The Pima County Democratic Party is proud to welcome US Senator Mark Udall (D-CO) to Tucson for the First Annual Morris and Stewart Udall Dinner.

Special Guests (invited): CD 7 Congressman Raul M. Grijalva, District 3 Pima County Supervisor Sharon Bronson, TUSD School Board Member Adelita Grijalva (daughter of Raul), and CD 8 House candidate Ron Barber.

Former Democratic National Committeeman and Board of Regents President Fred DuVal will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

Keynote speaker: U.S.Senator Mark Udall from Colorado (son of Morris, nephew of Stewart)

Tickets – $85 General Public, $75 Precinct Committee People, $750 Table of Ten

RSVP – rsvp@PimaDems.org, (520) 326-3716

5:00 pm Registration
6:00 pm Dinner

Address: Desert Diamond Hotel & Casino, 7350 S Nogales Hwy,
Tucson 85756

It is election year for Congressman Grijalva, Supervisor Bronson, and CD 8 U.S. House candidate Ron Barber (special election primary on April 17 and general election on June 12). U.S. Senator Mark Udall was here in Tucson on January 8, 2012 speaking on Congresswoman Gifford’s behalf at the Centennial Hall memorial event for the six who died on 1/8/11.

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

She had served n the U.S. Congress since January 2007, was re-elected twice. As most of you know by now she was shot in Tucson once in the head at close range by mass shooter Jared Lee Loughner on January 8, 2011, over a year ago. She has been recovering in Houston, Texas where her astronaut husband Capt.(ret.) Mark Kelly lives, sharing custody of his two daughters from his previous marriage.

She faced three tough campaigns for her CD 8 race in the general elections: against former LD 30 House Rep. Randy Graf in 2006, former LD 30 State Senate President Tim Bee in 2008, and newcomer Jesse Kelly in 2010. And she also had a contentious Democratic primary race in 2006 against former TV newscaster Patty Weiss, and four others (William Johnson, Jeff Latas, Alex Rodriguez, Francine Shacter). She ran unopposed in the Democratic CD 8 primaries of 2008 and 2010.

Her closest race margin was with Kelly in November, 2010 (winning by 4,156 votes). Read my previous blog about that race “How did Giffords win?” (click here).

Gabby served one and a half terms in the Arizona State Senate (2003 to 2005), and also one term in the State House (2001 – 2003), representing mid-town Tucson in LD 28, prior to Congress. I knew her then as well, and worked as a volunteer on her Congressional campaigns for 2006 and 2008. So I knew Gabby professionally through the Pima County Democratic Party and as a campaign volunteer, and later as I covered her campaign for the TucsonCitizen.com in 2010. And of course I knew the late Gabe Zimmerman, who worked as a field organizer on her first 2006 campaign and later as the constituent outreach director in her Tucson District Office. (30 year old Zimmerman was killed in the Tucson Tragedy mass shooting on 1/8/11).

There is a bumper sticker “Gabrielle Giffords continues to inspire” which was placed at the Tucson three impromptu memorials that sprang up after the shooting. It was a testament of her courage and inspirational fight back to health, which is still ongoing (and the reason for her resignation). Because the Glock 9mm bullet entered the left side of her brain, Gabby’s right leg, right arm/hand, and speech were affected by the injury, and she now is working in rehab with her aphasia –speech & language difficulties — and reduced physical mobility. Prior to this shooting, Gabby was an avid hiker, and rode horses, a bicycle, and a motorcycle.

But I know what a healthy, friendly, strong-willed individual she was as a politician and community activist, and I know she will work tirelessly now at age 41 to recover fully from her injury. She took a bullet in the line of duty as a U.S. Congresswoman and should be praised for her courage and resiliency, and hard work for over 10 years as a state & federal legislator.

Good luck Gabby and our prayers are with you as you recuperate, and find a new mission in life.

The other City Councilmembers currently serving are Ward 3 Karin Uhlich (D), Ward 5 Richard Fimbres (D), and Ward 6 Steve Kozachik (R). They are up for re-election in two years.

The inauguration ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Tucson Convention Center (TCC) in the North meeting rooms. Thereafter the Pima County Democratic Party is hosting an inauguration luncheon at the TCC Ballroom, also at 260 S. Church Ave. Details for tickets below to this “Moving Tucson Forward” luncheon.

Additional invited guests: former Mayors Tom Volgy and George Miller.

Master of Ceremonies: Elliot Glicksman

Special Live Performance by Calexico and friends!

Congratulations again to the winners of the City’s 2011 General Election.

Attorney Rothschild started exploring a run for Mayor last September, 2010 (click here for previous blog) and announced his candidacy in January, 2011 (click here).

Rothschild is a Tucson native, graduate of Tucson High School, Kenyon College, and the University of New Mexico Law School. He has also served as Adjunct Professor at the James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona. He has been the managing partner at his law firm, Mesch, Clark & Rothschild, which was founded by his father Lowell, also an attorney in Tucson.

“Jonathan has a long history of extensive service with local non-profits – as a leader and a worker. He has served in various capacities, including Board President of Casa de los Ninos, Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging, and Temple Emanu-El.

He is a member of the Tucson Parks & Recreation Commission and currently serves as Chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council. Jonathan has also served on the Boards of the Tucson Medical Center Foundation, Jewish Family & Children’s Service, Friends of the University Libraries, University of Arizona and the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona.”

Rothschild has never run for political office before, but has served as Treasurer of the Pima County Democratic Party in the past.

Campaign website: www.jonathanformayor.com,
Jonathan Rothschild for Mayor
P.O. Box 2463
Tucson, AZ 85702
520-370-6571
jr@jonathanformayor.com

He faces Republican Rick Grinnell (click here for KUAT interview on September 9) and Green Mary DeCamp (KUAT interview scheduled for October 6) for Mayor of Tucson.

President Barack Obama

President Obama’s 50th Birthday Bash!

Please join the Pima County Democratic Party to celebrate the 50th birthday of President Barack Obama with beer, wine and hors d’oeuvre at one of our favorite local businesses, the Shanty.
Long form birth certificates will not be required, but a contribution of $50 would be greatly appreciated. This event is free for current Catalina Democrats.

Thursday, August 4th
5:00pm – 7:00pm

The Shanty
401 E. 9th St
(NE Corner of 9th St. and 4th Ave.)

So if you have $50 to spent on the 50th birthday celebration of President Obama, drop by The Shanty. I happen to have a long form birth certificate from Hawaii (like the President), but that’s not mandatory for entrance to this event.

RSVP to 520-326-3716. You can purchase tickets securely through Act Blue:
https://secure.actblue.com/page/50thbirthday.

Hau’oli la Hanau, President Obama.

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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pima Dems to Honor Pima County Sheriff Clarence W. Dupnik

The Pima County Democratic Party will honor Sheriff Clarence W. Dupnik at a dinner on Saturday, April 16 at the Hotel Tucson City Center. Former presidential candidate and Colorado Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder will deliver the keynote address to more than 400 expected attendees. Democratic National Committeeman Fred DuVal will serve as master of ceremonies.

Tickets for the event are in limited supply but may be purchased online through the PCDP’s website, www.PimaDems.org or by calling (520) 326-3716. Tickets are $75 with proceeds will go to the Pima County Democratic Party.

Sheriff Clarence W. Dupnik Tribute Dinner

Time: 5:00 pm Registration and No-Host Cocktails
6:30 pm Dinner

Location: Hotel Tucson City Center, 475 N. Granada Ave. (south of E. 6th Street)

Honoree: Sheriff Clarence W. Dupnik

Kenote Speaker: Former U.S. Rep. Patricia Schroeder (D-Colorado)

Guest Speakers: Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (CD 7)

Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall

Hon. Terry Goddard (former Arizona Attorney General)

Hon. Dan Eckstrom (former Pima County Supervisor)

Master of Ceremonies: Fred DuVal

Contact: Adam Kinsey
Executive Director, Pima County Democratic Party

Cell – (520) 834-6384
Office – (520) 326-3716
director@pimadems.org

Website for Pima County Sheriff’s Dept. (click here). “A veteran of over 50 years in local law enforcement, Clarence W. Dupnik has served as the Sheriff of Pima County, Arizona, since his appointment in February 1980. County voters endorsed the choice nine months later by electing him to his first four-year term and ratified that decision by re-electing him six additional times.” Dupnik is up for re-election in 2012.

Paul Eckerstrom, taken by Curtis Dutiel

Tucson attorney Paul Eckerstrom, Co-chair of the Start Our State (SOS) campaign to separate Pima County from the State of Arizona will be speaking at Democrats of Greater Tucson (DGT) on April 4.

This political committee started in late February and has been reported extensively on by Tucsoncitizen.com blogger/attorney Hugh Holub (“View from Baja Arizona”), who is somewhat credited with this idea of promoting the formation of a Southern Arizona state, tentatively called “Baja Arizona”. Click here (http://tucsoncitizen.com/view-from-baja-arizona/2011/02/25/americas-51st-state-movement-starts-to-free-baja-arizona/) for one of Hugh’s first blogs on this subject.

Eckerstrom is a former Chair of the Pima County Democratic Party.The other SOS Co-chair is Peter Hormel, another attorney activist in Tucson who was once a Green Party of Pima County candidate for Pima County Attorney, and the Treasurer is attorney David Euchner, former Chair of the Pima County Libertarian Party. These three local attorneys, from each of the 3 parties are leading the way in this “separation for equal representation” movement.

To establish a new state in Southern Arizona free of the un-American, unconstitutional machinations of the Arizona legislature and to restore our region’s credibility as a place welcoming to others, open to commerce, and friendly to its neighbors.

(from the SOS website)

Websites: http://startourstate.com/, and http://www.facebook.com/startourstate (with 3245 “likes” so far). Donations can be sent to “Start Our State”, P. B. Box 308, Tucson 85702 or online via Paypal, email is startourstate@gmail.com. “Free Baja Arizona” bumper stickers are for sale as well.

I heard Paul speak at Drinking Liberally (at The Shanty) on February 27, and about 30 people in the bar agreed that they no longer wanted to be associated with the conservative Arizona legislature. One fellow said that the current situation felt like “taxation without representation” because the current legislators did not represent the interests of the tax paying people here in Pima County.

And here’s Paul being interviewed on KUAT TV Channel 6 on March 11: http://www.azpm.org/politics/story/2011/3/11/1830-is-baja-arizona-for-real/

If you want to hear about this movement to separate/secede from the State of Arizona which has gotten a lot of media coverage (even nationally), log onto their website, read Hugh Holub’s numerous articles, and/or go to DGT on April 4.

DGT meets at the Dragon View Restaurant, 400 N. Bonita (between W. St. Mary’s Road and W. Congress) on Mondays at high noon (except holidays). Chinese buffet lunch costs $8.50 including drink & tip, or just $2.50 for a drink.

HQ address is 3400 E. Speedway, #114, on the south side of Speedway between Whole Foods Market and Ike’s Coffee Shop, east of Country Club. This was the former Reader’s Oasis independent bookstore location.

RSVP to rsvp@jonathanformayor.com. Campaign website: www.jonathonformayor.com. Take a look at his website to see the long list of early supporters.

If you haven’t met attorney Jonathan yet or his campaign staff, drop by this party.
Info on Jonathan’s interests & activities from his website:

He is a member of the Tucson Parks & Recreation Commission and currently serves as Chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council. Jonathan has also served on the Boards of the Tucson Medical Center Foundation, Jewish Family & Children’s Service, Friends of the University Libraries, University of Arizona and the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona.

Other responsibilities, past and present, include:

* Adjunct Professor, James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona
* Chair, Committee on Examinations, State Bar of Arizona
* Project Coordinator, Operation Deep Freeze
* Member, SMART Project, Pima County Sheriff’s Department
* Treasurer, Pima County Democratic Party

Two Republicans Shaun McClusky and Ron Asta are seeking the job as Mayor of the City of Tucson as well, and will face off in the August 30 primary. Former Democrat, now Independent Pat Darcy is considering a run. Independent (former Republican) Marshall Home just filed last week.

No current or former Tucson City Councilmember has declared an intent to run for this job. Republican Mayor Bob Walkup announced at the State of the City Address on February 22 that he was not seeking his 4th term as Mayor.

Jonathan will also be speaking at the Tucson chapter of Drinking Liberally on May 1st (May Day), at The Shanty, 401 E. 9th Street (NE corner of 4th Avenue), 6 p.m.

Pima Dems Endorse Incumbent Council Members for Reelection

Pursuant to the Bylaws of the Pima County Democratic Party, the Executive Committee voted last night 36-0-1 to endorse Council Members Regina Romero, Paul Cunningham and Shirley Scott for reelection to the Tucson City Council. The bylaws state that the motion to endorse must carry by at least 75% of the voting members present.

The committee did not take this decision lightly but recognizes that this fall’s election will be a challenging one and that these three dedicated public servants deserve nothing less than our full support.

Councilmember Regino Romero in Ward 1 faces Democrat Joe Flores in the August 30 primary. Click here for an earlier blog about that race. Councilmembers Paul Cunningham (Ward 2) and Shirley Scott (Ward 4) are running unopposed in the primary (so far), with Scott facing a Republican Tyler Vogt in the General. Political newcomer Tyler Vogt is the older brother of LD 30 Rep. Ted Vogt.

Romero has been on the Council for one term, since December, 2007; Cunningham was appointed last May, 2010; Scott is running for her 5th four-year term.

Questions about the Pima County Democratic Party can be directed to Chair Jeff Rogers or Executive Director Adam Kinsey at director@pimadems.org, or 520-326-3716. Website is www.pimademocrats.org.