A live debate between the 3 candidates running for the vacant CD 8 Congressional seat will beheld on May 23 at 7 p.m. at the Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E. River Rd. (north of Dodge Blvd.) The organizers are asking the public not to arrive before 6 p.m. due to parking issues. Complimentary tickets for admission will be issued starting at 6 p.m. for the 500 people allowed inside the ballroom. Injured Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords resigned from this seat in January of this year.

All 3 candidates Ron Barber (D), Jesse Kelly (R) and Charlie Manolakis (G) will be participating. The MC for the evening will be radio talk show host Bill Buckmaster of the Buckmaster Show (high noon on weekdays on KVOI AM 1030) . Bill was a TV talk show host on “Arizona Illustrated” on KUAT Channel 6 for 23 years.

This debate is sponsored by the Arizona Daily Star and the Tucson Jewish Community Center, and will also be broadcast live on KVOI AM 1030 Tucson and KAPR AM 930 Douglas.

Click here for my previous blog about the CD 8 debates (with photos and campaign websites).

If you don’t want to attend the debate, with want to listen to it with other “liberals”, Drinking Liberally is hosting their weekly meeting with a radio to listen on KVOI. They meet at The Shanty at 6 p.m., 401 E. 9th St. (NE corner of 4th Avenue).

The latest voter registration as of 3/1/12 for CD 8 (parts of Cocise, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz Counties) from the AZ Sec. of State’s website:

Democrats: 133,571
Greens: 852
Libertarians: 2646
Republicans: 159,200
Americans: 27
Others: 128,242

Ron Barber has been endorsed by the Tucson Weekly (click here), and The Arizona Republic (click here). Early voting for this special general election started on May 17, 2012.

The person elected on the upcoming June 12 special general election will only serve out the remainder of Giffords’ term till January, 2013.

Arizona Public Media’s PBS-HD Channel 6 hosted a debate tonight between the three candidates seeking the U.S. House seat in CD 8, replacing Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords who resigned on January 25, 2012 due to ongoing recovery from being shot in the head on January 8, 2011.

AZPM political correspondents Christopher Conover and Andrea Kelly (no relation to the candidate with same last name) facilitated this debate between:

–Democrat Ron Barber, former District Director for Congresswoman Giffords; he was shot twice on January 8, 2011 at the Tucson Tragedy mass shooting

–Republican Jesse Kelly, ran unsuccessfully for this seat in Nov. 2010 & lost to Giffords by 4,156 votes

–Green Party Charlie Manolakis, political newcomer; former Democrat & recent Green party member (March 12, 2012)

Click here for the video of this 3-way debate.

My previous blog about the CD 8 debates, with photos and campaign website info (click here).

Early voting for this June 12 special election in CD 8 starts tomorrow.

Press release:

Fernando Gonzales

May 15, 2012 – Tucson, AZ – Fernando Gonzales, local small business owner and son of first generation immigrant farm workers announces his candidacy for Pima County Board of Supervisors District 5 seat in 2012. The position is currently held by Richard Elias who was appointed to the seat when Congressman Raul Grijalva went on to Congress.

Gonzales is one of 8 children that traveled between Arizona and California working in the agricultural fields including cotton fields in Marana. Fernando started a family and eventually moved to Tucson. Fernando is now owner and CEO of JanCo Janitorial which was founded by his sister Elizabeth Gonzales Gann.

As a business owner and on a personal level Fernando believes in giving back to the community both by giving of his time and financial contributions. The company and personally has financially supported over Fifty non-profit organizations. Fernando’s love and passion for people and especially those who are downtrodden has taken him to many of the poorest areas in Mexico. Today he continues to support and orphanage and a ministry that feeds children on a daily basis.

“It’s time we take a different look at the issues of poverty, decaying roads and lack of jobs and lack of hope for your youth.” Gonzales said at his announcement event. “What makes America great and once made Pima County great was the belief and pride in ourselves our families and our neighborhoods. I think we’ve lost that hope.”

Gonzales cited the perception of Pima County as being difficult to do business in as one of the main things he wants to focus on during his campaign. “We have to get out of the rut of saying “NO” to everything and start looking for ways to help our small businesses open and start hiring.”

“Fernando is an American success story and role model in his church, family and community. We should celebrate those that worked hard and changed their direction of their lives.” Said Elizabeth Gonzalez Gann, Fernando’s sister and campaign chair. “The latino voters and neighbors in District 5 will see Fernando as a part of their community and someone who values hard work and faith as a way to get ahead.”

Campaign website: www.votefernandogonzales.com under construction. Gonzales is a Republican and political newcomer.

Christina Cruz
Tagline Media Group
1655 N. Swan Road
Tucson, AZ. 85712
Office: 520-207-8910
Cell: 520-603-1935
www.TaglineGroup.com

Incumbent District 5 Supervisor Richard Elias was appointed to his seat in February 2002 and is speaking tonight at the Martha Cooper branch Library (click here).