by Carolyn Classen, blogger Adrian Fontes, Arizona Secretary of State, will be launching his Re-Election Campaign in Tucson. Everyone is invited to attend. RSVP: here Carolyn’s note: Democrat Former Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes was elected Sec. of State in Nov. 2022. He is up for re-election next year. His campaign website: https://electfontes.com/. He is one … Read more
4 term Councilman Democrat Steve Kozachik (aka Steve K) resigned in March to take a job with Pima County. His last day was March 31, 2024. The Tucson City Clerk’s office has been accepting applications for the appointment to this office (term will be from April 2024 to Dec. 2025). The deadline to apply was … Read more
One term Ward 3 Councilman Democrat Paul Durham resigned today, effective in a month. He was elected in Nov. 2017 and had served as Chief of Staff for Ward 6 Coucilmember Nina Trasoff. The Tucson City Council will now name his replacement, who must live in Ward 3. Durham cited “personal reasons” for his resignation … Read more
The Tucson Weekly issued their endorsement today in the contested Democratic primary for the Ward 3 Council seat. Councilwoman Karin Uhlich is stepping down after 3 terms. The Weekly endorsed retired attorney Paul Durham, former Chief of Staff for Ward 6 Councilwoman Nina Trasoff.
Read their endorsement here: https://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/paul-durham-for-city-council/Content?oid=11123258.
by Pamela Powers Hannley
Progressive activist and humorist Jim Hightower was in Tucson recently to stump for Congressman Raul Grijalva.
Hightower and Grijalva spoke and mingled at an intimate gathering at former City Councilwoman Nina Trasoff's house before heading to The Loft for a more formal event. (See the video below, after the jump.)
Grijalva is one of the most liberal members in the US House of Representatives, a co-chair of the Progressive Caucus, and one of the Congressional candidates being backed by Progressive Democrats of America (PDA). Grijalva– who has been an outspoken proponent of the People's Budget (as opposed to the corporatists' budget), immigration reform, universal healthcare, and protecting the environment– is facing two primary opponents, both backed by Rosemont Mine. (This is reminiscent of the recent Tucson mayoral race. Republican Mayoral Candidate for the 1% Rick Grinnell was bankrolled by Rosemont Mine also. Luckily, Mayor Jonathan Rothschild– pro-water and anti-mine candidate– beat him handily.) Hightower, who is known for his newsletter The Hightower Lowdown and witty commentary on KXCI, is a member of the PDA board and a strong supporter of the new progressive movement in the US.
As always, Hightower was a delight. Here are a few gems from his presentation at The Loft.
Hightower on Congress: The water won't clear up until we get the hogs out of the creek.
Hightower on Democrats: Some dems are weaker than Canadian hot sauce.
Hightower (who hails from Austin, Texas) on Rick Perry: Rick Perry put the "guber" in gubernatorial.
Hightower on the 99%: It's not charity we want. It's economic and social justice.
Hightower on corporate money and PACs: It's not Raul Grijalva they're after — it's you.
Video footage and more photos after the jump.