Note: In this post, as well as the others in this series, where the letters included contact info (address, phone numbers, email addresses), that contact info has been removed. That info is still available in the source letters.
Yet more candidate statements, this time for the candidates running for one of the three Vice Chairman spots:
Letter from Chris Campas, candidate for the office of Vice Chairman
RE: Vice-Chairman or First Vice-Chairman
11 JANUARY 2011
Dear State Committee Member,
I am energized and ready to go. There is much to do and I am eager to continue to serve on the Executive Board.
As Vice-Chairman, my first commitment is to the long-term success of the Arizona Democratic Party. I think we must make a deliberate and aggressive effort to find a democrat for every office which appears on the ballot. We must begin with Precinct Committeemen—we must work hard to engage and utilize our current PCs and recruit and train new PCs. We must target non-partisan races in every community: city council, school board, college districts, fire districts, hospital districts, etc. We must search for the best and brightest people in our state and we must provide them with the resources necessary to succeed in Arizona politics.
The ADP is in need of soul searching. Arizona confronts many civil rights challenges and the party must take the lead in demanding fair treatment for Arizona’s minorities. Aggressive outreach to the Hispanic community is essential to the long-term success of the ADP. Tribal nations too are a crucial demographic and deserve special attention and resources. It is our responsibility to reach out to every community, and offer warmth, acceptance and support to all those seeking to advance the democratic cause.
The ADP must establish clear goals as we move forward to 2012. We must commit to running three democrats in every Legislative District. We must commit to winning a majority of Arizona’s Congressional delegation. We must defeat Jon Kyl, and send a Democrat to represent Arizona in the United States Senate. We must not compromise on these goals.
First Vice-Chairman serves the dual position of National Committeeman. I fulfill three affirmative action goals: I am a young, gay, Hispanic. These three communities are at present entirely absent from our representation to the national party. If a woman is elected Chair, and the gender of the First Vice-Chair changes, I a prepared to assume the additional leadership requirements and provide representation to Democratic National Committee.
I am proud to be an Arizona Democrat; I am eager to continue my work on the Executive Board. WE CAN AND MUST TURN ARIZONA FOREVER BLUE IN 2012!!!
Your partner in peace,
Christopher T. Campas
Letter from Matt Capalby, candidate for the office of Vice Chairman
Dear Friends,
During these tumultuous times, it is imperative that we have the most experienced, capable and committed individuals leading our party. With this said and my twenty years of grassroots involvement with the Arizona Democratic Party, fighting for labor, our veterans, the marginalized and championing environmental issues; I once again ask for your support to serve as your Vice Chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party.
I have had the pleasure of knowing many of you over the years and it has been an honor to work with you through victories and defeats. For those that do not know me, I am a third generation and proud Arizonan. I am a military veteran, labor member and former member of the Governor Napolitano's Administration, serving to protect our State's environment with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Being from Northern Arizona, I believe I have the
perspective necessary to address the concerns of both the metropolitan and rural areas of our state.
As the state party faces unprecedented challenges, we must work to reform and adapt to the rapidly changing political landscape that is Arizona. We can no longer work to reflect public opinion and "go with the flow" but we must work to mold and lead public opinion. Though we know that our core values and principles are more in keeping with those of Arizona's families than the Republicans anti-social/radical agenda, we have not been able to adequately sway the hearts and minds of Arizonans to our side.
Subsequently, in working with our new Chair and executive committee, I will work to propose appropriate changes to our business plan so we can more effectively convey our message and turn the tide of public opinion and voter support our way.
I ask for your support as Vice-Chairman, so we can redevelop and refocus our efforts on the success of our party and of our state. Thank you and God bless us all during these troubling times.
Best Wishes,
Matthew Capalby
Letter from Michael Gordy, candidate for the office of Vice Chair
Vote for Michael Gordy - ADP 2nd Vice Chair; a voice for and an ear to all counties. Thank you, Michael
Dear State Committeeperson,
I’m Michael Gordy, a retired middle school teacher. I’ve lived in Tucson since 1974. I ask for your support and your vote for the position of one of the 2nd vice chairs of the Arizona Democratic Party.
The events of the last week have further convinced me that we, as leaders of our party, need to reach out to our fellow Democrats and to all Arizonans to change not only our message but the tone of political discourse as well. The irony is that Gabby is one of our most inclusive leaders. And we need to follow her example to see each individual for their potential contribution to our state and party, not for how we differ.
I ask for your ideas, energy and support as we reaffirm our values as Democrats which include: empathy rather than sympathy, open discourse instead of secrecy, listening to other points of view, not waiting for “words from the top”….
We need you to be an active participant in transforming our state. I need you to be part of what WE do to make change happen. That’s why I’m proud to be a Democrat.
I believe that together we can change our party and if we work hard enough, reverse some of the damage the Republican majority has inflicted on our fellow Arizonans.
If you are willing, I need your help. If I am able, I’ll help you in any way I can.
Please, call or email with any ideas, strategies or even wild dreams about how we can make this happen.
Thank you.
Michael Gordy, elected as PC 108
Candidate for 2nd Vice Chair, Arizona Democratic Party
“Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time: the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love."
Martin Luther King, Jr., Nobel Prize acceptance speech, Stockholm, 12/11/1964
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