Arizona Womenh’s Political Caucus (AWPC) 2012 Primary Election Endorsements
Federal Races (endorsements done by National Women’s Political Caucus)

U.S. House CD 1 Ann Kirkpatrick (D)
U.S. House CD 9 Kyrsten Sinema (D)

Arizona Statewide Races
Corporation Commission Marcia Busching (D)
Corporation Commission Sandra Kennedy (D)*

Arizona Legislative District (LD) Races
LD 2 Senate Linda Lopez (D)* (unopposed)
House Andrea Dalessandro (D)
House Rosanna Gabaldon (D)

LD 3 Senate Olivia Cajero Bedford (D)*
House Sally Ann Gonzales (D)*

LD 4 House Charlene Fernandez (D)

LD 6 House Angela LeFevre (D)

LD 8 Senate Barbara McGuire (D)
House Emily Verdugo (D)

LD 9 House Mohur Sarah Sidhwa (D)
House Victoria Steele (D)

LD 10 House Stefanie Mach (D)

LD 11 Senate Jo Holt (D)

LD 14 Senate Patricia Fleming (D)

LD 17 House Karyn Lathan (D)

LD 18 Senate Janie Hydrick (D)

LD 20 House Tonya Norwood (D)
House Jackie Thrasher (D)

LD 21 House Carol Lokare (D)
House Sheri Van Horsen (D)

LD 24 Senate Katie Hobbs (D)
House Lela Alston (D)*

LD 30 House Debbie McCune-Davis (D)*

Pima County Races
Board of Supervisors Dist.1 Nancy Young Wright (D)
Board of Supervisors Dist.3 Sharon Bronson (D)*
County Attorney Barbara LaWall (D)*
Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez (D)*
School Superintendent Linda Arzoumanian (R)*
Treasurer Elaine Richardson (D)

* indicates incumbent. CD 1, 2 & 3 and LD 2,3,9,10,11 & 14 are in Southern AZ. The Arizona Women’s Political Caucus endorses women of all political parties. More info about this group, click here.

Their quest is “to increase the number of pro-choice women elected and appointed to office. Getting women involved in the political process while targeting, recruiting, training and supporting women candidates at the local, state and national level has been and remains the primary activity of the Caucus. In 1971 when the group first convened, 14 women served in the Arizona Legislature. In 2012 30 of the 90 members are women.”

I also just learned via the Pima County Tucson Women’s Commission and the League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson that women were granted suffrage in Arizona in Nov. 1912 — before the federal 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed in 1920. So women in Arizona have been voting for 100 years. (Remember that Arizona became a state that same year on February 14, 1912.)

Vote wisely on August 28.

This holiday party will be once again at the home of attorneys Sherry Teachnor and Michael McCrory in mid-town Tucson. Call 520-327-3527 for directions.

“Come raise a glass to celebrate our public officials and to cheer on those 2012 candidates seeking an end to all the insanity.”

Welcome guest speaker Krista Millary, Th.D, the new (and first) Program director of the UA Women’s Resource Center.

RSVP to Linda at 520-625-4579 or lhbarter@cox.net. Members and friends (and guests) welcome to enjoy a delicious appetizer buffet and to talk politics.

I attended last year AWPC’s holiday event (click here) and met Pam Simon, Outreach Coordinator of CD 8 Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’s office. Less than a month later Pam was shot twice in that January 8, 2011 mass shooting. Thankfully she has fully recovered.

For more info on the AWPC, log onto www.awpconline.org. It is the state affiliate of the National Women’s Political Caucus. Their goal is: “50/50 by 2020! Changing the face of Arizona politics!”

We are the only multi-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to increasing the number of pro-choice women in elected and appointed office. We work to help women attain leadership positions at all levels of government

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Gabe Zimmerman

I knew Gabe Zimmerman (Director of community outreach) and I wept over reading about his senseless killing yesterday at the Safeway on Oracle/Ina, when his employer CD 8 Congresswoman Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords was also shot in the head allegedly by Jared Lee Loughner (who is in custody). 19 people were injured in the shooting, 6 have died.

Apparently former Tucson Citizen Associate Editor Mark Kimble (who now works for Gabby as a speech writer) was there as well, helping with constituents, but he was not injured.

Also shot and injured were Gifford’s District Director Ron Barber and part-time outreach coordinator Pam Simon. I just met Pam at an Arizona Women’s Political Caucus holiday event in December, when she spoke on Gabby’s behalf (click here). Both are recovering at University Medical Center here in Tucson.

More here at AZ Central about Gifford’s aides:

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/01/09/20110109gabe-zimmerman-gabrielle-giffords-arizona-shooting.html

Gabe was with Congresswoman Giffords from the beginning as a field organizer during her first campaign back in 2006. I remember how thrilled he was to then become part of her local Tucson staff, and I’ve communicated off and on with him since then. And the news article says he was engaged to be married. He was only 30 years old when he was killed yesterday. He was a great guy, very dedicated and passionate about helping constituents, in representing the Congresswoman.

A private memorial service has been scheduled for January 15. I also serve on the Casitas of Broadway board with his mother Emily Nottingham, retired City of Tucson community services administrator. Heartfelt condolences to the Ross Zimmerman family.

And pray for Gabby, who’s still in critical condition in the ICU (intensive care unit) following brain surgery at University Medical Center, on Campbell Avenue. She is married to NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, and has two step daughters Claudia and Claire Kelly.

List of the other deceased victims, most of whom were Giffords’ constituents apparently waiting in line to speak with her at her “Congress on Your Corner” event:
(There are a few discrepancies in the names of these victims, with the news coming in so quickly since yesterday’s shooting).

-John Roll, 63, a federal district court judge (Chief Judge in U.S. District Court for AZ)

- Dorwan Stoddard, 76, a volunteer at Mountain Ave. Church of Christ (his wife Mavanell was also shot & injured, but is expected to recover)

-Christina-Taylor Green, 9, a student at Mesa Verde Elementary

-Dorothy Morris, 76 (not Murray as originally reported)

-Phyllis Schneck, 79, a retiree from the East Coast

Condolences to all the families of these innocent victims.

1/13/11 Update: Gabe’s obituary in the Arizona Daily Star (linked through Tucsoncitizen.com):

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tucson/obituary.aspx?n=gabriel-zimmerman-gabe&pid=147777756

1/14/11 update: names of the 13 additional persons injured at the shooting from Pima County Sheriff’s Dept, including Congresswoman Giffords:

Susan Hileman, 58 (neighbor of Christina-Taylor Green who took her to the event)
Mavanell Stoddard, 75 (wife of Dorwan)
Pamela Simon, 63 (aide to Giffords)
Ronald Barber, 65 (aide to Giffords)
Gabrielle Giffords, 40 (the Congresswoman)
James Tucker, 58
Kenneth Veeder, 75
George Morris, 76 (husband of Dorothy)
James Fuller, 63
Randy Gardner, 60
Mary Reed, 52
Kenneth Dorushka, 63
Bill Badger, 74

The Arizona Women’s Political Caucus Tucson chapter celebrated the holidays and the victory of most of their endorsed, pro-choice candidates tonight at the home of attorney Sherry Teachnor. In previous years this party was held at Sherry’s former Galeria La Sirena on Broadway/Country Club which closed in January, 2010. Sherry still has some of the Caribbean & Latin art (paintings) at her home studio for sale.

Arizona Women’s Political Caucus (AWPC) President Pat Weidhopf welcomed the thirty women & men in attendance and said that the holiday event was to celebrate the victories of their endorsed candidates, to honor the great campaigns, and to encourage pro-choice women to “advance their convictions.”

Speaking tonight were elected officials:
–Pam Simon, Outreach Coordinator for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (CD8)
–Olivia Cajero Bedford (LD 27 Senator-elect, current LD 27 House Rep.)
–Linda Lopez (LD 29 Senator)
–Paula Aboud (LD 28 Senator)
–Sally Ann Gonzales (LD 27 House Rep.-elect)
–Patti Noland (Clerk of the Superior Court, and the only endorsed Republican)

Also speaking were the candidates who did not win their elections:
–Pat Fleming (LD 25 House Rep.)
–Nancy Young Wright (LD 26 House Rep.)
–Cheryl Cage (LD 26 Senate candidate)
–Mohur Sidhwa (LD 28 House candidate, lost in the primary)
–Andrea Dalessandro (LD 30 House candidate)

Many of these officials and candidates spoke of the help they received from the AWPC, saying that the Caucus was their “backbone”, “anchor”, “sense of sanity.” Many encouraged their supporters to continue their hard work and to monitor the upcoming State legislature, especially in terms of issues pertaining to education and families.

Also attending tonight were F. Ann Rodriguez, Pima County Recorder and Justice of the Peace (Precinct 4) Carmen Dolny.

10% of tonight’s sale of art goes to the AWPC girls’ leadership project, and another 10% to Haiti relief efforts. If interested in purchasing colorful, authentic Latin and Caribbean art, contact Sherry Teachnor at 520-319-1262.

Not attending tonight were statewide endorsed candidates Felecia Rotellini (for Attorney General) and Penny Kotterman (for State Superintendent of Public Instruction).

For my previous blog on AWPC prior to the General Election (click here).

Here’s a list of the women candidates seeking office in Southern Arizona and statewide. Most of these candidates have been endorsed by the Arizona Women’s Political Caucus (AWPC), EXCEPT for Republicans Governor Brewer, candidates Ruth McClung, Brenda Burns, Gail Griffin, Peggy Judd, and Terri Proud, and Democratic candidate Margaret DiFrank.

The AWPC only endorses women candidates who are pro-choice.

Congressional District 7: Ruth McClung (R), candidate
Congressional District 8: Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D), incumbent

Governor Jan Brewer (R), incumbent (appointed)
Attorney General – Felecia Rotellini (D), candidate
Superintendent of Public Instruction – Penny Kotterman (D), candidate
Corporation Commission (2 seats) – Brenda Burns (R), candidate

Southern AZ legislators:

LD 25 Senate – Gail Griffin (R) candidate, former legislator
LD 25 House (2 seats) – Rep. Pat Fleming (D),incumbent and Peggy Judd (R) candidate

LD 26 Senate – Cheryl Cage (D), candidate
LD 26 House (2 seats) – Terri Proud (R) candidate, and Rep. Nancy Young Wright (D), incumbent

LD 27 Senate – Rep. Olivia Cajero Bedford (D), candidate, current legislator
LD 27 House – Sally Ann Gonzales (D), former legislator

LD 28 Senate – Senator Paula Aboud (D), incumbent

LD 29 Senate – Senator Linda Lopez (D), incumbent (unopposed)

LD 30 House – Andrea Dalessandro (D), candidate

Clerk of Superior Court – Margaret DiFrank (D) candidate, Clerk Patti Noland (R), incumbent

After the General Election 5 of the 6 Southern Arizona State Senators could be women, mostly Democrats — incumbents Senators Paula Aboud and Linda Lopez, plus veteran legislator Olivia Cajero Bedford, former legislator Gail Griffin, and newcomer Cheryl Cage.

Here’s their mission statement of AWPC:

“The Arizona Women’s Political Caucus is the state affiliate of the National Women’s Political Caucus. We are the only multi-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to increasing the number of pro-choice women in elected and appointed office. We work to help women attain leadership positions at all levels of government.”

Early voting starts on October 7 for the November 2nd General Election.

I attended a panel discussion at the 2nd Annual Tucson Festival of Books about women politicians in Arizona (pre 1950). Then I started thinking about the women politicians since then and now:

Arizona Governors Rose Mofford (1988 to 1991), Jane Dee Hull (1997 to 2003), Janet Napolitano (2003 to 2009), Jan Brewer (2009 to present) were either Secretary of State or Attorney General before becoming Governor. Governor Brewer is seeking re-election in November, 2010. Prior to Governor Mofford, all of Arizona’s Governors were men.

Two of our 8 U.S. House Congressmembers are now women: Gabrielle Giffords (serving since 2007 in CD Eight) and Ann Kirkpatrick (serving since 2009 in CD One). Isabella Greenway was the first Congresswoman from Arizona (served 1933 to 1937).

Arizona's first Congresswoman Isabella Greenway

Two of the 5 Supervisors on the Pima County Board of Supervisors are women: Sharon Bronson (District 3) and Ann Day (District 1).

3 of our current 6 Tucson City Councilmembers are women: Shirley Scott (Ward 4), Karin Uhlich (Ward 3), and Regina Romero (Ward 1). At one time till December 2009 we had 4 women Councilmembers, including Nina Trasoff (Ward 6).

There are two women’s groups in Arizona promoting the election of more political office holders who are women:

The Arizona Women’s Political Caucus (AWPC) promotes pro-choice women candidates, saying on their website: “We are the only multi-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to increasing the number of pro-choice women in elected and appointed office. We work to help women attain leadership positions at all levels of government.” AWPC was founded in 1972 in Arizona.

Arizona List (founded in 2003) says they are “one of the state’s largest political networks and one of the largest financial resources for women candidates. We are the only Super PAC solely dedicated to electing women in Arizona. We are determined to change the face of Arizona by electing pro-choice Democratic women to state and local office.”

Arizona is in 9th place of 50 states in the percentage of women legislators (31.1%). Women hold 28 of the 90 legislative seats in Arizona. Several women candidates are running for the state legislature this year.

Up for re-election:

State Senate: Paula Aboud (LD 28), Linda Lopez (LD 29)

State House: Patricia Fleming (LD 25), Nancy Young Wright, (LD 26)

Candidates seeking election:

State Senate:
- Cheryl Cage in LD 26,
- House Rep. Olivia Cajero Bedford in LD 27,
- Marian McClure (former State House Rep.) in LD 30.

State House:
- Terri Lynn Proud in LD 26,
- Sally Ann Gonzales (former House Rep. & Pascua Yaqui Tribal Councilwoman) in LD 27,
- Mohur Sidhwa and Marlena Fineberg in LD 28,
- Andrea Dalessandro and Parralee Schneider in LD 30.

And only one woman attorney Felecia Rotellini is seeking the Arizona Attorney General job, in a field with five male attorneys. Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall has been serving since 1996, the first woman in that office. Only four women (27%) serve as County Attorneys of the 15 counties in Arizona.

Granted, there are more men running than women in all these races, but women have indeed come a long way in Arizona politics since 1950. Happy Women’s Herstory Month of March again, as indicated by these women, who seem to have strong backgrounds to run for public office.

Just ask LD 28 House candidate Mohur Sidhwa about her story of being an Indian immigrant from Pakistan who chose (as a teenager) to come to America, instead of staying over there and wearing a burqa.