Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
Who'd have thunk it? "Sugar Ray" Carroll, Pima County Supervisor in District 4, has a Tea Party primary opponent for the first time. The Tucson Weekly reports, Pima County Supervisor Faces First Challenger in 13 Years | The Range:
In the 13 years Carroll's been in office he's been reelected every election in 2000, 2004 and 2008 — all without opposition. Until now.
According to the Quail Creek Republican Club newsletter, Carroll's challenger for the District 4 seat is Sean Collins, a U.S. Air Force veteran who owns the Vail Dairy Queen with his wife Tracy. "Collins was in the Air Force for almost 22 years, stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base from 1999 until he retired as a senior non-commissioned officer in 2003." (He'll be speaking at the group's meeting on Friday, Feb. 17, 9 a.m. at the Quail Creek Madera Clubhouse).
We called Collins and are waiting to find out more from him regarding his interest in running or politics. However, political buzz is that this is what happens when you take a stand against Rosemont Copper Mine.
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Arizona's current tea bag political climate could make Carroll more vulnerable than previous campaigns. We were told Rick Grinnell, a failed mayoral candidate, self-described Rosemont lobbyist, and a member of the delusional state-appointed Rio Nuevo board, along with failed gubernatorial candidate John Munger, are driving the Collins' campaign boat and raising thousands of dollars to put Carroll down.
However, Grinnell told us today that he's not involved in Collins' campaign. Still waiting to hear back from Munger.
Munger! the GOP troika of John Munger, Bruce Ash and Jim Click are behind all things right-wing crazy in Pima County. They have killed off the endangered RINO (Republicans in Name Only), i.e., moderate Republicans. My sources have suggested that GOP bundler Jim Click may also be a money player in this race in addition to Rosemont Copper.
"Sugar Ray" Carroll has always enjoyed support from Democrats because he has a strong record on environmental issues. I suppose to the Tea Party this makes him a RINO as well.
Democrats cannot afford the risk of complacency in this GOP primary. I would strongly urge a Democrat with a business background and solid environmentalist record to consider running for this Supervisor District 4 seat, just in case.
The Tea Party already has a trio of candidates, Rep. Vic Williams, Ally Miller and Stuart McDaniel challenging Mike Hellon (whom they consider a RINO) in the GOP primary for the Supervisor District 1 seat vacated by the retirement of Ann Day, whom they also considered a RINO.
The Democrats have former Rep. Nancy Young Wright running for the Supervisor District 1 seat.
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