Dr. Don Jorgensen was elected the new Chair of the Pima County Democratic Party today, replacing attorney Jeff Rogers who served for 4 years. In his statement of candidacy Jorgensen said:

Dr. Don Jorgensen

As a lifelong Democrat I believe in personal freedom, social and civil justice, inclusion and equality for all and economic opportunity. These are not simply Democratic values; they are indeed American values.

The Pima County Democratic Party is strongest when we come together with a broad variety of viewpoints to unite and advance our shared goals.

I seek to serve as your County Chair to lead the continuing effort to grow stronger, louder and smarter as we create a shared strategic vision for attracting new Democrats and electing Democrats at all levels of public service.

Info on Jorgensen:

President of Jorgensen Brooks group,
email: don@jorgensenbrooks.com
520-575-8623, 1-888-520-5400 toll free.

Founded in 1991, Jorgensen Brooks Group is a leading provider of “high touch” workplace intervention and performance support services, including fully integrated Employee Assistance Programs, leadership development, crisis management and training services for employers who value their employees and seek to maintain a healthy workplace.
We specialize in Employee Assistance Programs for municipalities, mining companies, private businesses, school districts, casinos, hospitals and health care providers and non-profit organizations.

from website, www.jorgensenbrooks.com

Jorgensen’s Professional resume:

· Owner – Jorgensen Healthcare Associates, Inc. (22 Years)

· Developed strategic leadership plans for international associations, NPOs, small businesses.

· Brought Union and Business leaders together in a global organization to create fiscal stability and service expansion.

· Developed workplace health, conflict management and crisis response services for over 70 municipalities and businesses in the United States

· Designed comprehensive regional substance abuse and behavioral health service system

· Professional Speaker and Trainer in the U.S., Canada, Ireland and China

· Past President – International Employee Assistance Professionals Association

· Past President – Greater Tucson Leadership

· Board Member – National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence

· Board Member – YMCA of Southern Arizona

· Recognized in “40 Under 40” for Community Achievement

· Former NPO Director

· Ph.D. (Health Services Administration)

Jorgensen won the Democratic primary in September 2008 for State House in LD 26 with incumbent Nancy Young Wright (had been appointed in early Jan. 2008 after Rep. Lena Saranik resigned). But Jorgensen lost in the General Election to newcomer Vic Williams (R) and Nancy Young Wright in a 4 way race with Republican newcomer Marilyn Zerull, for 2 House seats. Jorgensen’s name had also been submitted to the Pima County Board of Supervisors (along with Cheryl Cage and Nancy Young Wright) when that vacancy in LD 26 occurred in January, 2008.

Good luck to Dr. Jorgensen as Chair of the Democratic Party in Pima County. Carolyn Cox was re-elected to her seat as Chair of the Pima County Republican Party on December 15, 2012 (click here for previous post about Cox).

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).

In case you missed them, here’s the AZ Daily Star’s mixed take of endorsements (mostly Democrats, some Republicans, and one Green) for the Southern Arizona Legislative District races (LD 26 through 30). Or as we say back home in Hawaii– true “chop suey style”.

LD 30: Dr. Todd Camenish (D) for Senate;
no endorsements for House (2 seats)
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/article_83353865-fba0-5be5-8623-e58ff430eb23.html

LD 29: Rep. Matt Heinz (D), Pat Kilburn (R), Rep. Daniel Patterson (D) for House (2 seats)
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_272ed619-d0d5-5150-9429-64ef25fe166d.html

LD 28: Senator Paula Aboud (D);
Rep.Steve Farley (D), Bruce Wheeler (D) for House (2 seats)
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_6f210c1c-b162-5f30-a047-a8c5568191df.html

LD 27: Dr. Macario Saldate (D), Kent Solberg (G) for House (2 seats)
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_c43e72bb-a51e-5b3d-b1b4-6337a88f82fc.html

LD 26: Cheryl Cage (D) for Senate;
Rep. Vic Williams (R), Rep. Nancy Young Wright (D) for House (2 seats)
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_1546a09c-6763-5823-9979-94f7a72225ba.html

And for the TUSD Governing Bd. race, the Star endorsed current board member Adelita Grijalva and Armand Salese:
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_8a0c264e-1ff8-59cd-ad68-d55cc28de2db.html

And for other endorsements read my previous blog “Do Tucson newspaper endorsements matter?” (click here.) Still waiting for any Star endorsements in the races for Governor and Secretary of State.

Vote wisely, on or before November 2nd.