Grand Democrats

March 19 was a great day in Arizona as the Presidential Preference Election showed strong support for the Biden-Harris ticket.

 

April 1 was another great day for Arizona Democrats. We signature qualified Democrats in all races including Ruben Gallego, U.S. Senate, Gregory Whitten in Congressional District 8 (includes Grand), Ylenia Aguilar, Jonathan Hill and Joshua Polacheck for Arizona Corporation Commission, LD29 Senate candidate Eric Stafford, LD29 House candidates Tanairi Ochoa-Martinez and Tom Tzitzura, all six Maricopa County Democratic Candidates including Greg Freeman-Assessor, Tim Stringham – Recorder, Tyler Kamp-Sheriff, Dr. Laura Metcalfe-School Superintendent, David Sandoval-Board of Supervisors D4 and Tamika Wooten-County Attorney.

 

On the local level, we have two Democrats in the Dysart School Board race: Sarah Tyree, current Chair of the LD29 Democratic Party and Marc Lewis, who withdrew from the congressional race. They need our petition signatures to get on the ballot in November so please sign them at our upcoming April 17 meeting.

 

The Primary Election is Tuesday, July 20, 2024, While many Democratic candidates are running unopposed, in our Maricopa County Sheriff race, two “Democrats” are running against each other. Tyler Kamp and Russ Skinner. Mr. Skinner switched his long standing Republican registration to allow him to compete for the nomination of Interim Sheriff once Paul Penzone resigned. The Republican Board of Supervisors appointed him interim Sheriff. Mr. Skinner has chosen to run this year as a Democratic. Of course we know the truth, having served under Joe Arpaio for most of his career, he is anything but a Democratic. Tyler Kamp has great experience in the Phoenix Police Department as well as consulting with other Law enforcement agencies.

 

Please support Tyler Kamp not only by voting for him in this contested primary on July 30 but making a donation to him and all the other candidates not running as Clean Election Candidates.

 

We will see some of you on April 7 at the Grand Dems picnic and will be attending Maricopa County Democratic Party’s 100th Anniversary Gala on Thursday, April 18. We plan to see many politicians and candidates, most who have been at Grand Dems in the past.

 

April 17, our monthly General Meeting, will be a Town Hall with Greg Whitten, candidate for U.S. Congress 8. He will take questions from the audience so get them ready. Joshua Polacheck running for the Arizona Corporation Commission, remember your  APS rate hike, will be speaking as well. RSVP now at www.granddems.org.

 

The General Election on November 5, 2024 is exactly seven months to the day I am writing this letter.  In the run up from the Republican corner, Women’s rights will continue to be threatened, minorities marginalized…you know the rest. Need I say more?

 

Yes, we all need to say more and speak up for America. Wringing your hands at home won’t help. But supporting Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as well as other brave Democrats putting themselves out on the line to run for office at all levels is paramount. They will receive insults and threats but will bravely stand up for us. We need to stand up for them.

What can we do to support them? Donate $5 on E-QUAL (to Clean Election Candidates, I’ll show you how at our April 17 meeting), donate to their campaigns, donate to the Grand Dems Victory Fund, knock on doors, place flyers on garage doors, call and text voters, attend Grand Dems meetings to meet the candidates and VOTE.

 

Folks, these are only some activities that collectively will make the difference in who wins in 2024. The choice couldn’t be clearer. And they called Hillary a “crook” which destroyed her campaign in 2016. Wake up, smell the roses, get involved in politics at the ground level with your time and money. Make a difference! You’ll be glad you did.

 

Bob Walling, President

 

P.S. If you are looking for a volunteer leadership opportunity to lead this dynamic Grand Dems Club, and be an agent of change, please email me at granddems@gmail.com or see me at the April 17 meeting. You must be a registered Democrat and resident of The Grand.