Not sure how many people know about group called Local First Arizona, but their mission is to encourage people to shop locally throughout the state.

From Ward 3 Councilwoman Karin Uhlich’s newsletter:
“Buy Local Day Party on 4th Avenue – Friday, November 23 from Noon to 5:00 p.m. Next to Creative Ventures Mall (522 N. 4th Avenue). Local First Arizona invites you to kick off the “Buy Local Month” holiday shopping season during their annual Black Friday Sale. Free gift wrapping, gift certificates from local merchants and discounted shopping tokens”. More info: http://localfirstaz.com/news/local-first-arizona-holiday-shop-local-guide-tucson/

Local First Arizona (LFA) is a non-profit organization working to strengthen communities and local economies through supporting, maintaining, and celebrating locally owned businesses throughout the state of Arizona.

We educate citizens, stakeholders, business leaders, and legislators about the significant environmental, economic, and cultural benefits of strong local economies. We build vibrant communities that make residents proud to call home.

Local First Arizona was founded in 2003 named Arizona Chain Reaction. In 2007, the organization expanded, applied for 501©3 non profit status, and changed the name to Local First Arizona. The name was changed in order to better define the positive messages of buying locally and community building, which better fit the mission of the organization.

Their website lists a whole bunch of local businesses in Metro Tucson and Pima County (click here). Being as Friday is the so-called “Black Friday”, a huge shopping day prior to the winter holidays, check them out for ideas where to get great gifts.

And if you’re not on their directory, contact:
Tucson Membership Coordinator
Deanna Chevas, (520) 333-2073, deanna@localfirstaz.com

I met Deanna again recently as we were in the same group for a Tucson Planning & Development Services Dept. workshop, plus I attended a press conference back in June, 2012 about their Golden coupon offer during Independents Week (click here for previous post). I used that Golden Coupon to save 20% off while eating lunch at Delectables on 4th Avenue, which really needed our business during that Sun Link construction period.

And it’s National Buy Local month, November 23 to December 25, 2012.

Enjoy shopping on “Black Friday”.

The Arizona Secretary of State has posted the final & unofficial results of the 2012 General Election for CD 2, here in Southern Arizona (although ballots are still being counted statewide). Pima County Elections finalized their ballot count today Nov. 19. Congressman Ron Barber (incumbent in CD 8) has won by 2454 votes. Automatic recounts only occur if the margin of victory is less than 200 votes per state law. Barber declared victory on Nov. 17 and McSally conceded on that day as well.

Ron Barber (D) 147,338, 50.32%
Martha McSally (R) 144,884, 49.48 %

This was a very close race, with early and provisional ballots in the thousands being counted in Pima and Cochise Counties since Election Night November 6. The lead changed many times, but Barber ultimately began to take the lead on Saturday November 10. McSally was leading on the morning of November 7 by 1312 votes when I first reported the Arizona general election results.

Barber was first elected to Congress in CD 8 in June, 2012 by defeating Republican Jesse Kelly in a special election. Then Barber won the CD 2 primary in August, 2012 against LD 29 Rep. Dr. Matt Heinz. Barber was chosen by his former employer, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords to run in CD 8 after she resigned in January, 2012, to spend more time in her physical recovery from the 1/8/11 Tucson Tragedy shooting. Giffords and her retired astronaut husband Mark Kelly have since moved back to Tucson, from Houston, Texas.

Congratulations Congressman Barber.

Congressman Ron Barber

2012 Candidates for Arizona, & specifically Southern Arizona

Official filing deadline was yesterday at 5 p.m. Here’s a partial listing of candidates for the primary election on August 28. Go to the website below for offices outside of Southern Arizona. I’ll be posting a separate listing for the Pima County elections.

Per AZ Secretary of State website: http://www.azsos.gov/election/2012/Primary/FullListing.htm

U.S. Senate
Richard Carmona (D)
David Ruben (D) – has withdrawn (see comment below)
Sheila Bilyeu (L)
Wil Cardon (R)
Jeff Flake (R)
Bryan Hackbarth (R)
Clair Van Steenwyk (R)

New Congressional District 1
Wenona Benally Baldenegro (D)
Ann Kirkpatrick (D)
Anthony Prowell (L)
Patrick Gatti (R)
Gaither Martin (R)
Jonathan Paton (R)
Douglas Wade (R)

New Congressional District 2
Ron Barber (D)
Matt Heinz (D)
Jesse Kelly (R)
Mark Koskiniemi (R)
Martha McSally (R)

New Congressional District 3
Amanda Aguirre (D)
Manny Arreguin (D)
Raul Grijalva (D), incumbent CD 7
Blanca Guerra (L)
Gabriela Saucedo Mercer (R)
Jaime Vasquez (R)

New Legislative District 2
State Senate: Linda Lopez – D, incumbent LD 29

State House (2 seats):
Andrea Dalessandro – D
Rosanna Gabaldon – D
John Ackerley – R

New Legislative District 3
State Senate:
Olivia Cajero Bedford – D, incumbent LD 27
Maria Garcia – D

State House (2 seats):
Sally Ann Gonzales –D, incumbent LD 27
Macario Saldate – D, incumbent LD 27

New Legislative District 9
State Senate:
Steve Farley – D
Tyler Mott – R

State House (2 seats):
Dustin Cox – D
Mohur Sarah Sidhwa – D
Victoria Steele – D
Ethan Orr – R

New Legislative District 10
State Senate:
David Bradley (D)
Frank Antenori (R), incumbent LD 30

State House (2 seats):
Stefanie Mach – D
Brandon Patrick – D
Bruce Wheeler – D, incumbent LD 28
Todd Clodfelter – R
Ted Vogt – R, incumbent LD 30

New Legislative District 11
State Senate:
Jo Holt – D
Kim Allen – L
Al Melvin – R, incumbent LD 26

State House (2 seats):
Dave Joseph – D
Adam Kwasman – R
Steve Smith – R

New Legislative District 14
State Senate:
Patricia Fleming – D
Gail Griffin – R, incumbent LD 25

State House:
Robert Leach – D
Mark Stonebracker – D
David Gowan – R, incumbent LD 30
David Stevens – R, incumbent LD 25

Corporation Commission (3 seats)
Marcia Busching -D
Sandra Kennedy –D, incumbent
Paul Newman- D, incumbent
Susan Bitter Smith –R
Robert Burns – R
Bob Stump – R, incumbent

So LD 30 State Senator Frank Antenori decided not to run for CD 2 against fellow Republicans Jesse Kelly and Martha McSally, and Democratic LD 28 House Rep. Matt Heinz decided to stay in the race against Ron Barber for that same seat. Senator Antenori will instead challenge former LD 28 House Rep. David Bradley for State Senate in LD 10.

Stay tuned for results from the CD 8 June 12 special general election which will likely affect this CD 2 race. In that race Democrat Ron Barber, Republican Jesse Kelly and Green Charlie Manolakis are facng off, but Manolakis is not running for the seat in CD 2.

And if you don’t know which new CD or LD you are voting in, here’s the link to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission’s final approved maps (click here).