Arizona Democratic Party

Rich Carmona, U.S. Senate Candidate, Spends Election Day Rallying the Troops

U.S. Senate candidate Rich Carmona started Election Day in South Phoenix with Mayor Greg Stanton, rallying the troops who have been working all year to boost support for the former U.S. Surgeon General. "Volunteers for [Carmona] have been working as hard as they can to make sure that every eligible ... More >>

GOP, Congressman Jeff Flake, Under Fire Over Misleading Robocalls, State Democrats Ask FBI to Investigate Congressman's Calls

Carl Blackburn's answering machine picked up a curious robocall from the Arizona Republican Party a couple days ago -- and it sounded like the local Catholic church was directly urging voters to vote Republican. It went like this: "The St. Margaret's Catholic Church, 2435 East McArthur Drive in Te ... More >>

SB 1070 Fuels a Movement of New Voters

Don Bivens Follows My Advice, Drops Out of U.S. Senate Run

Phoenix attorney and ex-Arizona Democratic Party Chairman Don Bivens removed himself from the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate today, leaving the way clear for former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona to snag the Dems' nod for the post.In a statement to the press, Bivens claimed that he was tak ... More >>

Don Bivens, the $160,000 Man, Slimes Former Surgeon General Richard Carmona

Former Arizona Democratic Party Chair Don Bivens will not go gently into that good night, like he should.Rather, Bivens seems hell-bent on an ugly contest in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate this year. Already, he's going negative on former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, the guy Pr ... More >>

Andrei Cherny Commits to CD9 Race, Will Step Down as Party Chair (w/Update)

It will be official shortly, but Andrei Cherny, Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, is stepping down today, in anticipation of a formal announcement of his candidacy for the Ninth Congressional District seat sometime next week.The former Arizona Assistant Attorney General and policy adviser to th ... More >>

Richard Carmona Interview at Dems State Meeting in Tucson

Carmona talks immigration, foreign policy and women's issues with Gilman and IAbove is a video of an interview videographer Dennis Gilman and I did with former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, now a candidate for the U.S. Senate. The interview took place at the state Democrats' winter meeting i ... More >>

SB 1070 Critic Daniel Patterson Discusses 1070 Repeal and Ethnic Studies Ban

LD 29's Dan Patterson at the state Dems' winter meeting...Videographer Dennis Gilman and I drove down to Tucson on Saturday to check out the Arizona Democratic Party's winter meeting, held at a local high school there. Among those we chatted with was state Representative Daniel Patterson of Legislat ... More >>

Best Democratic Candidate For District 9 Congressional Seat: Kyrsten Sinema, David Schapira, Or Andrei Cherny (Maybe)?

​State Senate Minority Leader David Schapira, a Democrat, announced yesterday that he's running for Congress in Arizona's newly formed District 9.Much to the minority leader's chagrin, we're sure, he's not the only lefty with his eye on the seat -- former state Senator Kyrsten Sinema also has anno ... More >>

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton Announces Mayor's Office Staff Appointments

​About two weeks after being sworn in as Phoenix's newest mayor, Greg Stanton announced today members of his Mayor's Office staff, which includes some of the same individuals who worked for him while he was a city councilman or with him at the Attorney General's Office. As we already know, Paul Bl ... More >>

Jeff Flake-Richard Carmona Match-Up Closer Than Flake Versus Don Bivens, Poll Says

Can Carmona beat Jeff Flake? Seems a better bet than Don Bivens, at least...According to a new survey by the North Carolina-based Public Policy Polling, Arizona Democrats might actually have a shot at beating Republican golden-boy Congressman Jeff Flake in the 2012 race to replace U.S. Senator Jon K ... More >>

Joe Arpaio's Memory Loss Showcased in AZ Dems' New Feature

Joe Arpaio: "I don't recall."​Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, America's self-proclaimed "toughest sheriff," is all about holding people accountable for their actions -- so it was a little suspicious when he testified at the state Bar ethics hearing for shamed former County Attorney Andrew Thom ... More >>

Greg Stanton, Phoenix Mayoral Candidate, Gets Endorsement from Congresswoman Gabby Giffords Via Husband's Speech

​Mark Kelly, husband of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, spoke during an Arizona Democratic Party fundraiser at the Arizona Science Center in downtown Phoenix to salute the party's grassroots volunteers.During his speech, the retired NASA astronaut, told the crowd that Giffords was excited for Greg S ... More >>

Arizona Dems on GOP Presidential Debate: Can Arizona's Tea Party Top Booing a Gay Soldier?

​Arizona Governor Jan Brewer announced yesterday that CNN will produce a "major" debate in Arizona between GOP presidential candidates.Jan's "thrilled.""I've been in politics a long time, but I can't remember a more critical election than this," she says. "When it comes to some of the hallmark iss ... More >>

Don Bivens, Former Democratic Party Chief, Announces Senate Candidacy

www.wikipedia.org Don Bivens is running for Senate.​Don Bivens, the former chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party, made it official this morning: he's running for the United States Senate.Bivens, a Phoenix-based attorney, announced on his campaign website this morning that he'll seek the Democra ... More >>

Dennis Burke's Ouster Tied to Botched Grenades Case; Former U.S. Attorney Also Entwined in "Fast and Furious" Scandal

Former U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke's firearms scandal has expanded to a firearms-and-grenades scandal.​ Former U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke's apparently forced resignation last week stemmed not only from the "Fast and Furious" scandal, but also from a botched case involving grenades.The Wall Stre ... More >>

Arizona Now Official Billboard for Connecticut-Based Colt Gun Company

It's official (sigh).​It's official: As of yesterday, Arizona has become one of only two states in the country with an official state gun.Yee-ha.Following intense lobbying of state legislators by the Connecticut-based Colt gun company -- and a few flicks of Governor Jan Brewer's pen -- the Colt si ... More >>

It's Been One Year Since Joe Arpaio's Birthday Was "Ruined" by Blind People

www.cirvismaximvs.comJust for you, Joe -- on your special day.​Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio turns 79 today -- which marks the one year anniversary of his birthday getting "ruined" by blind people.On the sheriff's 78th birthday, he pouted all day because the National Convention for Guide Dog ... More >>

Jan Brewer's Special Session, and the GOP's Hypocrisy

Senate President Pearce: A life spent sucking on the public spigot...Extending unemployment benefits to around 15,000 Arizonans still looking for work should be a no-brainer, assuming the wingnuts at the state Capitol had a pound of gray matter among 'em.It's federal money that's pumped into the sta ... More >>

Arizona Dems A-OK With Jan Brewer's Push to Get SB 1070 Injunction in Front of Supreme Court

​Governor Jan Brewer announced this morning that she and Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne plan to ask the Supreme Court to lift an injunction that has prevented several parts of Senate Bill 1070, Arizona's controversial immigration law, from taking effect -- and that's just fine with Arizona ... More >>

Morning Poll: Are Republicans to Blame for Fiesta Bowl Fiasco?

​Yesterday, Arizona Democratic Party Chairman Andrei Cherny issued a statement bashing Republicans for turning "the Fiesta Bowl into a front for funneling illegal campaign contributions to Republican politicians."Cherny failed to mention in his statement that several of those who benefited from th ... More >>

Fiesta Bowl Fiasco: Arizona Dems Make it Political -- Despite Some of Their Own Having Benefitted From John Junker's (Ahem) Generosity

​By now you probably know about the Fiesta Bowl's decision to ax CEO John Junker following an internal investigation into how he was spending the organization's money, but it's the alleged illegal contributions to the campaigns of Valley politicos that has Arizona Democrats fuming.Junker, the ... More >>

Arizona Dems Plan Rally in Support of Wisconsin Workers

​In case you hadn't heard, Madison, Wisconsin, looks more like Cairo, Egypt, these days, with thousands of people taking to the streets in protest of Governor Scott Walker's new budget and the effect it has on the bargaining rights of union workers, namely, the most coddled of all government emplo ... More >>

Janet Napolitano No-Go on Senate Run; Wants to Focus on Border Security

Janet Napolitano says she's more interested in "protecting the American people from terrorism" than running for Senate.​Former Arizona governor and current Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced today that she will not seek the Senate seat being vacated by Senator Jon Kyl.Napolitan ... More >>

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, February 10, 2011

Andrei Cherny New Arizona Democratic Chair, Tea Bagger Tom Morrissey New Arizona GOP Chair (w/Update)

Someone has reposted the video that was jerked belowThe AZ Repugs new Tea Bagger chairman, Tom MorrisseyNote: See Updates below...It's been a good day for the Democrats, in more ways than one.Ex-Democratic state treasurer candidate Andrei Cherny beat out failed U.S. Senate Candidate Rodney Glassman ... More >>

Russell Pearce's Problem with the Rule of Law; and Andrei Cherny Contends for Democratic Party Chair

Andrei Cherny Announces Bid for Arizona Democratic Party Chair

Andrei Cherny, the next Arizona Democratic Party Chair, if the Dems are luckyI'm on deadline at the moment, but I want to bring you this much anticipated news: erstwhile state Treasurer candidate Andrei Cherny just called me to tell me he formally putting two feet in the river, and making a bid for ... More >>

Jan. 4 In Blogs: Andrei Cherny, Cathy Rankin, Bob Seger, Chris Bianco, and a Jewelry Heist

​​​In the 24-hour news cycle, it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries:

Russell Pearce Shakes Down Scores of Lobbyists, Legally

Pearce's big money-grab, and it's all legalTo cop a line from the Notorious B.I.G., "Gimme the loot! Gimme the loot!"That's what Republican state Senate President-elect Russell Pearce might as well be saying with a recent e-mail announcing a fundraiser on January 7, 2011, just three days before Ariz ... More >>

Don Bivens Should Say Bye-Bye as Democratic Party Chair in 2011, but Who Should Replace Him?

Arizona Democratic Party's Wacky Mailer for Nick Coons

Dems supporting Libertarians? How about helping fellow Dems for a change?I agree with Espresso Pundit's Greg Patterson about as often as I agree with state Senate President-elect Russell Pearce, which is, almost never. But he exposed an ugly little problem with the Arizona Democrats recently th ... More >>

Conflicting Poll Numbers For AG's Race Prompt "Thank You" to Republicans From Arizona Dems

www.vote-az.orgDemocratic candidate for attorney general, Felecia Rotellini​As always, we take all polls with a grain of salt. And two polls -- one released by the Arizona Republican Party, and one released by the Republican candidate for Attorney General, Tom Horne -- are part of the reason why.T ... More >>

Ben Quayle's "Busy Day" Video Latest Offensive in Debate Over Debates

Arizona Democratic Party​There's a debate over debates waging in an Arizona Congressional race, and it just got ugly.If you're unfamiliar with the term, a debate over debates is what happens when an underdog in a political race challenges the front-runner to a series of debates. The front ru ... More >>

Maricopa County Judge Allows "Sham" Green Party Candidates to Remain on Ballot

www.solarnavigator.com​There is no joy in Mudville -- again -- today for the Arizona's Green and Democratic Parties.For the second time in a week, a judge has ruled to allow several Green Party candidates, dubbed by the two parties as "sham" candidates, to remain on the November ballot.This mornin ... More >>

"Homeless" Green Party Candidates to Remain on Arizona Ballot -- for Now

www.solarnavigator.com​As it turns out, Green Party candidates who the New York Times claim are "homeless" -- and who were dubbed by Arizona's Green Party as "sham" candidates -- have rights, too, and will remain on the November ballot as the party's nominees for several offices despite complaints ... More >>

Jan Brewer Target of Democratic Party's 28 Days Later Parody

The Arizona Democratic Party has joined the legions of geeks parodying director Danny Boyle's 2002 post-apocalyptic horror flick 28 Days Later with this YouTube video envisioning the aftermath of Governor Jan Brewer's reign.The analogy works pretty well, as Brewer's recent Clean Elections Debate per ... More >>

Arizona Dems Unveil "Brewer's Jobs Plan" Complete With Reminder to "Call Greta"

​Just two days after Arizona Governor Jan Brewer unveiled her plan to stimulate economic growth, the Arizona Democratic Party has an alternative version of Jan's plan -- which is handwritten on the governor's stationary with the title "My Jobs Plan."Of course, Brewer didn't actually write ... More >>

Arizona's Apartheid: Anti-Immigrant Legislation Advances in Arizona State Senate

State Senator Russell Pearce (right) and neo-Nazi J.T. Ready, at an anti-immigrant rally in 2007 The process of ethnic cleansing in Arizona is a step closer to fulfillment today thanks to neo-Nazi-hugger and state Senator Russell Pearce and his allies. Pearce's Senate Bill 1175, whic ... More >>

Maria Weeg Out as Dems' Executive Director, And Dandy Don Bivens Plans to Run for Chair (Again)

The Weegster's takin' a powder. At least that's what the e-mails're sayin'...So, Maria, what took you so long? The two e-mail missives below just arrived via third parties, and though I've yet to receive an official confirmation from the AZ Democratic Party, the letter from party Executive Dir ... More >>

Merry Christmas from State Democratic Chair Don Bivens, Have a Lump of Coal

Will the AZ Dems learn from defeat? God, I hope so. This mass e-mail below from Arizona Democratic Party Chair Don Bivens announcing his intention to continue as State Chair "through the next election cycle," reminds me of a classic scene from Animal House: The one where Otter offers Flounder a li ... More >>

Secretary of State Finds "Reasonable Cause" to Believe Arizona GOP Broke the Law

By Sarah Fenske The Arizona Secretary of State has found "reasonable cause" to believe the Arizona Republican Party broke the law by accepting $105,000 in contributions from a high ranking member of Sheriff Joe Arpaio's staff. The finding came last week, according to public records obtained by New ... More >>

The Bird Claws at State Democrats and Likens the GOP's SCA-gate to the Granddaddy of Political Scandals

Democratic Party Pressing Charges Against John Huppenthal Over Sign Flap

Hayworth Hoo-Ha

The Bird defends J.D. Hayworth, of all people, and sticks its beak into the mystery of Gary Tupper's hacked Web site

Lounge Addicts

Wanna see members of the Rat Pack buy drinks for wannabe supermodels? Check out The Merc.

Spiked

The legal community is abuzz about who will be Arizona's next Supreme Court justice.

A peek at how the power companies played the political game in 1998:

Take Me To Your Leader

Dems ponder new state chief; Bayless is Jane Jr.; McCain readies presidential bid

The A Team