Thursday, February 23, 2006

State Legislative Races: The Key to Control of Congress

Does anyone know if the Democrats have candidates contesting every seat in the Arizona legislature in 2006? Many of us have been riveted on the CD 8 race, and other Congressional races where the Democrats look to have a chance of recapturing control of the House of Representatives. However, state legislature races are crucial, too.

If Democrats don’t control state houses before the next census the risk is that conservative legislatures, which will control redistricting, will “hammer” the process, gerrymandering so many safe Republican seats that they will control national politics for the next 25 years.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ole Danny Extrom? was the pro in
re-districting. The supervisors had a community committee which Danny
didn't like so he drew his own at the last minute and it was approve. No even areas, just big winners and losers.

Michael Bryan said...

It is hard to tell if every seat is contested before March 15th when partisan nomination petition filing begins. I suspect that there won't be viable candidates in any deeply red districts, but that we will have a fiesty field of challengers in swingable districts.

Anonymous said...

LD 26 has an EXCELLENT Democratic candidate in Lena Saradnik for the soon-to-be-open Huffman seat.

However, she is the only Democrat running in LD 26.

Anonymous said...

Kralmajales--She recently declared so her website is not up yet. I'll let you know as soon as it is up. Also, I'll find out the address for contributions. She IS dynamite candidate--intelligent, personable, well-informed, and self-confidence without being pretentious. Also, what I particularly admire is the importance she places on being accurate/truthful in what she says--that quality is not always found in candidates/officeholders.

Tucsonmark--You're right. Even though there is a financial and psychological advantage to having running mates, it is NOT an advantage if your running mate is just a placeholder and uninspiring.

Anonymous said...

I'm pretty certain that Democrat Pat Fleming is running for one of the House Rep slots.

For LD 25--

State Sen-- Arzberger (D)
State Rep--Alvarez (D)
State Rep--Burns (R)

DEMs--39,095
REPs--27,012
LIBs (libertarians)--553
INDs--21,002

Jennifer Burns was first elected in 2002. According to the Tucson Weekly, Jennifer Burns is a moderate Republican who received little/no help from the state Republican party to win this office. Tucson Weekly indicated that the Democrat incumbent whom she defeated had been accused of sexual harassment by his secretary. Perhaps that figured in his defeat in a Democratic-leaning district?

Anonymous said...

Dear Art,

Yes, you are correct that the 2006 Arizona District races are crucial. The present Republican Legislative leadership's goal is to have a veto proof Legislature. They are one vote shy in the House and two votes shy in the Senate from being able to override the Governor's veto.

I am a candidate for the open House seat in LD26. As yet, I am the only Democratic candidate in the race.

Presently, my campaign manager, Vivian Harte, and I are in the process of setting up a website and finalizing a campaign plan.

I am running as a Clean Elections
candidate. To qualify, I need 252 $5.00 donations from any registered voters in LD26. I also need nomination petition signatures from LD26 registered Democratic and Independent voters to get on the ballot.

If your readers wish to help in my campaign, either as a volunteer or a donor, they can reach me by phone at 520-661-5425 or email me at lsaradnik@msn.com.

I am eagerly looking forward to representing the voters of LD26.

Together we can make a difference.

Lena Saradnik