Arizona Daily Star endorses activist Sami Hamed for Ward 1 Council seat

The Arizona Daily Star’s Editorial Board today endorsed Sami Hamed for the open Ward 1 Council seat.  Early ballots go out on August 2nd, for the August 27, 2019 Democratic primary.

Hamed is an employment specialist at SAAVI Services for the Blind and is a former aide to CD 3 Congressman Raul Grijalva.

Here’s the Star’s endorsement: https://tucson.com/opinion/local/star-opinion-sami-hamed-our-choice-in-tucson-ward-democratic/article_180da15a-6acd-5260-b647-16e7ba215b60.html

There is a 4 way race in the Democratic primary for the Ward 1 Council seat. Also running are businessman Rob Elias (a political newcomer), consultant Miguel Ortega (former Chief of Staff for Ward 3 Councilmember Karin Uhlich), and former Ward 1 Senior council aide Dr. Lane Santa Cruz.  Both Hamed and Ortega ran unsuccessfully for political office before in 2010. Hamed ran for LD 27 House, and Ortega for TUSD Governing Board.

The winner of this Democratic primary in Ward 1 may face off with Republican write-in candidate Sam Nagy, who needs at least 84 votes to qualify for the General Election.

Opinion Editor Sarah Garrecht Gassen explained their editorial process: https://tucson.com/opinion/local/sarah-gassen-why-and-how-the-star-editorial-board-does/article_1997cbfd-3e19-5901-9225-110e0990c9ac.html

And if you want to view the video of the Star’s editorial board interview of all 4 candidates on July 19, here’s the video link: https://www.facebook.com/ArizonaDailyStar/videos/2358314467814959/

Vote wisely on or before August 27, 2019.