Just received a constituent letter from Ward 6 Councilman Steve Kozachik indicating his unhappiness with the Republican Party, and he says he intends to become a Democrat. He is up for re-election this year for another 4 years for his Ward 6 Council Seat. The Mayor and all other Councilmembers on the Tucson City Council are Democrats.

January 11, 2013

Councilman Steve Kozachik

Open Letter to my Constituents:

In 2009, when I was first approached by the local Republican Party leadership to consider running for the Tucson City Council, there was a clear mutual understanding that my political inclinations are to the center. I committed to looking at each issue on a one-by-one basis, studying the merits of all sides and voting based on the set of facts, not on the basis of a rigid ideology. From the standpoint of being able to win cross-over votes, and drawing out the center of the Republican Party, leadership felt my candidacy would be attractive to the voters. From a personal perspective, I entered the race comfortable believing that if elected, my role would be to demonstrate that bi-partisanship could work. My hope was to be a standard bearer for what I believed to be a large, centrist component of the party.

During the past three years, I have maintained my commitment to study issues individually, invite to the table the diverse set of voices that make up our community, and participate in crafting public policy that attempts to reflect the varying points of view I have heard. Simply applying hard work and common sense, and not starting from a preconceived notion of the ‘right answer,’ I’ve dug into the complex issues we face and have tried to vote in ways that reflect the
greater good of the community. I have heard supportive comments from members of both the Republican and Democratic party, and from registered Independents as well. I thank each person who has acknowledged the work ethic I have tried to demonstrate.

And yet, over the past two election cycles it has become clear that the local and Arizona State Republican Party is being driven by a small, but vocal faction that has taken it far to the political right. That faction has effectively taken over the Party leadership and is driving an ideological agenda that I do not believe reflects the common will of the community. I continue to believe that there is a healthy contingent of registered Republicans who gravitate to the center and are willing to listen to all sides of an issue before forming a position. I hear from them, and they voice both a frustration and an embarrassment over the image the Party has brought upon itself in this State.

In the past two years I have made an effort to resist the lurch to the right that the Party leadership has embraced. I have written, spoken out and voted in ways that I believe reflect not only the centrist approach the voters supported in 2009, but I have also openly attempted to prevent the erosion of the Party label that has now occurred throughout the State. In that time, the local Republican party leadership has disengaged from its involvement in local issues. The Pima
County GOP was completely silent throughout our 9 month Ward Redistricting process, has played no role what so ever in our budget prioritizing discussions, and has not engaged at even a minimal level when we have addressed other significant issues such as our water policy, public safety or transit. Instead, what is heard from Party leadership is extreme partisan rhetoric that serves no productive role in crafting good public policy on the bread and butter issues with which the Mayor and Council deal.

With that approach, the leadership does not reflect those who wear the Party label but who are not inclined to embrace a far right wing ideology. There is a centrist element in the Party, but it is not allowed a seat at the table at which the Party agenda is set. Party leadership cannot expect that group to continue to wear a label that does not reflects its central values. The Arizona Republican Party is an ideological outlier. I am not, and I see nothing that indicates
that leadership is inclined to move in any direction but further away from what I believe are the values of this community. I appreciate the support I have been given by those in the Party who share these feelings. I also appreciate the support I have been given by both Independents and Democrats who have openly recognized my efforts to craft common sense public policy, untethered from an extreme ideological position. But the Republican Party leadership cannot expect those of us whose purpose it is to reach common ground across varying political interests to continue to wear a label that rejects that core principle.

I will therefore be changing my party registration to Democrat. In doing so, I will not change the manner in which I have approached the study of each issue, and I will not abandon the common sense, hard work I have shown that I have committed to this seat on the Council. My colleagues and I will continue to agree on many issues, and we will disagree on some as well. What is most important though is that as we craft public policy, we each respect the fact that every person at the table brings a unique perspective, and each deserves a voice in the discussion.That dynamic does not exist within the leadership of the Arizona Republican Party.

Sincerely,
Steve Kozachik

UPDATE: Response from new Pima County Democratic Party Chair Don Jorgensen:

The Pima County Democratic Party appreciates Councilman Kozachik’s insightful comments and thoughtful decision, and we welcome him to our party. Councilman Kozachik’s choice highlights the fact that the Democratic Party represents mainstream Arizona values that place common sense and the public good ahead of partisan ideology.

The Councilman’s statement reflects the strength and understanding of the Democratic Party a “big tent” which respects diversity of opinion, and we believe, as he aptly noted, “that every person at the table brings a unique perspective, and each deserves a voice in the discussion.”

I call upon all of my fellow Democrats in Pima County to join me in welcoming Councilman Kozachik as the newest Pima County Democrat.

Mike Hellon in his 2006 campaign

MIKE HELLON FILES CANDIDACY FOR PIMA COUNTY SUPERVISOR (press release)

Pima County businessman and Republican leader Mike Hellon officially filed his candidacy today for Pima County Supervisor District 1, vowing to focus his priorities on economic development, fiscal responsibility and quality of life issues for the residents of District 1.

“This is not a decision I made lightly,” Hellon said. “I have been persuaded that strong leadership is needed on the board of supervisors from District 1 and I believe I have the background and experience to meet that challenge.”
In recent weeks, a number of business and political leaders have expressed concerns about a vacuum developing in district 1 with the retirement of incumbent Supervisor Ann Day. Hellon was offered support if he would consider replacing her.
“Their priorities match mine,” he said. “They want accountability and transparency in their government. They want lower taxes through increased efficiency, not through reduced services. They want a balance between a robust economy and protecting our unique quality of life in Pima County. They want infrastructure, public safety and our roads fixed, not excuses or rhetoric. I have the political experience and leadership skills to effectively pursue those goals.”

Hellon is a decorated Vietnam veteran who has successfully operated his own small business for 34 years. A lifelong Republican, Hellon was the Arizona campaign manager for Ronald Reagan in 1980. He was elected to the Republican National Committee in 1992 and served as chairman of the Arizona Republican Party from 1997 to 1999.

In addition to his service to his country and the Republican Party, Hellon has served the community as a small claims hearing officer for the Pima County Justice Court, on the Pima County Board of Adjustment for District 1 and as a member of the Pima County Merit Commission. In 2004, he was appointed by the Arizona Supreme Court to the Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Review and currently serves as the commission’s chairman. He is also a member of the Arizona Judicial Council by appointment of the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court.

Hellon has served as a leader in numerous civic and charitable organizations including chambers of commerce, the Tucson Chapter of the American Diabetes Association and the Catalina Youth Soccer Club. He has two children and lives in Northwest Tucson.

Hellon’s campaign chairman is local businessman Bill Assenmacher. His treasurer is Valerie Samoy, staff assistant to Supervisor Ann Day. The balance of the campaign organization is still being developed.

Mike Hellon, Candidate for Pima County Supervisor, District 1
Phone: 520-241-8885

Hellon ran for CD 8 U.S. House in the 2006 Republican primary and got 13.35% of the vote in a five-way race. LD 30 State House Rep. Randy Graf won that primary and then lost to then-LD 28 State Senator Gabrielle Giffords. Mike is the ex-husband of former LD 26 State Senator Toni Hellon.

Campaign website: www.hellon2012.com, email is mike@hellon2012.com, phone is 520-204-3915.

Also running for this seat (due to the retirement of Republican Supervisor Ann Day) are two fellow Republicans Stuart McDaniel (mortgage broker) and Ally Miller (businesswoman), and Democratic former LD 26 House Rep. Nancy Young Wright. LD 26 House Rep. Vic Williams is also expected to run for this seat, which would make it a four-way Republican primary on August 28.

Note: I serve as a Hearing Officer in Pima County Consolidated Justice Court, so I have known fellow Hearing Officer Hellon for six and a half years, as he is one of the trainers in our program, having served for over 20 years.

1/26/12 UPDATE: Rep. Vic Williams did file for this seat (click here), so it is now a 4 way race in this primary.

Mike Hellon in 2012

Received this email message from Andrei Cherny this morning:

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