The Candidates Seeking to Fill Lena Saradnik’s LD 26 Legislative House Seat

The meeting to fill Lena Saradnik’s open seat in the state legislature may be more lively than I expected. More candidates have entered the ring and there will be interesting maneuvering over the weekend as hopefuls try to line up PC support. I expect every elected PC in LD 26 will be getting several hopeful calls from candidates and their supporters.

The Meeting:

Tuesday, Jan. 15th, 2008
7 p.m. sharp (registration and credentials from 6-7 p.m.)
Pima Community College, Northwest Campus
Building A, Room 207

7600 N. Shannon Rd., Tucson (between Ina and Magee)

The Candidates (so far, there may be additional nomination from the floor):

Rolande Diane Baker – An elected PC in LD 26. If anyone has further info, please leave comments.

Cheryl Cage – Cheryl had been considering a run for the legislature before Lena’s resignation. She is likely to run for one of the seats in LD 26 either way. Cheryl was the political architect of Lena’s and Charlene’s victories in 2006 – something of a Democratic Karl Rove for LD 26. She’s generally very well thought of, and would be a strong campaigner. I met her when she was a special guest at Tucson’s Drinking Liberally.

Tom Cuevas – I’ve met the 2nd Vice Chair of LD 26, Tom Cuevas, once or twice at political functions. He ran a foreign automotive parts import business, is now in commercial real estate, and has been a Tucsonan for at least 50 years.

Imelda Cuyugan – An Assistant Vice Chancellor a Pima Community College, she has a background in educational administration. Withdrawn from consideration because she would have to resign her position as a college administrator to hold office.

Margaret DiFrank – A former investigator for the County Attorney’s office and former employee of current Clerk of Court Patti Noland, now a private investigations business owner, DiFrank has challenged Noland for Pima County Clerk of Court for the past two elections. She seems to be just a little infamous for a poorly-judged robo-call. Apparently wasn’t actually interested in the position.

Dr. Don Jorgensen – Don is currently running for election to the House in LD 26, and was to have been Lena’s running mate. Everyone in LD 26 immediately goes into gush mode when talking about Don. Business owner, father of adult children and a grandfather to reportedly beautiful grandchildren, handsome, ready for a public service commitment. I’ve never met him personally, but I’m guessing he’s a heck of a guy.

Fred Koch – Retired educational lobbyist and a relative of Fritz Mondale. If anyone has further information, please leave comments.

Nancy Young Wright – An interesting addition to
the field, Wright served 10 years on the Amphi School Board where she
fought against corruption in land acquisitions and stopped the environmental impacts of expansion. Prior to that she was a leader on the Oro Valley parks commission, working for public amenities and open space protection including Honey Bee Canyon. Recently, she challenged OV Mayor Paul Loomis,
ending up suing the town just to win the right to advertise her
political beliefs and effectively campaign. Nancy brings a strong
electoral background as a reformer to the table.

My View:

I don’t have a dog in this fight – nor a vote. From a look at the bios, and having spoken to a number of folks active in LD 26, I would guess that Don Jorgenson will definitely get a nomination. The other two slots could go to anyone, potentially, but the most likely nominees seem to me to be Cheryl Cage and Nancy Young Wright. Both have a great deal of campaign experience and popular support. Both are of the right gender for those concerned with the under-representation of women in our legislature; especially important because the nominee will replace a woman. Of the two, Nancy Young Wright has the greater record of achievement in public service. Indeed, she laps the entire field in that department.

All three of these potential nominees were likely going to run for the legislature in any case. I think one of them is likely to arrive sooner than expected. Any of them is well-qualified and ready to do the job, the question is which one will be able to secure the support of a majority of the Board of Supervisors?