In the aftermath of the swing to the fringe right with the Tea Party and the Electoral College election of Donald Trump, several mainstream progressive organizations have emerged in Arizona and across the country to counter the reactionary message and policy proposals from the band of fringe figures currently dominating the Republican Party.
Two organizations in the Grand Canyon State, One Arizona (which includes links with 23 other entities) and Progress Now Arizona have focused on spreading an inclusive (and progressive) message and registering young and minority voters, regardless of the political party.
This unifying theme should be the goal of all political organizations. Political Tribalism fragmentation and division should be shunned whenever it surfaces.
Emily Kirkland, a leader in both One Arizona and Progress Now Arizona met at Lola’s Café in Phoenix to discuss the goals for both organizations going into 2020.
The questions and her responses are below.
- Please describe the political and social purpose/goals of civic participation that One Arizona wants to promote.
“Building political power for the young and people of color. We register Republicans, Independents, and Democrats to vote. We have set out to register 250,000 in 2020. We registered 190,000 in 2018. We also do get out the vote with text messages, door knocking. We also do advocacy and trainings. This year, we are going to have more tools to let people know about the issues and where to vote like a public education campaign about the census. “
- Please describe the political and social purpose/goals of Progress Now Arizona.
“Unlike One Arizona, Progress Now is a C4 and takes a stand. This year we are focused on defending voting rights at the state legislature and flipping the state legislature, the Senate Seat, and winning the Presidential.”
- Please describe the outreach methods you and your team have employed to get the word out and achieve your goals for each organization.
“One Arizona is a coalition of 23 groups that coordinate with One Arizona. We have coordinated with other organizations like NextGen.”
“With Progress Now Arizona, we have a communications and digital advertising on state and local races with report cards, and email list. We also work with the press.”
- To what extent are both organizations well recruited and staffed?
“ Pretty well. At Progress Now, we are a team of four. One Arizona also has a team of four.”
- Please describe the number of outreach and educational events you promote One Arizona and what is the approximate number you hold per month?
“ A few a year and the member organizations do dozens a month.”
- Is there anything not mentioned in the first five questions that you would like to discuss.
“ I think we can make Arizona blue if we all work hard.”
This unifying theme espoused by One Arizona and Progress Now Arizona should be the goal of all political organizations. Political Tribalism fragmentation and division coupled with a reactionary drive to move backward should be shunned whenever it surfaces.
For more information on One Arizona, please click on their website here and Facebook Page here.
For more information on Progress Now Arizona, please click on their website here and Facebook Page here.
