CD 2 ballots finalized: Congressman Ron Barber wins by 2454 votes

The Arizona Secretary of State has posted the final & unofficial results of the 2012 General Election for CD 2, here in Southern Arizona (although ballots are still being counted statewide). Pima County Elections finalized their ballot count today Nov. 19. Congressman Ron Barber (incumbent in CD 8) has won by 2454 votes. Automatic recounts only occur if the margin of victory is less than 200 votes per state law. Barber declared victory on Nov. 17 and McSally conceded on that day as well.

Ron Barber (D) 147,338, 50.32%
Martha McSally (R) 144,884, 49.48 %

This was a very close race, with early and provisional ballots in the thousands being counted in Pima and Cochise Counties since Election Night November 6. The lead changed many times, but Barber ultimately began to take the lead on Saturday November 10. McSally was leading on the morning of November 7 by 1312 votes when I first reported the Arizona general election results.

Barber was first elected to Congress in CD 8 in June, 2012 by defeating Republican Jesse Kelly in a special election. Then Barber won the CD 2 primary in August, 2012 against LD 29 Rep. Dr. Matt Heinz. Barber was chosen by his former employer, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords to run in CD 8 after she resigned in January, 2012, to spend more time in her physical recovery from the 1/8/11 Tucson Tragedy shooting. Giffords and her retired astronaut husband Mark Kelly have since moved back to Tucson, from Houston, Texas.

Congratulations Congressman Barber.

Congressman Ron Barber

Congressman Barber vs. challenger McSally: CD 2 debate at University of Arizona

Congressman Ron Barber (Democratic incumbent in CD 8) will be debating his Republican challenger ret. Col. Martha McSally on October 23, 6 p.m. at the University of Arizona Student Union Memorial Center grand ballroom, 303 E. University Blvd. The Student Union is south of E. 2nd St. near Mountain Avenue. Barber was elected to his seat in June, 2012 when he defeated Republican Jesse Kelly in a special primary election. Now he is running for newly reapportioned CD 2.

Arizona Illustrated: The CD2 Forum
Airs Tuesday, October 23rd @ 6pm
Live simulcast on NPR 89.1 and azpm.org

This is a live, one-hour forum.

Panelists include:
AZPM’s Christopher Conover & Andrea Kelly (political reporters)
Tucson Weekly’s Jim Nintzel (investigative reporter)
ASUA President Katy Murray

Campaign websites:

Ron Barber (D), incumbent Congressman in CD 8, former Tucson District Director for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, www.ronbarberforcongress.com

Martha McSally (R), retired Colonel in U.S. Air Force, former Professor of National Security Studies at the George C. Marshall Center in Germany, www.mcsallyforcongress.com

There is also a Libertarian write-in candidate Anthony Prowell in this race.

Arrive early as this may be a crowded debate as there have been very few in this particular race in CD 2.

Martha McSally

Congressman Ron Barber

Attend Clean Elections debate for hotly contested LD 10 House race

Oct. 10 — LD10 House, 6 p.m
Where: PCC District Office, Community Board Room (C-105), 4905 E. Broadway
House candidates: Todd Clodfelter (R), Stefanie Mach (D), Ted Vogt (R) and Bruce Wheeler (D)

The Arizona clean Elections Commission has been holding debates for the various Legislative District races throughout Arizona. If you missed any in person, go to their website to view them online (click here).

The Southern AZ debate schedule is here from my previous blog post.

Coming up next week on October 10 is one of the more hotly contested races with 2 Democrats (one incumbent, one newcomer) and 2 Republicans (one incumbent, one newcomer) facing off for 2 seats in LD 10 House. LD 28 Rep. Bruce Wheeler (D) and LD 30 Rep. Ted Vogt (R) are the incumbents. Only Clodfelter is a Clean Elections participant.

Campaign websites:
–Todd Clodfelter (R), President of 3D Inc. which owns and operates Ace Graphics and 3D Teez, a graphics design, consulting and printing business, www.TC4AZ.com
–Stefanie Mach (D), former Americorps volunteer, business consultant, www.stefaniemach.com
–Ted Vogt (R), House incumbent in LD 30, attorney at Smith & Smith, PLLC,, www.vogt4arizona.com
–Bruce Wheeler (D), House incumbent in LD 28, former Ward 1 Tucson City Councilman, photographer, www.brucewheeler2012.com

Todd Clodfelter

Stefanie Mach

LD 30 Rep. Ted Vogt

LD 28 Rep. Bruce Wheeler

In the LD 10 State Senate race there is no Clean Elections debate scheduled as both candidates are running traditionally. Former 4 term LD 28 House Rep. David Bradley (who ran & lost in Nov. 2010 for statewide Corporation Commission) is facing LD 30 Senator Frank Antenori, who has served in that seat for over 2 and a half years. Senator Antenori recently ran for CD 8 House and came in 3rd in a 4 way special Republican primary in April, 2012. He had also previously run for that same seat & lost back in the 5 way Republican primary of September 2006.

Campaign websites:
Frank Antenori (R), www.vote4frank.com
David Bradley (D), www.bradleyforarizona.com

To hear Antenori vs. Bradley debate on the Buckmaster radio Show, click here.

At yesterday’s Pima Council on Aging’s two-hour legislative forum for LD 10, Senator Antenori, former House Rep. David Bradley, House Rep. Ted Vogt, and Todd Clodfelter attended & fielded prepared questions on aging in place, grandparents raising grandchildren, keeping older Arizonans healthy. They also addressed audience questions about affordable & available health insurance, higher paying jobs & retraining Seniors, help from nonprofits/churches, charitable contributions, health care exchanges, the mental health population, poverty levels, & their own personal health insurance plans. Mach & Wheeler did not attend.

Voter registration totals in LD 10 (D/R/L/G/AEL/Others/Total) from Pima County Recorder’s Office website:
DISTRICT 10: 41,844/ 38,227/ 834/ 292/ 8/ 32,971/ 114,176

Voter wisely on or before Nov. 6.

UPDATE: Wednesday, October 24, 7:00 p.m.: Drinking Liberally hosts an LD 10 Senate debate between Sen. Frank Antenori and former Rep. David Bradley, at The Shanty, 401 E. 9th Street (at 4th Avenue).

Ron Barber wins special CD 8 House race – updated

The AZ Secretary of State has just released the latest election returns from today’s special election for CD 8 U.S. House, to replace injured Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords who resigned on January 25, 2012. Elections returns are from four counties: Cochise, Pinal, Pima, and Santa Cruz.

Ron Barber has won this race with 50.18% of the 414,494 registered voters being reported so far. Jesse Kelly reportedly conceded about 9:30 p.m.

For updates on the SOS website go to http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/AZ/37946/85735/en/summary.html. Website says that 100 % of the precincts have reported, but that does not likely include the provisional ballots cast on election day.

Ron Barber

Jesse Kelly

Democrat Ron Barber, Giffords’ District Director of her Tucson office (5 years) ran for this seat with Giffords’ endorsement, against Republican Jesse Kelly who lost to Giffords for this seat in Nov. 2010, by 4156 votes.

Kelly won the Republican special primary for this race on April 17, 2012 over 3 others — LD 30 State Senator Frank Antenori (who had previously run unsuccessfully for this seat in 2006), and political newcomers Martha McSally and Dave Sitton. Green Party candidate Charlie Manolakis also ran.

Results:

Ron Barber (D) 108,260 52.08%
Jesse Kelly (R) 94,209 45.32%
Charlie Manolakis (G) 4751 2,29%

The winner of today’s special election will be sworn in to the U.S. Congress shortly and will serve the unexpired term through early January, 2013. CD 8 will no longer exist in the next Congress, with newly reapportioned CD 2 replacing most of it. The primary for new CD 2 is on August 28 and these are the candidates officially seeking that position to date (subject to change after today’s results):

Democrats:
Ron Barber, newly elected Congressman in special CD 8 House race
Dr. Matt Heinz, LD 28 State House Rep. (2 terms)

Republicans:
Jesse Kelly, has ran twice for CD 8 House, & lost in Nov. 2010 and June 2012; withdrawn from this race on 6/14/12
Mark Koskiniemi, a political newcomer
Martha McSally, lost to Kelly in the April 17, 2012 special primary for CD 8 (came in 2nd in the four way race)

Congratulations to Ron Barber for his victory tonight.

Stay tuned for final unofficial results once all precincts have reported, including provisional ballots.

2012 candidates for August 28 Arizona primary (federal & state)

2012 Candidates for Arizona, & specifically Southern Arizona

Official filing deadline was yesterday at 5 p.m. Here’s a partial listing of candidates for the primary election on August 28. Go to the website below for offices outside of Southern Arizona. I’ll be posting a separate listing for the Pima County elections.

Per AZ Secretary of State website: http://www.azsos.gov/election/2012/Primary/FullListing.htm

U.S. Senate
Richard Carmona (D)
David Ruben (D) – has withdrawn (see comment below)
Sheila Bilyeu (L)
Wil Cardon (R)
Jeff Flake (R)
Bryan Hackbarth (R)
Clair Van Steenwyk (R)

New Congressional District 1
Wenona Benally Baldenegro (D)
Ann Kirkpatrick (D)
Anthony Prowell (L)
Patrick Gatti (R)
Gaither Martin (R)
Jonathan Paton (R)
Douglas Wade (R)

New Congressional District 2
Ron Barber (D)
Matt Heinz (D)
Jesse Kelly (R)
Mark Koskiniemi (R)
Martha McSally (R)

New Congressional District 3
Amanda Aguirre (D)
Manny Arreguin (D)
Raul Grijalva (D), incumbent CD 7
Blanca Guerra (L)
Gabriela Saucedo Mercer (R)
Jaime Vasquez (R)

New Legislative District 2
State Senate: Linda Lopez – D, incumbent LD 29

State House (2 seats):
Andrea Dalessandro – D
Rosanna Gabaldon – D
John Ackerley – R

New Legislative District 3
State Senate:
Olivia Cajero Bedford – D, incumbent LD 27
Maria Garcia – D

State House (2 seats):
Sally Ann Gonzales –D, incumbent LD 27
Macario Saldate – D, incumbent LD 27

New Legislative District 9
State Senate:
Steve Farley – D
Tyler Mott – R

State House (2 seats):
Dustin Cox – D
Mohur Sarah Sidhwa – D
Victoria Steele – D
Ethan Orr – R

New Legislative District 10
State Senate:
David Bradley (D)
Frank Antenori (R), incumbent LD 30

State House (2 seats):
Stefanie Mach – D
Brandon Patrick – D
Bruce Wheeler – D, incumbent LD 28
Todd Clodfelter – R
Ted Vogt – R, incumbent LD 30

New Legislative District 11
State Senate:
Jo Holt – D
Kim Allen – L
Al Melvin – R, incumbent LD 26

State House (2 seats):
Dave Joseph – D
Adam Kwasman – R
Steve Smith – R

New Legislative District 14
State Senate:
Patricia Fleming – D
Gail Griffin – R, incumbent LD 25

State House:
Robert Leach – D
Mark Stonebracker – D
David Gowan – R, incumbent LD 30
David Stevens – R, incumbent LD 25

Corporation Commission (3 seats)
Marcia Busching -D
Sandra Kennedy –D, incumbent
Paul Newman- D, incumbent
Susan Bitter Smith –R
Robert Burns – R
Bob Stump – R, incumbent

So LD 30 State Senator Frank Antenori decided not to run for CD 2 against fellow Republicans Jesse Kelly and Martha McSally, and Democratic LD 28 House Rep. Matt Heinz decided to stay in the race against Ron Barber for that same seat. Senator Antenori will instead challenge former LD 28 House Rep. David Bradley for State Senate in LD 10.

Stay tuned for results from the CD 8 June 12 special general election which will likely affect this CD 2 race. In that race Democrat Ron Barber, Republican Jesse Kelly and Green Charlie Manolakis are facng off, but Manolakis is not running for the seat in CD 2.

And if you don’t know which new CD or LD you are voting in, here’s the link to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission’s final approved maps (click here).

CD 8 Candidate Ron Barber endorsed by three newspapers

Ron Barber

The Arizona Daily Star, The Tucson Weekly, and The Arizona Republic newspapers have all endorsed Democrat Ron Barber for the vacant U.S.House seat in CD 8 (which encompasses parts of Cochise, Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz Counties).

–The Tucson Weekly article on May 17 (click here), “Voters should pick trusted public servant Ron Barber to complete Gabrielle Giffords’ term”

–The Arizona Republic article on May 19 (click here), “Barber provides steady centrism district needs”

–The Arizona Daily Star article on May 27 (click here), “Barber for CD8: centrist, mature leadership on complex issues”

Congressional District 8 has been without a representative in the U.S.House since Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords resigned from the seat she held for 5 years, on January 25, 2012. She had been shot once in the head on January 8, 2011 and resigned to focus on her recovery.

The special primary for that CD 8 race was held on April 17, and 3 nominees emerged from that election: Ron Barber (D), Jesse Kelly (R), and Charlie Manolakis (G). Barber faced no opposition, Kelly defeated LD 30 State Senator Frank Antenori and political newcomers Martha McSally and Dave Sitton. Manolakis defeated write-in candidate Richard Grayson.

Kelly is the only one who has run for political office before, having won the Republican primary in August, 2010 for this same seat, defeating former LD 30 State Senator Jonathan Paton, political newcomer Brian Miller and perennial candidate Jay Quick. He then lost to 2 term incumbentCongresswoman Giffords by 4156 votes in November, 2012.

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (and her retired astronaut husband Mark Kelly) have both endorsed Ron Barber, who was her District Director in Tucson for 5 years, and was also shot twice on January 8, 2011 in the Tucson Tragedy. (Mark Kelly is not related to Jesse Kelly).

Early voting began on May 17 for the special general election on June 12. Early ballots are being returned at a record rate. 187,614 early ballots were mailed out in Pima County, and CD 8 has 424,718 registered voters per AZ Secretary of State’s report of 3/1/12.

For a May 16 online debate/forum between the 3 candidates, log onto PBS-HD 6 (click here for my previous blog).

Thank you “Gabby” Giffords for your decade of service

Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords resigned today from her job representing Congressional District 8 in the State of Arizona. She cast her last vote this morning in the U.S.House on a bipartisan bill she introduced with Congressman Jeff Flake to impose tougher penalties on drug smugglers, and last night she listened to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address.

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

She had served n the U.S. Congress since January 2007, was re-elected twice. As most of you know by now she was shot in Tucson once in the head at close range by mass shooter Jared Lee Loughner on January 8, 2011, over a year ago. She has been recovering in Houston, Texas where her astronaut husband Capt.(ret.) Mark Kelly lives, sharing custody of his two daughters from his previous marriage.

She faced three tough campaigns for her CD 8 race in the general elections: against former LD 30 House Rep. Randy Graf in 2006, former LD 30 State Senate President Tim Bee in 2008, and newcomer Jesse Kelly in 2010. And she also had a contentious Democratic primary race in 2006 against former TV newscaster Patty Weiss, and four others (William Johnson, Jeff Latas, Alex Rodriguez, Francine Shacter). She ran unopposed in the Democratic CD 8 primaries of 2008 and 2010.

Her closest race margin was with Kelly in November, 2010 (winning by 4,156 votes). Read my previous blog about that race “How did Giffords win?” (click here).

Gabby served one and a half terms in the Arizona State Senate (2003 to 2005), and also one term in the State House (2001 – 2003), representing mid-town Tucson in LD 28, prior to Congress. I knew her then as well, and worked as a volunteer on her Congressional campaigns for 2006 and 2008. So I knew Gabby professionally through the Pima County Democratic Party and as a campaign volunteer, and later as I covered her campaign for the TucsonCitizen.com in 2010. And of course I knew the late Gabe Zimmerman, who worked as a field organizer on her first 2006 campaign and later as the constituent outreach director in her Tucson District Office. (30 year old Zimmerman was killed in the Tucson Tragedy mass shooting on 1/8/11).

There is a bumper sticker “Gabrielle Giffords continues to inspire” which was placed at the Tucson three impromptu memorials that sprang up after the shooting. It was a testament of her courage and inspirational fight back to health, which is still ongoing (and the reason for her resignation). Because the Glock 9mm bullet entered the left side of her brain, Gabby’s right leg, right arm/hand, and speech were affected by the injury, and she now is working in rehab with her aphasia –speech & language difficulties — and reduced physical mobility. Prior to this shooting, Gabby was an avid hiker, and rode horses, a bicycle, and a motorcycle.

But I know what a healthy, friendly, strong-willed individual she was as a politician and community activist, and I know she will work tirelessly now at age 41 to recover fully from her injury. She took a bullet in the line of duty as a U.S. Congresswoman and should be praised for her courage and resiliency, and hard work for over 10 years as a state & federal legislator.

Good luck Gabby and our prayers are with you as you recuperate, and find a new mission in life.

Photos of permanent memorial at NW Safeway in memory of 1/8/11

CBS News reported on the unveiling yesterday of the permanent stone memorial at the SE corner of Ina/Oracle in front of the Safeway supermarket, where the mass shooting occurred last year on 1/8/11, killing six and injuring 13 others, including CD 8 Congresswoman “Gabby” Giffords.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57354699/bells-ring-marking-year-since-tucson-attack/

Here are two photos taken by (and courtesy of) former LD 26 House. Rep. Nancy Young Wright (who happened to sit near me at Centennial Hall yesterday for the Remembering January 8th memorial lectures). Nancy took these photos yesterday as this is the neighborhood Safeway where she shops.

Nancy Young Wright has officially entered the race for District 1 Pima County Supervisor, and is the only Democrat running so far, with Supervisor Ann Day retiring. There are two Republican political newcomers running as well (Stuart McDaniel and Ally Miller), with perhaps two more Republicans expected to enter the race (current House Rep. Vic Williams of LD 26, and Mike Hellon, who ran for CD 8 House in the 2006 Republican primary).

UPDATE 1/10/12: Hellon filed yesterday (click here.)

The words on the plaque read: “Honoring the victims of the event of January 8, 2011, The Tucson Tragedy…we shall never forget. Safeway”

The 2nd photo is of the flowers left by Tucsonans yesterday along the barrier next to the memorial, on the first year anniversary of the shooting.

And here’s the link (click here) of the photos taken by myself & a friend at that Safeway memorial of flowers/balloons/mementoes after January 15 of last year when that Safeway reopened for business.

I have yet to view this permanent memorial, and intend to do so sometime soon.

Pima County Supervisors name trail after Giffords’ slain aide Gabe Zimmerman and a park after Christina-Taylor Green

Press release from Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ office:

TUCSON – The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today to name park facilities for an aide to U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and a 9-year-old girl, both of whom were killed in a Jan. 8 attack in which the congresswoman was seriously wounded.

The board voted to rename the Davidson Canyon trailhead for Gabe Zimmerman and to rename the Cañada del Oro linear river park for Christina-Taylor Green. Other victims of the shooting will be honored with markers at the Davidson Canyon trailhead, the board decided.

Gabe’s father, Ross Zimmerman, welcomed the board’s decision as a fitting honor for someone who grew up enjoying Arizona’s open spaces.

“Gabe was immersed in the natural world of the Desert Southwest from birth,” he said. “Before he could crawl, Gabe was carried in sling packs up the sides of mountains. Vacations tended to revolve around visits to National Parks, both inside and outside the United States. Emily Nottingham, his mother, became president of the Arizona Trail Association and Gabe helped her explore the passages of the Arizona Trail, including this one.”

Ross, a biologist and trail runner, noted that Gabe and his brother Ben were his favorite partners on numerous outdoor adventures.

“The spot chosen to memorialize our son is a fascinating confluence of Sonoran Desert edge and sheer canyon walls with beautiful vegetation,” he said. “Gabe visited the area with Emily on several occasions and we are touched that the trailhead there will bear his name.”

Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll agreed, noting that the renaming of the trail for Gabe had bipartisan support and was the result of many agencies working together.

“This is an appropriate tribute for fine public servant who greatly enjoyed Arizona’s outdoors,” said Carroll, who represents the district in which the trail is located. “Those who didn’t know Gabe will know him through this trail.”

The 30-year-old Zimmerman was community outreach director for Giffords when he was killed at a “Congress on Your Corner” event hosted by Giffords. Zimmerman organized the event at a shopping center on Tucson’s Northwest side.

Zimmerman was a natural athlete who enjoyed hiking and running in the Sonoran Desert. The Arizona Trail Association asked the county to rename the Davidson Canyon trailhead the Davidson Canyon-Gabe Zimmerman Memorial Trailhead.

Zimmerman was a member of the association and, while working for Congresswoman Giffords, helped get the Arizona Trail designated as a National Scenic Trail. The Davidson Canyon trail links to the Cienega Creek Natural Preserve and the Arizona Trail.

The Tucson National Estates Improvement Association asked the county to rename the Cañada del Oro River Park to the Cañada del Oro Christina-Taylor Green Memorial River Park in honor of the 9-year-old girl who was killed in the shooting.

The park runs along the Cañada del Oro wash from North La Cholla Boulevard to North Thornydale Road.

CONTACT
C.J. Karamargin
Communications Director
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords
Arizona’s 8th Congressional District
(520) 881-3588 or (520) 909-8482

Photo gallery of the memorial at University Medical Center for the victims of the January 8 mass shooting

There are no words to express the heartfelt sympathy and empathy Tucsonans and others are feeling about the mass “rampage” on January 8, 2011 at the NW Safeway, where 6 innocent citizens were killed and 13 others wounded by gunman Jared Lee Loughner. Many of the wounded were taken to University Medical Center (UMC), 1501 N. Campbell (between Speedway and Elm Streets). Congresswoman Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords representing the 8th Congressional District was shot once in the head and has been at UMC since then in critical, then serious condition.

The memorial to the victims in front of University Medical Center has been growing since that day, with hundreds of flowers, candles, messages, stuffed animals, statues, flags, balloons, etc. etc. I’ve been to this memorial several times, helping to light candles and sharing the grief with the Tucson community. Especially heartening have been the lovely messages sent from school children praying for Gabby and the other survivors to get well.

Here are photos I took on January 21, 2011 almost 2 weeks after the shooting, and the day that CD 8 Congresswoman Giffords was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital in Houston, Texas. Let’s continue to pray for her full recovery.

I’ve also posted some photos of the memorial at Congresswoman Giffords’ Tucson district office (click here), and the one at the Safeway supermarket on Oracle/Ina Road (click here).