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).

Just got an email from Shaun McClusky, remaining Republican candidate for Mayor:

McClusky Withdraws From Mayor’s Race

Based on information from a pre-trial hearing today, and at the advice of my attorneys, I am withdrawing from the race to become Tucson’s next mayor. A number of the signatures which I gathered were not properly witnessed by the gatherers, and based on that information I will not have the required number of petitions to qualify for the ballot. Therefore, as of today, I am withdrawing my petitions and candidacy for the Mayor’s race.

Unfortunately, Democratic Party Chairman Jeff Rogers and the local political machine he heads have chosen, and show every indication of continuing to choose, legal means to bully, intimidate and financially damage any and all candidates in these elections with the exception of their own hand-picked representatives, and to this point it’s clear that their tactics have succeeded admirably.

Regardless, the fact that I was not able to turn in a sufficient number of petitions is my fault. And I want to sincerely apologize to all my supporters for this mistake, I know many of you have worked hard to help my campaign, and I know this hurts you as much as it does me.

Tucson needs new leadership, and I hope that all of you will re-dedicated yourselves–as I am–to getting both Tyler Vogt and Jennifer Rawson elected to the City Council. Both Tyler and Jennifer are quality candidates who deserve your support.

Sincerely,

Shaun McClusky

McClusky was facing a court challenge in Superior Court tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. regarding the validity of the 1183 signatures he submitted on June 1, 2011. The Plaintiffs in that lawsuit are Brittni Storrs and Tom Prezelski, represented by attorney Bill Risner.

This leaves only Democrat Jonathan Rothschild, and 2 Green Party candidates Dave Croteau and Mary DeCamp in the race for Mayor. Democrat Marshall Home withdrew from this race last Thursday due to residency problems, Republican Ron Asta did not have enough valid signatures in a lawsuit on Friday, and today the same thing (lack of enough valid signatures on the nominating petitions) was found against Independent Pat Darcy in another Superior Court action (click here).

NOTE: Republican Mayoral candidates could have gotten a minimum of 1060 signatures or a maximum of 2119 signatures to qualify for this race. Democratic candidates had to get between 1642 and 3283 signatures. Greens only needed between 17 and 32 signatures from their party members.

News from the Tucson Sentinel by Dylan Smith:

http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/042011_tucson_elections

A three-judge panel ruled in favor of Tucson’s current election system Wednesday, saying it’s a matter of “purely local concern.”

The Arizona Court of Appeals overturned a lower court decision in favor of a 2009 state law that sought to change city elections.

Members of the city council are now run in primaries by ward, but are elected city-wide. Candidates run on a partisan basis.

A 2009 law, sponsored by then-state senator Jonathan Paton, would have changed Tucson’s system to a nonpartisan, ward-only election system.

More legal analysis here from “AZBlueMeanie” at Blog for Arizona:
http://www.blogforarizona.com/blog/2011/04/victory-for-the-city-of-tucson-over-patons-law.html

and from the Pima County Democratic Party:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jeff Rogers
Chair, Pima County Democratic Party

Office – (520) 624-4700
jrogers@pimadems.org

“Court Ruling a Victory for Tucson, Repudiation of the Radical Right.

Tucson voters won a major court victory today when the state Appeals Court ruled that city residents and not lawmakers in Phoenix, get to decide how to hold their elections.

The court ruled unconstitutional a 2009 law that would have forced Tucson to hold elections concealing party affiliation from voters and required the city to vote by ward only

City voters have repeatedly rejected such propositions at the polls, making “Paton’s Law” all the more insulting to Tucsonans.

The ruling is a repudiation of former state Sen. Jonathan Paton and his southern Arizona Republican cronies, including the bill’s co-sponsor Sen. Frank Antenori who have sought to impose every bit of their extreme agenda on an unwitting public, said Pima County Democratic Party Chair Jeff Rogers.

“The law was an attempt to rule Tucson from Phoenix, plain and simple,” Rogers said. “Folks down here want to protect their main stream values and the court’s decision simply allows them to continue to do that.”

In their decision, judges pointed out that how cities like Tucson hold their elections is a purely local concern and that the state has no right to interfere with local issues.”

“Phoenix political bosses have declared war on Tucson,” Rogers said. “They block funds to combat border violence, prohibit the city from giving bids to the most qualified contractor and it’s our local Republican lawmakers like Paton, senators Frank Antenori and Al Melvin, who are either cheer leading or leading the way. Voters will remember that.”

###

–
Adam D. Kinsey
Executive Director
Pima County Democratic Party
Office – 520.326.3716

Conclusion: City of Tucson elections will stay the same for now — partisan and city-wide ward elections– unless there is an appeal to the AZ Supreme Court. The Mayor and Wards 1, 2 and 4 are up for election this November, 2011.