Randy Parraz in his 2010 campaign

Citizens for a Better Arizona is a newly formed organization of concerned citizens committed to improving the quality of life of all Arizonans – better schools, better health care, better jobs, better government and a better, more civil tone of respect and decency when it comes to solving Arizona’s problems.

This is the group whose President/organizer is Randy Parraz, former candidate for U.S. Senate in the Democratic primary of 2010, which collected over 18,000 signatures in Legislative District 18 in Mesa, Arizona, to recall Republican State Senator (and sitting Senate President) Russell Pearce. Only 7,556 valid signatures were needed for the recall (read my previous blog from May, 2011, click here). Senator Pearce was defeated in the recall election on November 8, 2011 by Republican Jerry Lewis, a political newcomer. This was apparently the first time in U.S history that a sitting state Senate President has been recalled.

Parraz said recently at a house party in mid-town Tucson that he was motivated to begin this recall effort against Senator Pearce only last January, after Pearce was elected to be Senate President. Parraz stated that this Citizens for a Better AZ group was a true “grassroots” non-partisan effort of people of all ages, with about 35 core, committed volunteers, lead by his unflagging belief that despite what others said, the recall could succeed.

To read more about how Parraz ran this successful recall effort, read the Nov. 17, 2011 issue by Stephen Lemons in the Phoenix New Times (click here).

Randy Parraz will be coming to Tucson on Monday January 23, to speak at high noon to the Democrats of Greater Tucson (DGT) at a their weekly luncheon meeting at Dragon’s View restaurant, 400 N. Bonita Avenue (between St. Mary’s Rd. and Congress Ave.)
Cost of the Chinese lunch buffet is $8.50 which includes the tip and a drink.

Citizens for a Better AZ is now raising money on their latest campaign, which is calling for the resignation of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who has served since January, 1993. He has been re-elected four times, and is seeking re-election this November. Arpaio has been under attack for abuse of power & funds, racial profiling of Hispanics, uninvestigated sex crimes against children (wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Arpaio.

For more info or to donate: www.citizensforabetteraz.org. Checks can also be mailed to Citizens for a Better AZ, 1615 N. 36th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008.

Citizens for a Better Arizona headed by their Co-founder & former Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Randy Parraz met in Tucson today to report on the Recall State Senator Russell Pearce campaign. About 1500 more signatures from LD 18 Mesa voters are needed by the May 31 deadline.

Parraz spoke before a group of about 40 Southern Arizonans about how he started up the campaign in February. He said that this would be “historic times” if the recall does occur. About $25,000 have been raised to assist their campaign to date.

The meeting was held at the home of Mohur Sidhwa, former candidate for LD 28 House. In attendance were LD 28 State Senator Paula Aboud, LD 29 House Rep. Sally Ann Gonzales, former Assistant Attorney General Vince Rabago, former LD 25 House Rep. Pat Fleming, and Jim Marsh (election integrity advocate for the Libertarian Party). A previous fundraising meeting was held by LD 29 State Senator Linda Lopez in Tucson.

Here’s info from the Citizens for a Better Arizona website of this recall petition process:

•DAYS 1-120: Gather Petition Signatures of District 18, Mesa Citizens, 25% of Votes Cast in Last Election = 7,756, plus safety margin. 2. Must be collected by any US citizen aged 18+ and eligible to vote in Arizona 3. Petition Forms must be up to code, notarized by circulator. 4. Submit Petitions to Secretary of State on Day 120 (May 31, 2011).

•DAYS 120 – 135 (June 22nd)

•Signature Validation: Within fifteen days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and other legal holidays, County recorder and Secretary of State shall determine validity of signatures.

•Russell Pearce has five days to resign excluding Saturdays, Sundays and other legal holidays.

•Governor must call a special recall election within fifteen days of filing.

RECALL ELECTION PROCESS: 1. Similar to any other election–The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November (November 8th). 2. Recall ballot has list of candidates running against Russell Pearce. 3. Russell Pearce will be on the ballot for reelection.

Republican Russell Peace won the November, 2010 general election for State Senator by 17,552 votes, and 7,556 signatures are needed to recall him. Read my earlier blog on his election (click here). Pearce was elected State Senate President shortly after his November election. This is his 2nd term in AZ State Senate, having served before in the Arizona House of Representatives.

The campaign also lists the reasons for the recall:

Four Reasons to Recall and Remove Russell Pearce
1. Voted to terminate health care for seniors, struggling families and people with a disability.
2. Opposes the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
3. Voted to require American citizens show a Government ID for emergency care.
4. Opposes access to public education for all Arizona children.

If you want to help by making a donation or have time (Wed. or Sat.) to walk the petitions in Mesa, contact:

Citizens For A Better Arizona, www.recallpearce.com
P.O. Box 41232
Mesa, AZ, 85274-1232

Phone: (480) 748-8991

Email: info@recallpearce.com

Various house parties are being hosted to view this live, but here’s a non-partisan one:

Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is hosting a non-partisan senatorial debate watching party
Where: McMahon’s Steakhouse on Ft. Lowell, 2959 N. Swan Rd.
When: Sunday, September 26, 2010, 6:00 PM

logo

For more info call the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
4420 E. Speedway, #101
Office: (520) 620-0005
www.tucsonhispanicchamber.org

Campaign websites for these candidates:

–Dr. Rodney Glassman, www.rodneyglassman.com
–Jerry Joslyn, www.joslynforsenate.com
–Senator John McCain, www.johnmccain.com
–David Nolan, www.nolan2010.org

Read my previous blog (with photos) on the lesser known Green & Libertarian U.S. Senate candidates (click here).

Dr. Glassman (who served Dec. 2007- April, 2010 on the Tucson City Council) won the Democratic primary on August 24 with 34% of the vote, over 3 challengers– John Dougherty, Dr. Cathy Eden, and Randy Parraz.

Senator John McCain needs no introduction from me, being the 2008 GOP U.S. Presidential nominee and U.S. Senator since 1987 representing Arizona, and U.S. Congressman for 4 years prior to that. McCain easily defeated 2 challengers with 56% of the vote in the GOP primary, over former Congressman J.D. Hayworth and businessman Jim Deakin.

11/22/10 update: Libertarian candidate David Nolan passed away yesterday suddenly (click here).

U.S. Senator John McCain

Today at his Tucson headquarters (2945 E. Grant Road) Senator McCain said to his supporters, including CD 8 candidate Jonathan Paton and Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll, that he hopes for a “great celebration” tomorrow night when he wins the Arizona primary. He thanked his supporters and volunteers, saying that many had “been with him since the beginning”, and he promised for “a time in action in the U.S. Senate” in 2011, as he had “great faith” in our country. Prior to his speech, McCain praised the work done in the Arizona state legislature and in Iraq of former State Senator Jonathan Paton, who incidentally said he met McCain for the first time in Fallujah.

The Senator appeared confident that he would win the Republican primary tomorrow against his challengers, former CD 5 Congressman J.D. Hayworth and Phoenix businessman Jim Deakin. Some say this is his toughest primary challenge in his career.

U.S. Senators have a lot of stature, since there are only 100 of them in America. Being as I used to work on Capitol Hill for fellow U.S. Senator Dan Inouye as a legislative aide on his personal staff, I know what it feels like to be close to their power & influence. And incumbent Senator McCain at age 73, does indeed wield that power & influence on the national and international scene. Incidentally he will be celebrating his 74th birthday in a week, on August 29.

Stay tuned for election results tomorrow on this race, and to find out which Democrat (John Dougherty, Dr. Cathy Eden, Dr. Rodney Glassman, or Randy Parraz) will be the newest challenger in John McCain’s long political career. And read my earlier blog on the Green and Libertarian challengers in this race (click here).

Attending this debate will be:

– John Dougherty, Phoenix freelance investigative reporter, www.johndougherty2010.com
– Dr. Cathy Eden, former Phoenix state house legislator & Director of ASU School of Social work, www.edenforaz.com
– Dr. Rodney Glassman, former Tucson Councilmember/Vice Mayor, www.rodneyglassman.com
– Randy Parraz, Scottsdale attorney doing civil rights/labor organizing work, www.parrazforchange.com

I wrote about these candidates before when they spoke at Democrats of Greater Tucson in Tucson. They have appeared at other state-wide debates on Phoenix TV (July 9 and July 27) and by radio in Yuma (July 21). Check out their websites above for further information on each candidate.

One of these contenders will face off with the Republican winner of the Arizona primary –incumbent U.S. Senator John McCain, or former Congressman J. D. Hayworth, or businessman Jim Deakin. That KUAT debate was held on Saturday July 17 and you can view it below:

Democrats and Independents –Watch this August 5 debate, review the information on the candidates’ websites, and vote wisely on or before August 24! The polls are saying that 46% of the Democrats in Arizona are still undecided about whom to vote for in this primary race.

Early voting started on July 29. Last day to request an early ballot is August 13.

John Dougherty

Dr. Cathy Eden

Dr. Rodney Glassman

Randy Parraz

–Phoenix small businessman Jim Deakin, www.jimdeakin.com
–former Congressman (CD 5) J. D. Hayworth & former talk radio show host in Phoenix, www.jdforsenate.com
–incumbent Senior U.S. Senator John McCain, the 2008 Republican nominee for U.S. President, www.johnmccain.com

Click on their websites above for further information about these candidates.

This Republican TV debate will be held on Saturday, July 17 in Tucson at 7 p.m., hosted by Bill Buckmaster of AZ Illustrated. View this Republican forum on Channel 6, or online live at www.azpm.org (“On Demand” link).

This has been a very contentious race over the past months, and will finally be decided on Tuesday, August 24 (the Arizona primary was moved up from September this year).The Republican winner will face off with the victor of those running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate: John Dougherty, Dr. Cathy Eden, Dr. Rodney Glassman, or Randy Parraz.

(Dougherty is a freelance investigative reporter, Dr. Eden is a former state house legislator and Director of the ASU School of Social Work, Dr.Glassman is a former Tucson Councilmember, and Parraz is a labor organizer/attorney.) Their comparable forum on KUAT is scheduled for Thursday, August 5, 6:30 p.m. so stay tuned for that event as well.

Also running in the general election: Green candidate & small businessman Jerry Joslyn, and Founder of the Libertarian Party David Nolan.

Jim Deakin

J. D. Hayworth

U. S. Senator John McCain

Dr. Cathy Eden

Dr. Cathy Eden, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Arizona will be speaking at Democrats of Greater Tucson (DGT) on August 2.

The other three men running on the Democratic ticket for this race have appeared at DGT before her: Dr. Rodney Glassman on April 19, Randy Parraz on June 21, and John Dougherty on June 28. I reported on these speakers before (click here).

Eden is the Director of the ASU School of Social Work and is a former 2 term state legislator
(LD 25, now LD15) from the Phoenix area. She has a B.S. in political science from Arizona State University, an M.S. in sociology/public administration from Northern Arizona University, and a Ph.D. in organization and management from Capella University, Minneapolis.

For her campaign info: www.edenforaz.com.

DGT meets every Monday (except holidays) at the Dragon View restaurant, 400 N. Bonita Ave., at high noon to hear Democratic politicians, wannabees, community leaders, etc. speak about their work and issues. The Chinese buffet lunch costs $8.50 (includes tax & tip), drink only is $2.50. Their new website: www.tucsondemocrats.org.

And, on August 5th, Channel 6 KUAT AZ Illustrated will be having a debate between all four Democrats (Dougherty, Eden, Glassman, and Parraz) here in Tucson.

One of these four Democrats will win the August 24 primary, and then face off with the winner of the Republican primary — either current Senior U.S. Senator John McCain, former Congressman J. D. Hayworth (CD 5), or businessman Jim Deakin.

Note: There are currently 17 women serving in the 100 member U.S. Senate, the most in our history.

On June 21 Parraz will speak at the weekly luncheon of Democrats of Greater Tucson (DGT) at the Dragon View restaurant located at 400 N. Bonita Ave. (west of the I-10, south of St. Mary’s Rd.) Then Dougherty speaks the following Monday, June 28. Expect Eden to follow thereafter, prior to the August 24 primary.

I wrote about this race on May 6 (click here), as this election on the Democratic ticket heated up. For bios on these three new candidates, go to my previous blog. (Briefly Dr. Eden is a former state legislator & now the Director of the ASU School of Public Affairs, Dougherty is a freelance investigative reporter, and Parraz is a civil rights advocate and labor organizer.)

DGT states that their “mission is to support the Pima County Democratic Party and provide a forum for elected officials, candidates, and other organizations to address area Democrats. Over the years, DGT has hosted legislators, Governors, U.S. Senators, Sheriffs, Congressmen, countless community leaders and activists.” As a social group DGT meets every Monday (except holidays) at 12 noon to 1 p.m., and the cost of the Chinese buffet lunch is $8.50, which includes tax, tip, and a drink. It’s only $2.50 if you want to hear the speaker and order a drink. Membership dues are $10/year.

DGT also have a new website: tucsondemocrats.org and they publish an electronic newsletter which you can sign up for at: democrats.greater.tucson@gmail.com. If you want further info, call President of DGT, Marilyn Freed at 520-298-7316, marilynfreed@aol.com. She was a candidate for the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) Governing Board in 2004.

Stay tuned as to whether there will be any debates between these four Democratic contenders before the August 24 primary. Last week candidate Dougherty challenged the others to debates in Tucson, Phoenix, and Flagstaff, but candidate Glassman (who spoke at DGT on April 19) declined to commit to a debate schedule before the primary. Eden and Parraz said yes, and Garcia is not a contender according to the Arizona Secretary of State’s official website.

candidate John Dougherty

candidate Randy Parraz

–John Dougherty, a Phoenix freelance investigative reporter, with two B.S. degrees in Journalism and Economics from ASU, www.johndougherty2010.com, born & raised in Fairfax, VA

–Rudy Garcia, former City Councilmember and Mayor (8 years) of Bells Gardens, California (population 45,000), www.arizonaonthemove.com, born in Nogales/raised in Douglas, Arizona

–Dr. Rodney Glassman, former Ward 2 Tucson City Councilmember (2 years), Ph.D. (Arid Land Studies) and J.D. from U of A, M.B.A. and M.P.A. from the U of A Eller College of Management, B.S. (Agricultural Economics) from U of A, www.rodneyglassman.com, born & raised in Fresno, California

–Randy Parraz, civil rights advocate & labor organizer, program director of the Transformative Action Institute, J.D. from U.C. Berkeley, M.P.A. from John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, www.parrazforchange.com, born & raised in Sacramento, CA

No forums or debates between these men have been scheduled to date, as Dougherty and Parraz just announced their candidacies recently. Stay tuned prior to the August 24 primary.

And if you want to hear new candidate John Dougherty, drop by The Shanty, 901 E. 9th St. (at 4th Avenue) on Sunday May 9, at 6 – 8 p.m. and listen to him speak to the Drinking Liberally group.

Whoever wins this Democratic primary will face off with either:

Senior Arizona U.S. Senator John McCain (the 2008 Republican U.S. Presidential nominee), or former CD 5 Congressman & radio talk show host J.D. Hayworth of Phoenix.

Another Republican businessman Jim Deakin hasn’t been receiving a lot of attention, but is listed as a U.S. Senate candidate on the Pima County Republican Party candidate website.

5/9/10 UPDATE: Blog for Arizona reports that Democratic former 2 term State House Rep. Dr. Cathy Eden from Phoenix may be running for this seat as well. She served as the Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, and Director of Administration prior to that. Apparently she has considered running for for U.S. Senate before.

More information on Dr. Eden as Director of the ASU School of Public Affairs (click here.) Her campaign website is:
www.edenforaz.com.