2014 Gubernatorial Candidate Forum Next Friday

Save the date -

A few pictures from the 2012 election cycle

Most of these pics have been shared here or on FB already, but are worth another look...

State Sen. David Schapira addressing a crowd of voters in Tempe in January while he was exploring a run for Congress.  He finished the primary in 2nd place.

From March:  The CD5 delegates to the Democratic National Convention, (L-R) Janie Hydrick, Chase Williams, Laura Copple, Jerry Gettinger, Lauren Kuby, and Randy Keating

Paul Penzone, candidate for Maricopa County Sheriff, speaking at an event in Tempe

At the same April event, the future LD26 legislative team - (L-R, standing) Reps-elect Juan Mendez and Andrew Sherwood and Sen.-elect Ed Ableser

Mark Mitchell in April, the future Mayor of Tempe.  He emerged victorious in Tempe's election in May.

Andrei Cherny, candidate for Congress, addressing a meeting of the LD24 Democrats; he finished third in the primary.

In July, putting up signs

In July, an overflow crowd at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe for a Congressional primary forum

Congressional candidate Kyrsten Sinema at the July forum.  She emerged from the primary as the nominee.

Not political or anything to do with the election cycle; I just like the sign.

In August, Harry Mitchell addressing a crowd at an event in Tempe

September: Future state rep. Juan Mendez speaking at the LD26 campaign office in Tempe

US Senate candidate Rich Carmona speaking to a supporter at the same Tempe event in September

The "crowd" at the Clean Elections debate for LD24 legislative candidates in September

In September, future State Rep. Andrew Sherwood (standing) greeting friends in Tempe in September

Kyrsten Sinema addressing the crowd at the same Tempe event in September
 

Election Day: watching early national returns at the Arizona Democratic Party headquarters in Phoenix

Election Day: The crowd gathering at the Renaissance watching election night coverage on CNN

Election night: Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton speaking to the hundreds gathered at the Renaissance

The jublilant crowd as the election is called for President Obama

All of the above pics were taken by me and represent just the tiniest portion of the effort and energy and dedication of the 2012 election cycle.  Similar scenes and more took place across the state all year, and while a guy with a camera may not have been at each place, they were all a part of the successes of the cycle.

Project Civil Discourse: A Statewide Conversation on

Project Civil Discourse is an initiative of the Arizona Humanities Council, dedicated to fostering an environment that facilitates, rather than impedes, constructive discussion of political issues in Arizona.

Next week, they'll be conducting a statewide forum on some of the questions that will be on the ballot in November.  The announcement -

Mapping Arizona's Future

Click Here to Register

Thursday, September 27, 2012
6:00 to 9:00pm

Free & Open to the Public

A Statewide Conversation on
Arizona's Key Ballot Propositions

Michael Grant, former host of KAET-TV's Horizon and prominent valley attorney, will moderate a panel of experts (Justice Ruth McGregor, former Chief Justice for the Arizona Supreme Court, Ken Strobeck, Executive Director of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, and Howie Fischer, Chief Correspondent at Capitol Media Services) and participant roundtable discussions on three key ballot propositions.

• Prop 115: Judicial Selection
• Prop 204: Quality Education and Jobs
• Prop 121: Open Government

A Simulcast Discussion Around Arizona

Forum Locations:
Apache Junction - Central Arizona College - Superstition Mountain Campus

Winkelman/SE Pinal County - Central Arizona College - Aravaipa Campus

Coolidge - Central Arizona College - Signal Peak Campus

Flagstaff - Coconino Community College - Lone Tree Campus

Scottsdale - Scottsdale Community College

Sedona - Yavapai College - Sedona Center for Arts & Technology

Tucson - Pima County Community College - West Campus

Yuma - Arizona Western College

Space is Limited, Pre-registration is Required

Click Here to Register

For more information, please contact Jamie Martin at 602-257-0335 x26 or jmartin@azhumanities.org

I'll be attending the forum at the Scottsdale Community College location, the location nearest to me; if one of the locations is close to you, sign up and reserve your spot.

Candidate forums tonight and tomorrow

After ranting last night about how too many voters just don't pay attention, it probably would be a good idea to remind folks of upcoming opportunities to get to know some of their candidates.

...Tonight, Wednesday, July 25, from KJZZ.com -

Residents of Arizona’s newly formed 9th Congressional District will have an opportunity to meet the Democratic candidates running for this office during a community forum hosted by KJZZ Managing Editor Al Macias and Politics and Government Reporter Mark Brodie.

Wednesday, July 25 at 6 p.m.
Arizona Historical Society Museum
1300 N. College Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 929-9499

Admittance is free but reservations are required. Please reserve your seats by contacting Claire Kerrigan at (480) 774-8444 or ckerrigan@rioradio.org.

What do you want to know about the candidates? Share your questions in advance.

The three candidates are Andrei Cherny, David Schapira and Kyrsten Sinema.

The newly formed district will serve the Ahwatukee Foothills, west Chandler, west Mesa, Tempe, parts of Paradise Valley, south Scottsdale and north-central Phoenix.

KJZZ will broadcast the open question/answer session with the Democratic candidates on Thu., July 26 at 11 a.m. Audio of the entire forum will be posted on KJZZ.org.

KJZZ hosted a forum with the Republican candidates on June 25. You can listen to the entire forum at KJZZ.org.

...It may be a little late to RSVP to tonight's forum, but there will be another tomorrow on KAET's Horizon, live at 5:30 p.m. on channel 8.  No RSVP required.  In fact, no driving required - just tune in to channel 8 on your TV.

...Also tomorrow night (Thursday, July 26), the Coalition of Greater Scottsdale is hosting a forum for mayoral candidates at the Mountain View Community Center, 8526 E. Mountain View (between Pima and Hayden, south of Shea Blvd) from 6:30 p.m until 8 p.m.  All three candidates for mayor of Scottsdale were invited; John Washington and Drew Bernhardt will attend while incumbent Jim Lane won't attend, protesting the political arm of COGS' endorsement of Washington.

Reminder: CD9 Forum for Democratic Candidates Tuesday

Tuesday, July 17 at 7 p.m., the David Schapira, Kyrsten Sinema, and Andrei Cherny, the three candidates for the Democratic nomination in the new Ninth Congressional District, will gather at a forum at Changing Hands Bookstore, 6428 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe, AZ 85283 (SE corner of McClintock and Guadalupe) at 7 p.m. 

Seating is limited, so arrive early (it's a great bookstore, so arriving early won't exactly be a burden).

For a preview, the video of this weekend's Sunday Square Off, with all three candidates, is here.

CD9 Forum at Changing Hands on July 17

The candidates for the Democratic nomination in the new Ninth Congressional District, David Schapira, Kyrsten Sinema, and Andrei Cherny, will meet at a forum held at Changing Hands Bookstore on Tuesday, July 17 at 7 p.m.

The forum will be moderated by John D'Anna, editor of the Mesa Republic.

Changing Hands is located at 6428 S McClintock Dr., Tempe, Arizona 85283 (SWC of McClintock and Guadalupe).

Arrive early, for two reasons -

1. To get a good seat.
2. To have time to browse the coolest bookstore in the Phoenix area.

See you there!