From one term Ward 6 Councilman Steve Kozachik’s re-election campaign:

On Wednesday, March 20th, Ward 6 Council Member Steve Kozachik will be joined by the City of Tucson’s four most recent mayors for a campaign kickoff event. Former mayors George Miller, Tom Volgy and Bob Walkup will join current Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild at Borderlands Brewery in downtown Tucson for the event.

Steve Kozachik Campaign Kickoff
Wednesday, March 20, 5:30 – 7:00 P.M.
Borderlands Brewing Company
119 E. Toole Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701

“Borderlands is the perfect venue for this kick-off,” said Kozachik. “It’s the poster child of a successful private sector venture that has quickly grown into a successful downtown business. It is emblematic of the successes we’re seeing in the downtown core, a success story that I’m proud to have been a part of and one that I am excited to continue to support.”

Former Council Member and honorary campaign co-chair Carol West will also be in attendance. Kozachik announced previously that West, Walkup and former United States Surgeon General Richard Carmona will be co-chairing his campaign.

The event marks the first time in recent memory that four mayors, representing two parties have come together in support of a city council candidate. Each mayor offered their own insights into what makes Kozachik an effective leader, deserving of their endorsement.

The current Mayor Jonathan Rothschild (elected 2011) is a Democrat, along with former Mayors Tom Volgy (1987 to 1991) and George Miller (1991 to 1999). Former Mayor Robert Walkup (1999 to 2011) is a Republican.

Councilman Steve Kozachik (aka “Steve K” or “Koz”) is running unopposed for the Ward 6 Council office so far. He was elected to this seat as a Republican and just changed to a Democrat on January 14, 2013.

Two term Ward 3 Councilmember Democrat Karin Uhlich is facing Republican challenger Ben Buehler-Garcia, who ran against her before in 2009. He lost by 175 votes in a three-way race with Councilmember Uhlich and Green candidate Mary DeCamp.

One term Ward 5 Councilmember Democrat Richard Fimbres is facing a Republican challenger as well, political newcomer Mike Polak II, a self employed businessman. Stay tuned for a future post about Polak’s candidacy. He just filed his Statement of Organization on March 6 with the Tucson City Clerk.

Councilman Steve Kozachik Announces His Re-election Campaign

Councilman Steve Kozachik

VoteKoz2013 Campaign Honorary Co-Chairs
Robert Walkup – Former Mayor (R)
Dr. Richard Carmona – Former U.S. Surgeon General (D)
Ms. Carol West – Former Tucson City Council Member (I)

Last week I formally filed papers for re-election to the Tucson City Council, Ward 6 seat. It has been my honor to serve the constituents of this Ward, and of the broader City. I look forward to continuing working on behalf of all residents of the community in the years to come. We’re just putting together the current campaign. You will be hearing more on how it will roll out in the days to come.

Over the course of the past three years I have demonstrated my willingness to study issues individually, and to advocate for policy based on the specific set of facts related to each of them, not being bound by preconceived notions or rigid ideology. The public policy issues we face are too complex to approach the task of governance in any other manner.

Through that process, I have worked with constituents who reflect all political parties. Whether the issues involve business interests, the rights of private property owners, protecting the taxpayers money, labor, or management, my approach has consistently been to listen to the multiple voices as they weigh in on a given issue and work to find the common ground that represents sound public policy.

That approach to governance has resulted in my being in a position to announce today that three highly respected members of our community, each reflecting a different place on the political spectrum have agreed to serve as Honorary Co-Chairs for my campaign. I believe their willingness to attach their names and reputations to my campaign validates the approach that I have taken to create informed and transparent public policy since 2009. I am extremely thankful to Bob Walkup, Dr. Richard Carmona, and Carol West for this showing of support. I am committed to continuing to work in a way that earns their trust, as well as that of the electorate in this community.

Contact
Ann Charles 520-977-5161
VoteKoz2013@gmail.com
rcharles@theriver.com
(520) 977-5161

Also up for re-election this year is 2 term Ward 3 Councilmember Karin Uhlich, who announced her candidacy at Democrats of Greater Tucson (DGT) on Monday, and 1 term Ward 5 Councilmember Richard Fimbres, who is seeking re-election. He is listed as a future speaker at DGT, www.tucsondemocrats.org.

Councilman Kozachik, formerly a Republican and political newcomer, defeated incumbent Democrat Nina Trasoff for the Ward 6 seat in 2009.

All three Councilmembers seeking re-election in 2013 are Democrats.

Az Daily Star editorial board recommends that Arizona voters choose Dr. Richard Carmona (D) to replace Republican junior U.S Senator Jon Kyl (who is retiring). Senator Kyl has served since 1995, and before that as CD 4 Congressman since 1987.

The Tucson Weekly also endorsed political newcomer Dr. Carmona, who served as the 17th Surgeon General of the U.S. under President George W. Bush’s administration. Dr. Carmona was a life-long Independent until he registered as a Democrat last November, 2011.

I knew trauma surgeon Dr. Carmona (slightly) when we were both Commissioners on the now defunct Domestic Violence Commission back in the 1990′s. His campaign website is www.carmonaforarizona.com.

Republican candidate for this U.S. Senate seat is CD 6 Congressman Jeff Flake, who has served in that office since 2003, and for CD 1 in 2001 – 2003. He is the nephew of the late State Senator Jake Flake.

Libertarian candidate is Marc Victor, a criminal defense attorney in Phoenix.

Dr. Richard Carmona

Read the endorsements for yourself, and vote on or before Nov. 6:

Star:http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/editorial/carmona-s-bipartisan-views-will-benefit-all/article_e32337ef-d256-592c-b6f1-db0b580897ff.html

Weekly:http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/the-tucson-weekly-2012-endorsements/Content?oid=3546754