Az Daily Star editorial board recommends that Arizona voters choose Dr. Richard Carmona (D) to replace Republican junior U.S Senator Jon Kyl (who is retiring). Senator Kyl has served since 1995, and before that as CD 4 Congressman since 1987.

The Tucson Weekly also endorsed political newcomer Dr. Carmona, who served as the 17th Surgeon General of the U.S. under President George W. Bush’s administration. Dr. Carmona was a life-long Independent until he registered as a Democrat last November, 2011.

I knew trauma surgeon Dr. Carmona (slightly) when we were both Commissioners on the now defunct Domestic Violence Commission back in the 1990′s. His campaign website is www.carmonaforarizona.com.

Republican candidate for this U.S. Senate seat is CD 6 Congressman Jeff Flake, who has served in that office since 2003, and for CD 1 in 2001 – 2003. He is the nephew of the late State Senator Jake Flake.

Libertarian candidate is Marc Victor, a criminal defense attorney in Phoenix.

Dr. Richard Carmona

Read the endorsements for yourself, and vote on or before Nov. 6:

Star:http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/carmona-s-bipartisan-views-will-benefit-all/article_e32337ef-d256-592c-b6f1-db0b580897ff.html

Weekly:http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/the-tucson-weekly-2012-endorsements/Content?oid=3546754

Bill Buckmaster kicked off his first one hour radio talk show on KJLL (1330 AM “The Jolt”), yesterday at 9 a.m., which was rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

His show will run Monday to Friday, and if you miss it on the radio, catch it online at www.buckmastershow.com.

Buckmaster’s inaugural show on January 3, 2011:

In this first episode, Bill chats with Incoming Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne about the TUSD Lawsuit, Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll about some park improvements, mining and the budget, US Senator Jon Kyl about plans for the upcoming session, and finally with Former US Army Chief of Staff John Wickham about the DADT repeal’s impact as well as ongoing conflicts around the world.

I reported on Buckmaster’s last 2 shows at KUAT Channel 6 on December 17, 2010
(click here). He hosted the “Arizona Illustrated” talk shows for 23 years on KUAT TV.

Buckmaster’s new bio for this new radio show:
“With more than 4,000 interviews with political, business, community and social leaders under his belt, Bill Buckmaster has been a welcome evening guest in living rooms for two decades and has introduced viewers to some of Southern Arizona’s most interesting individuals.”

And his new banner states “Tucson’s MOST TRUSTED voice for news and information.”

The 100 member U.S. Senate considered the DREAM Act today and failed to pass it by a vote of 55 yes, 41 no, 4 absent. (60 votes were needed for the measure to invoke cloture, which would have concluded debate on the matter so it could proceed to a vote for or against passage.)

The DREAM Act (H.R. 5281) would have provided citizenship to young people under 30 years old who illegally came to this country with their parents (under the age of 16), by attending college or serving in the U.S. military for 2 years. The bill required people applying for DREAM Act status to pay a $525 fee and an additional $2,000 fee is required after five years.

I reported on this measure when it passed the U.S. House of Representatives on December 8, by a close vote of 216 to 198.

I also wrote a follow-up blog about the 8 House Republicans who voted for it (click here).

The U.S. Senate is currently composed of 56 Democrats, 42 Republicans, and 2 Independents.

Arizona’s U.S.Senators, John McCain and Jon Kyl are both Republicans, and voted against cloture today.