Jesus Christ! The Prince of Peace, or, rather, his namesake, seeks election as Justice of the Peace. By Chris Limberis We found Jesus Christ. He's a Democrat. He votes. And He'd like to get started judging, at least as a Justice of the Peace in Pima County. Unlike most candidates, Tucson's Jesus Christ did not gather nominating signatures. If you want Jesus Christ to be a judge under the mosaic dome of the Old County Courthouse, you'll have to write his name on the ballot in the midtown Justice Precinct 8 on Sept. 10. Christ pays taxes and has a phone with voice messaging. He's good about calling back. Before Aug. 26, Jesus Christ was Henry James Cardenas, a 42-year-old mason who petitioned the Superior Court for a name change. The order was filed at 2:32 p.m. that day, and moments later Jesus Christ walked the tiny distance to County Administration, ascended by elevator to the eighth floor and filed papers to seek the Democratic nomination and to wrest the gavel from incumbent Justice Susan Bacal. Jesus Christ explains that He was simply satisfying "our rules" with the name change. "I am the very risen Christ." Jesus Christ, born Henry James Cardenas He'd like to talk to us about His campaign, but must charge us. Come again? "$1,500," he says. We explain we don't pay anyone, not even Jesus Christ. Besides, we're poor. "You are not poor. Say 'I am rich,'" He commands. We manage to get Him to reveal that He will "administer justice just as it is in the Book. The rich are going to be poor. The poor are going to be rich. White will be treated like black. Black will be white." He takes pity and offers to meet us. It must be in the neighborhood. He rides a bike. He'll settle for lunch. His choice. Jesus looked for fish, but accepted chicken, beans and slaw at (where else?) Chuy's, Speedway and Country Club. RECENTLY: Reform School - Appointed Supervisor Richard Elias faces challenger Frank Felix, who promises to change the way Pima County does business. - Jim Nintzel (August 29, 2002) Hard Time - A mother battles state prison officials to keep her son's testicular cancer from becoming a life sentence. - Chris Limberis (August 29, 2002) A New Breed of Politician - Mayor Lopez--age 24--runs Nogales, Ariz., in a different way. - Scott Simonson (August 22, 2002) more... ALSO BY CHRIS LIMBERIS: Free Ride - Supervisor drives county vehicle to promote his candidacy at political functions. (August 15, 2002) Short Memories? - 'Lifelong Democrat' Raúl Grijalva belonged to another party, La Raza Unida, when it suited him. (August 8, 2002) Out of Bounds - A candidate, UA football tix and big shots. (August 1, 2002) more...