ARIZONA LOCAL ELECTIONS: Winning Some and the Future
Progressive Majority is one of the strongest and most successful progressive grassroots organizations out there. I have been pushing a few of their Arizona candidates in my own newsletter and two of them just won historic victories. I want to share those two victories with you and introduce you to some new Progressive Majority candidates in Arizona. Remember, this is John McCain's state, so our wins there are particularly sweet.
Corey Woods
Candidate for Tempe City Council - At Large (Challenger)
WE WON!!!
Progressive Majority candidate Corey Woods made history this May, when he became the first African-American elected to Corey Woodsthe Tempe, Arizona City Council in its 114-year history!
Corey's election, along with the election of fellow Democrat Joel Navarro, also power-shifts the Tempe City Council to a progressive majority!
Congratulations, Corey!
Corey's historic victory was the result of two years of hard work and strategic campaigning. Progressive Majority helped Corey develop his stump speech and created his campaign and fundraising plan. He knocked on thousands of doors and developed key community relationships by serving on numerous city and community boards. On his way to victory, Corey soundly defeated conservative incumbent Vice-Mayor Hut Hutson.
Marquisha Griffin
Candidate for Maricopa City Council - At Large (Challenger)
WE WON!!!
We won this seat in May as well! Congratulations to Marquisha!
Marquisha Griffin is a 32-year-old candidate seeking a seat on the nonpartisan Maricopa City Council. She is the only female and the only person of color on the city council. Three seats are open on the council - two incumbents are seeking re-election and six additional candidates have filed. Marquisha is currently serving her third term on the City of Maricopa Planning and Zoning Commission. She volunteers at local charity events and city sponsored activities and is currently employed by the City of Mesa as a City Council Assistant to its council. The incumbent, Kelly Haddad, may be removed from the ballot for soliciting nominating petition signatures from city employees at city hall.
Don Jorgensen
Candidate for Arizona State Assembly - District 26 (Open Seat)
Northern Tuscon and Oro Valley
Don Jorgensen, Ph.D., is running for an open seat in the Arizona House of Representatives Legislative District 26. He is a small business owner who serves on the Board of the Compass Healthcare Foundation and the Tucson/Pima County Commission on Addiction, Prevention, and Treatment. He has also served on the Arizona State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners, the YMCA of Metropolitan Tucson and is the former President of Great Tucson Leadership. In 2006, farm team member Lena Saradnik picked up this seat for the Democrats when an ultraconservative Republican emerged from the primary. Three Republicans have filed to run at this time; two are far right-wingers and one is positioning himself as a moderate.
Click here to support and learn more about Don.
HERE ARE SOME NEW NAMES:
Angela Cotera
Candidate for State Senate - District 12 (Open Seat)
Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Goodyear, Litchfield Park
Angela Cotera is an astrophysicist seeking office for the first time. She is running for the Senate in District 12. This district is in the fast-growing far western portion of Maricopa County and is part of our strategic plan. It includes the town of Avondale where last fall we fielded Marie Lopez Rogers in her successful race for mayor. While it is technically an open seat, ultra-conservative John Nelson, who is term-limited out of his Assembly seat, is attempting to trade seats with conservative Robert Blendu, the current Senate incumbent. In 2006, no Democrat ran for the Senate in District 12. Angela, grew up in Flagstaff. She holds a Ph.D. in applied physics from Stanford University and is a research astrophysicist for the Carl Sagan Center, SETI Institute. She has volunteered in schools for years to bring her passion for astronomy to students. She and her husband have lived in Avondale since 1991. During the 2006 elections, her frustration with elected political leaders at the local, state and national levels compelled her to run for office to change the political landscape of Arizona. Angela will provide representation to Arizona's Latino/a community as a Latina State Senator. She is running as a participating candidate under the Arizona Clean Elections law.
Ted Maish
Candidate for State Senate - District 20 (Challenger)
Portions of Phoenix, Tempe, and Chandler
Ted Maish is a first-time candidate running for the State Senate in District 20. He is a precinct committee member and former teachers' union leader. He is challenging incumbent John Huppenthal, who is waging some of the right wing's most destructive battles. Huppenthal is one of the architects of a school voucher policy that was designed to undermine funding for public schools while providing a significant tax loophole to Arizona corporations. Legislative District 20 is one of the Democratic Party's top targets in 2008, as it is the most Democratic district in the state in which Republicans hold all three seats (two House, one Senate). Ted will bring a strong pro-labor voice to the legislature. He will also be a tireless advocate for Arizona's teachers and schoolchildren who suffer in some of the most under-funded classrooms in the country. Ted also advocates for healthcare reform to make Arizona a leader in protecting children, seniors, and working families.
Click here to support and learn more about Ted.
Shawn Hutchinson
Candidate for State Representative - District 9 (Open Seat)
Northwest Maricopa County, including Peoria, Glendale and Sun City
Shawn Hutchinson is a first-time candidate and union member running for the Arizona House of Representatives. This district will have one incumbent and one conservative held open seat. For Arizona House races, the top two finishers among the two Democratic and the two Republican candidates are elected. We recruited Shawn in August 2007 when we were working with his brother-in-law, John Williams, who ran successfully for the Surprise City Council. The incumbent in Shawn's race, Rick Murphy, is a right-wing conservative who is unpopular in his own caucus. Shawn is a third generation International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) member and sits on the executive board of IBEW 640. He and his wife, a school teacher, have three daughters. He is running under Arizona's Clean Elections law.
Click here to support and learn more about Shawn.
David Scanlon
Candidate for State Representative - District 12 (Open Seat)
Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Goodyear, Litchfield Park
For the last 17 years, David Scanlon has served on the Pendergast School Board. He is running for the first time for the State House seat in District 12. This district is in the fast-growing far western portion of Maricopa County. In 2006, no Democrats ran in the district. David will face one of three ultra-conservative Republicans vying for the seat. He is an attorney and his wife is a public school teacher. As a school board member, David brought a stringed instrument program to the school at no taxpayer cost. Under his leadership, all schools in the district will have gymnasiums for use both during the school day and also for after school programs and summer usage. As an attorney, he has represented the elderly and people with disabilities against those who would take financial advantage. As a legislator, he will use his knowledge to tighten the law and fight to protect these very vulnerable members of our society. He is a participating Clean Elections candidate.
Click here to support and learn more about David.
Pat Fleming
Candidate for State Representative - District 25 (Open Seat)
Bisbee, Douglas, Gila Bend, Marana, and Nogales
Progressive Majority fielded Pat for her in her first bid for the House in District 25 in 2006 against an entrenched incumbent. While unsuccessful, Pat ran a great race and is running again, this time for an open seat. Pat is a retired member of AFGE, the federal government employees union. District 25 is a sprawling rural district that runs along much of the Mexican border where illegal crossing is occurring. Pat is retired from the Department of the Defense, where she oversaw multi-million dollars budgets. She is a Clean Elections candidate.
Click here to support and learn more about Pat.
Andrea Dalessandro
Candidate for State Representative - District 30 (Open Seat)
Southern Pima County, Santa Cruz County, Cochise County
Andrea Dalessandro is a first-time candidate running for the House of Representatives in District 30, which has two open seats currently held by Republicans. Andrea is a graduate of Emerge, our partner organization. She is a certified public accountant and a former high school math teacher. For Arizona House races, the top two finishers among the two democratic and the two republican primary victors are elected. Andrea is the only Democrat running for the House. Four Republicans are running for two slots on the general election ballot. Two are running as participating Clean Elections candidates and two are running traditionally. This race is viable due in large part to Andrea's tireless campaigning in the last year.
Click here to support and learn more about Andrea.
Ed Hermes
Candidate for Maricopa County Supervisor - District 1 (Challenger)
Ed Hermes is running for the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, District 1. Ed is a 23-year-old up-and-coming politician with a very bright future. At his young age, he has already served two years on the Arizona Board of Regents, which oversees Arizona's university system, and has been an outspoken and prominent advocate for students facing double-digit percentage tuition increases. Ed also served as political director of Ironworkers 75 and has applied to join SEIU. He currently serves as the Director of External Affairs for the Arizona Department of Agriculture, where he oversees the communication, legislative affairs and community outreach for the department. Ed's opponent is a three-term incumbent with strong ties to anti-environment developers and has never faced a competitive election. Ed's campaign will focus on holding the Board of Supervisors accountable for out-of-control spending, government waste, and failure to exercise oversight over other scandal-ridden Republican officials.
Click here to support and learn more about Ed.
Rick Heumann
Candidate for Chandler City Council - At Large (Open Seat)
Rick Heumann, who is running for the Chandler City Council, is a long-time resident of Chandler and has been active in the community for more than 20 years. Rick has served eight years on the city planning and zoning commission, has served on several other city commissions, and has been president of a large homeowner's association. Chandler is a conservative community east of Phoenix, but a well-run progressive campaign can succeed there. Progressive Majority candidate Trinity Donovan was the top vote-getter in Chandler's elections two years ago, and as the lone progressive on the council, she now she needs help to move forward a progressive agenda. On the council, Rick will advocate smart and sustainable growth policies, expansion of mass transit, and a greater emphasis on parks and other city services that increase quality of life.
Click here to support and learn more about Rick.
Robin Stamp
Candidate for Madison Elementary School Board - At Large (Open Seat)
Robin Stamp is a first-time candidate for the Madison Elementary School District Governing Board. Robin, 30, was a Fellow at the Center for Progressive Leadership and works for the Arizona Attorney General's office in its consumer outreach division.
Robin is dedicated to safer schools for our children. In his position as an Outreach Coordinator for the Attorney General, Robin has extensive experience working with students, teachers, administrators, and parents on school safety.
Robin understands the importance of a supportive work environment for Arizona's educators. One of Robin's primary goals is to attract and retain top teachers in Madison School District. Robin's vision is for the district to be the leader in 21st century education, and he believes we must educate our children to be leaders and innovators in the new global economy.
Click here to support and learn more about Robin.
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Election 2008 | local elections | Arizona | Democratic Party | Progressive Majority
ignore my typos..
Submitted by John Lewis Mealer (not verified) on 15 June 2008 - 5:53pm.
Last I checked, I was human to an extent!
But seriously... We need McCain's 3R plan.
Just think of the greatness it will do for all Americans!
Absurd
Submitted by mole333 on 16 June 2008 - 3:13pm.
Look, you can like McCain's energy policy, such as it is. Personally I see him voting so solidly with oil interests that his energy policy seems precisely like Bush's. But we can argue whose energy policy is better, if you like.
But... to call McCain a "progressive" is absurd. Patently absurd. And to compare McCain's pro-Bush policies on labor, tax breaks for the top 1% and subsidies for big business to Theodore Roosevelt is even more absurd. For the record, the current Theodore Roosevelt (IV, I think) has ebdorsed Obama. And his father (TR III, I think) was head of the League of Conservation voters, which rates McCain's voting record on the environment very poorly.
John McCain is currently doing all he can to endear himself to outright extremists. No progressive positions coming from his mouth now.
And let's look at McCain's voting record on progressive issues: (from Project Vote Smart)
He is rated from poor to mediocre by pro-farmer organizations:
National Farmers Union 0 percent in 2005-2006
National Farmers Union 44 percent in 2003-2004
National Farmers Union 25 percent in 2001-2002
National Farmers Union 11 percent in 1999-2000
Minnesota Farm Bureau 33 percent in 2001-2002
Nothing progressive in being anti-farmer!
Now let's look at education:
In 2007 National Education Association gave Senator McCain a grade of F
National Education Association 0 percent in 2005-2006.
National Parent Teacher Association 7 percent in 2003-2004
National Parent Teacher Association 40 percent in 2001-2002.
Nothing progressive in being anti-education.
On energy issues, he is rated poorly by the Campaign for America's Future: only 17% percent in 2005-2006.
Environmental issues (for which Theodore Roosevelt and his direct descnedents are best known):
League of Conservation Voters's: Senator McCain received a rating of 0 in 2007, 29 percent in 2006, 45 percent in 2005.
How about Civil Liberties and Civil Rights:
In 2007 American Civil Liberties Union gave Senator McCain a grade of 50, 33 percent in 2005-2006.
The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights gave McCain 15 percent in 2007, 15 percent in 2006, 6 percent in 2005.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People gave McCain 7 percent in 2005-2006 and 15 percent in 2003-2004.
National Council of La Raza gave McCain 0 percent in 2005.
How about labor issues (another one of TR's big ones):
AFL-CIO gave McCain 0 percent in 2007 and 7 percent in 2006.
Service Employees International Union gave McCain 8 percent in 2007.
United Auto Workers gave McCain 0 percent in 2007 and 2006.
Utility Workers Union of America gave Senator McCain a grade of 50.
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers gave McCain 12 percent in 2006.
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers gave McCain 20 percent in 2006.
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 13 percent in 2005-2006.
How about Seniors Issues:
Alliance for Retired Americans gave McCain 0 percent in 2007, 20 percent in 2006 and 2005.
On Social issues:
NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby gave McCain a rating of 37% in 2007 and 11 percent in 2006 and 0 percent in 2005. Maybe this is why McCain sought out the anti-Catholic Hagee?
The Drum Major Institute for Public Policy gave McCain 25 percent in 2005 and 17 percent in 2004.
Mennonite Central Committee gave McCain 25 percent in 2005.
Let's look at Veterans issues:
Disabled American Veterans gave McCain 20 percent in 2006, 25 percent in 2005 and 50 percent in 2004.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Senator McCain a grade of D in 2006.
The Retired Enlisted Association gave McCain 18 percent in 2006 and 0 percent in 2004.
The American Legion gave McCain 50 percent in 2003.
So on all these progressive issues McCain does either poorly or, at best, mediocre. There is no way you can claim McCain is progressive in any way, shape or form.
McCain is a PROGRESSIVE conservative in all shape and form...
Submitted by JL MEALER (not verified) on 10 July 2008 - 3:13am.
I think your problem is that you are pulling your numbers from some wierd liberal blog site or Obama's anti-working class site.
When you realize that McCain is the man we need this coming presidential election...
I hope it won't be too late. You'll hate yourself in the morning and might need to find a job after a few months of Obama the anti-working class elitist.
Compare McCain with Theodore Roosevelt as conservative progressive (tough and his way or the highway) and not FDR who was hide behind the big guys progressive in a liberal way leader.
JOHN McCAIN’S 3R ECONOMIC PLAN 2008
Abbreviated version
Republican Candidate John McCain with a progressive outlook, comes through for America with his 3R economic plan.
NUTS AND BOLTS of the plan are simple.
RETHINK REFORM REINVENT
As Americans we must Rethink our role as the new leader of industrial nations while we Reform our mindset of what best benefits not only the US Economy but the world economy. We must always keep in mind that a stronger America is a Stronger World and we MUST always make it first and foremost to own a stake in what matter most.
Americans must Reinvent our national approach to regain our strength as the global leader in this new McCain 3R Phase of USA manufacturing.
Our goals should no longer be steeped in the pure greed of strict capitalism but rather in a progressive entrepreneurship system where smaller companies are formed by private individuals and private sector groups of goal oriented teammates.
Speculators and accredited private investors will pick and choose these businesses, which may also be grouped in investment packages such as with current commodity and futures trading. The laws to do this exist and people are waiting for the next best investment.
Investing in the American workforce has always been in high demand until the greedy AFL CIO took control of the working class and chased away or ruined the corporations!
The growth will be phenomenal as a Corporation or LLC opened for business may fail on occasion, but with proper training and support from the 3R Schools, a simple manufacturing business may be purchased or simply revamped for a new opportunity in the US Commodity Market as well as with the manufacturing arena.
The highly profitable products to be manufactured are a concern for a huge Corporation looking at only the bottom dollar, but smaller LLC and Corporations in the manufacturing world are often better run with limited production items sold at reasonable prices. Profits are made not only from the USA made wholesale goods, but the massive USA based jobs provided along with the stocks and commodities in the market.
The move from fossil fuels to affordable energy can only be done in one of two ways:
1. Halt all projects paid for with taxes at the pump and other fuel taxes, OR,
2. John McCain’s Economic Plan involving the 3R’s, Rethink, Reform, Reinvent.
McCain’s 3R is technical, closely monitored, rapid and hands on training course from professionals to create new professionals. Thousands of currently-job-displaced “once leaders in the manufacturing arena” will be paid to train and instruct in the 3R plan.
These new leaders will step up to help create a whole new style of prosperous America. A massive restructuring that will provide thousands of new American manufacturing companies and create millions of new jobs for infrastructure alone.
Americans are going back to school where they are paid to reinvent their skills and learn new skills to design and lead their personal LLC, Corporation or joint venture company.
That’s easy enough to comprehend and just as easy to implement.
The 3R plan is designed as a six-month rapid advancement system.
Graduates may return for additional skill enhancements from time to time, or step up after new advanced training in executive management.
New jobs are the mainstay for creating a new guard for Social Security.
Initial estimates of 1 in 5 students will begin his or her own company and drive even more Americans into a viable lifestyle with real jobs, real benefits and a retirement to look forward to. By making these opportunities available without the crippling AFL CIO interference and their mob like influence, America will explode into the world market.
All of this governed under strict employee benefits as provided by state and federal standards and improved upon by each mfg operation to provide security and safety for these new 3R American workers.
This 3R plan may be accomplished without costing taxpayers (or the government) additional funds. America has the means to follow through with John McCain’s 3R plan, ready and in place across the USA. The buildings we need for our initial 3R schooling and MFG arenas sit vacant or abandoned.
By assuming leases on abandoned stores and factories across America with 3R schools and mini-manufacturing training centers, we may allow building owners to write-off their donations and reduced leases in taxes over a few years, and even more if they donate the space.
USA made tools, power equipment, bicycles, computers, TV’s, radios, furniture, building material, clothing, automotive products… the list is endless, will become the pride of American workers once again.
These ideas are great in themselves, but an entirely new stream of jobs to supply support for these manufacturing companies and their hundreds of thousands of new employees will be created and expanded. Business and infrastructure from shopping malls to homes, new roads to restaurants, grocery stores to government outlets and so much more…
McCain’s Straight Talk and decisive nature embodies a Progressive Theodore Roosevelt more than any US presidential candidate in history since the original Rough Rider blazed the greatest era of growth in America.
The 3R plan just makes sense.
THIS DRAFT COURTESY OF:
John Lewis Mealer
founding president Mealer Companies
www.betterconstructed.com (original promotional site)
No...
Submitted by mole333 on 10 July 2008 - 7:07am.
The problem is either you or McCain's campaign (or both) are lying through your teeth. There is nothing in McCain's voting record to show he is anything but a right wing extremist. He did used to be better than Bush, but in the past couple of years he has embraced Bush's policies 100%...it really is now Bob Barr, the Libertarian Candidate, who is acting like McCain used to act. McCain promises nothing but another Bush term and people are realizing that is precisely what they don't want. That is why Obama polls ahead of McCain in Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Montana, Virginia, New Mexico and Colorado. People are sick of America being driven broke by a war we never should have started and by no-bid contracts to Republican crony companies like Halliburton and Exxon.
As to my numbers, take it up with the organizations I cite. There are many, many sites I cite, but surely even you recognize some of them. All are non-partisan organizations advocating for a particular issue. I do find it interesting that you consider the National Farmers Union, United Auto Workers, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, National Parent Teacher Association, Disabled American Veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, The American Legion, American Civil Liberties Union, and League of Conservation Voters (once run by the Republican grandson of Theodore Roosevelt) to be somehow "wierd liberal blog site[s] or Obama's anti-working class site[s]." Either you are completely unfamiliar with these organizations or you are proving me right: McCain and his supporters are such right wing extremists they oppose farmers, working class Americans, veterans, etc. So perhaps you are illustrating my point exactly.
McCain's 3R economic plan. Let's do what's right for USA
Mealer Companies Gren Auto MFG in Arizona 2009.
Progressive Candidate John McCain comes through for America with his 3R economic plan. In the aura of Theodore Roosevelt, McCain’s plan just makes sense.
1. RETHINK: America must rethink the global views on what America is capable of in our current state of technology, engineering and the demands that face the world.
“RETHINK” in terms of re-action means to set forth this plan.
Most Americans know where the USA falls short in the ways of manufacturing and valuable jobs.
It’s time to meet the change of global demands with Made in USA quality and a new American workforce. Oddly enough, the framework is ready and waiting for this plan and active participation. The Progressive attitude of John McCain to get things done will resurrect America.
2. REFORM: America must rise to these demands and compete aggressively in a global economy. We must demand higher quality products and less restricted trade routes for Made in USA components.
”RE-FORM” is simple to comprehend as through John McCain’s Progressive attitudes, the USA will reform our manufacturing and hit it full steam ahead!
Made in USA has always meant highest quality products at moderate prices. The difference today is, we save loose change with Imported Chinese junk products, but few high paying jobs exist to do anything except buy the cheaper foreign-made products.
3. REINVENT: America and Americans must reinvent themselves to reach and maintain these standards and by sheer American ingenuity, control the world’s marketplace in the competitive manner, as we have always been proud to rule. Can you hear Theodore Roosevelt shouting this?
”RE-INVENT” is the exciting part of McCain’s 3R plan.
Americans in need of a future and without the desire, funding or free time to spend 2 to 8 years in college can go back to a re-invented manufacturing education. McCain’s formula allows these new students, young and old, to be paid a moderate paycheck while learning their new skills and leadership roles in hands on classrooms! Without costing taxpayers or the US government additional funds, we can literally change the face of America and the world.
Learning the skills required in order to become the American driving force behind new USA manufacturing boom, many Americans will also gain the skills to become the CEOs and leaders of their own USA Mfg arenas. Leading a group of people who love their new lifestyle is not difficult and Americans have been proving American ingenuity and leadership since Theodore Roosevelt’s Progressive Republican era.
Initial estimates of 1 in 5 students will go on to begin his or her own company and drive even more Americans into a viable lifestyle with real jobs, real benefits and a retirement to look forward to. Many students will combine forces and create successful joint ventures.
America has the means to follow through with John McCain’s 3R plan, ready and in place across the USA. The buildings we need sit vacant for the most part. America has millions of people screaming for new and improved jobs.
Senator McCain has provided the new guard for Social Security, the promise of retirement and the dreams that can be realized by Americans who would otherwise be lost or at the mercy of a dying workforce. This is the new workforce for American’s future.
By assuming leases on abandoned stores and factories across America with MC-3R schools and mini-manufacturing training centers, the USA made products can be sold and support the stores. Building owners write off the loss in taxes over a few years!
Although the thousands of new businesses manufacturing USA Made products is exciting enough, the real excitement comes from the massive amount of additional jobs that will be created to provide the new housing, new buildings, new parks, shopping, grocery stores, schools, government outlets and so much more.
The Key PROBLEM with the housing slump and the huge crude oil buy-out is not from greedy developers or greedy oil companies, but from the desire to locate and invest in the era’s best investments. Housing was #1 until the investment funds were pulled and crude oil took its place as a commodity. McCain will get us out of the mess that threatens the world’s economy.
These three R’s will be accomplished by the McCain express and through wealthy American entrepreneurs who were once able to invest in America’s manufacturing capabilities but have since fallen into investments that have caused catastrophic world economy failure.
McCain’s Progressive nature embodies Theodore Roosevelt more than any other US presidential candidate in history since.
We need John McCain to lead our nation.