The Democratic and Republican parties will both see changes at the top next year.
Pima County Democratic Party Chair Don Jorgensen is stepping down after one two-year term heading up the party. As far as we know at this point, Cheryl Cage is the only candidate to replace Jorgensen.
Meanwhile, Pima County Republican Party Chair Carolyn Cox is also stepping down. We hear that Bill Beard, a former candidate for county recorder, is interested in the gig, as is John Lesko, the party’s current fourth vice-chair who worked on GOTV efforts in 2014 election cycle.
This article appears in Nov 20-26, 2014.
I like the idea of a log cabin Republican at the helm. Very progressive!
Bill is a solid guy. Grass roots volunteers appreciate his hard work on behalf of local Republican candidates and election integrity. He has worn out a lot of shoe leather for his party. He avoids criticizing Republicans that may have a different view than his.
The people have spoken with their votes. If a party loses they should change leadership the outcome was all their navigation so own it. Want to win next time take notes and make those changes. Stop the mud slinging cause they don’t do a thing or benefit anybody who pays their salaries. Meaning us tax payers. Get to work and do something about it. That goes for all political parties.
It is quite clear both political parties have a lot of work to do before the 2016 elections. The Republican party needs to connect with people on many issues, the elected statewide candidates did not cement in reasonable solutions.
Plenty of far-fetched dreams of balanced budgets without changes in revenue sources or meeting the fiscal needs of government. No evidence of willingness to tending to educational crisis, infrastructure, reappraisal of taxes, or moving forward with so many of the pressing needs of the state. More of the same only new faces with the same old ideas.
The Democrats showing no signs of a united offering of choices, not really losing favor with voters but standing in place with no loyal opposition mandates. Not one statewide Democrat candidate caught enough fire to say this is the way, here is the way to go. Close is still a loss.
Overall no shift in state direction or indication of changes to follow. Arizona is at the peak of decisions with no political leadership strong enough to make changes so another two years of floating along concentrating on social and ideological differences. Weak leadership elected by a cold electorate unresponsive in participation only anxious to get it all behind them so their regular television programs will return without the negative campaign ads and the landscape clear of political signs.
Two more years of nothing but hopefully giving the Republicans enough political power to either move forward or more failure furnishing the weaken Democrats new energy to present to their own and Independent voters solid reasons for change.
One bright spot is the emergence of bright new leadership for the Pima County Democrats. Cheryl Cage masterminded the successful legislative race in District 9 against extreme odds, out-matched financially and held by a very popular Republican incumbent. Cheryl Cage is beyond a doubt a fresh and gifted political leader for the Democrats to rally around and rebuild the county party.