Our ideal legislators are people like Rich Crandall and Cecil Ash, two politicians who put the state and their voters before their party, are willing to work with others and consider issues on their own merit. Those who fall on the extreme ends of the right or left hamper the political process and only widen the divide that has engulfed our state. Given that, here are our endorsements for the Arizona Legislature in our East Valley districts:
District 17
House: Incumbent Democrat Eddie Ableser has done a good job representing this district, and fellow Democrat Ben Arredondo brings a wealth of experience as a teacher, school board member, county supervisor and Tempe councilman (we envision him in the Crandall-Ash mold).
Senate: Democrat David Schapira has been an effective voice in the House, fighting to put more accountability in the tuition tax credit law for private schools, among other things.
District 18
House: We’ve already sung the praises of Ash, a Republican who serves this west Mesa district well. Incumbent Steve Court is more of a Republican foot soldier, but has the edge in experience over other candidates.
Senate: There’s little or no chance that Russell Pearce will lose his seat in this Republican stronghold. His strong feelings on immigration come across as more heart-felt and less political than some candidates. But we would like to see him devote more of that passion toward other critical needs like the economy, job growth and balancing the state budget in the future.
District 19
House: Kirk Adams, as Speaker of the House, gives the East Valley a strong voice in the Legislature, and should return. As the second representative from this Mesa district, we like Democrat Kit Filbey’s nonpartisan views on politics. She’s fiscally conservative and more moderate in her beliefs, and has a background in education and small business.
Senate: Crandall, as we’ve noted, is a thoughtful legislator and one who helped prevent cuts in education from going deeper in the past. He’s a good influence on the Legislature.
District 20
House: Democrat Rae Waters did well in her first term in the Legislature and is another who avoids political ideology. Republican Bob Robson is a staunch supporter of immigration reform and education.
Senate: Republican John McComish is running unopposed.
District 21
House: These seats are vacant. We like Republicans Tom Forese of Gilbert and J.D. Mesnard of Chandler to represent this district, which encompasses parts of Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler and Queen Creek.
Senate: Republican Steve Yarbrough is running unopposed.
District 22
House: Republicans Eddie Farnsworth and Steve Urie are running unopposed for these seats.
Senate: Republican Andy Biggs is running unopposed.
District 23
House: Democrat incumbent Barbara McGuire is an active member of the House. Of the Republicans, we like John Fillmore’s bulldog attitude toward cutting government spending.
Senate: Democrat Rebecca Rios is a strong voice in the Senate. She studies issues, is articulate and knows how to steer a debate or issue to keep it on track.
concernedazvoter posted at 5:51 pm on Sun, Oct 24, 2010.
Really, EVTRIB, you feel that the Republican candidates put the state's needs and voter needs above their own...ha! I guess if you don't belong to their churches or believe like they do then forget your needs. I can bet NOT one of them voted to support public education AND EVERY ONE OF THEM voted to slash the public school budget. I bet EVERY ONE OF THEM would vote to take a woman's rights away or would believe that only certain people like them deserve to get married. I bet they are the first to believe in less government but are the first to put their noses into people's private lives.....GIVE ME A BREAK EVTRIB
Brian Ellsworth posted at 7:02 am on Fri, Oct 29, 2010.
Name one time that Cecil Ash has broken with his party in a vote that conted. That would be ZERO. He is a foot soldier not only for his party but also his church. His nose is in our bedrooms and he needs to leave. He and Court have cut 1.5 BILLION from edcucation and they cannot be specific on the so called "waste" that can be cut.
There is a choice this elcedtion. Mike Conway - the only candidate that promises to put ALL the voters in LD18 (not just those who attend the same church as Ash and Court) ahead of the pollitical party and political leaders. AZ needs a change. Someone willing to compromise for the good of all Arizonans.