsil, who stepped down from the Center for Arizona Policy to run for governor, said in a statement that he supports Prop. 401.

Rosati and Knaperek each received perfect voting record scores from the Center for Arizona Policy, and submitted ballot arguments favoring the stricter regulations.

A group of residents who see this as a quality-of-life issue also are stepping up. Jamie Capobres, a precinct captain for the Arizona Legislative District 8 Republican Committee, plans to take an active role.

“We are making our rounds with different folks,” Capobres said.”Strip clubs are one issue, but they fit into the bigger picture of the well-being and future of our city.”

Gentala said there are a number of churches that are concerned. Pastors for Rock Church Assembly of God and Grace Chapel, an evangelical Christian church, wrote ballot arguments supporting the measure. The pastors could not be reached for comment.

Rosati said she will not take an active role in the campaign – she’s challenging Sen. Carolyn Allen for the District 8 Senate Republican nomination – but said if asked will tell people her position.

“Let’s keep Scottsdale, Scottsdale,” Rosati said. “We don’t want or need more pornographic businesses in our town, and I don’t think it’s going to bring us good things or more business.”

Knaperek said she is somewhat, but not integrally, involved in the strategy talks.

“Obviously they are looking for elected officials to come out and support them,” said Knaperek, whose district includes south Scottsdale and the two strip clubs. “They feel they are the underdogs, up against the Goliath with all the money.”

In December, the Scottsdale City Council voted unanimously to enact stricter sexually oriented business regulations that increased the distance between the dancers and patrons and bans lap dances. Club owners say the rules will make it impossible for them to stay in business.

That sparked a referendum effort by Babe’s Cabaret – which is partially owned by adult-film star and Paradise Valley resident Jenna Jameson – and Skin Cabaret. The clubs gathered sufficient signatures to force a vote.

The No on Proposition 401 campaign was officially launched with a full-page newspaper ad Tuesday. Political consultant Lamar Whitmer has promised a fullfledged campaign, and according to campaign finance records, Babe’s Cabaret contributed $32,537 on Monday to the campaign. The clubs previously spent $94,500 to fund the referendum effort and legal challenges.

“Our campaign is pretty simple,” Whitmer said. “We have a mayor and council that hired an outside lawyer, had a discussion in executive (closed) session and made an ordinance without any input, and the ordinance puts 30-year-old existing businesses out of business.”

One major player – the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce – has yet to weigh in.

“My assumption is the organization will be somewhat split,” president Rick Kidder said. “Some look at Proposition 401 purely from the philosophy of government’s intrusion into business, while some will take a more holistic approach and assert government has a right to put a limitation on these businesses.”

Early voting begins Aug. 10.