Turning Arizona Blue

This episode covers several topics where I could grab some audio from: a highly respected polling source; the sounds and energy from the PHX Women's March; and two friends discussing topics of the day.

Lucas Holtz, Political Operations Director for The Lincoln Project, updated us on the polling trends in Arizona for the national political campaign. There is good news in the numbers and a warning you'll want to hear.

The PHX Women's March had several hundred women, men and a few politically active dogs showing support for women's issues. The marchers had energy and enthusiasm and several gave their reasons for demonstrating for what the late Rep. John Lewis would call "good trouble."

Lastly, two friends from Indivisible West in AZ -- Sharli Schaitberger and Patricia Thomas -- stopped by to offer their perspectives on AZ Prop 208, the public education funding initiative and Republican political hypocrisy.

Please subscribe to and like Turning Arizona Blue where you get podcasts; leave a review at our Facebook page Turning Arizona Blue; follow us on Twitter @TurningAZ; and email us at [email protected]. For contributions and advertising to support TAB go to http://paypal.me/turningazblue.

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With the help of Steven Slugocki, Chair of the Maricopa County Democratic Party, we get a lesson on "single shots" for candidates running for the AZ Legislature.

Voting districts in AZ have two House of Representatives seats in each election. Usually, there are two Democrats and two Republicans vying for those seats. Voters may casts ballots for two candidates. But in some districts there may be two candidates of one party and only one candidate from another. Thus, a voter has the opportunity to vote only for the Democrat in the race -- a single shot -- and not cast their second vote that will dilute the first vote.

Steven provided three great examples of the impact "single shot" voting might have in turning the AZ Legislature Blue. Steven provides commentary on each of these candidates and their races. They are Suzanne Hug running in LD 25 ([email protected]), Eric Kurland running in LD23 ([email protected]), and Kristin Dybvig-Pawelko running in LD 15 ([email protected]).

Please subscribe to and like Turning Arizona Blue where you get podcasts; leave a review at our Facebook page Turning Arizona Blue; follow us on Twitter @TurningAZ; and email us at [email protected]. For contributions and advertising to support TAB go to http://paypal.me/turningazblue.

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Maricopa County in Arizona (Phoenix and suburban areas) has a greater population than 25 states and is the fastest growing county in the nation. So, the lesser known political offices in the county, have a larger than expected impact on the populations they serve. In this episode, we give some exposure to two offices and the experienced and innovative Democrats running to serve Maricopa County residents.

One office is the Maricopa County Assessor. The assessor applies an evaluation to all properties -- private, commercial, non-profit and public for the purpose of taxation. Aaron Conner has over 26 years experience in the IT and mortgage industry where he dealt with property appraisers and assessors for decades. Aaron will bring his technology experience to upgrade an office lacking in customers service advancements.

The other is Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools. That office is charged with replacing district school board vacancies, handling administrative functions for smaller school districts and running schools for foster-home and homeless children, and another for juveniles in the justice system. Jeanne Casteen, a mother with school-age children, a Master's degree in education and decades of teaching experience is running for that office. Casteen was motivated to run for this office to achieve funding, teacher retention and administrative goals outside the walls of her classrooms.

The success of each of these down-ballot candidates will be essential in establishing a Blue voter base in the upcoming elections for other county, legislative, state-wide, Congressional and Presidential races in Arizona.

Please subscribe to and like Turning Arizona Blue where you get podcasts; leave a review at our Facebook page Turning Arizona Blue; follow us on Twitter @TurningAZ; and email us at [email protected]. For contributing and advertising to support TAB go to http://paypal.me/turningazblue.

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If the AZ Corporation Commission is to renew itself again: independent of utilities, transparent in its rate making, and dedicated to expanding renewable resources; we have no other option than vote for all three of AZ's Solar Team. Democrats Bill Mundell, Shea Stanfield and Anna Tovar have the experience and commitment to create a sustainable future for Arizona.

After decades of utilities spending dark money to elect Republican Commissioners who went along with a succession of rate increases; we, the citizens, consumers and environmental concerned voters, have the obligation to fight for these candidates. The AZ Corp Comm, that controls so many important aspects of our economy and environment, is too critical to continue its mission impacted by dirty money and politics.

Please subscribe to and like Turning Arizona Blue where you get podcasts; leave a review at our Facebook page Turning Arizona Blue; follow us on Twitter @TurningAZ; and email us at [email protected]. For contributing and advertising to support TAB go to https://paypal.me/turningazblue?locale.x=en_US.

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Maricopa County Attorney is another critical down-ballot office on the road to Turning Arizona Blue. And Julie Gunnigle has the experience, intellect and empathy to turn this office in the right direction after decades of Republican control, party politics and mismanagement.

Julie Gunnigle served as Assistant State Attorney in Cook County Illinois, prosecuting public corruption and financial crimes -- that's where she gained her legal TOUGHness. Her law degree is from the University of Notre Dame and her positions on issues (Gunnigle2020.com) will improve criminal justice here -- that's where her SMARTs and belief in accountably can end the county cronyism. Born and raised in Maricopa County, gives Julie the understanding to regard all its various communities with a FAIR, empathetic and justice oriented approach to this powerful position. 

Please subscribe to and like Turning Arizona Blue where you get podcasts; leave a review at our Facebook page Turning Arizona Blue; follow us on Twitter @TurningAZ; and email us at [email protected]. 

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If we are intent on a tsunami wave of Blue voter turnout in Arizona for the top and middle of the Democratic ballot, then we must must double and even triple our efforts for the down-ballot candidates for Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.  Going deep Blue for the five BOS district offices, will insure success for: other County-wide offices; AZ State Legislative, Congressional and Senate races; and secure AZ's 11 Electoral College votes for Joe Biden for President.

These candidates are the most diverse, intelligent and community-oriented team ever assembled for each BOS office. They include: District 1, Jevin Hodge; District 2, Deedra Abboud; District 3, Whitney Walker; District 4, Suzanne Story; and District 5, incumbent Steve Gallardo.

Please subscribe to and like Turning Arizona Blue where you get podcasts; leave a review at our Facebook page Turning Arizona Blue; follow us on Twitter @TurningAZ; and email us at [email protected].   

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Just like an old Arizona prospector, digging up nuggets and gems in the desert, I have excavated a gem in friend Mark Heier, an astute observer of people and politics. Mark's perspective on the recent RNC convention and the absurdity of it all, offers a rich load of satire even during this most serious election. Together, we cover Donald's and Ivanka's speeches, a comparison to the DNC convention, and the criminality of this administration.

Also, with the help of CNN we cover 20 lies in Donald Trump's 70 minute acceptance speech -- an average of one every three-and-a-half minutes. He must be so proud.

Please subscribe to and like Turning Arizona Blue where you get podcasts; leave a review at our Facebook page Turning Arizona Blue; follow us on Twitter @TurningAZ; and email us at [email protected].   

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Michael Muscato, Democratic candidate in AZ CD8, got into the race because the incumbent, Rep Debbie Lesko (R), was responding to district issues solely out of the Republican Party playbook -- with little regard to the everyday issues of her constituents. 

By contrast, Muscato, raised in the district and a local businessman, has outlined specific positions with real impact on the middle-class district residents, such as immigration, healthcare, education, the environment and gun violence. Go to muscato4congress.com to learn more. 

Another reason for the interest in this race is whether Donald Trump will be a help or hindrance to Lesko in this race. With Democratic gains in recent AZ congressional elections and polls indicating Arizona turning blue this fall, an early indicator will be how CD8 voters respond to Muscato's energy and empathy with their real issues.

Please subscribe to and like Turning Arizona Blue where you get podcasts; leave a review at our Facebook page Turning Arizona Blue; follow us on Twitter @TurningAZ; and email us at [email protected].   

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Signa Oliver, Arizona and Phoenix community activist, offers her perspective on Kamala Harris joining the Biden campaign as Vice Presidential candidate. Signa has transformed her leadership skills; as a Phoneix police officer, a graduate of the Thurgood Marshall  School of Law, an attorney and prosecutor with the US Army JAG corp, and Chief HR officer for Arizona government and private entities; into working on behalf of social justice and progressive political candidates. 

Also, host Ron Williams, with apologies to David Letterman, offers his Top Ten List for voting for Biden/Harris and state and local candidates in the effort to turn Arizona Blue. 

Please subscribe to and like Turning Arizona Blue where you get podcasts; leave a review at our Facebook page Turning Arizona Blue; follow us on Twitter @TurningAZ; and email us at [email protected].   

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Following episodes about Arizona state and local politics, this episode takes us up to a 30,000-foot view of the national election in an essay I wrote. More specifically, the need for overarching messaging about the moral bankruptcy of Donald Trump's policies and governing. Not his personal moral bankruptcy -- litigated extensively in the media -- but the morality or lack thereof of his administration of our justice system, a national pandemic and our health care, the environment, and appointments of soon-to-be criminals. 

Oddly, for our blue-leaning political perspective, I begin this overview with a history lesson with stalwart conservatives President Ronald Reagan and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and their views of the Soviet-era empire of the Cold War.

Please subscribe to and like Turning Arizona Blue where you get podcasts; leave a review at our Facebook page Turning Arizona Blue; follow us on Twitter @TurningAZ; and email us at [email protected].   

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