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).

1) Join U.S. Senator John McCain, U.S.Senator Jon Kyl, Jesse Kelly (for CD 8 U.S. House) and Ruth McClung (for CD 7 U.S. House) for a Republican get out the vote rally on Monday, November 1st from 3:30PM till 4:30PM. “This will be a great opportunity to bring out those undecided voters so that they will have a chance to meet with the candidates prior to Election Day.” This event is free and open to the public.

Location: 2945 E. Grant Rd., Tucson (McCain/McClung HQ). This is on the NW corner of Grant & Country Club.

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2)Get Out The Vote rally with Democrats on Monday

Join Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, candidates Penny Kotterman (for Superintendent of Public Instruction), Rep. Chris Deschene (for Secretary of State) and Manuel Cruz (for State Mine Inspector) along with other candidates to Get Out the Vote! Also free & open to the public.

When: Monday, November 1, from 4:30 – 5:30 pm

Where: El Guero Canelo, 5201 S. 12th Ave, Tucson (SE corner of Utah Street, south of Irvington) — home of the famous Sonoran hot dog

Last chance today to meet & greet these politicians & wannabees before the election tomorrow!

Both major parties need every vote for those close races. Vote wisely tomorrow. Polls open at 6 a.m., close at 7 p.m.

Governor: Terry Goddard (D)
Secretary of State: Ken Bennett (R)
Attorney General: Felecia Rotellini (D)
Superintendent of Public Instruction: Penny Kotterman (D)

U.S. Senate: none (“A race not worth watching” is their characterization)
CD 7: Congressman Raul Grijalva (D)
CD 8: Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D)

The Wildcat opinions board state that their “Endorsements are based on candidates’ platforms and if applicable, records in office, with special attention paid to their history with and plans for higher education.”

Read online Wildcat (or today’s paper edition) for rationales: http://wildcat.arizona.edu/perspectives

As for the U.S. Senate race (page A5), the Wildcat editors state “A closer look, however, reveals a race that is embarrassing for both candidates. McCain’s record on education this past decade is abysmal.” As for Glassman, they say ” Despite his degrees from and his connections to the UA, Glassman has not offered anything substantial when it comes to education. His website is vague about how he would improve Arizona’s educational standing, and Glassman himself has been equally vague in interviews & public appearances…”

These endorsements are similar to The Tucson Weekly’s, which endorsed Democrats except for the “no recommendation” in the U.S. Senate race. Read my previous articles on newspaper endorsements (click here.)

Vote wisely, on or before November 2nd.

and incumbent Ken Bennett (R) for Secretary of State (who takes over should the Governor resign or leave office):
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_4213e38c-ca88-5e44-983e-09cec7885d0d.html

They also endorsed for U.S. Senate incumbent John McCain (R) today:
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_6b670cb4-20f2-57b6-9f29-c51cfcb42434.html

And for the Congressional seats in Southern Arizona, incumbent Gabrielle Giffords (D) for House CD 8:
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_6036f82e-eea6-50c6-85b0-ab7e74d7ca98.html

and incumbent Congressman Raul Grijalva (D) for CD 7:
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_4167e7b8-c9ae-5016-aafd-98b99e98b7f5.html

Incumbency does seem to matter in these top races.

I wrote a previous blog about Tucson newspaper endorsements for state-wide offices (click here).

Recap of Star’s previous endorsements: Felecia Rotellini (D) for Attorney General, Doug Ducey (R) for Treasurer, Penny Kotterman (D) for Superintendent of Public Instruction, and incumbent Gary Pierce (R) & Brenda Burns (R) for Corporation Commission (2 seats). The only incumbent in these races is Pierce.

Reminder — The Tucson Weekly (10/7/10 issue) endorsed all Democrats except for U.S.Senate (no recommendation).

Vote wisely on or before November 2nd.

Gary Pierce (R) and Brenda Burns (R) for Arizona Corporation Commission (2 seats open) on October 13: http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_1c98e870-14c6-5795-9287-070dd6fa1cf2.html

Penny Kotterman (D) for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction on October 12:
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_edaa04de-b0ef-523a-b520-678f9d8e35db.html

Felecia Rotellini (D) for Arizona Attorney General on October 8:
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_f898585e-6828-53d7-9da3-1ad5a9dfa8dc.html

Doug Ducey (R) for Arizona Treasurer on October 7:
http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_75948a60-023a-544d-853a-a441cc62733a.html

The Tucson Weekly (October 7 issue) has endorsed Democrats in almost all offices, except for “No Recommendation” in the U.S. Senate race, and none (oversight?) in LD 29 (currently represented by Democrats State Senator Linda Lopez, Rep. Matt Heinz & Daniel Patterson, all running for re-election, but there is a House seat challenger).

Click here, or views pages 18-21 of the October 7, 2010 issue of The Tucson Weekly. They did issue a disclaimer of sorts — “We decided not to make endorsements in some races, either because the result is not really in question, or we didn’t feel we had enough information to make a recommendation.”

We “citizen journalists” at the Tucsoncitizen.com may or may not endorse candidates, so you could check with the respective bloggers & Editor covering Politics & Government. Progressive & popular blogger “3 Sonorans” (David Morales) has already issued his Voter Guide to the candidates & propositions (click here.)

I’m not so sure whether voters follow endorsements of newspaper editorial boards, especially in Arizona where there are so many “Other/Independent” voters. But refer back to this blog once the General Election on November 2nd is over, to see whether these endorsements were influential enough to affect the final tallies.

And I’ll post updates if/when the daily Arizona Daily Star endorses for the two top highest seats in the State of Arizona.

Predictions, anyone?

UPDATE: On October 24 the Arizona Daily Star endorsed Terry Goddard and Ken Bennett, in answer to my question on top:
http://tucsoncitizen.com/community/2010/10/24/az-daily-star-endorses-for-goddard-for-governor-mccain-for-u-s-senate/

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.

Over 1000 community leaders, business leaders & clergy and members from over 50 institutions (churches, synagogues, schools & non-profits) across Pima County convened today at 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Tucson Conventon Center’s Copper Ballroom to present an agenda that builds stronger families & communities in Southern Arizona, through “values reflection, inquiry, and constructive action.”

Sitting politicians (federal & state) and candidates seeking those offices were asked questions pertaining to workforce development, education, services to families, and immigration.And they were asked to promise to meet with PCIC delegations after the General Election.

Here’s a list of who attended today (supposedly all Democrat & Republican candidates of these offices were invited):

Congressman Raul Grijalva (D), CD 7
Ruth McClung (R), candidate in CD 7

State Senate candidate Chery Cage (D), LD 26
State House candidate Terri Proud (R), LD 26
State House Rep. Nancy Young Wright (D), LD 26

State House caniddate Robert Compton (R), LD 27
State House caniddate Sally Ann Gonzales (D), LD 27
State House candidate Macario Saldate (D), LD 27

State Senator Paula Aboud (D), LD 28
State Senate candidate Greg Krino (R), LD 28
State House Rep. Steve Farley (D), LD 28
State House candidate Ken Smalley (R), LD 28
State House candidate Bruce Wheeler (D), LD 28

And for the statewise offices:
Gubernatorial candidate Terry Goddard (D), current Attorney General
Attorney General candidate Felecia Rottellini (D)
Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Penny Kotterman (D)
Corporation Commission candidate David Bradley (D), current LD 28 House rep.

Statements were also made by TPD Chief Robert Villasenor and Councilmember Regina Romero in support of Proposition 400, to raise the city sales tax by one half cent/dollar.

Question asked of the State Legislature candidates:
Will you vote to enact additional revenue sources so that funding for vital services such as education & health care can be protected? (All State Senate & House candidates responded “yes” in their one minute replies, some with conditional responses.)

Questions asked of the Gubernatorial candidate:
1. What measures will you take & what leadership will you provide to ensure that budgets are not balanced on the backs of our children & most vulnerable citizens?
2. Will you support our efforts to expand innovative job training initiatives like Job Path throughout the state?

Questions asked of the Attorney General candidate:
1. What role can you play as attorney general that would benefit our families that are abused by mortgage companies? 2. Will you ensure that the enforcement of SB 1070 is done in a humane manner, and that local police departments receive accurate & just interpretations of the law?

Question asked of the Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate:
In light of the budget crisis, what leadership will you provide to improve public education in the State of Arizona?

Tucsoncitizen.com fellow blogger David Morales (“3 Sonorans”) was present videotaping this candidate session, so hopefully he will be able to provide a video later with the specific responses.

Protesting outside the Tucson Convention Center were Independent candidates Ted Downing and Dave Ewoldt (both for LD 28 Senate), and Green Party candidate Kent Solberg (for LD 27 House), who were apparently not invited to participate. Solberg handed out a statement which read that “Limiting debate, discussion & points of view is not discussion and is not consistent with the Pima County Interfaith Council’s stated goals and purposes.”

Also in the audience today were former Mayor George Miller, former TUSD Superintendent Stan Paz, current TUSD Governing Board candidate Miguel Ortega and member Adelita Grijalva, and former Pima County Attorney candidate Claudia Ellquist.

For more information on PCIC:
639 E. Speedway Blvd. #1, Tucson, Arizona
520-903-2333, office@pimacountyinterfaith.org

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Alternatively, the debate video will be online within 72 hours at the Citizens Clean Election Commission website: http://www.azcleanelections.gov/home.aspx. According to their website, Huppenthal is participating in “clean” elections (so this debate is mandatory for him), Kotterman is running traditionally.

John Huppenthal, Republican, State Senator (LD 20) who chairs the Senate’s Education Committee, www.johnhuppenthal.com.
Huppenthal graduated from Salpointe Catholic High School (private) in Tucson, then earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Northern Arizona University, and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Arizona State University.

Penny Kotterman, Democrat, Former teacher, and former President of the Arizona Education Association (AEA), www.pennykotterman.com. Currently she is the Associate Director of New Programs and Policy at the Arizona K-12 Center in Phoenix. She grew up in Illinois, got her B.S. in Special Education at Western Illinois University, and her M.S. in Education Administration from Illinois State University.

Current Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne is termed out, and is the Republican nominee for Arizona Attorney General.

9/16/10 UPDATE: video online now, click here.

John Huppenthal

Penny Kotterman

Statewide races, all telecast on KAET Horizon Channel 8 in Phoenix, to be posted online at their website within 72 hours after the debates. D indicates Democrat, G indicates Green Party, I indicates Independent, L indicates Libertarian, R indicates Republican. Most of these candidates will be invited, but not all attend the debates, as it’s only mandatory for those participating in “clean” elections. To find out who’s a participating candidate, click here.

Governor
September 1, 7 to 8 p.m.
(Governor Jan Brewer – R, Larry Gist- G, Attorney General Terry Goddard- D, Barry Hess- L)

Attorney General (9/3/10 UPDATE: DEBATE CANCELED DUE TO NEITHER BEING A “CLEAN” ELECTIONS CANDIDATE).
September 8, 7 to 7:30 p.m.
(Tom Horne- R, Felecia Rotellini – D)

Superintendent of Public Instruction
September 15, 7 to 7:30 p.m.
(John Huppenthal -R, Penny Kotterman- D)

Secretary of State
September 22, 7 to 7:30 p.m.
(Sec. of State Ken Bennett – R, Chris Deschene – D)

Treasurer (9/3/10 UPDATE: DEBATE CANCELED DUE TO NEITHER BEING “CLEAN” ELECTIONS CANDIDATE).
September 29, 7 to 7:30 p.m.
(Doug Ducey – R, Andrei Cherny – D)

Corporation Commission (2 seats)
October 4, 7 to 7:30 p.m.
(Commissioner Gary Pierce – R, David Bradley – D, Brenda Burns – R, Jorge Luis Garcia – D)

State Mine Inspector
October 06, 2010, 7 PM – 7:30 PM
(Inspector Joe Hart – R, Miguel Cruz – D)

Legislative Districts (Southern Arizona), all “Clean” candidates in House & Senate are required to participate, and others running traditionally may do as well. One seat is open in the State Senate, two seats in the State House in each legislative district.

District 26 (9/3/10 UPDATE:DEBATE CANCELED AS ALL CANDIDATES NOT PARTICIPATING IN CLEAN ELECTIONS, RUNNING TRADITIONALLY)
September 16, 6 p.m.
PCC Northwest Campus, 7600 N. Shannon Rd.
(State Senate: Cheryl Cage – D, Senator Al Melvin – R;
State House: Terri Proud – R, Rep. Vic Williams- R, Rep. Nancy Young Wright – D)

District 27
September 9, 6 p.m.
PCC West Campus, 2202 W. Anklam Rd.
(State Senate: Olivia Cajero Bedford- D, Duke Schechter- R is a write-in candidate,as is Jaime Vasquez – R; State House: Gene Chewning – I, Robert Compton – R, Sally Ann Gonzales – D, Dr. Macario Saldate – D, Kent Solberg – G)

District 28
September 14, 6 p.m.
PCC Community Room, 4905 E. Broadway
(State Senate: Senator Paula Aboud – D, Ted Downing – I, Dave Ewoldt – I, Greg Krino – R;
State House: Rep. Steve Farley – D, Ken Smalley- R, Bruce Wheeler- D)

District 29
September 28, 6 p.m.
PCC Community Room, 4905 E. Broadway
(State Senate: Senator Linda Lopez – D, unopposed;
(State House: Rep. Matt Heinz – D, Pat Kilburn – R, Rep. Daniel Patterson – D)

District 30
September 30, 6 p.m.
PCC East Campus, 8181 E. Irvington
(State Senate: Senator Frank Antenori – R, Dr. Todd Camenisch – D;
State House: Andrea Dalessandro – D, Rep. David Gowan – R, and Rep. Ted Vogt -R)

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http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/AZ/19539/32130/en/summary.html

Line up for the General Election (so far):

U. S. Senator John McCain (R) vs. former Tucson Councilmember Dr. Rodney Glassman (D) vs. Jerry Joslyn (G) vs. David Nolan (L)

CD 7 U. S. House Rep. Raul Grijalva (D) vs. Raytheon rocket scientist Ruth McClung (R) vs. George Keane (L) vs. Harley Meyer (I)

CD 8 U. S. House Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D) vs. businessman Jesse Kelly (R) vs. Dr. Steven Stoltz (L)

Governor Jan Brewer (R) vs. Attorney General Terry Goddard (D) vs. Larry Gist (G) vs. Barry Hess (L)

Secretary of State Ken Bennett (R) vs. House Rep. Chris Deschene (D)

Attorney General
Tom Horne (R) vs. Felecia Rotellini (D)

Treasurer:
Businessman Doug Ducey (R) vs. Former Assistant AG Andrei Cherny (D)

Superintendent of Public Instruction:
State Senator John Huppenthal (R) vs. Former Arizona Education Association Pres. Penny Kotterman (D)

Corporation Commission (2 seats):
Commissioner Gary Pierce & Brenda Burns (Rs) vs. David Bradley and Jorge Luis Garcia (Ds)

In Southern Arizona Legislative districts:

LD 26:
State Senator Al Melvin (R) vs. businesswoman Cheryl Cage (D)
State House: Rep. Vic Williams and paralegal Terri Proud (Rs) vs. State House Rep. Nancy Young Wright (D)

LD 27:
State Senator Olivia Cajero Bedford (D), vs. write in candidates Duke Schechter (R) and Jaime Vasquez (R);
State House: former legislator Sally Ann Gonzales and Dr. Macario Saldate (Ds) vs. businessman Robert Compton (R), businessman Kent Solberg (G), pastor Gene Chewning (I)

LD 28:
State Senator Paula Aboud (D) vs. Independents Dave Ewoldt and Ted Downing, and Attorney Greg Krino (R)
State House: Rep. Steve Farley and former legislator Bruce Wheeler (Ds) vs. businessman Ken Smalley (R)

LD 29:
State Senator Linda Lopez (D) unopposed
State House: Rep. Matt Heinz and Rep. Daniel Patterson (Ds) vs. businessman Pat Kilburn (R)

LD 30:
State Senator Frank Antenori (R) vs. Dr. Todd Camenisch (D)
State House: Rep. David Gowan and Rep. Ted Vogt (Rs) vs. businesswoman Andrea Dalessandro (D)

UPDATE: Wed. 8/25 at 7:57 p.m. Sec. of State website listing vote total at 801,003, 25.81% of the registered voters cast ballots, with only Maricopa County still partially reporting. Stay tuned for final unofficial results, especially for AG race which is still too close to call for the Republican nomination. Other races likely to remain the same till all votes counted, and the canvass is accepted.

UPDATE: Thurs. 8/26 5:07 p.m. 869,441 votes counted to date, 28.02% voter turnout. Stay tuned for tomorrow night’s tally. Horne ahead of Andrews by wider margin (1073), same with Rotellini over Lujan by a much wider margin (3203), causing Lujan to concede tonight. Same candidates still ahead in LD 26, 27, 28, which are the only close races to watch now.

UPDATE: Friday 8/27 6:36 p.m. 913,578 votes counted to date, 29.44 % turnout. Andrew Thomas thought of conceding today but has apparently changed his mind since he is only 485 votes behind Horne now. Most candidates leading in LD 26, 27 and 28 seem to have won. About 22,000 votes still to be counted, stay tuned for next tally.

UPDATE: Saturday 8/28 8:13 p.m. 931,817 votes counted, 30.03% turnout. Andrew Thomas still behind Tom Horne by 853 votes. Let’s see what Monday’s tally will be.

UPDATE: Monday 8/30, 5:54 p.m. 933,212 votes counted, 30.08% turnout. Tom Horne has declared victory,but Thomas has not conceded. Sec. of State’s office told me they had 3800 votes to count today and into tomorrow. Counties have 5 working days to submit their votes, so tomorrow night is the deadline. Finally!

FINAL UPDATE: Tuesday 8/31, 4:29 p.m. 934,113 votes cast (final unofficial results), turnout 30.10 % of the 3,102,876 registered voters in Arizona. Tom Horne received 899 more votes than Andrew Thomas for the AG Republican nomination, a very close race considering how many votes were cast in that race (555,699).