“The county party needs a platform,” Tucson attorney Bill Reisner
told his friend, Phil Lopes. “Let’s make
it happen.”
The challenge was a perfect fit for Phil, a, longtime party
activist and four-term state representative.
From joining the first Peace Corps class in 1961 to joining Pima
Community College’s first faculty in 1969, Phil knows how to create something
from nothing.
PCDP Chair Alison Jones said, “I first heard of the plans to
propose building a platform at the LD3 monthly meeting in November 2018. Bill said
we need to stand for more than just electing Democrats. It was time to
articulate our values to energize Democrats, and let voters know where we
stand.”
A few weeks later, Bill made a motion at the PCDP Reorganization Meeting
that PCDP form a platform committee to do just that. The County Committee
passed the motion, and Alison appointed Phil and Paul Taylor as co-chairs.
By March, the two had recruited 15 volunteers who met at least
bimonthly for eight months. Experts in
the community contributed valuable information on issues like education and
housing. Focus groups provided additional insights from typical voters.
“We started with a blank slate,” Phil said. The platform committee
represents the diverse constituencies that make up PCDP. It was a lot of work,
but the committee produced a platform PCDP will be proud of.”
PCs unanimously approved the platform on December 7 at the County
Committee Meeting. It covers 16 subject
areas:
Access to and Participation in Our Democracy
Anti-Racism
Criminal Justice
Economic Justice
Education
Energy and Environment
Healthcare
Housing
Human Rights
Immigration and our Borderland Community
Native American Rights and Tribal Sovereignty
Peace
Public Health
Security and Safety
Taxes, Revenue and Spending
Technology
Positions on specific proposals, or “planks,” are listed for each
subject.
To improve access to democracy, for example, PCDP supports strengthening
Arizona’s Clean Elections system, the Outlaw Dark and Dirty Money ballot
initiative, and reversing the Citizens United decision.
PCDP also supports increasing teachers’ salaries, expanding the
low-income housing credit, overhauling immigration and customs enforcement, and
removing English-only standards.
“I hope PCs will see the platform as a way of identifying
ourselves,” Phil said. “The platform is intended to be a living document that
will evolve as circumstances and viewpoints evolve.”
A full agenda greeted the 224 elected PCs who attended the County Committee Meeting on December 7 in a
comfortable lecture hall on the University of Arizona campus.
After a moment of silence to remember those killed in the
attack on Pearl Harbor 78 years before, Carlos Martinez, president of UA’s
Young Democrats, welcomed PCs and observers, and encouraged PCDP to reach out
to younger members.
PCDP Chair Alison Jones introduced the elected officials and
PCDP officers in the room, and recognized the many volunteers committed to turning
Arizona blue. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Cat Ripley, PCDP’s Executive
Director, for her tireless work and incredible contributions to PCDP.
“Cat is the most capable person I know,” she said, to
resounding applause.
Alison also thanked HQ Operations Manager Bill Laray, volunteer
coordinators Leftie Vaughn and Barbro Huth, and all others who, she said, have helped
turn HQ into a lively and welcoming hub for the party and our Democratic
candidates. Thirty volunteers now staff HQ, up from a small handful one year
ago.
”Something magical is
happening at HQ,” Alison said.
By any measure, 2019 was a banner year for PCDP. Tucson
elected Regina Romero as its first Latina mayor with the highest voter turnout
since 2003 (39%–which gives us a LOT of room for improvement). PCDP hosted the
primary mayoral candidate debate, managed finances, and contacted voters
through phone banks and canvassing. PCDP also hosted the primary and general-election
night parties, and the Inaugural Luncheon – Adelante Tucson! – which attracted
many from the business community.
Catalina Democrats, PCDP’s most generous individual
contributors, helped PCDP exceed its fundraising goals in 2019. There were only
six Catalina Dems one year ago; now there are 60, Alison announced. The Udall
Dinner raised a record amount in 2019. The ongoing Platform Film Series explores
important social issues, brings previously unengaged community members to PCDP,
and brings in revenue. It’s not unusual to have 80 new faces in HQ at these
events. Alison thanked Cat and others on the fundraising team for their
success.
Treasurer Maggie Winchell reported on the financial
condition of PCDP. Successful fundraising in 2019 has put PCDP in a strong cash
position going into 2020. PCDP is compliant with reporting requirements.
A 2020 budget will be presented to the Executive Committee in February, as the
bylaws require.
Training and education programs strengthen and grow PCDP. PCDP
held workshops this year to train PCs, convention delegates, treasurers, and
the voting public. “Civics 2.0: What
They Didn’t Teach You in Middle School,” is a monthly speakers series that
covers issues, legislative news, and the workings of government.
PCDP’s social media reach continues to see “huge’’ gains in Facebook
and Instagram visits, and a 90-percent growth in
Twitter followers, Alison said. “While we don’t have the number of followers of
the state or Maricopa County parties, visitors engage with PCDP sites at a much
higher rate,’’ she added.
Recruiting new PCs and turning out Democratic votes are high
priorities. ADP is working on the details of a coordinated campaign for 2020,
but it really doesn’t change what our PCs need to do. The mission of PCs is to
get out of our echo chambers and engage with those who have not felt a part of
the process. “Talk to everyone you know,” she said. “Have uncomfortable
conversations. Tell people why they must vote Democrat. You know what you have
to do.”
Labor is fertile ground for PC recruitment. “I’ll go to any
meeting Labor will let me in,” Alison said.
PCDP faces an ongoing challenge to more closely resemble Pima
County’s diversity.
“By far, the biggest shortfall is Latinx representation,”
Alison said. “The Latinx community apparently does not see value in engaging
with our party. That’s on us. It is our responsibility to fix this.”
After two officers elected in 2018 resigned, Alison appointed
an acting treasurer and recording secretary. During the meeting, the body
elected by acclimation Maggie Winchell and Zoey Fife, who served well in their
acting capacities.
After Michael Dues, a platform committee member from LD9, explained
the committee’s year-long process, the full body voted to adopt the proposed
platform. Representing a cross-section of PCDP constituencies, the platform
committee met at least twice monthly for a year. They consulted local experts and
held focus groups of Pima County PCs and others who provided feedback. The committee
will recommend updates to the platform as circumstances evolve.
“The platform describes the world in which we want to live.
It is aspirational.” Michael said.
Sen. Andrea Dalessandro (LD2), Rep. Rosanna Gabaldon (LD2), Rep. Daniel Hernandez (LD2), Sen. Sally Ann Gonzales (LD3), Rep. Alma Hernandez (LD3) and Rep. Andres Cano (LD3) answer questions from constituents at the Candidate Forum hosted by LD2 and LD3
LD2 and LD3 Town Hall
By Barbra Tellman, LD 2 PC
On Sunday, May 28th, all six legislators from the two Legislative Districts spoke and answered questions from a 60-person audience at our combined Town Hall at the Valencia Library. They addressed a wide range of concerns, including education funding, dealing with violence and suicide, voting rights, public health, border issues, climate change, water, transportation, ERA, the proposed budget, and how citizens can and should influence the Legislature. Michele Manos, interim LD 2 chair, skillfully moderated the session.
LD 3’s new trifold brochure, in both English and Spanish, talks about the district, has voter- registration and election tips, and clearly states what the party stands for. Click here to download the Spanish version. Click here to download the English version. Copies are available from the LD and at PCDP Headquarters.
By Kim Holaway, Chair LD9
The PC and Volunteer Committee is identifying precinct
leaders for each of our 57 precincts. We currently have 195 PCs, with a goal of
230 by year’s end. Precinct leaders are being trained to organize PCs and
volunteers for activities related to our quarterly themes leading up to the
2020 election. Some precincts will “adopt” precincts that have no PCs.
Many precincts are thanking our fall 2018 “targeted” voters – those who didn’t vote in 2014 but did in 2016 – with door-to-door palm cards or postcards. Undoubtedly these targeted voters contributed to LD9’s high voter turnout.
Our Voter Registration Committee is identifying
strategies for registering new voters through the fall. Current efforts include
high school and community college students, new residents, special events, and
specific locations. By winter, we’ll be emphasizing the Presidential Preference
Election (PPE) and targeting voters registered as Independents (who’ll need to
switch to Democrat to vote in the PPE).
About one-third of LD9 voters live in the City of
Tucson. We’re encouraging them to attend city election and initiative events. Many
of our PCs and volunteers are circulating Outlaw Dirty Money petitions and are
involved in supporting the Pima County Preschool Investment Proposal and the
Red for Ed movement.
We’re raising money through Blue Wave 2.0 recurring
donations and LD9 t-shirt sales. The popular LD9 Happy Hours – a great way for
new PCs to meet others in a relaxed setting – will continue. We collected
donations for the Benedictine Monastery refugees at our last LD9 meeting.
Our next monthly meeting will be Tuesday, May 28, 6:30
p.m.- 8 p.m. at Water of Life Metropolitan Community Church, 3269 N. Mountain
Ave. Meetings feature speakers and state legislative updates. Please join us!
By Bonnie Heidler, Chair LD10
It has been a hectic first quarter in LD10, as we gear
up to elect Democrats for Tucson’s mayor and city council. This is part of
laying the groundwork for 2020: electing Democrats at the federal, state, and
local level.
We launched our Voter Outreach program, designed to
register voters, grow our volunteer base, and increase the number of PCs in
LD10. We’re off to a good start on the latter, having added 16 during the first
quarter of 2019, raising the total from 96 to 112. Our goal is to recruit 50
new PCs by the end of the year.
We also had a very successful fundraising event in
March with LD9: our joint St. Patrick’s Day lunch. U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, U.S.
Senate candidate Mark Kelly, and the Tucson mayoral and city council candidates
spoke. An all-woman Irish rock band played (led by PCDP’s executive director,
Cat Ripley). We are now planning our July fundraiser: a beer tasting and silent
auction.
Please join us at LD10’s monthly meeting, the third Wednesday
of the month at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4831 E. 22nd St., 6:30 p.m.
– 8 p.m. (social time 6 p.m.) Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild will talk about
his accomplishments as mayor and his vision for Tucson’s future at the May 15
meeting.
By Steve Witthoeft, Chair LD11
We have been busy in the first quarter of 2019 planning our annual LD11 fundraiser, which we held on May 4 in Sun City, Oro Valley. The theme was Cinco De Mayo. Speakers included U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kelly and Arizona Daily Star editorial cartoonist/humor writer, David Fitzsimmons. Look for a recap in the next newsletter.
In our efforts to increase voter registration, our
Voter Action Committee has been working with a great group from Southern
California, called Field Team 6, which helped turning Orange County blue. We
will soon start holding events in various “hot spots,” and hope to register
many new Democratic voters. As the registered Republican voters outnumber
Democrats by 17,000 in our district, we need as many new Democrats as possible!
We are also planning our first PC Summit, on May 19 at
the Oro Valley Library. The objective is to engage and train our PCs and
recruit new ones. Steve Farley, candidate for Tucson Mayor, will give the
keynote speech.
We’re planning to move LD11’s monthly meetings around
our enormous district, which encompasses 2,000 square miles.
