Andy Thomas needs a refresher course in election law...

...and that refresher should cover both the academic and practical aspects...

Andrew Thomas, the embattled Maricopa County Attorney, appears to be committing a campaign faux pas by having one of his deputies stump for him.

From the website of the LD8 Republicans (emphasis theirs)-

NEXT MEETING: JUNE 12, 2008

Don’t miss this month’s program!
Sheriff Joe Arpaio
and representing Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas,
Rachel Alexander, Deputy County Attorney,
will discuss the latest immigration issues.

I know that the appearance will be spun as a "non-campaign" activity but it's an appearance with one candidate (Arpaio), on behalf of another candidate (Thomas), in front of a partisan group (LD8 Reps) during an election year (2008). They might call it "non-campaign" or "public outreach" or something similar, but it looks and smells like a partisan campaign activity.

Perhaps the appearance by Ms. Alexander would more easily pass the 'sniff test' if she was billed as "Representing the Maricopa County Attorney's Office" instead of as representing Thomas personally.

[Note - In the event that the LD8 Reps wise up and change their webpage, I have a copy of the original. If you want a copy, just leave a comment with your email and I'll be happy to send it to you.]

Even if he gets away with it (and he will - who's going to call Thomas on a campaign violation? The Republican Maricopa County Recorder? The Republican-controlled Maricopa County Board of Supervisors? The Republican Arizona Secretary of State? They're not likely to make one of their own follow the rules...), this appearance by Ms. Alexander on behalf of Thomas highlights another, perhaps more important, campaign faux pas -


In a year when Thomas is facing two (not one, but TWO!) strong challengers for the job of Maricopa County Attorney (thank you Gerald Richard and Tim Nelson), Andy Thomas isn't even showing up.


Not a good start in what is going to be a tough year for Republicans, even those who run solid campaigns...

Ms. Alexander has been flacking for Thomas for a while, as can be seen from this article written by her, as well as this one and this bio from a conservative website. Ambitious she; apparently she's trying to become the next Ann Coulter.

I'm not really sure that even Andrew Thomas' coattails can carry her that far down. :))

Later!

OK, sigs are in, and the races are set...

well, set pending verification of the sigs and any challenges...

Major races (Maricopa County, Mesa/Scottsdale/Tempe and statewide) contested by candidates from both major parties only. Many offices have Libertarian or Green candidates, but until one of those candidates garners enough support to make a difference in an election, I'm not going to waste space -


For County offices -

County Attorney -

Gerald Richard, Democrat. 2338 sigs required, 5186 submitted.

Tim Nelson, Democrat. 2338 sigs required, 5544 submitted.

Andrew Thomas, Republican. 3165 sigs required, 6518 submitted.


County Sheriff -

Dan Saban, Democrat. 2338 sigs required, 9071 submitted.

Joe Arpaio, Republican. 3165 sigs required, 12853 submitted.


Board of Supervisors, District 1 -

Ed Hermes, Democrat. 482 sigs required, 1254 submitted.

Fulton Brock, Republican. 712 sigs required, 1583 submitted.


Board of Supervisors, District 2 -

Joel Sinclaire, Democrat. 389 sigs required, 666 submitted.

Don Stapley, Republican. 794 sigs required, 1733 submitted.


Board of Supervisors, District 3 -

Marilyn Fox, Democrat. 449 sigs required, 975 submitted.

Andrew Kunasek, Republican. 617 sigs required, 2837 submitted.


The incumbents in Supervisor Districts 4 and 5, Max Wilson (R) and Mary Rose Wilcox (D) respectively, will be running without opposition.


For State and Congressional offices -

CD5 -

Harry Mitchell, Democrat. 463 signatures required, 1486 submitted.

Mark Anderson, Republican. 683 signatures required, 1647 submitted.

Susan Bitter Smith, Republican. 683 signatures required, 1349 submitted.

Lee Gentry, Republican. 683 signatures required, 1352 submitted.

Laura Knaperek, Republican. 683 signatures required, 1795 submitted.

Jim Ogsbury, Republican. 683 signatures required, 3390 submitted.

David Schweikert, Republican. 683 signatures required, 2078 submitted.

Note - Perhaps in a surprise to everyone outside the Gentry household, the heretofore semi-mythical Lee Gentry's candidacy is for real. He even gathered more sigs than longtime Scottsdale pol Susan Bitter Smith.


CD6 -

Chris Gramazio, Democrat. 494 signatures required, 695 submitted.

Rebecca Schneider, Democrat. 494 signatures required, 863 submitted.

Scott Bergren, Republican. 922 signatures required, 1029 submitted.

Jeff Flake, Republican. 922 signatures required, 2860 submitted.

Note - Wow! Jeff Flake is facing a primary challenger running at him from the right, and it *isn't* Russell Pearce? Who would have guessed that this time last year? Hell, who would have guessed that someone would even *think* of running against the ultraconservative Flake, while trying to portray him as 'not conservative enough'?


LD8 State Senate -

Carolyn Allen, Republican. 527 signatures required, 812 submitted.

Note - Senator Allen is apparently running unopposed in both the primary and general elections.


LD17 State Senate -

Meg Burton Cahill, Democrat. 253 signatures required, 754 submitted.

Jesse Hernandez, Republican. 245 signatures required, 425 submitted.


LD18 State Senate -

Judah Nativio, Democrat. 149 signatures required, 258 submitted.

Kevin Gibbons, Republican. 245 signatures required, 362 submitted.

Russell Pearce, Republican. 245 signatures required, 733 submitted.

Note - At 733 signatures, Russell Pearce submitted the maximum number.


LD8 State Representative -

Stephanie Rimmer, Democrat. 256 signatures required, 599 submitted.

John Kavanagh, Republican. 527 signatures required, 920 submitted.

Michelle Reagan, Republican. 527 signatures required, 1327 submitted.


LD17 State Representative -

Ed Ableser, Democrat. 253 signatures required, 715 submitted.

David Schapira, Democrat. 253 signatures required, 757 submitted.

Mark Thompson, Republican. 245 signatures required, 370 submitted.

Wes Waddle, Republican. 245 signatures required, 451 submitted.

Note - at 757 signatures, David Schapira subitted the maximum allowed.


LD18 State Representative -

Tammie Pursley, Democrat. 149 signatures required, 290 submitted.

Cecil Ash, Republican. 245 signatures required, 733 submitted.

Steve Court, Republican. 245 signatures required, 536 submitted.

Kanani Henderson, Republican. 245 signatures required, 392 submitted.

Ron Middlebrook, Republican. 245 signatures required, 320 submitted.

Note - at 733 signatures, Cecil Ash submitted the maximum number allowed.


Corporation Commission -

Sam George, Democrat. 4580 signatures required, 13915 submitted.

Kara Kelty, Democrat. 4580 signatures required, 7172 submitted.

Sandra Kennedy, Democrat. 4580 signatures required, 8343 submitted.

Paul Newman, Democrat. 4580 signatures required, 9314 submitted.

John Allen, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 6757 submitted.

Rick Fowlkes, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 7741 submitted.

Joseph Hobbs, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 7539 submitted.

Marian McClure, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 6697 submitted.

Bob Robson, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 9700 submitted.

Bob Stump, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 9154 submitted.

Keith Swapp, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 6811 submitted.

Barry Wong, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 7700 submitted.

Note - According to a note on his campaign website, George Arredondo suspended his campaign because he couldn't get enough sigs.


And finally, for Scottsdale municipal offices, courtesy an email from City Clerk Carolyn Jagger, forwarded to me by Sonnie of COGS, [note added by me] -

The following candidates for City Council filed nomination papers and petitions [1652 signatures required for all offices] :

Lisa Borowsky (3,323 signatures)
Joel Bramoweth (2,208 signatures)
Oren Davis (2,445 signatures)
Betty Drake (2,691 signatures)
Tom Giller (2,268 signatures)
Suzanne Klapp (2,672 signatures)
Ron McCullagh (2,481 signatures)
Nan Nesvig (2,599 signatures)

The following candidates for Mayor filed nomination papers and petitions:

W.J. "Jim" Lane (2,484 signatures)
Mary Manross (3,291 signatures)

Write-In Candidates: John Washington filed papers to run for as a write-in candidate for Mayor.

You know, for what is essentially a 'cut and paste' post, this post took a lot of work. Back to quick and snarky after this... :))

More sigs and registration numbers

Time to update last week's post on signatures; specifically, on candidates in the Mesa/Tempe/Scottsdale area who have turned in their petitions.

LD8 State Senate - no change (no sigs filed yet)

LD17 State Senate -

Meg Burton-Cahill (D), incumbent - 632 sigs filed, 253 required. Running as a Clean Elections candidate. Filed May 28, 2008.

LD18 State Senate -

Russell Pearce (R) - 733 sigs, 245 required. Clean Elections. Filed May 28, 2008.


LD8 State Representative - no changes.

LD17 State Representative - no changes.

LD18 State Representative - no changes.


As for statewide office, within the last week, the following candidates filed sigs for their runs for Corporation Commission -

John Allen (R) - 6145 sigs, 5184 required. Clean Elections. Filed May 23, 2008.

Bob Robson (R) - 7576 sigs, 5184 required. Traditional financing. Filed May 28, 2008.


In Scottsdale sig news, the EV Tribune has the story of Jim Lane's filing. He's currently a member of the City Council and is a candidate for mayor.


On the voter registration figures front, according to the Maricopa County Recorder's website...

...In District 17, the Democrats have extended their registration advantage over the Reps to 1584 (24,281 - 26405). That up from the advantage of 771 in March, based on the March figures from the AZ Secretary of State's office.

...In LD8, the Republican registration advantage was closed slightly (by 70 voters) to 27,020 (53,430 - 26,418).

...In LD18, the margin favors the Republicans by 9198 (24,917 - 15,719). That's an advantage of 14.5%. According to the March SOS figures, the gap was 9585 (24,437 - 14,852).

My March post on voter reg figures is here; take the comparisons in this one with a grain of salt - the AZ SOS and Maricopa County Recorder usually have slightly different figures, so this isn't a perfect, "apples to apples" comparison. It's close enough for blogging, though. :)

And on the other hand, their numbers usually aren't that far off from each other's either. :))

I'll do an update on sigs next week after the deadline for turning in petitions (Wednesday, June 4), but I won't anything on registration numbers until early August, which is when early voting starts for the September primary election.

Later!

Brief Elections Update - sigs rolling in

The following candidates from the Tempe/Scottsdale/Mesa area (aka - LDs 17, 8, and 18) have turned in their nominating petitions so far (the deadline is June 4, 2008) -

Michelle Reagan (R), running for LD8 State Representative (incumbent) - 1315 signatures, 527 required (traditional financing), filed May 20, 2008.

Ed Ableser (D), LD17 State Representative (incumbent) - 699 signatures, 253 required (Clean Elections), filed April 17, 2008.

David Schapira (D), LD17 State Representative (incumbent) - 757 signatures, 253 required (Clean Elections), filed April 17, 2008.

Cecil Ash (R), LD18 State Representative - 733 signatures, 245 required (Clean Elections), filed May 15, 2008.

Steve Court (R), LD18 State Representative - 536 signatures, 245 required (Clean Elections), filed May 8, 2008.

Ron Middlebrook (R), LD18 State Representative - 320 signatures, 245 required (Clean Elections), filed April 15, 2008.


The following candidates for Corporation Commission have filed their petitions -

Sandra Kennedy (D) - 6353 signatures, 4580 required (Clean Elections), filed May 16, 2008.

Rick Fowlkes (R) - 6626 signatures, 5184 required (Clean Elections), filed May 19, 2008.

Above info courtesy the Arizona Secretary of State's website (current as of 5/2.1.2008)


And as for Maricopa County races -

Tim Nelson (D), candidate for County Attorney, 5276 signatures, 2338 required.

Dan Saban (D), candidate for County Sheriff, 8002 signatures, 2338 required.

Ed Hermes (D), candidate for District 1 County Supervisor, 1093 signatures, 482 required.

Mary Rose Wilcox (D) candidate for District 5 County Supervisor (incumbent), 1191 signatures, 448 required.

County race info courtesy the Maricopa County Clerk's website, information current as of 5/19/2008.

Expect a flood of petitions to hit the county clerk's office and the SOS's office next week.

Later...

Join fellow East Valley Democrats this weekend...

This weekend is going to be a busy one for Democrats in CD5 (LD17, LD18, LD8) -

...Congressman Harry Mitchell will be joining the LD17 Democrats as they walk neighborhoods for Tempe City Council candidates Corey Woods and Joel Navarro at 10:00 a.m., following up with a Democrats in the Park event that will actually be held indoors at El Penasco (highlights include a kickball game starting at 1:30 p.m). Contact LD17 Chair Doug Mings at dougmings[at]gmail.com for more info.

Meet up for the walk at 10:00 a.m. at Bunna Coffee (NW corner of Rural and Elliot); the event at El Penasco (SE corner of Mill and Broadway) starts at 1:00 p.m.


...Over in LD18, Congressman Harry Mitchell will be joining Judah Nativio, candidate for State Senate, and Tammie Pursley, candidate for State House, as they walk neighborhoods in Mesa. After the walk, 'there will be a 'meet the LD18 candidates' barbeque.

Meet up for the walk at 9:00 a.m. in Kleinman Park (710 S. Extension in Mesa). The barbeque starts at noon at the Manske residence, 1758 E Gary St., Mesa. (View Google Maps)

Contact for the barbeque - Wayne Manske, 480-835-8977.

Tammie Pursley, Judah Nativio, and the LD18 Democrats are working with the United Way of Mesa and a food bank, and are asking folks to bring food items to meetings and other events.


...Up in LD8, on Saturday, there will be a special reception for Congressman Harry Mitchell at the home of Denise and Ross Cooper from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Contact Herschel Fink at 480-755-3343 or Ross Cooper at 480-922-0068 for reservations and donations. Online RSVP here.

On Sunday, there will be a 'meet the candidates' houseparty hosted by Linda Mack Ross, 4752 N. 75th Place, RSVP at 480-425-0470. Join Linda and bring your friends to greet, meet and learn more about what could be . . . . Stephanie Rimmer, Candidate for Arizona State Legislature; Dan Saban, Candidate for Sheriff, Gerald Richard, Candidate for County Attorney, Joel Sinclair, Candidate for Maricopa County Supervisor. 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. for desserts.


...For those who want the get an early start on the week, don't forget LD8's "meet the candidates" night at their monthly program meeting on Thursday, May 15. The event will be held at Country Inn Suites, 10801 N. 89th Place in Scottsdale and is scheduled to include candidates Stephanie Rimmer, Dan Saban, Gerald Richard, and Joel Sinclaire. The reception starts at 6:30 p.m.; the meeting starts at 7:00 p.m.

Events Calendar

Monday, May 12 - East Valley Residents are invited to join Governor Napolitano in celebration of Older Americans Month.

Join her to chat over coffee, obtain new resources for senior citizens and mature workers, and to hear about her initiatives for an Aging Arizona.

Place: Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Rd., Scottsdale.
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Contact: Governor's Office on Aging, 602.542.4710.


Tuesday, May 13 - Monthly meeting of the LD17 Democrats

Join fellow Democrats from the Tempe and south Scottsdale area as we hear from speakers Roberto Reveles of Somos America, Tempe City Councilman Mark Mitchell, and Joel Navarro and Corey Woods, candidates for the Tempe City Council.

Place: Pyle Center, 655 East Southern Avenue. Tempe (SW corner of Southern and Rural)
Time: 6:30 info exchange/meet and greet; 7:00 p.m. meeting start
Contact: Doug Mings, LD17 Chair at dougmings[at]gmail.com or 480.628.2481.


Thursday, May 15 - The LD8 Democrats present a 'meet the candidates' night.

Five candidates have accepted D8’s invitation to participate in this first “Meet the Candidates” program: Kara Kelty, Candidate for Corporation Commission; Joel Sinclaire, Candidate for Maricopa County Supervisor; Dan Saban, Candidate for Maricopa County Sheriff; Gerald Richard, Candidate for Maricopa County Attorney; Stephanie Rimmer, Candidate for the Arizona State Legislature.

Place: Country Inn Suites, 10801 N. 89th Pl., Scottsdale.
Time: Reception at 6:30 p.m.; program starts at 7:00 p.m.
Contact: 480.596.8350


Tuesday, May 20 - Election Day in Tempe!


Wednesday, May 21 - Meeting of the Community Involvement Group (CIG) of the North Indian Bend Wash Superfund Site (NIBW)

Place: Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N.Drinkwater Blvd.
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Contact: Vicki Rosen, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, 415.972.3244, rosen.vicki[at]epa.gov


Later!

Quick Elections Update - New Candidates

Edit to add info on LD18 candidate Joe Brown below...

Scottsdale update (info courtesy the Scottsdale City Clerk's elections webpage) -

In news that should surprise no one who follows the goings-on in Scottsdale, Tom Giller, the driving force behind Height and Density, the anti-Hanover Project political committee, has filed candidate committee paperwork with the Scottsdale City Clerk's office.

I think he is seeking a seat on the City Council; while his paperwork doesn't specify, this EV Trib article written by Brian Powell states that he is.

His campaign committee's contact number is 480.947.3654.

Also filing paperwork for a Council run is Oren Davis, a pro-development Scottsdale businessman.

From the same Trib article -

Davis, 54, said he was encouraged by Councilman Jim Lane - who is challenging Mayor Mary Manross in September for the city's top post - and Paul Messinger to run for council.

"I am pro-growth but would also like to maintain the character of Scottsdale," Davis said.

Davis also said he'd like to see more transparency in government and more communication between developers and residents with hopes of avoiding another issue like Hanover.

That quote is the sum total of my knowledge of Mr. Davis. :))

His campaign's contact number is 602.295.3783.


LD17 Update (note: all LD candidate info courtesy the AZ Secretary of State's campaign finance report webpage) -

State Senator Meg Burton-Cahill has a Republican challenger in Jesse Hernandez of Tempe, who filed his paperwork on April 15, 2008. He is running as a Clean Elections candidate. He's a business owner and long-time Republican. (brief bio here)

LD18 Update -

Another candidate has jumped into the LD18 State Rep fray. Joe Brown, running as an Independent, turned in organizational paperwork on April 18, 2008. He running as a Clean Elections candidate. With that name, I'm not even bothering with a Google search and I don't have any familiarity with the Mesa political scene (other than knowing that Democrats Tammie Pursley and Judah Nativio are running for LD18 House and Senate, respectively.)

Edit on 4/30 to update, with info courtesy Judah Nativio, Democratic candidate for the Senate seat in LD18 -

Mr. Brown is a conservative Republican who ran against Karen Johnson for the LD18 Senate seat in 2006; he lost in the primary, garnering slightly more than 25% of the votes cast. Apparently, he changed his registration sometime after that.

End edit.

No changes in LD8, except that a Libertarian, Robert Weber, has formed a committee to take on the electoral buzzsaw known as State Senator Carolyn Allen.

I'd wish him good luck with that, but there's a reason that Sen. Allen has become an "electoral buzzsaw" - she has earned the respect of people from all over the political spectrum because of her dedication and skill as a public servant (even if she *is* an Arizona Republican. Apparently, she doesn't drink the Kool-Aid. :) ).

Unless a Democrat steps up, this one's already over...

Later!

Events Calendar

Thursday, April 17 - Dinner and a Movie with the D17 Democrats and The Big Picture Series.

- Dinner at 6:00PM – Green Restaurant 2240 N. Scottsdale Rd in TempePlease join Rep. Ed Ableser and Local Democrats for a meal that taste good, is good for you and is good for the planet we live on.

- Movie at 7:30PM – This month's film is The End Of Suburbia: Oil Depletion & The Collapse of the American Dream. At ASU-Coor Building Room 174


Thursday, April 17 - The D8 Democrats present the film Uncounted, a startling film about election fraud and the '08 elections.

Time - 6:30 p.m. gathering, 7:00 p.m. film time.
Place - Country Inn and Suites, 10801 N. 89th Place, Scottsdale (90th & Shea).


Saturday, April 19 - CD5 Day of Action

9:00 a.m. - (LD8) Please join fellow activists and go door to door, gather signatures, distribute literature and plant the seeds for victory in November.

Pima Park, 8600 E Thomas Rd., Scottsdale (NW corner of Pima and Thomas)

Fountain Park Ampitheater, 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills.

Laura Copple's House, 9274 E Desert Trail, Scottsdale.

The Hogan's, 9434 N. 125th Place, Scottsdale.

9:15 a.m. - Join Congressman Harry Mitchell, your local Neighborhood Leaders, activists and other Democrats in your area to help get signatures for your local candidates and talk to voters in District 17 & 20. Meet at Bunna Coffee, 7520 S. Rural Rd. Suite #12, Tempe (NW corner of Eliot and Rural)

If interested in joining the Democrats of LD17, ld20, or LD8, sign up at the above link.


Sunday, April 20 - Join Maricopa County Democrats for a Candidates’ Brunch with special guests Earl and Mary Rose Wilcox on the Farm.

Time - 9:30 a.m.
Location - The Farm, 6413 S. 26th Street, Phoenix (one block south of Southern and one block east of 24th Street).
Tickets - $35, contact the MCDP at 602.298.0503 for details.


Tuesday, April 29 - Monthly meeting of the Arizona chapter of the National Jewish Democratic Council. This month's featured guest: Dan Saban, candidate for Maricopa County Sheriff. The meeting will be held at Country Inn & Suites, 10801 N. 89th Place, Scottsdale (90th & Shea).

Voter Registration Trends - CD5, LD17, and LD8

Tony Cani over at Wactivist has a post about an EV Tribune article on the latest voter registration numbers in AZ. He observes that while many in the D.C. power structure of the Democratic Party are writing off AZ this fall because John McCain (R-Truant) will be at the top of the ballot, the voter reg trends indicate that Arizona will be a battleground state, both for the Presidency and in many of the Congressional races.

From the AZ Secretary of State's latest report on voter reg figures -

CD5 (compared to January 2008)

Democrats 92,595 - up 394 (.43%)
Republicans 136,430 - down 2835 (-2.04%)
Libertarians 2,058 - down 164 (-7.38%)
Independents 88,539 - down 5918 (-6.27%)

Total 318,691 - down 9454 (-2.88%)


LD17

Democrats 25,249 - down 281 (-1.1%)
Republicans 24,478 - down 905 (-3.57%)
Libertarians 650 - down 70 (-9.72%)
Independents 19,868 - down 1955 (-8..96%)

Total 70,245 - down 3211 (-4.37%)


LD8

Democrats 25,555 - up 189 (+ 0.75%)
Republicans 52,654 - down 1016 (-1.89%)
Libertarians 490 - down 42 (-7.89%)
Independents 29,386 - 1849 (-5.92%)

Totals 108,085 - down 2718 (-2.45%)


Brief analysis -

In LD17, the Democrats extended their newfound registration advantage over the Republicans (whooo hooooo!), something that bodes well for LD17's legislators come November, especially if the trend continues. Right now, while the Dems do have a definite advantage, at 36% to 35%, it's still a virtual dead heat.

In LD8, while the Reps still have a more than 2 - 1 registration advantage, the trend is clear - the hard work of the LD8 Democrats is paying off. Since the 2006 election, the Democrats have closed the registration deficit by almost 3000 voters (+2500 Dems, -500 Reps).

That hard work is a major reason why that, since October 2006 in CD5 as a whole, the Republican registration advantage has been cut by almost 8500 voters.

While Congressman Harry Mitchell still has an uphill battle in his re-election fight, that hill is a little less steep, whether or not John McCain is at the top of the ballot in the fall.

Later!

Arizona's district level delegates

...Edit to add a candidate that I had forgotten. Thanks to commenter Tim for the reminder...

...Edited on 23 March to correct some mistakes I made in the bio of Dritan Zela, a candidate for delegate. My sincerest apologies to Mr. Zela for the errors. No disrespect was intended; I just took poor notes at the meeting.

End edit...

Thanks are due to everyone who ran for a delegate spot, and congratulations to everyone who won -

CD1
Clinton - Jack Jackson Jr., Greg Kaighn, Dawn Knight, Nikki Basque (Alt)
Obama - Christopher Clark-Dechene, Angela LaFevre

CD 2
Clinton - Bree Boehlke, Debra Boehlke, Robert Boehlke, Matthew Miller (Alt)
Obama - Shirley McAllister, Eddie Smith

CD 3
Clinton - Jim Pederson, Lois Pfau, Howard Bell, Lisa White (alt)
Obama - Mark Manoil, Genevieve Vega

CD 4
Clinton - Dana Kennedy, Jose Rivas
Obama - David Gass, Kate Widland

CD 5
Clinton - Angie Crouse (LD17 Vice-Chair - whoooo hoooo!!!), George Paterakis
Obama - Sean Bowie, Donna Gratehouse, Laren Kuby (LD17 Vice-Chair - whoooo hoooo!!!) , Jim Brodie (alt)

CD 6
Clinton - Beverly Fox-Miller, Roman Ulman, Elizabeth Brown (alt)
Obama - John Chiazza, Kit Filbey

CD 7
Clinton - David Martinez, Gail Beeler
Obama - Paul Eckerstrom, Lisa Fernandez

CD 8
Clinton - Chris Campas, Elly Anderson, JoJene Mills, Bruce Heurlin (alt)
Obama - John C. Adams, Patricia Canady


I attended the CD5 Obama caucus where we had a diverse slate of enthusiastic candidates to choose from. The candidates ranged from an Albanian immigrant/Fulbright Scholar in Mathematics (who gave a moving speech on what America, democracy, and Obama means to someone who was born in and lived under one of the world's most repressive regimes - Dritan Zela) to a lifelong Democratic activist ("I campaigned for FDR as a fetus" - Jerry Gettinger).

When the balloting was complete, the winning candidates were people who were both dedicated volunteers for Senator Obama and long-time Democratic activists who were exhilarated over their selections.

Other notes from the caucus -

...Under caucus rules, candidates did not have to be present to win, which is a great ideal. However, future delegate candidates should learn from the results in CD5 - "no show" meant "no votes."

...A number of candidates for office showed up to work the rooms for supporters.

- Joel Sinclaire, candidate for District 2 Maricopa County Supervisor, was there, speaking passionately about the need for fiscal responsibility and accountability on the part of the County and all of its agencies (yes, he was definitely referring to a certain Honduras-junketing sheriff's office and a certain no-bid-contracts-to-favored-outside-law-firms-issuing county attorney's office.) His campaign website is still under construction, but the email works. Contact him at Joel[at]electsinclaire.com if you want to help out.

- Stephanie Rimmer, candidate for LD8 House, also was there. She's a small business owner and longtime community activist who's making a second run in LD8. She's running as a Clean Elections candidate, so she needs $5s and signatures. Her website is here, and she can be contacted at stephanie[at]stephanierimmer.com.

- Ed Hermes, candidate for District 1 Maricopa County Supervisor was present, bringing his energetic campaign to unseat Fulton Brock. He needs help with contributions, both financial (no Clean Elections at the county level yet) and time. Contact him at ed[at]edhermes.com if you want to help.

- LD17 state representatives (and candidates for reelection!) David Schapira and Ed Ableser were also candidates for district level delgates for Obama, but they graciously withdrew because they have the opportunity to gain delegate slots as party leader/elected official (PLEO) delegates. That selection process is upcoming. They're still collecting Clean Elections 5s and signatures.

Later!

Legislative candidate update

After reading this post at SeeingRedAZ about how Congressman Jeff Flake's brother-in-law has filed to challenge Russell Pearce in the LD18 Senate primary, I realized that it's high time to check for active candidate committees. All info courtesy the Arizona Secretary of State's website. I cross-checked the names at the Clean Elections website, but there were no names on the CCEC list of candidates that weren't also on the AZSOS's site.

(* = incumbent)


LD17 Senator (Tempe, South Scottsdale) -

Democrats - Meg Burton-Cahill*

Republicans - None yet


LD17 Representative -

Democrats - David Schapira*, Ed Ableser*

Republicans - Wesley Waddle, Mark Thompson (exploratory)

...This district is almost certain to have the hardest-fought general election. While the voter reg trends in the district favor Democrats (whoooo hoooo!), it's still almost evenly split in this district. I have heard of a couple of other possible Rep contenders, but they haven't announced yet, and since I'm not a Rep, I don't exactly have stellar sources among them in order to confirm/refute the rumors. :)



LD18 Representative (West Mesa) -

Democrats - Tammie Pursley

Republicans - Cecil Ash, Joe Dobbins, Steve Court, Kanani Henderson, Ron Middlebrook


LD18 Senator -

Democrats - Judah Nativio

Republicans - Russell Pearce, Kevin Gibbons

...Hmmmm....Both of LD18's Republican primaries look to be dogfights - 5 candidates running for two spots in the race for state rep, and Jeff Flake's brother-in-law running against Russell Pearce in an apparent bit of payback for Pearce's abortive primary challenge of Flake for the CD6 seat. There are no incumbents running in LD18 because Russell Pearce is term-limited out of the House, Karen Johnson has stepped aside to allow Pearce to run for the Senate seat that she currently holds, and current state representative Mark Anderson is running for the Republican nomination to challenge Harry Mitchell in CD5.



LD8 Senate (North Scottsdale, Fountain Hills) -

Republicans - Carolyn Allen*

Democrats - None yet


LD8 Representative -

Republicans - Michelle Reagan*, John Kavanagh*

Democrats - None yet


...Expect Democratic candidates to step forward in LD8; I know of a couple of folks who are mulling over a run, but have yet to announce. Anybody who is interested in running should contact the LD8 Dems at (480) 596-8350.


Later!

Events Calendar

Saturday, February 16 - A Democratic "Day of Action"/Campaign Kick-Off House Party at the home of State Representative David Schapira. After a day of walking, knocking, talking and registering voters, join David and his seatmate, Rep. Ed Ableser, at the party that kicks off their re-election campaign.

Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Place: 3633 S. Hazelton Ln., Tempe, AZ 85282

Note - for info on D17 Day of Action activities, contact LD17 Chair Doug Mings at dougmings[at]gmail.com.


Tuesday, February 19 - Monthly meeting of the Arizona chapter of the National Democratic Jewish Council. A Democratic candidate TBD will be the featured speaker.

Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Country Inn Suites, 89th Place and Shea, Scottsdale


Thursday, February 21 - The Big Picture Film Series presents the documentary "Can Mr. Smith Get To Washington Anymore?". Join David Malsch, the LD17 Democrats, LD18 Democrats, and the ASU Young Dems in watching this fast-paced, engaging, and enlightening look at the 2006 campaign for a U.S. Senate seat waged by supreme underdog Jeff Smith.

Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: ASU's Coor Building, Room 170
975 S. Myrtle Ave., Tempe

Admission: Free, open to the public


Thursday, February 21 - At its regular meeting, Scottsdale's Transportation Commission will consider, and seek public input on, future route expansions for Scottsdale's Neighborhood Connector Trolley service. The Neighborhood Connector Trolley serves south Scottsdale, and the proposed expansions are also in south Scottsdale.

Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: City Hall Kiva
3939 Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale


Friday, February 29 - Join Congressman Harry Mitchell for the LD17 Fundraiser and Party celebrating that, for the first time, Democrats outnumber Republicans in D17!

Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: The home of Lauren and Mike Kuby
109 E. Loma Vista Dr., Tempe
(Click here for a map)
Donation: $25 ($15 for Young Dems); Click here to donate, and then email Lauren at laurenkuby[at]gmail.com to let her know that you paid online.


Saturday, March 1 - MCDP County Convention

Time: Training sessions start at 9:00 a.m.; the meeting starts at 1:00 p.m.
Location: Plumbers and Steamfitters Union
3109 North 24th Street, Phoenix


Sunday, March 9 - D8 Fundraiser at Ostrovsky’s Fine Art Gallery. Join Congressman Harry Mitchell and the LD8 Democrats for an afternoon of Art, Jazz, and Political Talk.

Time: 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Place: 7048 E. Main St., Scottsdale
Donation: $35
Info: phone (480) 596-8350 or email d8office[at]d8dems.phxcoxmail.com

Positive voter registration trends for Democrats in CD5

The AZ Star (Tucson) ran an AP article on the Arizona Secretary of State's voter registration numbers for the presidential preference election on February 5, 2008. It inspired me to look at a more local breakdown of registration trends.

Those numbers, when compared to the registration numbers for 2006, show some very favorable trends for AZ Democrats.

Statewide, overall registration has increased 5.6%, with Democratic registrations increasing at more than twice the pace of Republican registrations. Democratic registrations are up 5.9%; Republican registrations are up 2.7%.

Of course, both major parties should take heed of the fact that Independent/non-affiliated registrations are up 9.7%.


In CD5, the numbers are even more eye-opening. (Apologies for the formatting - I haven't figured out how to set up a neat table in Blogger. :( )

Key -

Party, Jan 2008 #s, Oct 2006, Raw change, % change

Democratic Party, 92201, 86743, 5458, 6.3%

Republican Party, 139265, 139057, 208, 0.15%

Independent, 94457, 87060, 7397, 8.5%

Overall, 328145, 315185, 12960, 4.1%

To sum up - In CD5, the trends indicated by the statewide numbers are even more pronounced. Independent registrations increased at more than twice the pace of the increase in overall registrations. In addition, Democratic registrations increase at a greater pace than the overall pace.

As for the Republicans? They virtually maintained status quo, while everyone else moved up.

The short-term trends are even more encouraging.

Since October 2007, the date of the voter reg report immediately prior to the current one, in CD5, Republican registrations have decreased .19%, Independent registrations have decreased 2.53%, and overall registrations have decreased by .47%.

As for Democratic registrations? They increased by 1.48%.

:))

The indication of decreased Independent registrations is attributable to Arizona's closed primary system for the presidential preference primary election. Many independent voters registered with a party in order to vote in that party's primary. Most, but not all, will change back after February 5th,

The fact that Democratic registrations increased while the overall registration numbers decreased suggest that most of the independents registered as Democrats.

This idea is supported by the national trend of record Democratic turnout in the caucuses and primaries in New Hampshire, Iowa, and Nevada.

Simply put, average voters are far more excited by the slate of Democratic contenders for the presidency than they are by the slate of Republican contenders.

Add to that the continued voter dissatisfaction with the status quo (war without end, economy stalling, health care that doesn't care, economy tanking, immigration rhetoric founded on blind hate not substance, economy in recession) associated mostly with the Republicans, and you have a trend that should continue to favor the Democratic Party, both nationally and here in AZ.


The trends in LD8 and LD17 are similarly positive for Democrats -

In LD17, Democratic registrations are up 5.8% since October of 2006 (down .54% since October 2007), Republican registrations are up only 1.1% since 10?06 (down 1.4% since 10/07). Overall registrations are up 5.1% since 10/06 and down .5% since 10/07.

Of course, even in the slightly negative news for Democrats (down a little since October 2007), one shouldn't lose sight of the fact that they still did better than the Republicans in LD17.


Oh, and for the first time in recent memory, there are more registered Democrats in LD17, 25,530, than Republicans, 25,383!


An advantage of 147!

In October of 2006, the Republican registration advantage was 970, for a net change of 1117 more Democratic registrations than Republicans.


In LD8, the trend is even better (though the Reps still have a huge registration advantage there).

LD8 Democratic registrations are up almost 8% since October 2006, Republican registrations are up almost 1% and overall registrations are up 5.1%.

Those are pretty encouraging numbers, but the short-term numbers are even better -

Since October 2007, Republican registrations are down .5% while Democratic registrations are up 2.11%! (Overall registrations in LD8 are down almost .5.)

These numbers, both locally and statewide, won't make any difference on February 5th - that election is 'party-only.'

Come November, however, these trends could spell trouble for Republican candidates up and down the ballot.

Short Attention Span Musing - Primaries Edition

...The MSM and Clinton camp are painting the results of Saturday's Nevada caucuses as a huge victory for Clinton. However, the numbers that count, the number of delegates allocated, show that the results were almost dead even. Clinton received 13 delegates; Obama 12. (MSNBC) Other say that the numbers are still 13 - 12, but favoring Obama.

Either way, not exactly an overwhelming victory.

With previously pledged superdelegates, Clinton *does* have a significant lead in delegate totals. (CNN) On the other hand, though, superdelegates are notorious front-runners. If one of the other candidates starts pulling away in the primaries, a lot of those superdelegates will throw their support to the candidate that they believe is the popular choice.


...John Edwards is easily the candidate most in need of a victory in South Carolina. He has yet to win an event, and was completely shut out of the delegate allocation in Nevada. Another showing of 3rd or worse, especially one in his home state, may just end his candidacy.


...On the Republican side, Mitt Romney's camp is painting him as the frontrunner, but he may be the weakest "frontrunner" in primary history. He has yet to win a seriously contested primary and the next major GOP test is in Florida, a state where Rudy "noun, verb, 9/11' Giuliani has been campaigning for years.

McCain has the momentum heading into Florida, Huckabee has the hardcore religious conservative vote there, Romney has the personal fortune to spend there, and it's practically a 2nd home state for Giuliani.

One of the top 4 GOP candidates will tank in Florida, and his candidacy will be history.


...A suggestion for volunteers and staffers that will be representing Democratic candidates at LD and other local groups' forums before the primary: Know your candidates' health care positions.

I've been to the LD17 and LD8 forums over the last couple of weeks, and health care was the issue that most inspired 'spirited' discussion. Expect to be grilled on this issue like no other at events like this week's forum held by the Arizona chapter of the NJDC (Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., Country Inn and Suites, 10801 89th Place, Scottsdale)


...Not that I'm one given to defending John McCain (I leave that to Politico Mafioso), but when Chuck Norris criticized McCain as too old to be president, I had to laugh. Norris is almost 68 years old and is washed up as an actor (hasn't appeared in anything other than an infomercial or a Huckabee video since 2005). McCain is a few years older but is hardly washed-up. McCain's campaign schedule alone gives lie to Norris' assertion.

John McCain may not be doing his job of representing Arizona, but that's because he has chosen not to do so, not because he is incapable of doing so.

There are many things to criticize about John McCain (remember the Chelsea Clinton joke in 1998? That kind of casual meanness alone disqualifies McCain from the presidency), but his age isn't one of them.

Give it up Chuck.


...And the best news of the day, non-primary related -


We are officially in the last year of the Bush presidency.


Later!

Events calendar

Thursday, January 17 - Neighborhood Day at the Arizona State Legislature. From 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. the cities of Avondale, Buckeye, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Surprise, Tempe and Tucson, and the League of Arizona Cities and Towns host this annual event where attendees tour the Arizona House of Representatives and the Arizona Senate, learn about the legislative process, speak to their legislators and more. Contact your city's neighborhood services department for more info.


Thursday, January 17 - The District 17 Democrats, the ASU Young Democrats and The Big Picture Film Series present the film "The Future of Food." This insightful documentary offers an "in-depth look into the controversy over genetically modified foods." 7:30 p.m. in Room 170 in ASU's Coor Building. Admission is free.


Thursday, January 17 - The District 8 Democrats are holding their monthly community program meeting. This month's program is a Presidential candidate forum with representatives of each campaign speaking on behalf of their candidates. For those who were silly enough to miss D17's forum last week ( :) ), this is a great opportunity to hear about the candidates before Arizona's presidential preference election (aka - the primary) on February 5th. The reception starts at 6:30 p.m., the forum starts at 7 in the Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th St. in Scottsdale.

Note: There is room, and need, for good legislative candidates for the 2008 elections in LD8. This meeting is a good opportunity for interested Democrats to meet LD8's activists. LD8 is roughly Fountain Hills and Scottsdale north of Thomas Road.


Sunday, January 20 - The Maricopa County Democratic Party is holding its First Annual Diversity Awards Dinner, honoring Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox (SD-5), Senator Leah Landrum-Taylor (LD-14), Representative Steve Gallardo (LD-13), Representative Robert Meza (LD-14) and Precinct Committeeperson Cheryl Hunter Schmidt (LD-15). The event starts at 6:00 p.m. at the China Chili restaurant, 302 E. Flower St. (Off 3rd St. two blocks south of Osborn), Phoenix. For more info or tickets call 602.298.0503.


Tuesday, January 22 - The Arizona Chapter of the National Jewish Democratic Council (AZNJDC) will be holding its monthly meeting at the Country Inn and Suites in Scottsdale. The address is 10801 E. 89th Pl.; the meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. On the agenda - a presidential candidate forum with representatives from each major campaign,


Thursday, January 24 - The "Help Is Here" bus from the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (a pharmaceutical industry alliance to help provide prescription medicines to needy patients) will be at two LD17 locations.

At 10:00 a.m., it will be at the Escalante Center, 2150 East Orange Street in Tempe;

At 1:00 p.m., it will move to the Paiute Neighborhood Center, 6535 E. Osborn in Scottsdale.

The bus will have on-site applications, mobile phones, and computer terminals, as well as assistants, to help people find out if they are eligible for help in getting the medicines they need.


Saturday, January 26 - The Winter Meeting of the State Committee of the Arizona Democratic Party will take place at the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 1401 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, from 9:00 a.m. until finish (the general session starts at 1:00 p.m.)


Later!

Events calendar

edit on 1/5 to add COGS event...

Saturday, January 5 - The Clinton for President campaign is holding a grand opening/open house at its Arizona office from noon until 2:00 p.m.

Location: 2845 North Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004 (Thomas and Central)

Info page here.


Starting Monday, January 7 - The Appropriations Committee of the Arizona House of Representatives will begin holding meetings to come up with budget cuts to close the $970 million state budget deficit. The meetings are scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. Contact the House at (602) 926-4221 or 1-800-352-8404 for more information. AZ Republic coverage here.


Tuesday, January 8 - The District 17 Democrats will feature a presidential candidate forum at its January meeting. Representatives from the campaigns of each Democratic candidate have been invited to talk about their candidates and, time permitting, answer a few questions from the audience.

The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. in the Pyle Center in Tempe (Southern and Rural)

The meeting is open to the public. If you need any information, contact me via this blog or at cpmaz[at]yahoo.com.


Tuesday, January 8 - The Scottsdale City Council holds its first meeting of 2008. On the agenda: discussion and possible action concerning the Transportation Master Plan, a possible referendum question regarding fixed rail and fixed route transit along Scottsdale Road, and discussion of exempting "food for home consumption" from the City's 1% General Fund privilege sales tax.

Meeting starts at 5:00 p.m., City Hall Kiva, 3939 North Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale.

Should be an interesting meeting, but go to the D17 meeting - it will be more interesting, and Scottsdale City Council meetings are recorded anyway. Video archive page here. :)


Thursday, January 10 - The Coalition of Greater Scottsdale (COGS) will hold its January meeting at the Granite Reef Senior Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Senior Center is located at 1700 N. Granite Reef (northwest corner of Granite Reef and McDowell)


Thursday, January 17 - The D8 Democrats will feature speakers from the various Democratic campaigns at their monthly meeting.

7:00 p.m. at the Mustang Library, 10101 N 90th St, Scottsdale (90th St., south of Shea)


Tuesday, January 22 - A forum/overview of current First Amendment issues with
Bill Straus and David Bodney of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) at the Mustang Library in Scottdale at 6:30 p.m.


Tuesday, January 22 - The Arizona Chapter of the National Jewish Democratic Council NJDC) is holding its monthly meeting at 7:00 p.m., location TBA. Info at njdcphx[at]cox.net.

Later!

Short Attention Span Musing

This one's a mish-mash of stuff that has been building up over the weekend...

Note - this post was edited to correct spelling, punctuation, poor grammar, and a couple of forgotten sentences. I really should know better than to post late at night after working all weekend. :))

...Bush makes it official - he cares more about killing Iraqis than he does about protecting Americans.

From Bloomberg.com -

Bush Says Funding Iraq, Afghan Wars Is Congress's Top Priority

Dec. 1 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush said that funding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan should be Congress's top priority when it returns to Washington next week, and he lashed out at Democrats for not acting on his spending request.

From MSNBC.com -

Bush Proposes Dramatic Cuts In Homeland Security Funding

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration intends to slash counter terrorism funding for police, firefighters and rescue departments nation-wide by more than half next year, according to budget documents obtained by The Associated Press. New York would be hard hit by deep cuts, according to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

The plan would eliminate programs for port security, transit security and local emergency management operations in the next budget year.

Even the right-wing blogosphere takes issue with cuts to HS funding.

Wonder how soon-to-be Senate minority whip Jon Kyl will spin his blind support of Bush's plans?


...In the candidates and rumored candidates department -

Caveat: all rumors are just that and nothing more. In addition, any Republican-related rumors should be read with the understanding that I am *not* a Republican insider, nor do I know any. It's all just stuff that I've heard.

- - - Long-heard talk has that LD8 State Senator Carolyn Allen won't be running for reelection and that current LD8 State Rep. Michelle Reagan will be running for the seat. What is new to me is the rumor that John Kavanagh, also a current rep in LD8, will challenge Reagan in the Republican primary, setting up the equivalent of Allen-Rosati II, with the pro-business Reagan taking on the role of Carolyn Allen and wing-nut Kavanagh stepping in for Colette Rosati.

If true, this would create a dilemma for Democrats in the overwhelmingly Republican LD8 - lend support (if not votes) for the relatively moderate (and more importantly, sane) Reagan in the primary, even though she would be all but invincible in the general election, or risk the possible elevation to the Senate of Kavanagh, who, while nothing but Russell Pearce with a New York accent, is marginally more vulnerable in a general election.

Note: According to a search of the AZ Secretary of State's website, Reagan's active 2008 committee is for state rep, and Allen still has an active state senate campaign committee.

- - - It's not official yet, but apparently Democrat Stephanie Rimmer may be running for LD8 State Rep next year. She ran in 2006 and mounted a credible campaign against Reagan and Kavanagh; if both incumbents are running for state senate in 2008, she'll have a fighting chance against two Republican rookies in the state rep race.

That 2-to-1 Republican registration advantage will be tough to overcome, though. Maybe the Republicans will help her by nominating Rosati for a run at a state rep seat.

Rosati's burned enough bridges in her own party that some LD8 Republicans would vote for Hillary Clinton before they'd vote for Rosati; that dynamic will help Rimmer.

Rimmer is a long-time community activist and small business owner and lives with her family in Scottsdale.

No word yet on any other possible Democratic contenders in LD8.

...In LD18, Republican PC (Mesa 32) Ron Middlebrook is running for state rep; the current reps are erstwhile congressional candidates Russell Pearce ('exploring' in CD6) and Mark Anderson ('exploring' in CD5). No rumor this - his Clean Elections paperwork is already filed.

Don't know anything else about him.

Note - if the 'explorations' don't become full-fledged candidacies and they start looking at other offices, Pearce is termed out in the state House, while Anderson can run for another term there.


...and finally, in the "Let's help Jan Brewer puff up her resume before she runs for governor in 2010" department, Republican State Senator Chuck Gray has introduced an amendment to the state constitution, that if it passed the lege next spring and the voters next fall, would change the Secretary of State's job title to "Lieutenant Governor."

It wouldn't change the job description, just the title.

My question - why bother?

Later!

Events Calendar

Friday, November 9 - "La Luz Del Futuro" (The Light of the Future)
You are cordially invited to a Wine & Cheese Fundraiser for La Luz Del Futuro (The Light of Our Future), a foundation to provide needy immigrant students with scholarships and mentoring.

7:00 p.m., 7305 W. Boston Street in Chandler. Please RSVP with Ed Hermes at 480-783-4862 or eward.hermes[at]gmail.com. Suggested minimum donation for this fundraiser is $25. Wine and hor-dourves served.


Tuesday, November 13 - Legislative Workshop discussing the procedures and processes of the legislature. It will be held at the Arizona House of Representatives.

Check in at 7:30 a.m.; the program runs from 8:00 a.m. until noon. To register (and pre-registration is required; no walk ups or "day-of" registrations will be allowed) go to http://www.legislativealerts.sirbarratt.com./ The event is free of charge.

The event is run by Russell Pearce (R-National Alliance) and was publicized by him in the conservative blogosphere; however, the event is open to the general public, not just 'his' people.


Tuesday, November 13 - LD17 Democrats' monthly meeting at the North Tempe Community Center on Bridalwreath. Guest speaker Zita Johnson will be discussing school redistricting. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; meeting starts at 7:00 p.m.


Thursday, November 15 - EPA public meeting on the North Indian Bend Wash superfund site.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is hosting a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 15 to update Scottsdale citizens on several items related to the North Indian Bend Wash Superfund Site. The meeting is at the 2nd floor Training Room of the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7384 E. Second St.

The agenda for the meeting includes a site overview and update on emissions controls at the Central Groundwater Treatment Facility, an update on cleanup of the site by the companies participating in the project, a discussion with a regional representative for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and a discussion with Dr. Jay Gandolfi of the University of Arizona regarding trichloroethylene (TCE) and its health effects.

For more information, contact Vicki Rosen, EPA community involvement coordinator, at (800) 231-3075 or rosen.vicki[at]epa.gov.


Thursday, November 15 - The Big Picture Film Series, in conjunction with the LD17 Democrats and the ASU Young Democrats, presents the film "FAREWELL ISRAEL: BUSH, IRAN & THE REVOLT OF ISLAM." 7:30 p.m., room 170 of ASU's Coor Building, 975 South Myrtle Ave., Tempe. Special guest: Joel Gilbert, the writer and director of Farewell Israel.


Thursday, November 15 - The LD8 Democrats monthly program meeting at the Mustang Library in Scottsdale. This month's topic: "Health Care & Legislation", featuring excerpts from Michael Moore’s movie, SICKO, with comments by representatives from the American Nurses Association (ANA).


Thursday, November 29 - The November meeting of the Arizona chapter of the National Jewish Democratic Council (AzNJDC). 7:30 p.m., Chaparral Suites, Scottsdale Rd and Chaparral. Guest speaker: Jeff Farias of KPHX, 1480 AM.


Friday, November 30 - Join the ASU Young Democrats and Congressman Harry Mitchell at "Harry's Place." 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Mission Palms Hotel, 60 East Fifth Street, Tempe. Click on the link for ticket info.


Later!

Events Calendar

Thursday, September 27 – Arizona for Richardson Planning Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Saguaro Branch Library, 46th St. and Thomas in Phoenix.

Thursday, September 27 - Meeting of the Arizona chapter of the National Jewish Democratic Council at 7:00 p.m., 6991 E. Camelback Rd. in Scottsdale. Contact njdcphx[at]cox.net for more info.

Friday, September 28 - The LD8 Democrats present the Big Picture Film Festival. This month's film, "Plagues & Pleasures On The Salton Sea", will be shown at the Fountain Hills Community Center, 13001 N. La Montana Drive. Contact the D8 Dems at (480)596-8350 for more details.

Tusday, October 2 - The Obama for President campaign will be holding its Rally For Change, 6:00 p.m. at the State Capitol, 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix.

Friday, October 12 - Scott Ritter, former UN weapons inspector and author of "Target Iran" will speak at the New Vision Spiritual Growth Center, 9659 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. Contact number: 480.650.0746.

Saturday, October 20 - Fundraiser for Dennis Kucinich at the Peace Tree House in Tempe. Contact local coordinator Rick Romero at 602.515.9844 (cell) for details.

Tuesday, November 13 - Legislative Workshop discussing the procedures and processes of the legislature. It will be held at the Arizona House of Representatives. Check in at 7:30 a.m.; the program runs from 8:00 a.m. until noon. To register (and pre-registration is required; no walk ups or "day-of" registrations will be allowed) go to http://www.legislativealerts.sirbarratt.com./ The event is free of charge.

The event is run by Russell Pearce (R-National Alliance) and was publicized by him in the conservative blogosphere; however, the event is open to the general public, not just 'his' people.

Pleasepleaseplease don't let me be the only Democrat there; register today. :)

Later!

Yet another challenger for Harry Mitchell

The long-rumored entry of Maricopa County Treasurer David Schweikert into the Republican primary race to face Harry Mitchell next year is a little closer to reality.

From the AZ Rep's Plugged In -

Maricopa County Treasurer David Schweikert has launched an exploratory committee as he considers a run for the 5th Congressional District in 2008.

Sort of.

You see, his Website - David08exploratory.com - is up and running. But it's clearly a work in progress.

Note: I clicked on the link to the website, but it is unavailable as of this writing.

Brief background:

Elected as Maricopa County Treasurer in 2004 in a race that had at least a bit of controversy and allegations of racism/ethnic insults in his primary contest against Republican businessman Garry Ong.

From the linked article (from Asianweek.com) -

Political mud started to fly when a mailer sent out for a Schweikert barbecue-fundraiser read “No Tofu Dogs” invited. Ong’s team filed a complaint with the Anti-Defamation League.

At a public meeting, Schweikert told Ong, “It was just for the fun of it,” but he offered no apology.

...He ran for Congress in 1994, losing in the Republican primary to J.D. Hayworth.

...A search of the FEC's databases didn't turn up an current campaign filings, but those aren't necessary until he actually starts a campaign or exploratory committee.

...Further FEC searching found contributions to the AZ Republican Party and to Susan Bitter-Smith's 2000 campaign.

...A search of the AZ Secretary of State's databases show contributions to AZ Right To Life PAC, LD7 Republicans, Sen. Karen Johnson (R-LD18), and 2006 candidate Carl Seel (LD6).

...He's been making the rounds in the non-District 8 LDs, schmoozing up Republican activists in LD21 (scheduled for last night) and LD18 (next week.) Note: He currently lives in Fountain Hills, which is in LD8 and CD5.

...Republican blogger Espresso Pundit, Greg Patterson (Schweikert's former colleague in the AZ lege) has a profile here.

From the profile by Republican blogger Sonoran Alliance -

David, former State Legislator and current County Treasurer, has been running for this seat, in one way or another, since the day he lost to J.D. Hayworth in the primary in 1994. He is smart, ambitious and one of the hardest working people in politics. And his new bride is said to be just as motivated as he is, which is a huge deal in a Congressional race. He likely knows more detail about the district than anyone else, which demonstrates, to some degree, one of his weaknesses – he is a bit geeky, but in a charming way. He is a solid conservative (he actually ran to the right of Hayworth in 1994). Little known factoid: Sen. Karen Johnson was his assistant when he served as the Majority Whip in the state legislature.

General issues: Dems (and the New Times) attack Schweikert for his role in the LD 20 recount and for not releasing the ballots to the Senate. Dems have an universal heart attack when they realize they are taking the same position as Sen. Jack Harper.

Well, that *does* explain the campaign contribution to Johnson.

Yes, I know I keep citing profiles by Republican bloggers, but let's face facts - it's not like we, meaning Democratic bloggers, write many profiles of Republican candidates. :)

Anyway, he seems to be intelligent, hard-working, very conservative, and not afraid to push the limits of decorum during a campaign (the personal insults). While he has low name recognition with average voters (and even some more active ones), he also has low negatives, unlike some of his opponents in the primary.

As of right now, he is probably the strongest candidate in the primary - he's got the connections to raise money, the experience to run an effective campaign, and is conservative enough to appeal to the far-right wing of his party while not scaring off the "Chamber of Commerce" wing with a "kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out" campaign platform.

Of course, we're nearly a year away from the primary, and there's at least a couple of other folks who are rumored to be interested in the Republican nomination to take on Harry.

Stay tuned...