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Jeremey Lasher, 2018 DCCC National Canvass Director at DGT

January 27, 2019 by Carolyn Classen

Jeremey Lasher will be speaking at Democrats of Greater Tucson (DGT) tomorrow (postponed from January 21, MLK Holiday), 12 noon at Dragon’s View restaurant, 400 N. Bonita Ave. Tucson. He served as President of DGT for 2 years, prior to taking a job with the D-Triple-C last year.

Jeremey Lasher, photo credit Dia Meraz Photography

“Jeremey Lasher began his career in politics helping to defeat a “right to work” initiative in Colorado in 2008. Working in the battleground State during such an important election year helped propel him to travel the Nation helping elect Democratic candidates and champion progressive issues. He worked on the inclusion of a public option in the ACA, and helped build support for environmental legislation, equal marriage legislation, and universal background checks in multiple states.

Jeremey joined Ron Barber’s field team in 2012 and spent the next few years applying his knowledge to electing strong Democratic Candidates in Southern Arizona. Alongside Jeanne Christie, Jeremey chaired the DGT awards luncheon and has served two terms as the DGT Board President.After the devastating 2016 Presidential result, Jeremey was looking for a way to help train the next generation of organizers and campaign staff. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee was looking for someone to train and manage staff for the dozens of competitive races across the Country and Jeremey was lucky enough to be chosen for this position. He will be talking with us this Monday about a few of the tactics used to ensure the largest Democratic Congressional victory since Nixon’s Resignation.”

https://www.facebook.com/TheDGT.org

Beyond Tucson 2019 on Jan. 12

January 8, 2019 by Carolyn Classen

BEYOND IS ABOUT MOVING FORWARD—AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A COMMUNITY.

“What started out as a single day of commemoration has grown to a year-round commitment to public health.

Following the tragic shooting on the morning of January 8, 2011 in Tucson, Arizona at Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ “Congress On Your Corner,” the Southern Arizona community spontaneously came together to honor, remember, and show solidarity for those that were killed, injured, or traumatized by the event.

As the first anniversary of the tragic day approached, Family members of slain congressional aide Gabe Zimmerman saw an opportunity to not only pay tribute to their son and the other victims, but to provide meaningful activities for community members to reconnect with each other while participating in health-related outdoor activities.

In January of 2012, they launched the inaugural BEYOND event, which included as many as 36 individual events spread across the entire greater Pima County region on a single day—including hikes, fun runs, bike rides, scavenger hunts and outdoor dance opportunities. The annual tradition has continued each year thereafter.

Since that time, through the growing support and collaboration of its community partners, BEYOND has evolved—literally going “beyond” its initial mission—and has now formed into its own 501c3 organization whose mission is to promote the use of good science and rational analysis to improve individual and community health.

Gordon Promises to Oust Secretary of State and End Voter Suppression

December 19, 2017December 19, 2017 by Larry Bodine

Mark Robert Gordon, an Arizona native, has 25 years of experience as a voting rights watchdog.

Mark Robert Gordon, a Democratic candidate for Secretary of State, vowed to end the voter suppression tactics and partisan politics that have infected the office that serves as the chief elections officer for Arizona.

He called Republican incumbent Secretary of State Michele Reagan “a Grinch who stole democracy,” at the recent Democrats of Greater Tucson meeting.

Reagan and GOP legislators “are supposed to promote democracy and protect the vote. They did just the opposite,” he said. “The people we have in Arizona running our election system are among the worst violators and offenders of voting rights in the country.”

Arizona was one of only seven states listed in federal court for intentionally restricting the opportunity to register and vote. Under the Voting Rights Act, the state was subject to pre-clearance by the Justice Department before making any voting changes.

Travesties

But that went out the window with the 2013 US Supreme Court ruling in Shelby County v. Holder that gutted the Voting Rights Act. Gordon said that since then, the following travesties have happened:

#PowersForThePeople Team #CyclingForChange in the AZ Legislature at #Cyclovia

April 11, 2016 by Pamela Powers

Congressman Ron Barber and Pamela Powers Hannley at Cyclovia

Although Cyclovia got a little soggy this year, the #PowersForThePeople #CyclingForChange team was undeterred. Six of us decorated our bikes with “Cycling for Change in the Arizona Legislature” and “Powers for the People” signage and rode in Cyclovia. While the guys rode the route, I talked with voters at the Himmel Park hub and collected signatures.

My husband Jim and I saw many friends at Cyclovia. What a great community event it is. Itnot only promotes gathering and communication, it also promotes exercise and health.

One of the people I ran into was Congressman Ron Barber. (He and his wife Nancy have two of the coolest bikes in Tucson.) Barber has been very supportive of my campaign, and we talked at length about strategy and progress as we dodged the raindrops.

Dr. Jo Holt elected Chair of Pima County Democratic Party

November 21, 2015November 21, 2015 by Carolyn Classen

Dr. Jo Holt, new Chair of Pima County Democratic Party

Dr. Jo Holt who holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry was elected Chair of the Pima County Democratic Party today at the special election following resignation of former Chair Cheryl Cage in late September. The meeting of precinct committeepersons was held in the UA Social Sciences auditorium (1145 E. South Campus Drive) this morning, with 139 Democrats voting. Acting Chair Pat Burns welcomed everyone, then former PCDP Chair Jeff Rogers conducted the election.

Dr. Holt ran unsuccessfully twice for LD 11 State Senator (against Senator Al Melvin and Steve Smith, respectively in 2012 and 2014). She said that she had intended to run again for that same seat but stepped forward to lead the county party instead.