Tuesday, June 12, 2012

A Variety of Republicans, a Variety of Reactions

Posted By on Tue, Jun 12, 2012 at 9:32 PM

At the Viscount Suite gathering for Jesse Kelly, Congressional District 1 candidate Jonathan Paton—who was upset by Kelly in the Congressional District 8 primary two years ago—showed up to offer Kelly his support.

"It's disappointing, but the numbers still aren't clear. Of course, I want Jesse to win. That's why I'm here tonight," Paton told Mari Herreras.

She went up to Kelly when he completed several TV news interviews. He turned to his wife, and as he held her arm, he asked her, "Are you ready princess?"

Herreras interrupted to ask for comment regarding the race, whether if he plans to run again. Kelly said he couldn't comment. "I'm making my way out the room."

Meanwhile a variety of Republicans also showed up at Ron Barber's gathering at the Marriott University Park. However, these Republicans were supporting Barber, not Kelly.

“The citizens of District 8 recognized that Ron was a practical guy who would work across party lines to get stuff done, and Kelly was an ideological bomb-thrower,” former state lawmaker Pete Hershberger told Jim Nintzel.

Another Republican who supported Barber, Tucson City Councilman Steve Kozachik, was blunt about the quality—or lack thereof—of the GOP candidate.

“I think people saw Ron as a more-serious candidate,” Kozachik said. “And Jesse was not fully baked.”