Arizona Democratic Party: “Don’t boycott Arizona – boycott Brewer and Republicans”

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Press release from the Arizona Democratic Party:

Don't boycott Arizona — boycott Brewer and Republicans

PHOENIX — The Arizona Democratic Party is firmly against all boycotts of Arizona, and party leaders are advocating an alternative: Elect Democrats to tackle Arizona's real immigration-related problems — crime and violence along the border and in our neighborhoods.

"A boycott only deepens the crisis Arizona faces right now — a weak economy, a dead-last ranking in education funding, and a soaring foreclosure rate," said Don Bivens, Arizona Democratic Party chairman. "Arizona's workers, homeowners and small business owners need support now more than ever. But they are suffering as Republicans push Arizona down the wrong track. It's time for a change. It's time to elect Democrats to get the job done."

Just like the federal government, Arizona Republicans have failed to take meaningful action against the criminal activity enabled by the lack of border security. In the state Legislature, they ignored the majority of Democratic-sponsored bills this year that cracked down on weapons and drug trafficking. Instead, Republicans enacted SB 1070, which fails to secure the border or protect our communities.

Arizona Democrats, however, have pushed for real solutions to the state's immigration-related problems. Attorney General Terry Goddard has spent years cracking down on drug cartels, and his recent historic agreement with Western Union provides $94 million to law enforcement agencies for border security. State Assistant House Democratic Leader Kyrsten Sinema's bill to crack down on human smuggling was signed into law this year. Democrats will also work toward tough and comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level.

"A boycott of Arizona is not the answer," said Luis Heredia, Arizona Democratic Party executive director. "What Arizona needs is true leadership and common sense at the state Capitol. Gov. Brewer and the GOP legislators have failed to tackle the real problems with immigration, so we need to push for real change in November."

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From the Huffington Post, by Luis Heredia: Boycott? No, Lets Win In Arizona!

I've been the Executive Director of the Arizona Democratic Party since June 2009. Previously, I worked for Congressman Raúl Grijalva and performed field work for state and local races during the 2000-2008 election cycles. I am a native Arizonan from a first-generation American family from Mexico.

Lately a lot of people have been asking me, has Arizona gone nuts?

The Arizona Republican Party is in a circular firing squad. More than in perhaps any other state, the Republicans here are in a civil war to determine if social conservatives can take control. This internal fight coupled with the new immigration law creates a unique opportunity for Democrats this election. This is a state where the netroots could well spell the difference and in fact, there is a solid chance of knocking off Republican icon John McCain, but we need your help.

Under Arizona's Clean Elections system, the Party is empowered to have a strong voice in campaigns. The Arizona Democratic Party can accept unlimited amounts of personal contributions. We are committed to grassroots democracy and building an army of regular Americans who want to contribute to the effort to stop Jan Brewer and the GOP legislators who are giving our state a bad reputation.

The role of the Democratic Party in Arizona is critical. We manage an intense field operation, massive voter contact programs, and one of the most sophisticated vote-by-mail campaigns in the country to increase Democratic turnout to elect Democrats up and down the ballot. The Party's role is central for statewide Democratic candidates. We launched a new website this week, http://www.arizonafightsback.com

Progressives are going to take some lumps this election cycle, but Arizona is a place we can draw a line in the sand and have a resounding victory up and down the ballot. With you we can shape history. Can you help out? Can we get the same impressive effort we've watched happen in the netroots, happening here in Arizona to defeat the crazy Republicans running this state?

We have an opportunity in Arizona but we really need to build up our field team and fund an aggressive media plan. We feel Arizona is a top-tier target in 2010 with a rising stock for 2012.

Please join us in the fight to take back our state.