Meet our contestants for Daniel Patterson’s seat

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Arizona Daily Star has the list of our contestants for Daniel Patterson's seat. 11 apply to represent Tucson in Legislature:

Sergio Arellano

• Occupation: community volunteer

• Education: pursuing a degree in political science

• Political history: U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' veterans advisory board

• Community connections: Army veteran, Wounded Warrior program, Mi Vecino voter initiative

Stephen Cody

• Occupation: technical writer at IBM

• Education: bachelor's in psychology, master's in biopsychology

• Political history: secretary and vice chair of the District 29 Democrats and Democratic Party executive committee representative

• Community connections: Las Adelitas, co-founder of Democracy for Arizona-Tucson

Nicholas Fontana

• Occupation: attorney

• Education: bachelor's in general studies, juris doctorate

• Political history: former Judge Pro Tem at the Tohono O'odham tribal court

• Community connections: Veterans Court, Pascua Yaqui school mentor

Albert Jordan

• Occupation: aerospace engineer at Raytheon Missile Systems

• Education: bachelor's in mechanical engineering, MBA

• Political history: Current candidate for the new Legislative District 2

• Community connections: Boy Scouts, Southside Presbyterian Church

James Kelly

• Occupation: transportation specialist at Renzenberger Inc.

• Education: bachelor's in sociology, Defense Language Institute graduate

• Political history: political consultant and blogger, former District 29 Republican chairman

• Community connections: Navy veteran

Robbin Larson

• Occupation: project manager and field supervisor at Advantage Air Mechanical

• Education: high school graduate

• Political history: none listed

• Community connections: Tucson Trap and Skeet Club, Boy Scouts

Michael Oatman

• Occupation: owner of Internet Convenience Store LLC

• Education: high school diploma, some college

• Political history: 2012 Green Party presidential candidate, 2008 Democratic Party presidential candidate

• Community connections: host/producer of "Illegal Knowledge TV" on Access Tucson

Stephania O'Neill

• Occupation: CEO of Moving Ahead Organizations

• Education: bachelor's in secondary education, master's in early childhood education

• Political history: Federal Steering Committee on Violence Against Women, Arizona Legislative Subcommittee on Child Welfare and Behavioral Health, Arizona Committee on Prevention

• Community connections: none listed

John Orr

• Occupation: program director at Open Inn

• Education: bachelor's in history, master's in library and information studies

• Political history: former researcher and office manager for Project Vote Smart

• Community connections: Homeless Street Count, 51 Homes Campaign

Joseph Scott

• Occupation: professor, founder of Scott Supply Service Inc.

• Education: Ph.D. in Germanic languages and literatures

• Political history: campaign chairman for City Councilwoman Shirley Scott and former Councilman Charles Ford

• Community connections: served on many advisory committees for the city and the Tucson Unified School District

Leon Sierra

• Occupation: business representative at the International Union of Operating Engineers

• Education: Arizona Operating Engineers training program and apprenticeship

• Political history: none listed

• Community connections: Marine Corps veteran

I am familiar with several of our contestants, and each would be an acceptable choice to complete the term of Daniel Patterson.

The Citizens Panel begins its review today at 9:00 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Conference Room, Pima County Administration Building, 130 W. Congress Street, first floor. Pima County Citizens Panel Meeting Notice and Agenda (.pdf).

The Citizens Panel will forwards three recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on Friday.

Over the weekend the Board of Supervisors will accept public comment on the three candidates at www.pima.gov.

On Monday at 9:00 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Conference Room, Pima County Administration Building, 130 W. Congress Street, first floor, the Board of Supervisors will appoint a new Representative for LD 29 to complete the term of Daniel Patterson. April 23, 2012 Agenda (.pdf).