James H. Kelley, former Chair of LD 29 Republican party and former blogger “The Cholla Jumps” here at Tucsoncitizen.com and on his own, has taken out papers to run against Democratic District 2 Pima County Supervisor Ramon Valadez, who is Chairman of the board.

James H. Kelley

Kelley is a Transportation specialist for Renzenberger Inc. and “provides reliable safe transportation solutions to Union Pacific Railroad Personnel,” and is a former U.S. Navy intelligence analyst. He was Chair of the LD 29 Republican Party for four years until November 2011 and has his B.S. degree in Sociology from the University of the State of New York in Albany. He has also worked as a substitute teacher and real estate broker.

Kelley just applied unsuccessfully to be appointed by this Pima County Board of Supervisors to be the Independent replacement for LD 29 House Rep. Daniel Patterson, who resigned on April 11, 2012. A five member citizens committee considered Kelley’s application along with nine others, but Kelley did not make the final list of 3 nominees, from which the Board of Supervisors chose attorney Nick Fontana on April 23.

Kelley had temporarily changed his voter registration to Independent on April 11, applied for the vacant LD 29 seat, and changed back to Republican on April 30,2012.

Kelley will be formally announcing his candidacy on Monday on KVOI 1030 AM radio.

Democratic Chair Ramon Valadez was appointed to the Board of Supervisors in September 2003, was a former LD 29 State Senator and LD 10 House Representative (since 1996). Valadez was also born & raised in Tucson.

Drinking Liberally Tucson has been meeting for quite a while on Sundays at 6 p.m. at The Shanty, 401 E. 9th St., NE corner of N. 4th Avenue and E. 9th Street.

Starting Wednesday March 28 they are moving these weekly meetings to Wednesdays, same time, same place. The change is due to membership request, especially from those who disliked Sunday nights out. So no Drinking Liberally on Sunday March 25.

The group usually invites “liberal” speakers (Democrats, Greens, Independents) but has upon occasion invited Republicans. A few weeks ago my husband and I, along with about 20 people waited for Republican CD 8 House candidate Martha McSally to show, but her campaign cancelled due to miscommunications.

Last August I attended a debate there at Drinking Liberally between Green Mayoral candidates Dave Croteau & Mary DeCamp.

Local chapter website: www.livingliberallytucson.org. Living Liberally national website: www.livingliberally.org.

Drinking Liberally is a place for citizens to indulge in the pleasures of democracy: conversation, debate, socializing, networking, rabble-rousing, and just enjoying the company of your fellow citizens. The idea of an American Republic was born in the taverns of the American colonies. We strongly believe that the dreams that shape tomorrow’s America will also be born in our taverns, among everyday folks like you and me.

These meetings usually feature a speaker, then a Q & A period, and end by 9 p.m. (or so), and they do not encourage driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Keeping on top of who’s in and who’s out of the race for Mayor of Tucson can be challenging with several changes last week.

As of today (May 17) with nomination petitions due 5 p.m. on June 1st to the Tucson City Clerk, here’s the current slate.

IN (in order of initial filing of paperwork with Tucson City Clerk‘s office):

–Republican Shaun McClusky, former candidate for Ward 5 Council office in 2009, chaired anti-Prop 400 sales tax campaign in 2010; a realtor, www.voteshaun.com

–Democrat Jonathan Rothschild (already submitted 3283 signatures, the maximum for his party), attorney & political newcomer; www.jonathanformayor.com

–Republican Ron Asta, former Democratic District 1 Pima County Supervisor (1972-1976), ran for Mayor in 1983 as a Democrat against Republican then-current Mayor Lew Murphy & got 36.4% of the vote; a land planner, www.ronasta4mayor.com

–Democrat Marshall Home (formerly registered as an Independent & Republican), a self-reported “multi-billionaire”, political newcomer

–Green Dave Croteau, former candidate for Pima County Sheriff (2000) and Mayor (2007– he’s the only one that challenged Mayor Bob Walkup in that race & got 28% of the vote, no Democrat or Libertarian ran); a community activist

–Independent Pat Darcy, former candidate for Mayor in the 4-way Democratic primary of 1999 (Councilmember Molly McKasson won that race over Councilmember Janet Marcus, Betsy Bolding, and Darcy– who got 8.6% of the vote–, but then Molly lost to Republican Bob Walkup, then a political newcomer); a realtor and former major league baseball player (pitcher for Cincinnati Reds)

Darcy had been considering a bid since March (click here for earlier blog) but only registered as an Independent on April 1, 2011, and took out paperwork with the City Clerk on Friday May 13, 2011 to run for Mayor. He has been registered as a Democrat since 1971 per Chris Roads (Deputy Recorder & Registrar of Voters) at the Pima County Recorder’s Office.

OUT:

–Democrat Thomas Lombardi, a hall monitor at Mt. View High School, political newcomer (withdrew)

–Green Jon McLane, a businessman & political newcomer who withdrew last week & endorsed Republican Shaun McClusky

Democratic Mayoral candidates need between 1642 and 3283 signatures, Republicans between 1060 and 2119, and Green Party candidates only 17 to 32 signatures to qualify to run for the office of Mayor.

Independents (Nomination Other Than by Primary-NOP) only qualify for the Mayoral General election ballot (no primary) but need to get 2596 signatures by June 1st. “Any registered voter can sign the petition for an NOP candidate as long as they have not already signed a petition for another candidate running for the same office” according to the 2011 Candidate Information Pamphlet issued by the Tucson City Clerk. The number of valid signatures on the NOP petition must be equal to at least 3% of the total number of registered voters who are not members of a qualified political party (Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Green) — as of 3/1/11.

Stay tuned for any other changes in the next weeks before the filing deadline. I hear other rumors of other potential candidates…and no woman is running as yet.