For more information contact, Amanda Oien 749-3472 STARs President

The Republican candidates in the April 17 special election primary for CD 8 House are:

Frank Antenori, current LD 30 State Senator & former LD 30 House Rep., ran for this CD 8 seat in the 5-way Republican primary of 2006 (lost to Randy Graf, former LD 30 House Rep.), former Green Beret; www.antenori.com

Jesse Kelly, ran unsuccessfully against Congresswoman Giffords for this seat in Nov. 2010 after prevailing in a 4-way Republican August primary, project manager for family construction business, Marine; www.votejessekelly.com.

Martha McSally, former U.S. Air Force Colonel (first woman pilot to fly in combat), former Professor of National Security Studies at the George C. Marshall Center in Germany, political newcomer; www.mcsallyforcongress.com.

Dave Sitton, sports broadcaster, Marketing Director UA Cancer Center, political newcomer; www.davesitton.com.

Attend this debate to hear from the four Republican candidates for Congress in CD 8, one of whom will challenge Democrat Ron Barber (former District Director for Congresswoman Giffords since 2007, who was also shot on 1/8/11 along with Giffords), and Green Party candidate Charlie Manolakis, a community activist, in the June 12 special general election.

State Senator Frank Antenori

Jesse Kelly

Martha McSally

Dave Sitton

Campaign
Announcement Event!

New opportunities for Pima County

Please join us

Thursday, September 22, 2011
at 6:00 p.m. as we launch a new chapter
for the future of Pima County

Oro Valley Country Club
300 W. Greenock Dr.
Oro Valley, Arizona 85737

Pima County Board of Supervisors, District 1

For more information,
contact Stuart at stuart@mcdanielforsupervisor.com or (520) 349-5600

www.McDanielforSupervisor.com

I haven’t received any bio or photo from Stuart McDaniel’s campaign, so stay tuned for further updates, or attend this event on September 22 to meet the candidate himself.

I wrote previously (click here) about flooring businessman Matt Caldwell announcing his bid for this open seat (to be vacated by retiring Republican Pima County Supervisor Ann Day), but Caldwell has withdrawn his candidacy.

Another Republican Ally Miller is already listed on the Pima County Republican Party website as running for this seat. Her website: http://allyforsupervisor.com/

Republicans LD 26 House Rep. Vic Williams and former candidate/KVOI talk show host Joe Higgins have been thinking of entering this race as well (as far as I know, though I hear the latter may be helping the Ally Miller campaign). And former LD 26 House Rep.Democrat Nancy Young Wright has also been considering a bid.

Jan. 2012 UPDATE: Four Republicans running for District 1 Supervisor: political newcomers McDaniel and Ally Miller, LD 26 House Rep. Vic Williams, and former AZ Republican Party Chair Mike Hellon. Only one Democrat is running (so far): Nancy Young Wright.

Matt Caldwell is a political newcomer, who operates a flooring business, and recently in 2010 received his M.B.A. from the U of A Eller School of Business. He is originally from Illinois, and served in the U.S. Army.

His kick off event will be on July 14 at 5:30 p.m., at the Metropolitan Grill, 7892 N. Oracle Rd.

For more information, log onto his campaign website, www.caldwellforsupervisor.com, or email him at matt@caldwellforsupervisor.com or call 520-404-5264.

Caldwell may be challenging fellow Republican District 1 Pima County Supervisor Ann Day, who has served in that position since 2000, and was a State Senator prior to that for 10 years. For my previous blog about the Pima County Board of Supervisors, click here. All Board members are all up for re-election in 2012.

Other possible contenders in this Republican 2012 primary in District 1 may be 2 term LD 26 House Rep. Vic Williams, and businessman Joe Higgins, who received 47.19% of the vote in the 2008 primary race against Day (52.74%).

My understanding is that Supervisor Day will announce her plans for re-election (or not) in early August. She will be speaking on July 28, 6-7 p.m.
Where: Nanini Branch Library, 7300 N. Shannon Rd, as part of the “Meet Me at the Library: Conversations with Arizona Leaders program”.

The daughter of a pioneering ranching family, Supervisor Day grew up on the Lazy B Ranch in Eastern Arizona. The working cattle ranch was started by her grandfather in 1880, and was in her family for 114 years.

Supervisors Ramon Valadez and Richard Elias have never had a Republican challenger in Districts 2 and 5 respectively.

Supervisor Ray Carroll has never had a Democratic challenger in District 4, has run unopposed in 2000, 2004 and 2008.

The only upset was when Democrat Sharon Bronson beat then-incumbent District 3 Supervisor Ed Moore in 1996 (he had changed from a Republican to an Independent). And now she is the longest serving member of this Board.

District 1 Supervisor Ann Day (R)
2008 primary – Joe Higgins (R); General – unopposed
2004 primary unopposed; General – Sandra Abbey (L)
2000 primary – Dan Schotiel (R); General- Byron Howard (D)
(elected Nov. 2000, former AZ State Senator)
Ann received her B.A. in Education from ASU and her M.ED. in Counseling and Guidance from the University of Arizona, and at one time taught junior high school.

District 2 Supervisor Ramon Valadez (D)
2008 primary- Robert Robuck (D); general- unopposed
2004 primary & general unopposed
(appointed September 2003, former AZ State Senator and House Rep.)
Ramon graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE), and served at one time as a Special Assistant to former District 2 Supervisor Dan Eckstrom, as well as aide to other Democratic politicians.

District 3 Supervisor Sharon Bronson (D)
2008 primary Donna Branch-Gilby (D); General- Barney Brenner (R)
2004 primary unopposed; General – Bennett Kalafut (L)
2000 primary Richard Pacheco (D); General – Barney Brenner (R)
1996 primary- unopposed; General – Supervisor Ed Moore (I) and Vicki Cox-Golder (R)
(elected Nov. 1996)
Sharon earned a degree in Business Administration/Accounting with Distinction from the University of Arizona, and owned her own consulting & small business firm prior to running for office.

District 4 Supervisor Ray Carroll (R)
2008 primary & general unopposed
2004 primary & general unopposed
2000 primary & general unopposed
1998 primary – Brenda Even (R) and Ken Marcus (R); General – Gay Lynn Goetzke (L)
(appointed May, 1997)
Ray received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy (with honors) from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. He was Foundation Manager for Casa de los Ninos and also served as Chairman on the City of Tucson’s Housing Board.

District 5 Supervisor Richard Elias (D)
2008 primary & general unopposed
2004 primary unopposed; General – William Munsil (L)
2002 primary – Frank Felix (D); General – unopposed
(appointed Feb. 2002)
“Richard entered public office after a lengthy career in the government and non-profit development of affordable housing. He earned a bachelor’s degree in History, with a minor in Mexican-American Studies, from the University of Arizona.”

These five Supervisor Districts are subject to redistricting* due to the 2010 Census figures,and the map to be proposed by the AZ Independent Redistricting Commission. (By the way, this commission is meeting in Tucson next Tuesday May 10, 9 a.m. at UA Student Union, Tucson room — see website agenda (click here). *Note comments below & clarification about the role of the Commission regarding County/City districts.

Pima County Recorder’s Office current voter registrations in each District (in columns below — D, R, L, G, Others,Total )

DISTRICT 1 – 37,070 / 47,370 / 744 / 203 / 33,625 / 119,012
DISTRICT 2 – 34,257 / 16,238 / 698 / 187 / 23,881 / 75,261
DISTRICT 3 – 35,866 / 24,680 / 824 / 302 / 27,921 / 89,593
DISTRICT 4 – 39,618 / 50,347 / 863 / 191 / 37,262 / 128,281
DISTRICT 5 – 39,544 / 12,786 / 807 / 379 / 23,007 / 76,523

Total 186,355/ 151,421 / 3,936/ 1,262/ 145,696 / 488,670

Cllick on the blue hyperlinks of each Supervisor to go to their Pima County webpages, and read their complete biographies.

*UPDATE: District 1 Supervisor Ann Day not seeking re-election in 2012, is retiring at age 73:
http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_8754b82c-b980-11e0-909a-001cc4c002e0.html

Eastside Republicans meeting
April 20, 2011
6:30 p.m.
Bear Canyon Branch Library, 8959 E. Tanque Verde Rd. (community room)

Their topic is “Pima County– who are the players and what’s the impact”.

“Wake Up Tucson offers a unique perspective about the southern Arizona region. The topics range from small business, tourism, politics, economic opportunities and education. Tucson and the surrounding communities are at a turning point. The challenges and obstacles are great. Now more than ever the community needs to engage in a discussion about our options. The host are highly involved in the community and bring first hand accounts to their listeners. Wake Up Tucson is a radio show with a mission and purpose to educate the community and engage the listeners to get involved in our community. ”

KVOI’s radio dial is 1030AM, and this “Wake up Tucson” show airs 8 to 10 a.m. weekdays.

Meeting is free and open to the public.

Higgins ran for District 1 Pima County Supervisor in the September 2008 Republican primary against current Supervisor Ann Day.
He got 47.19% of the vote (8798 votes) to Day’s 52.75% (9835 votes). She is up for re-election in 2012. And I hear that Higgins is considering another bid for this office.

More info: Lori Oien, 520-749-3471, oienjmo@msn.com, Parralee Schneider, 520-749-0312, pmstucson@aol.com.

On the “liberal” side:

–Blog for Arizona, www.blogforarizona.com, by Michael Bryan, David Safier, “AZBlueMeanie”, Craig McDermott (“Random Musings“), and Jenn F

–The Observer, www.tucsonobserver.com by Bob Ellis and Mark Kerr (latter was formerly here at Tucsoncitizen.com). The Observer has a print edition as well.

–The Range (Tucson Weekly), www.tucsonweekly.com/blogs/theRange/ by a host of reporters including Jim Nintzel, Dan Gibson, Mari Herreras, and others.

–Rum Romanism Rebellion, www.rumromanismrebellion.net by Ted Prezelski aka “Tedski” (former Democratic candidate for LD 28 House and brother of former LD 29 House Rep. Tom Prezelski)

In the middle:

–Pueblo Politics (AZ Daily Star, www.azstarnet.com/blogs/pueblo-politics/, by Rhonda Bodfield & Andrea Kelly, Star reporters

On the “conservative” side:

–Arizona News-Telegraph, www.arizonanewstelegraph.com by former Republican LD 30 Rep. Randy Graf, with James Kelley, Hugh Holub, Jonathan DuHamel (the latter two are here at Tucsoncitizen.com as well, respectively as “View from Baja Arizona” and “Wry Heat“)

–The Cholla Jumps, www.thechollajumps.workdpress.com, by James Kelley (formerly here at Tucsoncitizen.com)

–Sonoran Alliance, www.sonoranalliance.com by ? (“We are an alliance of political writers and activists dedicated to reporting and promoting conservative news, ideas, opinion and principles throughout Arizona and the Sonoran Southwest.”)

–Tucson Choices, www.tucsonchoices.com by KVOI radio talk show hosts Joe Higgins (former Republican District 1 candidate for Pima County Supervisor) and Chris DeSimone, and others

Plus the wide range of political blogsites here at Tucsoncitizen.com, from the liberal “3 Sonorans” and “Tucson Progressive“, to the conservative “Compound Captive” and “Fort Buckley“. And I think “The Data Port” might be an Independent in the middle. See the list to the right on our home page of all the blogs under Politics & Government (Pol. & Govt.).

Many of these blogsites have lists & hyperlinks to other political blogrolls as well, in Arizona and elsewhere.

Let me know which are your favorites, or of any I may have overlooked in Southern Arizona.

Keep on blogging.

10/24/11 Updates: Hugh Holub (Views from Baja Arizona) passed away suddenly on 9/17/11. R.I.P. Hugh. Blogger 3 Sonorans reported today that The Cholla Jumps will no longer be blogging after 11/1/11, and liberal Poco Bravo (Luke Knipe) has returned online:
http://tucsoncitizen.com/three-sonorans/2011/10/23/one-blog-dies-another-one-experiences-rebirth/. And former Star reporter Andrea Kelly is now at KUAT Channel 6 TV.

Three candidates seeking the Republican nomination will be attending: Jesse Kelly, Brian Miller, and Jonathan Paton, former LD 30 State House rep. & State Senator. Candidate Andy Goss dropped out on July 7, endorsing Jesse Kelly.

Late entry Republican candidate Jay Quick, who ran before for this seat in CD 8 in 2006 as an Independent, will not be attending. Moderator for the event will be Joe Higgins, radio talk show co-host of “Wake up! Tucson” (1030 AM).

This may be your last chance to see these Republican men in person discuss the issues before the primary. I’ve heard these candidates debate before at Ironwood Ridge High School (click here) and also on the UA campus for the College Republicans.

For previous online media coverage, see the April 6, 2010 forum (24 minutes) on KUAT Channel 6 AZ Illustrated (click here).

Another KUAT TV debate between these Congressional candidates is scheduled for the Friday Roundtable on July 30.

For info about this town hall: Parralee Schneider, pmstucson@aol.com, 749-0312 (current candidate for LD 30 State House), or Lori Oien, oienjmo@msn.com, 749-3472, (candidate for Ward 2 Council seat in 2007 and recent applicant for Ward 2 Council vacancy).

Vote in the upcoming August 24 primary, to select which one will face Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in the general election. Libertarian Dr. Steven Stoltz is also running for this seat.

Jesse Kelly

Brian Miller

Jonathan Paton

Jay Quick

“Wake Up Tucson” is aired 6 to 8 a.m. daily by two businessmen hosts Joe Higgins and Chris DeSimone. Higgins challenged District 1 Pima County Supervisor Ann Day in the Republican primary of September, 2008.

From their website:
“Wake Up Tucson offers a unique perspective about the southern Arizona region. The topics range from small business, tourism, politics, economic opportunities and education. Tucson and the surrounding communities are at a turning point. The challenges and obstacles are great. Now more than ever the community needs to engage in a discussion about our options. The host(s) are highly involved in the community and bring first hand accounts to their listeners. Wake Up Tucson is a radio show with a mission and purpose to educate the community and engage the listeners to get involved in our community. ”

Democrat Steve Farley ran unsuccessfully for Tucson City Council (Ward 6), before being elected to the Arizona State House, where he has served for over three years, since 2007. Republican Frank Antenori was formerly a State House Rep. in LD 30 for one year prior to be appointed by the Pima County Board of Supervisors in March, 2010 to the State Senate. Both men are up for re-election this November. Antenori ran for CD 8 U. S. House in 2006, but lost to former LD 30 State House Rep. Randy Graf in the Republican primary.

Sounds like it will indeed be a “great state debate” about this past legislative session, and the future of our state.

LD 28 Rep. Steve Farley

LD 30 Sen. Frank Antenori

Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010, 6-9 pm
Place: Ironwood Ridge High School, 2475 W. Naranja Drive, Oro Valley
Time: Doors open at 6:00 p.m., seating at 6:30 p.m.

Candidates Participating:
Andy Goss, www.gossforcongress.com
Jesse Kelly, www.votejessekelly.com
Brian Miller, www.brianmillerforcongress.com
State Senator Jonathan Paton, wwwpatonforcongress.com

Moderator: David Hoefferle, 3rd Vice Chairman Pima County Republican Party
Panelists:
Roxanne Ziegler – Marana Town Councilmember
Bruce Ash – National Republican Committeeman
Joe Higgins – Host, Wake Up Tucson, 1030 AM

View event flyer (with photos of the 4 candidates) from the website here. They are requesting that attendees please bring a can of food for the Tucson area food banks. Ironwood Rridge High School on Naranja Drive is west of La Cholla Blvd.

This would be a great chance to meet all 4 Republican CD 8 U.S. House candidates facing off in the Arizona primary on August 24. The winner will be challenging incumbent Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in the General Election.