By Alison Jones
On August 27, Tucson Councilwoman Regina Romero triumphed in the Tucson mayoral primary, winning more than 50 percent of the vote in a three-way race with record voter turnout. Councilwoman Romero’s positive message of economic sustainability and environmental stewardship energized her supporters, and emphasized her City Council experience.
Councilwoman Romero – and Tucson – made history, and Tucson became national news, as our city came one step closer to electing the first Latina mayor in Tucson history. It is, indeed, an exciting time to be in Tucson!
Lane Santa Cruz won a hard-fought, four-way Ward 1 primary. Nikki Lee and incumbent Paul Cunningham were uncontested in the Wards 4 and 2 primaries, respectively.
PCDP is prohibited by our bylaws from taking an official position in a primary. But now we are ready to begin canvassing, phone banking and ballot chasing before the November 5 general election. We invite all Democrats to join us in getting out the vote for our candidates who have answered the call to lead Tucson. There’s more than one way to do this. Work for the campaign that excites you most, or promote the entire slate! Please call PCDP, 520-326-3716, if you want to help us assure that all of our marvelous candidates win.
Last April, the PCDP Executive Committee voted in favor of a resolution to support the Tucson Families Free and Together (TFFT) Initiative. The initiative easily survived a feeble lawsuit by the Pima County Republican Party over qualifying signatures. The objective of the initiative is simple: to protect and defend the civil rights and safety of all people in Tucson by defining how and when police officers can conduct stops, determine one’s immigration status, and interact with federal immigration officials. Cities are safer when all residents, regardless of immigration status, feel empowered to cooperate with police when they have been victimized or witness a crime. This is the heart of the “sanctuary” concept, which more than 200 U.S. jurisdictions have embraced.
In November, Tucson voters will make their own decisions. I urge you to ask questions and do the research. This initiative will put Tucson in the national news.
County Democratic Party chairs have a conference call every two weeks. Tricia Sauer, Indivisible Arizona’s director, joined one of the August calls. She assured the County Chairs that Indivisible complements, but doesn’t compete with, the Democratic Party. It was a useful reminder of how beneficial strategic partnerships can be.
Indivisible is a non-partisan group that organized after the 2016 election. Every congressional district has a chapter. They canvass, phone bank, rally, and make their voices heard at state legislatures. Many Indivisible members, like myself, are active Democratic PCs. It was great to see that ADP values such partnerships. Democrats wanting to expand their advocacy network should join!
Sometimes I find it helpful to remind myself why we are doing the work that we do. Especially when I am tired and overwhelmed. So I will close with an excerpt from “I Am a Democrat,’’ by the late Carolyn Warner, a 1986 Arizona gubernatorial candidate.
I am a Democrat because I believe the Democratic Party is the voice for those who would otherwise not be heard.
I am a Democrat because I believe in both the work ethic and the worth ethic.
I am a Democrat because I believe the Democratic Party stands for the opportunity that is every person’s God-given right.
I am a Democrat because I am motivated by faith and not by fear, by hope and not by hate.
I am a Democrat because I believe in inclusion, not exclusion.