The Associated Press and other national media outlets have declared Congressman Raul Grijalva the winner in Arizona’s Congressional District 7 race. Although Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford has increased her lead over Tea Party challenger Jesse Kelly, the CD8 race is still too close to call.

Three propositions– 110, 112, and 203– also are still too close to call. Prop 110 would make it easier to sell or lease state lands. Prop 112 would shorten the length of time for citizens to file petitions. Prop 203 would make medical marijuana legal in Arizona.

Prop 203 gained some ground, but there are still thousands of ballots to count. According to Arizona Public Media this morning, counting will continue through the weekend. Counties have until November 12 to finalize their election tallies.

For up-to-date results on the propositions, check out this link at the Arizona Daily Star.

According to the map on the Arizona Secretary of State’s website, all of Arizona’s counties have reported their election results from yesterday’s midterm election.

In actuality, Secretary of State Ken Bennett today announced that there are 350,000 early and provisional ballots yet to be counted statewide. Earlier in the day, it appeared as if the Pima County Recorder’s office was the only laggard– with 35,000 early and provisional votes uncounted– but not so, Pima has only 10% of the uncounted ballots.

Why have so many votes not been tallied? Arizona law allows voters to received paper ballots in the mail. They can be dropped in the US Mail for approximately a month, but when voters procrastinate and get too close to the election day, they must deliver their mail-in ballots at any polling place by 7 p.m. on election day.

According to Bennett (who was interviewed on the John C. Scott Show today on The Jolt, 1330AM), approximately 250,000 mail-in ballots were delivered to polling places on election day, and another 80,000+ provisional ballots were issued at the polling places. (A voter is given a provisional ballot for multiple reasons; for example, their address on record doesn’t match their address on the identification or records show they got a mailed ballot.)

According to Bennett, counties have until 10 days after the election to submit their final totals.

So what? Well, there are several races that are very close– most notably Raul Grijalva vs Ruth McClung, Gabrielle Giffords vs Jesse Kelly, Prop 203 (medical marijuana), Prop 110 (state lands trust) and Prop 112 (changing petition deadlines).  Grijalva and Giffords are currently winning by fewer than 5,000 votes, and all three propositions are currently losing by less than 1%.

It ain’t over, folks.

Here’s what you’ve all been waiting for– candidate and proposition endorsements by moi!

For the most part on the candidates, I’m keepin’ it local and not getting into the other legislative districts beyond mine.

For CD8, LD28.
I endorse Democrats + one independent.

Gabrielle Giffords for Congress. I have been calling Gabby’s office and asking for her vote on issues since she was in the Arizona Legislature. She is strong on public health, education, and women’s issues.

Steve Farley and Bruce Wheeler for Arizona House in LD28. Steve has been a voice of reason for many years in the Legislature, and God knows we could use more like him, which is why I also back Bruce.

Dave Ewoldt for Arizona Senate in LD28. This 4-way race for Senate really had me stumped for months. I could have filled out my mail-in ballot the day it arrived, but I couldn’t figure out what to do with this race. After hearing Dave in multiple interviews on the radio, I voted for him. There has been bad blood between Paula Aboud and Ted Downing for years– since she used smear-tactic robo calls against him. (I received them, so I know.) However, this doesn’t give him the right to use nasty ads against her. Greg Krino, the opportunistic Republican who jumped into this mess, is a Jesse Kelly-knock-off and would not appropriately represent this heavily Democratic district.

For statewide offices
I support the Democratic Party candidates. In a “throw the bums out” year– Arizona’s governor, statewide office holders, and Legislative extremists should be at the top of everyone’s list of who to toss out of office. Our state is fighting for the bottom in education and fighting for the top in every measure that points to bad management of the state: poverty, unemployment, budgetary insolvency, rates of incarceration, infant health, teen pregnancy, etc., etc.

Terry Goddard for Governor. We need an intelligent leader for governor — not a puppet who is controlled by lobbyists and beholden to the private prison industry. Terry would offer us some sanity and a firewall between the wacky state Legislature and the rest of us poor souls.

Chris Deschene for Secretary of State. Chris is an upright guy– a former Marine officer, an engineer, a lawyer, a small-businessman, and family man. He also is running against a puppet controlled by lobbyists. His opponent, the current appointed Secretary of State, also allowed Maricopa County Republicans to pick up homeless people from Mill Avenue and put them on the ballot as fake Green Party candidates. (There’s real voter fraud.)

Penny Kotterman for Superintendent of Public Instruction. This is one of the most crucial races for our state because it will shape the future of our children. Kotterman’s opponent has a history of voting against education in the Arizona Legislature for 18 years. He is one of the reasons we are at the bottom.

Felicia Rottelini for Attorney General. Felicia is a fireball of energy. She has run major legal departments and successfully tried one of the state’s most famous fraud cases in Arizona history. Her opponent, on the other hand, is barred from the Securities and Exchange Commission for committing fraud.

Andrei Cherny for State Treasurer. Andrei is another rising star– a former assistant Attorney General who has a background in economics. The current state treasurer has shown no leadership as our state has sunk further and further into debt.

On the propositions
The back of your ballot is FILLED with propositions– don’t forget to turn it over.

A quick-and-dirty way to look at this if you are a progressive is to vote “NO” on everything proposed by the Arizona Legislature. This would be “NO” all of the 100s and 300s, which is what I did. The 400s were put on the ballot by the City of Tucson (400, 401) and Tucson Unified School District (402). I reluctantly voted “yes” on the Core Tax (400) but “NO” on the other 2.

The only proposition that was put on the ballot by the people of Arizona is 203– medical marijuana. Vote “Hell, Yes!” on this one. It’s time to allow patients to use an affordable, natural product to reduce their pain and suffering related to chronic or terminal illness.

Three of the more heinous propositions are 106, 107, and 302
Props 106 and 107 were put on the ballot by outside groups with gobs of money.

Prop 106, Arizona’s Health Care Freedom Act, allows Arizona voters to opt out of nationwide healthcare reform. Funded almost entirely by special interest groups from outside of Arizona, this is one of those propositions that sounds good but isn’t. Arizonans voted this proposition down before, but the backers have enough money to try again. Here is an except from their website:

Arizona’s Health Care Freedom Act disrupts this theft of liberty and makes real health care reform possible – by ensuring that any solution begins not with appeasing industry, but by listening to patients.

Let me go on the record as someone who would have preferred single-payer, universal healthcare (oooooo…spooky…socialism!) This quote sounds like that, but it isn’t. Basically, when they say “health care freedom” they mean “you’re on your own” and no one is going to bail you out. Remember Sicko? Healthcare reform saves money, covers more people, and eliminates pre-existing conditions. Vote NO on 106!

Prop 107, Arizona Civil Rights Initiative is another one that sounds good but isn’t and is another one funded by special interest groups from outside of Arizona. Proposition 107 is the brainchild of white supremisist Ward Connerly. It would prohibit all programs that offer women, girls, and people of color equal opportunity in education, business contracting, and employment. Supporters of this measure have been shopping it around to different states; it has passed in some and failed in others. Connerly, who is from California, put it on the ballot first there. Since it passed, diversity among California’s college students has dropped dramatically. Vote NO on 107!

Prop 302, Arizona First Things First Program Repeal is an attempt by the Arizona Legislature to steal more money from Arizona children because they failed to balance the budget (despite Governor Brewer’s contention that they did). The First Things First Program benefits children and families and was created by a ballot initiative several years ago. It is fully funded by the tobacco tax. Since the Arizona Legislature refuses to make tough choices about Arizona’s eschewed tax system and wants to continue the trickle down economics welfare to the rich, they have to find money somewhere. Unfortunately, kids don’t vote, so they are a favorite target of the Arizona Legislature. Vote NO on 302 and keep one of the last pro-children programs left in Arizona.

The Tucson Weekly and the Pima County Democratic Party have issued their ballot endorsements. (Click on these links to find them.) For the most part, they agree, but the Weekly votes no on the city charter changes (Prop 401), and the Dems changed their minds last week and are now endorsing it. (Boo.)

VOTE! If you don’t know where to go to vote, check out the Pima County Recorder’s website. Don’t forget to bring picture identification that lists the address where you are registered. If you have a mailed paper ballot, fill it out and bring it to a polling place today– don’t mail it.

Every race is important on November 2 because our country and our state are at a crossroads. (All together now, “Duh.”)

But one race that will shape the future of our state is Superintendent of Public Instruction. Democrat Penny Kotterman (who has been a teacher for 18 years) is running against Republican John Huppenthal (who has been a politician in the Arizona Legislature for 18 years). That one statement probably helped my indecisive progressive readers make up their minds, but for the rest of you, I will “write on”.

To put it simply, a vote for Kotterman is a vote for the children of Arizona. A vote for Huppenthal is a vote for right-wing ideology + for-profit schools. (For an issue by issue breakdown on the vast differences between Kotterman and Huppenthal, check out this article on AZCentral.)

My biggest gripe with Huppenthal is that he would not support 84% of the children under his care (shudder) as Superintendent. Huppenthal is all into charter and private schools, but 84% of Arizona’s students attend public schools. Huppenthal also favors white-washing education in Arizona at all levels.

On charter schools, grom Blog for Arizona:

Huppenthal loves to talk about “school choice,” which is a euphemism for backdoor vouchers like private school tuition tax credits as well as straight-up private school vouchers, both of which he supports. If you want to see Hupp get enthusiastic, watch his eyes light up when he talks about private schools and home schooling. His eyes shine when he talks about charter schools as well. Traditional schools? He can take ‘em or leave ‘em. And if he was given his druthers, he and many other Republicans would leave ‘em with minimal funds and minimal support…

Of the 6 accomplishments he lists [on his giant publicity sign], two are about private and home schools, one is about charter schools, one is about deaf and blind kids, and one is about kids with autism. The sixth brags that he helped create the justly maligned English language immersion program for ELL students.

Accomplishments about bringing more funds or better programs to the vast majority of students in traditional public schools? Not a whisper When Hupp was talking to his anti-traditional-public-school base during the primaries, he avoided public schools like the plague.

Beyond the charter school issue, state Republicans like Huppenthal and soon-to-be former Superintendent of Public Instruction (and hopefully unemployed) Tom Horne aren’t satisfied with targeting Tucson Unified School District’s (TUSD) ethnic studies programs. Huppenthal vowed to target the “ethnic studies” and education departments at the University of Arizona, according to the Capitol Times, Arizona Public Media, and Blog for Arizona.

Well, Johnny, I hate to break this to you, but there isn’t an “ethnic studies” program or department at the UA. There are departments and classes that teach students about diverse groups– Mexican American Studies,  Latin American Studies, Africana Studies, East Asian Studies, Native American Studies, Native American Languages, Judaic Studies, Chinese Studies, Japanese Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, and Women’s Studies.  There also has been quite a bit of academic discussion about the state’s assault on “ethnic studies” and low self-esteem among Mexican American students, genocide, HB 2281 itself, and more. (Those elitists!)

Are these the departments you want to white wash? Is this the free speech you want to silence? In a diverse world, isn’t it important for people to learn about each other and talk with each other as equals?

Oh, wait, I forgot. Free speech and open communication across races and cultures won’t work because we might actually find common ground and ruin Republican talking points that demonize “the other.”

If you know a child in public school in Arizona, vote for Penny Kotterman on November 2 because she cares about their future.

One of the more moving performances at yesterday’s Democratic Volunteer Party was Salvador Duran singing “Teritoria,” a song he wrote for Democratic Gubernatorial candidateTerry Goddard.

In a week, it will all be over– the canvasing, the phone-banking, the TV and radio ads.

In this final week, Democratic Gubernatorial candidate and Attorney General Terry Goddard (and others, of course) will be making the final push.

From the Goddard campaign, here is a list of events coming up this week.

Tuesday, October 26

Street Rally for Goddard with Rep. Olivia Cajero-Bedford

Representative Cajero-Bedford has turned her truck into a huge Goddard billboard!  Bring a friend and take an hour to chat and wave signs – it is fun and shows our support!

When: 6:45 – 8:15 AM

Where: 1183 W Valencia, in the parking lot of Payless shoes.

Making Arizona Work Tour — Saving Tourism

Come hear about the future of tourism, the impact of the loss of the Heritage funds, and the importance of state parks for the economy with Terry Goddard and Chris Deschene at San Xavier Mission del Bac.

When: 1:00 pm

Where: Plaza, San Xavier Mission del Bac, 1950 W. San Xavier Rd.

Rally for Democratic Unity with Senator Mark Udall

Come hear Senator Udall, son of our famous Mo Udall, together with Terry Goddard, Gabrielle Giffords and other Democratic candidates

When: 5:00 – 6:00 pm

Where: Democratic Party Headquarters, 4639 E. 1st St.

Cycling for Goddard

Join the Community Bike Ride and show your support for Goddard! Bring your bike, bike light, helmet — we’ll bring Goddard shirts, stickers, buttons, and signs.

When: 8:00 PM

Where: Meet in front of the Starbucks on University Blvd, 802 E University (come a little early to decorate your bike!).

Wednesday, October 27

Paint your car for Goddard!

Come and paint your car (with soap) with pro-Goddard messages! Only one week left to show why this election is important — and it is SO effective! Please come and create your own message!

When: 4:30 – 5:30 PM

Where: Parking lot at 48 N Tucson Blvd. (just north of Broadway)

Thursday, October 28

Get Out the Vote Begins!

We need 1000 volunteer shifts for phone and 1000 volunteer shifts for walking.

This means you! Come on by the office and help with the final push for the last five days!

When: 10 am – 8 pm

Where: Staging locations across Tucson – call us for the closest to you! (520) 326-3716

Street Rally for Goddard with Rep. Olivia Cajero-Bedford

This is the last opportunity to help Terry on the streets (beside canvassing)! Come help gather support and create excitement by waving at passersby. Bring a friend and take an hour to chat and wave signs – it is fun and shows our support!

When: 3:00 – 4:30 PM

Where: The Northeast corner of Valencia and Nogales Highway.

Old hippies, retirees, brown people, artists, musicians, college students, gays, lesbians, transvestites, and even people with multiple tattoos. At the Democratic Volunteer Party today, CD8 Republican challenger Jesse Kelly’s worst nightmare was on display– a diverse and multi-cultural Arizona.

CD8 Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords hosted the volunteer party which featured several local bands and between-band DJ services by Democratic candidates, including Giffords. (Hey, girlfriend, about that record collection…)

By any measure, the event was a rousing success. Invitations were distributed through facebook and to be “guarantee” entrance to the event, you had to sign up to volunteer. At the event they announced that 250 people had promised to volunteer for 3 hours each in these waning days of the midterm election season. Hundreds of Democrats filled the Hotel Congress patio to hear some of the best musicians in Arizona– headliner Sergio Mendoza y la Orkesta with Salvador Duran and guests Joey Burns and John Convertino of Calexico. They say one picture is worth, or here are some pictures from today.

CD8 Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords will host a party and BBQ at Hotel Congress for Democratic Party volunteers tomorrow, October 24 from noon to 5:30 p.m.

Democrats are pulling out all the stops to mobilize volunteers and make the last push toward November 2. To get into this free concert, you have to volunteer.

The concert will feature Sergio Mendoza y la Orkesta, Salvador Duran, Calexico, Molehill Orkestrah, and others. Giffords also will address the audience on the patio outside the Hotel Congress at 311 E. Congress Street.

You can sign up to volunteer in advance or at the event.

The Democrats need every vote we can get to take the state and the country back from the crazies who want to destroy it by eliminating Social Security, the minimum wage, the healthcare safety net. Don’t forget to vote!

Attorney General, Democratic candidate for governor, and Wildcat alum, Terry Goddard will appear at a pre-game meet and greet today, Saturday, October 23.

The Goddard event will be from 5-6:30 p.m. at The Shanty, at the corner of 4th Ave. and 9th St. Stop by before the University of Arizona homecoming game and shake the hand of our next governor.

Will the zombies outnumber red-shirted wildcat fans?

The Roberts’ Court ruling overturning campaign finance laws in January 2010 opened the gates for corporations to flood the 2010 midterm election with cash… anonymously. Hundreds of millions of dollars in secret funds are being pumped into media markets across the nation in order to defeat progressive candidates and stop the progressive agenda in Washington, DC.

Right here in our own backyard, small government advocate Grover Norquist created a $230,000 TV attack ad for politically-untested, 28-year-old, Tea Party darling Ruth McClung, who is challenging CD7 Congressman Raul Grijalva.

If you connect the dots, you can see that local big businesses are using money and influence to change our local government, change the way we hold local elections, control key political positions, and basically take over Tucson. Here is the evidence…

1. The Southern Arizona Leadership Council (SALC), a group made up of the richest businessmen in Southern Arizona, is sponsoring Prop 401. This proposition– if passed by voters on November 2– would change to the Tucson City Charter  and make the unelected city manager the most powerful person in Tucson; increase the power of the Mayor; diminish the power of the City Council (while giving them a 155% pay raise to roll over); and change the City Council election cycle, enabling all Council members to be elected in the same year (and also enabling people with enough money to sweep the Council).
2. If you follow the Prop 401 money trail, you will see that there are several donations of $1000-$10,000 and almost no donations under $100. The moneyed backers include Tucson Association of Realtors, Diamond Ventures, Jim Click, several other car dealers and developers, and many other businesses. (Although the Yes on 401 advertising says that unions back Prop 401, there are no union donations.)
3. It was revealed this week in the Tucson Citizen that Raytheon’s political action committee made one campaign contribution in this election cycle– $15,000 to Yes on Prop 401. (Raytheon belongs to SALC. Ov course, thanks again to the Roberts’ Court, Raytheon probably also made other anonymous donations.)
4. On last week’s All Things Political talk radio show hosted by former City Councilman Steve Leal on AM 1330 we learned that SALC sided with the Arizona Legislature in a lawsuit against the City of Tucson. (Click the link to hear the audio from the radio show.) In the last legislative session, the Arizona Legislature passed a law forcing the City of Tucson to hold non-partisan elections. The City of Tucson is suing the Legislature over this law that specifically targets Tucson, and SALC is a co-defendant in the suit. Tucson voters have rejected non-partisan, ward-only elections more than once at the ballot box. Now the Arizona Legislature and SALC are trying to shove it down our throats. (Unfortunately, this is nothing new; SALC has a history of trying to manipulate Tucson and Southern Arizona.)
5. SALC is in the process of installing their vice president, John Pedicone (1, 2), as the new superintendent of Tucson Unified School District. SALC has a side project– Tucson Values Teachers– which encourages private citizens to buy schools supplies and gift cards for teachers. Helping and valuing teachers is a noble cause, but I find it ironic that the richest men in Southern Arizona are asking the rest of us for financial support. Also, no where on the TVT website does it say that they value public education. What would Pedicone do as superindent of TUSD? Will he be a champion for public education? This is unclear. Who does SALC back for state superintendent of public instruction? I have hunted around for the answer to that question but couldn’t find the answer. Do they favor Republican John Huppenthal, who as a state legislator worked to dismantle public education? Or Democrat Penny Kotterman, a life-long educator and advocate for children?
6. Not stopping with trying to take over city government and TUSD, a Raytheon employee– Ruth McClung– is running for Congress in Congressional District 7. McClung and her husband both work for our local defense contractor. (Interestingly enough, McClung campaigns against big government spending, while being supported 100% by big government spending.) I’m sure it would be a sweet deal for SALC and Raytheon to have an inexperienced, young Congresswoman at their disposal.  (Also, don’t forget that Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup is a retired Raytheon big-wig.)

Personally, I think this is chilling evidence of a local coup in the making. It shows that these local moneyed forces are working behind the scenes at several levels to change Tucson. Is democracy for sale? I hope not. For more on this topic, check out this link to today’s version of All Things Political.