We got an e-mail this morning from former state lawmaker Carmine Cardamone informing us that perennial candidate Joe Sweeney died of cancer on Saturday, April 2, at Peppi’s House, a TMC hospice.
Sweeney, who was opposed to illegal immigration before being opposed to illegal immigration was cool, ran for Congress more than a dozen times in Southern Arizona. We’re relatively sure that his passing will mean the end of the Alexander Hamilton Evening Law School, where Sweeney was both founder and dean.
Here’s an excerpt from the most comprehensive piece I ever wrote about Sweeney, back in 2004:
Sweeney’s interest in politics was triggered, he says, back in 1974, “when I was having a hard time trying to keep a roof over my head and a car.”
As he tells the story, he got a gig milking cows out at a local dairy, but a few days after he started, he was laid off because the company was going to employ illegal entrants who would work for a buck an hour.
So Sweeney ran his first campaign as a Democrat for the Arizona House of Representatives, but he says the deck was stacked against him because he didn’t have a Spanish surname in his heavily Hispanic district.
Sweeney’s next stop was the UA law school, where he failed to gain admission. But Sweeney wasn’t willing to give up on his dream—”I said, I’ll be damned if I’ll put up with that nonsense”—so in 1978, he started his own institution, the Alexander Hamilton Evening Law School, and, subsequently, a theology school.
“We do theology on Mondays and Thursdays and law on Tuesdays and Wednesdays,” he says, adding that tuition is free for the first month and requires monthly $50 donations for continuing education. “Oh Christ, we’ve probably had 50, 75, 100 people in the program over the years.”
When the schools couldn’t get accredited, Sweeney once again demonstrated his initiative by creating his own accrediting agency, the Great Plains School and College. “We’re entitled to go out and put these adult college programs together,” he says.
Between running his educational institutions and running for Congress, Sweeney says he’s got his hands full, especially since his car recently broke down, stalling his campaign. “I’ve been kind of held up since a week ago last Monday,” Sweeney says.
But he remains confident he can beat Grijalva in November, if all the illegal aliens in District 7 are taken off the voter rolls before the election.
It comes as no surprise to learn that Sweeney doesn’t think much of the Bush proposal to reform the nation’s immigration system.
“I’m trying to run as a Republican and keep some sense of party responsibility,” Sweeney says, “but this guy, we wonder whether he’s all there sometimes.”
Read the whole thing here.
Watch Sweeney discuss gay marriage in this YouTube video.
This article appears in Mar 31 – Apr 6, 2011.
But, really Jim, could you have a little more tact and sensitivity? I agree with your politics, but I’m embarrassed by your treatment of Joe Sweeney two days after he died of cancer.
Seriously. No class.
I met him once, and was impressed. He was an intelligent and reasonable man, despite his odd campaigns, and the law school.
The meanest comment ever written about him was printed by the Tucson Weekly, and I’m betting I can almost repeat it verbatim: His campaign photo looks like he just went to the proctologist, and kinda liked it.
Jim Nintzel is fraud and has no moral compass at all. Joe Sweeney was a very nice man who believed, passionately in his political stance, and he made no apologies for it. He stood tall for what he believed and didn’t let bullies like YOU bring him down. Too bad we didn’t get the email on you. Get a real job, because you suck at what you do and so does your stupid “paper.”
RIP, indeed. I remember when I first met Sweeney he was living under the stairwell of a downtown boarding house. He was a complete lunatic then and he always has been, and we are the worse off without him. But don’t put down Jim Nintzel. He tells the truth.
I am Joe Sweeney’s niece. His death was very sudden and unexpected so it is not until now that I have had opportunity to find this article and comments.
I am overwhelmed by the kind words in many of the comments, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on my Uncle Joe. I have learned more about the man that was mainly “just Uncle Joe” to me – the selfless man who never missed a Thanksgiving serving those less fortunate or a Christmas with his family. He lived simply, had a great passion for his cause, and ruffled a few feathers along the way. I applaud those of you who truly understood his passion and message, however misunderstood by some (or misrepresented by others). Thank you, thank you, and thank you again. It’s obvious that The Tucson Weakly doesn’t even have a shred of class in choosing to run this piece written in this way, shortly after the man has battled cancer. Why did you even bother? This vitriol is news?
For those who knew my Uncle Joe: My family is organizing a service for Joe at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Saturday April 30th. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in the 4th Degree and there will be ceremony presenting an inscribed chalice in his honor prior to the service. All begins at 1:00 PM – to follow will be a less formal reception close by in a location TBA. If you knew Joe, and would like to share your stories I would encourage you to attend, my family would like to meet those who knew him and help celebrate his life through your shared memories.
RIP Uncle Joe, I love you. God Bless.
Holy (expletive). I’m upset to stumble onto this piece of news after being out of the Old Pueblo for so long. There will never be another Joe Sweeney (if you find one, call me.)