Month: July 2018

Kirkpatrick & Heinz Lead in CD2 Congress Fundraising, Marquez-Peterson Catching Up

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Top row: Ann Kirkpatrick, Mary Matiella, Bruce Wheeler Bottom row: Bill Kovacs, Barbara Sherry, Matt Heinz
Top row: Ann Kirkpatrick, Mary Matiella, Bruce Wheeler — Bottom row: Billy Kovacs, Barbara Sherry, Matt Heinz

In the race for Congress in Tucson’s Congressional District 2, once again the top Democratic fundraisers were Ann Kirkpatrick and Matt Heinz, with Republican opponent Lea Marquez-Peterson catching up fast. The three also have the most cash on hand (see chart farther below).

The Democrats will speak at a CD2 Candidate Forum Thursday starting at 6:30 pm at Tucson High Magnet School, 400 N 2nd Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705.

Total campaign contributions

Name Total Receipts
Ann Kirkpatrick (D)  $ 1,755,795.57
Matt Heinz (D)  $    853,588.68
Lea Marquez Peterson (R)  $    707,289.85
Mary Sally Matiella (D)  $    256,723.88
Billy Kovacs (D)  $       71,922.37
Yahya Yuksel (D)  $       43,110.78
Brandon Ray Martin (R)  $       24,225.69
Bruce Wheeler (D)  $       21,344.76
Casey Welch (R)  $       14,196.70
Barbara Sherry (D)  $         6,815.77
Danny Morales (R)  $         6,364.60
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Money matters

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Confront Corruption Vigil Tonight in Tucson

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By Michael Bryan Inexplicably, no one had organized a Confront Corruption / Demand Democracy candlelight vigil for the Tucson area tonight, so I took it upon myself to remedy the problem. You can use this quick link to RSVP, if you like. A candlelight vigil will take place on the front lawn of 4400 East … Read more

Las Adelitas Arizona endorsements for 2018 Primary

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Las Adelitas Arizona
For Immediate Release     MEDIA Contact: Laura Enriquez

July 18, 2018                                                          520.358.3331 / lasadelitas@gmail.com

 

Phoenix, Arizona – Las Adelitas Arizona PAC – a political action committee that encourages Latinas in Arizona to participate in the political process and support progressive issues – today announced their endorsements of several candidates running for office throughout Arizona.

 

“Today, we are pleased to announce Las Adelitas Arizona PAC’s endorsement of 21 outstanding candidates,” said Las Adelitas Arizona Board Chair Jennifer Allen. “These candidates have all demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of Latinas and their families.”

 

For the past 12 years, Las Adelitas Arizona PAC has been working to open up the political process for Latinas in Arizona to ensure that political leaders are more reflective of the racially diverse communities they represent.

 

“In 2018, more than ever, Arizona is poised to elect the most diverse representatives in state history. We at Las Adelitas are proud to endorse candidates who will fight for job equality, health rights, quality education and a government that is open to all,” said Allen. “They are leaders on the critical issues facing our community and we are proud to consider themAdelitas.”

 

Las Adelitas were the women soldiers who fought along men during the Mexican revolution of 1910. These women sacrificed their lives to fight for and defend their beliefs. Today, the spirit and image of Las Adelitas has come to represent the broader struggles for social justice and equality that Las Adelitas Arizona works for every day by recruiting, educating and mobilizing Latinas to participate in the political process and supporting progressive issues of impact to Latinas in Arizona.

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Confront Corruption / Demand Democracy candlelight vigils tonight

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Spontaneous protests have been held outside of the White House since Putin’s Puppet returned home from his Surrender Summit in Helsinki, Finland.

Screen Shot 2018-07-18 at 11.18.35 AM

In case you have not heard about this on your social media accounts, tonight there will be a Confront Corruption / Demand Democracy candlelight vigil at sundown in cities across America:

From attacks on the rule of law to conflicts of interest, ethics violations and flagrant abuse of government offices for personal gain, the corruption of the American government by the President, his associates and many in his party has reached a new, profound low.

Officials are trading on the power invested in our institutions for personal and financial gain rather than for the welfare of the American people. From attacks on the Russia investigation to ethics scandals in the highest offices in the land, we must reject attempts to shield corruption from political consequences, public scrutiny, and legal accountability.

These issues are on top of years of challenges to the basic health of our democracy: from money in politics to attempts to shape congressional districts to manipulate outcomes and laws written intentionally to exclude voters from participating in our democracy.

Together, we must confront corruption and demand democracy: here are our demands. Join a vigil today!

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The Arizona GOP has a white nationalist problem

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Rep. Paul Gosar, Arizona’s most embarrassing congressman, has endorsed former state legislator Kelli “Chemtrails” Ward for the U.S. Senate over his colleague Rep. Martha McSally. Paul Gosar endorses Kelli Ward for Senate, attacks Martha McSally’s GOP credentials. Yadda, yadda, yadda.

The real story here is Paul Gosar’s white nationalism and Kelli “Chemtrails” Ward’s embrace of the same. (Here they are together hobnobbing with Cliven Bundy during his standoff with the government. Republican Legislators Caravan To The Bundy Ranch). Their connection runs through white nationalist Steve Bannon and his wealthy benefactors, Robert and Rebekkah Mercer.

Earlier this year, white nationalist Steve Bannon endorsed Ward as well. Bannon endorses Ward. After doing campaign events together, Ward subsequently publicly distanced herself from Bannon after the former Breitbart chief fell out of favor with the White House and many Republicans after he criticized members of President Donald Trump’s family in Michael Wolff’s book “Fire and Fury.” Kelli Ward distances herself from Bannon and Arpaio.

Bannon is gone, but Ward’s embrace of his white nationalist politics remains the same.

Just last week, Bannon’s former wealthy benefactor at Breitbart, Robert Mercer cut a $500,000 check to a super PAC backing Arizona Senate hopeful Kelli “Chemtrails” Ward. Megadonor boosts Ward in Arizona Senate race:

Mercer, a reclusive billionaire and a former hedge fund executive, has emerged as a major Ward benefactor. With his latest contribution, he has given KelliPAC a total of $800,000 in support of Ward this election cycle.

Mercer also funded Ward during the 2016 election season, when she waged an unsuccessful primary challenge against Sen. John McCain.

Mercer and his daughter, Bekah, have been major funders of conservative, anti-establishment causes, including Trump’s 2016 campaign and Breitbart News.

Last weekend during Trump’s disastrous trip to Great Britain, Rep. Paul Gosar was also there, at a London rally in support of a jailed anti-Muslim, ant-immigrant activist, Tommy Robinson. GOP lawmaker speaks at rally for jailed anti-Muslim activist in UK:

Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) spoke at a London rally in support of a jailed anti-Muslim activist, invoking the First Amendment and arguing for free speech.

Gosar spoke at a “Free Tommy Robinson” rally on Sunday.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is a founder of the anti-Muslim English Defense League, which has organized violent protests against Muslim immigrants.

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