I went to 3 talks in just 4 hours (amazing) and heard historian Douglas Brinkley (“The Great Deluge”) talk about failed politics and economic recovery in New Orleans. He also said that “inaction was the policy” in Louisiana. He had a conversation at this talk with State Democratic Party Chair Andrei Cherny, also an author (“The Next Deal: the Future of Public Life in the Information Age”). I especially appreciated how Brinkley said that we all needed to “preserve Wild America” and save our state parks for our grandchildren, to carry on the vision of President Teddy Roosevelt.

Then I listened to two very powerful women/feminists. The first was Dr. Connie Mariano (“White House Doctor: My Patients were Presidents”) who spoke of being a Filipina-American in the U.S. Navy and then becoming the White House doctor, advocating for change in their policies. She said that always striving to be better was one of her life’s goals. Along with her in that talk was Gloria Feldt (“No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think about Power”), who has been a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood. She said that women had the “power to choose, and should choose power”, and were capable of doing anything.

Finally, I listened to hilarious author/blogger Amy Alkon speak about civility (or the lack thereof) in modern society. Her book is entitled “I see Rude People: The Collapse of Civility and What We Want To Do About it”. She related very humorous stories of how she embarrasses people who are rude, and how she makes a “hobby of righteous indignation” when confronted by uncivil individuals in our so-called “strangerhoods”. She attributed today’s rudeness to mobility and not knowing your community and neighbors, like in the past. But she also advocated “paying it forward” when someone was rude to you, to try to be nicer to the next person.

Amy also mentioned the lack of civliity & name calling from anonymous readers– and I could identify with that right here online.

Check out the schedule for tomorrow Sunday March 13 at www.tucsonfestivalofbooks.org.
And drop by our Tucsoncitizen.com booth (click here for Editor Mark Evan’s blog). We’re on the West mall area, just north of the Star Pavilion.

There’s even a free strawberry/banana real fruit smoothie sample at the McDonald’s wagon.

Enjoy reading!

After a great deal of soul-searching and encouragement from elected leaders, grassroots activists, and friends throughout the state, I have decided to run for the position of Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party. We’re at a critical point in Arizona’s history – one where so much is on the line with the choices our state and nation make. That’s why I ran for State Treasurer. And that’s why I have made this decision today.

A couple of years ago, Arizona was seen as a state trending “purple” – a swing state where candidates for office would have to build broad coalitions to win. But in 2010, we were swamped by a tsunami. Despite the incredible efforts of Democratic volunteers and candidates, Republicans won up and down the ticket – and throughout the state – without offering any positive ideas to build Arizona’s future and by playing the dirtiest sort of wedge politics.

Democrats let that happen. As I campaigned in every part in Arizona, I saw firsthand that a lot of people who supported us in years past did not trust us to fight for their interests, defend their values, or make their lives better. While we attacked the many Republican missteps, we failed to campaign with a unified message that told the people of Arizona who we are, what we stand for, and how we’ll lead our state.

I believe that offering that message has to be job #1 of the next State Chair. That’s especially true because, for the first election in nearly fifteen years, we did not elect a single statewide Democratic official to act as the spokesperson for our ideas and plans. We need the next State Chair to be a unifying figure and a strong messenger for a compelling vision of where Arizona needs to go.

The fact is that Russell Pearce’s Republican Party has deliberately vacated the center of Arizona politics. They disdain independents and their own party’s moderates. They’re betting that they can rely on extremist supporters and money from out-of-state corporations to carry the day. They will if we let them. I’m determined that this won’t happen. Instead, we need to build a big tent Arizona Democratic Party where independents and disaffected Republicans are welcome and have a home. And we need to go on the offense to fight for better schools, safer streets, and an Arizona economy that works for those who work hard and not just those with the connections and the lobbyists. We should not shade our ideas or sand down our message, but instead should show the contrast between Arizona’s present and the brighter future Arizona Democrats can help bring.

Here’s what I’ll work toward as Chair:

* A Democratic Party that Works from the Bottom-Up, Not the Top-Down. Without a statewide elected official to serve as our rallying point, we are entering a new era for Arizona Democrats. This is a chance to build a party that is not about one person at the top calling the shots, but one where county chairs, LD chairs, state committee members, precinct committee members, and activists are empowered to make more decisions, have the tools they need to do their work – and held accountable as well. As a former elected PC and former LD chair, I know what it means to work at the party’s grassroots. To rebuild the Arizona Democratic Party, we need a 15 county strategy that works to win votes and convert voters in every part of our state.

* A Democratic Party with a Clear Vision. Before Arizonans trust our take on what the Republicans are doing to our state, they need to trust that we’ll do a better job. While we must take Russell Pearce and Jan Brewer to task, we have a responsibility to offer new, common-sense ideas to meet Arizona’s toughest challenges. Arizona Democrats must offer more than responses to the Republican agenda, and instead make clear where we will lead the state. But our vision for the state is meaningless if Arizonans don’t know what it is. Arizona Democrats’ communications efforts have to reach newspapers, television, radio and blogs in every part of the state – from Nogales to Kingman, and Yuma to Window Rock.

* A Democratic Party that Wins Again. Ultimately, if we want to rebuild Arizona, we have to start winning more elections. Redistricting may create the most serious opportunity to make large gains in the state legislature in decades. A new congressional seat and President Obama’s reelection means the chance to make sure we have leadership in Washington that is focused on meeting America’s challenges. In this moment, we can’t afford to be divided. Our task is to build a stronger Democratic Party, not to squander the work of the past decade. I was proud that my State Treasurer campaign raised more than any previous non-Governor statewide campaign – with the vast majority of contributions amounting to $100 or less. That kind of grassroots support – combined with the support of our Democratic Party leaders – is the unity we need to move forward. I am honored to have the support of Democrats from the grassroots to our top elected officials in this campaign for Chair. It’s not enough to just fight the good fight, we need to win. Millions of Arizonans are counting on to do so – and that means we need to have the message, money, and momentum to carry the day.

As my friend from Cochise County, Bob Bland, said to me the other day: “When Republicans win, they splinter. When Democrats lose, they come together.” We lost in 2010 – and Arizonans are paying the price. Now, we need to come together, unite as one, take the fight to those who are driving Arizona into the ground, and win.

If you’re a Democrat, I hope to earn your support for Chair and then work with you in the months to come. If you’re a frustrated Republican or independent, I hope that, as Chair, I can convince you to join us in taking Arizona in a new direction.

Here’s an article about my announcement from the Phoenix New Times:
http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bastard/2011/01/andrei_cherny_announces_bid_fo.php

Please follow my Chair’s campaign on Facebook or Twitter and – as always – please stay in touch either by email (info@andreiforarizona.com) or at (602) 688-2336.

Thank you,
Andrei

Breakdown of the November 2, 2010 election results on Treasurer position, Cherny received 41.33 % of the vote, losing to Republican Doug Ducey.

CHERNY, ANDREI (DEM)
41.33% 685,865
DUCEY, DOUG (REP)
51.80% 859,672
EICHENAUER, THANE (LBT)
3.99% 66,166
MEADOWS, THOMAS (GRN)
2.78% 46,115
Write-in
0.11% 1,831
1,659,649 Total votes cast

Andrei Cherny

Andrei Cherny, former Arizona Assistant Attorney General, former economic adviser to President Bill Clinton, author of “The Next Deal: The Future of Public Life in the Information Age”, www.andreiforarizona.com. Born & raised in California, he is a graduate of Harvard College and the U of California Berkeley School of Law.

Doug Ducey, former CEO & Chairman of Cold Stone Creamery, has the endorsement of current Arizona Treasurer Dean Martin, www.votedougducey.com. Doug was born & raised in Ohio, graduated from ASU in Finance. No prior political experience.

The current Arizona Treasurer Dean Martin opted to run for Governor this year, and withdrew from the Republican primary in July, prior to the August 24 primary.

KAET Horizon Channel 8 in Phoenix will be hosting another debate between these 2 candidates on September 29, at 7 p.m. Their website is: http://www.azpbs.org/vote2010/.

UPDATE: Libertarian Thane Eichenauer and Green Party candidate Thomas Meadows are also running for State Treasurer. Eichenauer was included in the KAET debate, but not Meadows.
(Unable to locate campaign websites for either candidate.)

Andrei Cherny

Doug Ducey

Thane Eichenauer

Statewide races, all telecast on KAET Horizon Channel 8 in Phoenix, to be posted online at their website within 72 hours after the debates. D indicates Democrat, G indicates Green Party, I indicates Independent, L indicates Libertarian, R indicates Republican. Most of these candidates will be invited, but not all attend the debates, as it’s only mandatory for those participating in “clean” elections. To find out who’s a participating candidate, click here.

Governor
September 1, 7 to 8 p.m.
(Governor Jan Brewer – R, Larry Gist- G, Attorney General Terry Goddard- D, Barry Hess- L)

Attorney General (9/3/10 UPDATE: DEBATE CANCELED DUE TO NEITHER BEING A “CLEAN” ELECTIONS CANDIDATE).
September 8, 7 to 7:30 p.m.
(Tom Horne- R, Felecia Rotellini – D)

Superintendent of Public Instruction
September 15, 7 to 7:30 p.m.
(John Huppenthal -R, Penny Kotterman- D)

Secretary of State
September 22, 7 to 7:30 p.m.
(Sec. of State Ken Bennett – R, Chris Deschene – D)

Treasurer (9/3/10 UPDATE: DEBATE CANCELED DUE TO NEITHER BEING “CLEAN” ELECTIONS CANDIDATE).
September 29, 7 to 7:30 p.m.
(Doug Ducey – R, Andrei Cherny – D)

Corporation Commission (2 seats)
October 4, 7 to 7:30 p.m.
(Commissioner Gary Pierce – R, David Bradley – D, Brenda Burns – R, Jorge Luis Garcia – D)

State Mine Inspector
October 06, 2010, 7 PM – 7:30 PM
(Inspector Joe Hart – R, Miguel Cruz – D)

Legislative Districts (Southern Arizona), all “Clean” candidates in House & Senate are required to participate, and others running traditionally may do as well. One seat is open in the State Senate, two seats in the State House in each legislative district.

District 26 (9/3/10 UPDATE:DEBATE CANCELED AS ALL CANDIDATES NOT PARTICIPATING IN CLEAN ELECTIONS, RUNNING TRADITIONALLY)
September 16, 6 p.m.
PCC Northwest Campus, 7600 N. Shannon Rd.
(State Senate: Cheryl Cage – D, Senator Al Melvin – R;
State House: Terri Proud – R, Rep. Vic Williams- R, Rep. Nancy Young Wright – D)

District 27
September 9, 6 p.m.
PCC West Campus, 2202 W. Anklam Rd.
(State Senate: Olivia Cajero Bedford- D, Duke Schechter- R is a write-in candidate,as is Jaime Vasquez – R; State House: Gene Chewning – I, Robert Compton – R, Sally Ann Gonzales – D, Dr. Macario Saldate – D, Kent Solberg – G)

District 28
September 14, 6 p.m.
PCC Community Room, 4905 E. Broadway
(State Senate: Senator Paula Aboud – D, Ted Downing – I, Dave Ewoldt – I, Greg Krino – R;
State House: Rep. Steve Farley – D, Ken Smalley- R, Bruce Wheeler- D)

District 29
September 28, 6 p.m.
PCC Community Room, 4905 E. Broadway
(State Senate: Senator Linda Lopez – D, unopposed;
(State House: Rep. Matt Heinz – D, Pat Kilburn – R, Rep. Daniel Patterson – D)

District 30
September 30, 6 p.m.
PCC East Campus, 8181 E. Irvington
(State Senate: Senator Frank Antenori – R, Dr. Todd Camenisch – D;
State House: Andrea Dalessandro – D, Rep. David Gowan – R, and Rep. Ted Vogt -R)

logo

http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/AZ/19539/32130/en/summary.html

Line up for the General Election (so far):

U. S. Senator John McCain (R) vs. former Tucson Councilmember Dr. Rodney Glassman (D) vs. Jerry Joslyn (G) vs. David Nolan (L)

CD 7 U. S. House Rep. Raul Grijalva (D) vs. Raytheon rocket scientist Ruth McClung (R) vs. George Keane (L) vs. Harley Meyer (I)

CD 8 U. S. House Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D) vs. businessman Jesse Kelly (R) vs. Dr. Steven Stoltz (L)

Governor Jan Brewer (R) vs. Attorney General Terry Goddard (D) vs. Larry Gist (G) vs. Barry Hess (L)

Secretary of State Ken Bennett (R) vs. House Rep. Chris Deschene (D)

Attorney General
Tom Horne (R) vs. Felecia Rotellini (D)

Treasurer:
Businessman Doug Ducey (R) vs. Former Assistant AG Andrei Cherny (D)

Superintendent of Public Instruction:
State Senator John Huppenthal (R) vs. Former Arizona Education Association Pres. Penny Kotterman (D)

Corporation Commission (2 seats):
Commissioner Gary Pierce & Brenda Burns (Rs) vs. David Bradley and Jorge Luis Garcia (Ds)

In Southern Arizona Legislative districts:

LD 26:
State Senator Al Melvin (R) vs. businesswoman Cheryl Cage (D)
State House: Rep. Vic Williams and paralegal Terri Proud (Rs) vs. State House Rep. Nancy Young Wright (D)

LD 27:
State Senator Olivia Cajero Bedford (D), vs. write in candidates Duke Schechter (R) and Jaime Vasquez (R);
State House: former legislator Sally Ann Gonzales and Dr. Macario Saldate (Ds) vs. businessman Robert Compton (R), businessman Kent Solberg (G), pastor Gene Chewning (I)

LD 28:
State Senator Paula Aboud (D) vs. Independents Dave Ewoldt and Ted Downing, and Attorney Greg Krino (R)
State House: Rep. Steve Farley and former legislator Bruce Wheeler (Ds) vs. businessman Ken Smalley (R)

LD 29:
State Senator Linda Lopez (D) unopposed
State House: Rep. Matt Heinz and Rep. Daniel Patterson (Ds) vs. businessman Pat Kilburn (R)

LD 30:
State Senator Frank Antenori (R) vs. Dr. Todd Camenisch (D)
State House: Rep. David Gowan and Rep. Ted Vogt (Rs) vs. businesswoman Andrea Dalessandro (D)

UPDATE: Wed. 8/25 at 7:57 p.m. Sec. of State website listing vote total at 801,003, 25.81% of the registered voters cast ballots, with only Maricopa County still partially reporting. Stay tuned for final unofficial results, especially for AG race which is still too close to call for the Republican nomination. Other races likely to remain the same till all votes counted, and the canvass is accepted.

UPDATE: Thurs. 8/26 5:07 p.m. 869,441 votes counted to date, 28.02% voter turnout. Stay tuned for tomorrow night’s tally. Horne ahead of Andrews by wider margin (1073), same with Rotellini over Lujan by a much wider margin (3203), causing Lujan to concede tonight. Same candidates still ahead in LD 26, 27, 28, which are the only close races to watch now.

UPDATE: Friday 8/27 6:36 p.m. 913,578 votes counted to date, 29.44 % turnout. Andrew Thomas thought of conceding today but has apparently changed his mind since he is only 485 votes behind Horne now. Most candidates leading in LD 26, 27 and 28 seem to have won. About 22,000 votes still to be counted, stay tuned for next tally.

UPDATE: Saturday 8/28 8:13 p.m. 931,817 votes counted, 30.03% turnout. Andrew Thomas still behind Tom Horne by 853 votes. Let’s see what Monday’s tally will be.

UPDATE: Monday 8/30, 5:54 p.m. 933,212 votes counted, 30.08% turnout. Tom Horne has declared victory,but Thomas has not conceded. Sec. of State’s office told me they had 3800 votes to count today and into tomorrow. Counties have 5 working days to submit their votes, so tomorrow night is the deadline. Finally!

FINAL UPDATE: Tuesday 8/31, 4:29 p.m. 934,113 votes cast (final unofficial results), turnout 30.10 % of the 3,102,876 registered voters in Arizona. Tom Horne received 899 more votes than Andrew Thomas for the AG Republican nomination, a very close race considering how many votes were cast in that race (555,699).

–Ted Carpenter, retired firefighter, served eight years in Arizona House and as Maricopa County Deputy Superintendent of Schools, no website available

– Doug Ducey, former CEO & Chair of Cold Stone Creamery, endorsed by current Treasurer Dean Martin, www.votedougducey.com

– Barbara Leff, 14 years in Arizona state legislature (4 terms in State House, in 3rd term in the State Senate as President Pro Tem), www.barbaraleff.com

– Thayer Verschoor, 8 years as State Senator, Chair of the “Ax the Tax” campaign against Proposition 100, www.theaztreasurer.com

So these are 3 candidates who have experience in the Arizona legislature, and one businessman/political newcomer.

View the online KUAT Channel 6 debate between 3 candidates (Ducey, Leff & Verschoor) held tonight August 9 (click here). Carpenter did not attend due to a foot surgery.

Or you can also watch the Arizona Citizens Clean Election Commission debate of July 6 (only Ducey and Leff debated) –click here.. Leff is running as a “clean” election candidate, the rest are running traditional.

The Republican winner for Arizona Treasurer will face off with Democratic challenger Andrei Cherny, a former Assistant Attorney General and economic policy expert, www.andreiforarizona.com. There are also 2 write in candidates Thomas Meadows (Green Party) and Thane Eichenauer (Libertarian Party).

Ted Carpenter

Thayer Verschoor

Doug Ducey

Barbara Leff