Bonnie Heidler Discusses the Direction She would like to take the Pima Democratic Party

In December 2020, members of the Pima County Democratic Party elected Bonnie Heidler to succeed Alison Jones as their next leader. A successful chair of Legislative District Ten, Chairperson, Heidler’s career has centered on both managing high technology projects and owning a small business bead establishment. When running to become the next Pima County Democratic … Read more

AZ Democratic Party Goes Online to Boost Campaigns during the Coronavirus

With the appropriate social distancing measures in place across Arizona, political candidates find themselves in a quandary. Until the public health emergency subsides, they, and their supporters, can not physically go out and canvass in neighborhoods conveying their vision for the district, county, or state office they are seeking. They cannot hold rallies or other … Read more

Even Conservative Columnist George Will thinks Arizona can go Blue in 2020

Welcome, Washington Post Columnist George Will to the bandwagon of objective political observers that thinks Arizona can go blue in 2020. In a column titled “A loose brick in Republicans’ red wall,” Will pointed out several reasons included in previous reporting (like Ronald J. Hansen, Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Pamela Ren Larson’s piece for AZ … Read more

Catherine Ripley is New Executive Director of the Pima Democrats

Catherine Ripley, Executive Director of the Pima County Democratic Party
Catherine Ripley, Executive Director of the Pima County Democratic Party

Catherine Ripley, a former Democratic candidate for state House in Tucson’s LD10, has been named as the new executive director of the Pima Democratic Party, adding to a sweep of new voices in the party. She starts work on Friday, Jan. 25.

Ripley will replace Heath Butrum, who will stay on the job till Jan. 31. New county chairwoman Alison Jones and members of the executive committee interviewed three candidates before selecting Ripley.

The hiring decision solidifies Jones’ change in course for the county party and the goal to incorporate some 65 community activist organizations that sprouted up in a vacuum created by the county party.

Ripley’s presence is expected to heal the disunity in the party caused by holdover supporters of Jo Holt, who was defeated as party chair by a vote of precinct committeemen on Dec. 15.

Read more