The AZDLCC sees many opportunities for Democratic Gains in 2020

Is there a blue wave coming to Arizona this November?

Both Republican and Democratic members of the Arizona State Legislature seem to think so.

Some of the current majority party are asking Democrats if they will treat them fairly, unlike the Republicans did, if they take one or more both chambers this November.

Some of the Democrats are already making noise about who gets to be the next House Speaker and in the leadership team.

First, there has to be an election and much work needs to be done at the state, county, and legislative district level if Democrats want to realize their goal of controlling the Arizona State Legislature for the first time since 1966 (when this writer was born.)

One of the organizations looking to help propel the Democrats into control of the State Legislature in 2021 is the Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (AZDLCC.)

Hoping to build on the electoral gains of 2018 when the Democratic Party came within striking distance of taking over the Arizona State House, ADLCC Executive Director Charles Fisher and Communications Director Brittany Oliver discussed the prospects for additional gains at the State Capitol this November.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The questions and their responses are below.

1) What legislative district (LD) seats are the AZDLCC looking to protect and gain this 2020 election cycle?

“There are three tiers the AZDLCC is focusing on:

• Tier 1 (the seats that are likely to stay Democrat or flip to the Democratic Party)

 LD 6 with Mayor Coral Evans and Colonel Felicia French

 LD 17 with Jennifer Pawlik and AJ Kurdoglu

 LD 20 with Judy Schwiebert and Doug Ervin

 LD 21 with Kathy Knecht

 LD 28 with Kelli Butler, Christine Marsh, and Aaron Lieberman

• Tier 2(seats that the Democrats may pick up with a Blue Wave:)

  LD 8 with Sharon Girard and Barbara McGuire

 LD 11 with Gunnery Sergeant JoAnna Mendoza and Dr. Felipe Perez

LD 15 with Dr. Kristin Dybvig-Pawleko

LD 23 with Eric Kurland and Seth Blattman

• Tier 3 (seats held by Democrats that need may have competitive Republican Challengers:)

  LD 4 with Dr. Geraldine Peten and Lisa Otondo

 LD 18 with Mitzi Epstein, Jennifer Jermaine, and Sean Bowie 

 LD 10 with Kirsten Engel, Stephanie Stahl-Hamilton, and Domingo DeGrazia

Readers should also click here to note that the online progressive journal Daily Kos has endorsed the candidacies of Coral Evans, Felicia French, Christine Marsh, Kathy Knecht, Judy Schwiebert, and AJ Kurdoglu.

2) If there is a larger than expected Blue Wave this November, what are LD Seats that you see the Democrats possibly taking on election day?

 “We are happy with all the candidates that we are fielding. If there is a larger than expected Blue Wave this November, pay attention to Judy Stahl in LD One, Kathleen Honne, and Sarah Tyree in LD 22, Suzanne Hug in LD 25, and Lynsey Robinson in LD 12.”

3) What are the three top issues the AZDLCC is promoting this cycle to help get Democrats elected in November?

• “Getting through COVID
• Education
• Quality Health Care
• Growing the economy that works for everyone”

4) What are at least three campaign tools the AZDLCC is utilizing to communicate the Democratic message and turn out the vote this November?

• “Remote campaigning and virtual uplinking
• Text messaging
• Relational organizing where we are asking volunteers to reach out to their social network and spread the message about Democratic candidates.
• Dropping candidate literature at household doors.”

 

5) Some Republican LD Candidates (in 10 and 18 for example) are known supporters of Q’anon. Please comment on whether these individuals should be disqualified from serving in public office. 

 

“It is up to the voters to decide who should represent them. That said, conspiracy theories are dangerous and harmful to a lot of people and the voters should understand that organizations like Q’anon and those who support it should be disqualified at the ballot box. This is serious and we are doing everything to ensure that voters get the right information. These conspiracies theories have no place in our politics and our government.”

 

6) Is there anything not covered in the first five questions that you would like the readers to know ahead of the November elections?

—“We have never been more excited in Arizona with the possibilities of pickups at all levels. We are working very hard to have a great night on November 3.”

 “We are in a very critical time right now. This will be the first time since 1966 that Democrats would control the Legislature. We are working very hard to make sure we get a Democratic majority in the State Legislature.”

 For more information on the AZDLCC, please click on their website here and their Facebook Page here.

Please remember:

• The General Election Day is on November 3. 2020. Please see the below graphic for all-important voting dates. 
• Please check your voter registration at vote.
• Register/sign up for the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) in Arizona or any state that allows early or absentee balloting and mail. Arizona residents can sign up at vote. 
• Arizona residents, mail your General Election ballot by October 27, 2020, for the November 3, 2020 election. With recent issues with the Post Office, you should consider mailing them out by October 23, 2020, if not earlier. 
• Check-in with the Secretary of State’s office where you live to verify your mail-in ballot was received, processed, verified, and counted.
• Know the voter ID requirements in your state.
• If you can, support Clean Election Candidates with a small contribution.
• Also, please remember to stay informed on all the candidates and vote for all the offices on the ballot.
• Also, remember to research all the ballot initiatives, sign to get them on the ballot if you support the measure, and vote on them as well.

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