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LD22 Newsletter - November 2019


Welcome to the Arizona Legislative District 22 Monthly Newsletter.  
Working to support families and businesses in our community. 

November is here and we are reminded to give thanks, to all of our democratic supporters, volunteers and board members who give their time, money and energy to LD22.  THANK YOU!! With your continued efforts we will turn AZ blue in 2020!
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Upcoming LD22 Meeting

Thursday November 21st
5:30pm to 6:00pm Social Hour
6:00pm to 8:00pm Meeting and Speakers

 
Speakers this month include:
  • Kathleen Honne, Candidate for AZ House of Representatives Dist. 22  
  • Wendy Garcia, Candidate for AZ House of Representatives Dist. 22 
  • David HuffPresident if the Young Democrats of Arizona, Executive Committee member of the Arizona Democratic Party, and Secretary of the LGBTQ Caucus

Meeting is held every third Thursday of the month at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 17540 N Ave of the Arts, Surprise AZ 85378. 

PLEASE NOTE - There is no LD22 meeting in December, we will see you all in January 

In this Edition:
 

Join us for TACO TUESDAY and meet some special guests

This month our Taco Tuesday event is November 5th. We will have 2 guests this month -  Ryan Tait, candidate for Maricopa County Attorney and Dan Toporek, Maricopa County Treasurer candidate. 

Taco Tuesdays are held at Urban Margarita
6685 W Beardsley Rd #180, Glendale, AZ 85308.
 
Receive a ticket for showing up and win a gift card to a local restaurant! If you bring a friend you get an extra ticket! Who doesn’t need a TACO support group?

Stay tuned for more candidate visits for this event!

https://www.urbanmargarita.com/

Healthcare Forum Fundraiser Update

In keeping with our mission to educate voters in our district about issues that concern them, LD22 sponsored and hosted a successful healthcare forum in October to provide context and information about some of the healthcare options offered by some of the Democratic presidential candidates.  Follow our events calendar on our website to find out about future events we are planning.  https://ld22democrats.com/events.html

Ongoing Weekly Rally Events

Tue Nov 5th 8:30am to 10:00am at Congresswoman Debbie Lesko’s office for our Weekly Legislator Rally. This week our rally issue is  GET OUT THE VOTE - Its Election Day! No signs required.
 

Tue Nov 12th 8:30am to 10:00am at Congresswoman Debbie Lesko’s office for our Weekly Legislator Rally. This week our rally issue is ECONOMY/JOBS 

Please Bring Signs. (Suggestions: Empower workers; REBUILD the Middle Class; Tariffs are Taxes). Don’t forget water and Sunscreen.

Tue Nov 19th 8:30am - 10:00am
Join us at Congresswoman Debbie Lesko’s office for our Weekly Legislator Rally. This week our rally issue is HEALTHCARE
Intersection of W Bell Rd and W Grandview Rd, Glendale, AZ

Please Bring Signs. (Suggestions: Protect and expand Access; Control Costs; Protect Medicare; Don’t be Fooled - Republicans have NO REFORM Plan). Don’t forget water and Sunscreen.

Tue Nov 26th 8:30am - 10:00am

Thanksgiving Theme - no signs needed

For information about more weekly rally events follow our FB page at  https://www.facebook.com/AZLD22Dems/ or our website events page at https://ld22democrats.com/events.html.

Speaker Spotlights - Presenting this Month

David Huff

President if the Young Democrats of Arizona, Executive Committee member of the Arizona Democratic Party, and Secretary of the LGBTQ Caucus

David Huff ImageOver the last few years, David has organized in the Phoenix/Tempe area as an openly bisexual student democratic activist at Arizona state university. From working to elect candidates such as former EQAz President Kevin Patterson for Phoenix City Council, Rep. Aaron Lieberman and Rep. Kelli Butler, David understands the importance of electing Pro-LGBTQ policy candidates in the state of Arizona. In addition to David's campaign activities, he has served as the president of ASU Young Democrats, and current President if the Young Democrats of Arizona, Executive Committee member of the Arizona Democratic Party, and Secretary of the LGBTQ Caucus. David hopes to use his political campaign and party resources to support Equality Arizona's mission of fulfilling rights to all LGBTQ+ Arizonans.

Purpose: The Young Democrats of Arizona are the official youth branch of ADP working to engage youth democratic voters in the state. We organize in college campuses and young professional county chapters. 


Twitter: @ydaz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YDArizona/
Website: https://www.ydaz.org

Wendy Garcia

Arizona Legislative District #22 2020 Democratic Candidate for the House

Wendy Garcia is running a grass roots campaign to be your next Arizona House Representative for Legislative District 22.  Because she is a Democrat campaigning as a “Clean Elections” candidate, Ms. Garcia will be accountable to the voters; not the special interests, dark money politicians, and corporate lobbyists.  By campaigning “Clean” Wendy will be able to spend more time listening to the voters of Legislative District 22.

Ms. Garcia founded Indivisible Surprise (a local grass roots group).  She also helped organize the Northwest Valley chapter of Save Our Schools.  As an experienced radio broadcaster and news director, she has communicated with members of the Arizona Legislature and the United States Congress to advocate for social justice issues.

Wendy is a fearless activist, leader, and the mother of 2 children (Melody & Michael).  So, she knows the importance of protecting vulnerable people and our rights.  She will serve “by and for the people” of District 22 to restore democracy, improve public schools, expand healthcare coverage, and increase good paying jobs for our community.

Did you know? That each district has 2 house seats, therefore we elect 2 representatives.  Kathleen and Wendy ARE NOT RUNNING AGAINST EACH OTHER.  

Kathleen Honne 

Arizona Legislative District #22 2020 Democratic Candidate for the House

Kathleen Honne grew up in rural Southern Arizona.  Participating in 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs, she learned the values of citizenship, responsibility, and service to her community; as well as valuable life skills such as clear thinking and healthy living.  Along with those values and skills Kathleen will bring her leadership and experience to the job of representing the voters in the Northwest Valley (Arizona’s Legislative District #22).

Mrs. Honne has worked in education for over 20 years serving as both an assistant principal and a classroom instructor.  She has taught 3rd grade, managed an elementary school with over 900 students, and balanced a multi-million dollar budget.  Kathleen has also successfully written safety grants and advocated for individual students with special needs.  So she knows, first-hand, how to navigate the bureaucratic red-tape and address the challenges we face in getting the politicians down at the Capitol to act for the public good.

During this campaign, as both a Democratic and Clean Elections candidate. Kathleen will address the issues of political corruption, improving student education, healthcare access for all, and making our economy work for everyone.

Speakers Scheduled for January Meeting

Bill Mundell
Candidate for AZ Corporation Commission

Bill has a long history of public service in Arizona. After fighting police and judicial corruption in Chandler, Bill was 27 when he was appointed the Presiding Judge of the Chandler Municipal Court, where he served for six years.

Bill next served in the Arizona House of Representatives and was Chair of the Environment Committee for four years. During his tenure, Bill wrote numerous laws protecting Arizona's environment, including the state's first recycling law, a law preventing Arizona from becoming the nation’s dumping ground for hazardous waste and a law protecting the Phoenix Mountain Preserves. 


Daniel Toporek
 

Dan Toporek spent the last 34 years honorably serving our Nation as a Marine and Army Attack Pilot, and now he seeks to continue his service as Treasurer of Maricopa County.  As your Treasurer, Dan will bring the same dedication to honorable service as he did when he was flying combat missions overseas or managing the resources necessary to keep our Nation safe.

 

Candidate for Maricopa County Treasurer

Robert McWhirter
For Maricopa County Attorney

Mr. McWhirter is a nationally and internationally known speaker and author on trial advocacy, immigration law, and the history of the bill of rights. He is a frequent guest on Arizona Horizon and KJZZ as a Constitutional expert and historian. Mr. McWhirter is a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law with the State Bar of Arizona.

Aaron Connor
Maricopa County Assesor


For over 15 years, Aaron Connor has been working in the mortgage industry.  He has worked in underwriting, loan processing, title review, as a loan officer, a business analyst, and systems administrator.  Understanding the entire life-cycle of the mortgage industry to find efficiencies and ensure the consumers investments are maximized.

 

LD22 - WEEKEND OF ACTION - COMING IN FEBRUARY 2020

LD22 is pleased to partner with the Swing Left Sonoma County (SoCo) Chapter and national Swing Left organization for a Weekend of Action.
 
When:
The Weekend of Action  is scheduled for Friday, February 14 through Monday, February 17.
 
Why:
February 18 is the deadline for registering as a Democrat for the Presidential Preference Primary which takes place on March 17 in AZ. In AZ, only voters who are registered Democrat can vote in the Presidential Preference Election (PPE).  There are more no-party-preference voters in the state than Democrats. This is a great chance to identify left-leaning no-party-preference voters and increase participation.

How:
Swing Left SoCo, Swing Left and LD22 will have canvassers knocking on doors to register individuals as Democrats. We will need AZ LD22 Democrats to assist with all the activities going on during this Weekend of Action.   These additional 'boots on the ground' will help us reach likely Democratic voters in Arizona in early 2020.

We plan to have 5 shifts of canvassing throughout the weekend; therefore we need a lot of local Democrats to help during the weekend (e.g., provide housing for Democrats flying in from California; drivers for airport pick-up and drop-off; drivers for canvassers; LD22 canvassers; and many other activities).


What can you do?
We will need help for a variety of tasks:
  • Provide housing for democrats flying in from California
  • Provide airport pick up and drop off
  • Drivers to take canvasser on Feb. 15th – 17th
  • Other: (e.g., donating water, snacks for canvassers; helping check-in volunteers during the 5 shifts of canvassing)
Sign Me Up!
By adding your contact information here you are giving us permission to contact you prior to the event to see when and where you can help.   Thank you for stepping up to do the important work to flip our Super State, Arizona in all races.  
 
LD22 - Social Meda Marketing Campaign Update

LD22 is working to expand our reach through social media and we need your help! A strong following will help us to connect quickly to educate voters and provide current information about relevant issues. Additionally we will be better equipped to notify our local community about upcoming fundraising events, club activities, volunteer requests, current legislative issues and much more.  

FACEBOOK: As of the end of October we have a total of 375 followers on our FB page (a 35% increase this month), our posts have reached more than 5920 people in the last month and we have had 1270 post engagements (likes, shares and comments)  Thank you all for following, sharing and commenting at #ld22democrats on Facebook.

INSTAGRAM: In October we have also added a new volunteer to help with our
Instagram account, thanks to Jacob Sumner the activity on Instagram has increased significantly, we have almost doubled the number of followers we had.

NEWSLETTER: In the month of October we have had 98 new people sign up to receive this newsletter!  Do you know someone who wants to receive it too?  They can subscribe from the button located in the footer of our website at ld22democrats.com. Or send them this link.

VOLUNTEERS: In October we started the Volunteer Needs List Email campaign.  This is a weekly email generated to individuals who have indicated an interest in volunteering with LD22.  So far we have had some good success and have been able to successfully match up volunteers with events and activities going on in our district.

We will continue to call upon local democrats to help as there is so much to do and so many different opportunities to get involved.

Are you interested in receiving this weekly needs list?  If so sign up here...
 
Add Me to Volunteer Needs List
Contact Information:
Janet Pettifer, LD22 Digital Media Chairperson
janetp@granitewebservices.com
 
DID YOU KNOW?
LD22 has a business FB page AND a private group page. To keep up with all of the current issues and events specific to LD22 please follow our business page at
https://www.facebook.com/AZLD22Dems/ or search for #LD22democrats in FB.  To join the private FB group and add your own posts to join the conversation simply access #AZDemsLD22 from the FB search bar.
Dean's Data Download

During October we continued our Virtual Phone Bank (VPB) featuring eight volunteers from California.  (A VPB uses a VAN application with your computer or cell phone to track results of the call/visit automatically.  If you are familiar with computers, it is easy to use.)  This initiative was designed to promote the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL). 

We made a total of 649 calls with 23 voters agreeing to sign-up for PEVL and another 8 who stated they would sign-up later.  We recruited 2 volunteers and another 5 told us they would consider volunteering later.  We are looking forward to partnering with Sonoma County Democrats again.  What a great result!

Canvassing, of course, is the very best way to engage voters.  We started our fall canvassing on Saturday, September 28th and we continued with three canvassing events in October.  We increased our canvassing participants to 15 hearty souls.  In October we knocked on 346 doors in Los Gatos, Sierra Verde, Wahalla, Beardsley and Surprise Farms precincts and talked with 98 voters.  This is a very impressive 28% contact rate.  Twelve of these voters agreed to volunteer as soon as possible, 12 agreed to volunteer later and another 25 would consider volunteering.  During this canvass we promoted our LD22 Democratic Party and 56 people agreed to join us on Facebook and/or Twitter and 52 voters agreed to provide an email address for our monthly newsletter.

We continue to attract over 50 people at to our monthly meeting plus well over 6 visitors who were obtaining signatures for candidates and the Outlaw Dirty Money initiative.  We strive to ensure that people who sign up to volunteer are contacted and offered opportunities to engage.  One of the key methods we use in this regard is our weekly volunteer email.  (Sign up for that here) Please be on the lookout for this and contact the event organizer if you are interested and the event fits your schedule.  Thank you to everyone who has volunteered over the past month – your efforts are very, very much appreciated.


Dean
VAN Captain

Notes from our Civic Engagement Chair - Teresa Neiberg

There is no better time for civic engagement than now! See how you can learn more about the issues that affect us all below:
 
CALL TO ACTION:
Get to Know Adrian Fontes, Candidate for County Recorder!

If you missed Adrian Fontes speak at the October LD22 Meeting, below is a description of the County Recorder Repsonsibilities, a link to an excellent Podcast with Adrain Fontes, and a link to a newspaper article about Adrain Fontes.

The County Recorder keeps public records and is in charge of voter registration and early voting. They keep records so that the public can access public records and government information as needed for personal and/or business purposes. For elections, the County Recorder’s Office is in charge of processing and maintaining voter registration records. Additionally, the County Recorder's Office administers early voting, including mailing out early ballots and providing on-site early voting locations. The County Recorder's Office also verifies voter signatures on early ballot affidavits and petitions (when required by law). The term is for four years. (https://www.azcleanelections.gov/how-government-works/arizona-county-recorder)

www.electfontes.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElectFontes/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Adrian_Fontes

Podcast:  Adrian Fontes Wants to Make Elections Better For Voters

http://newdealleaders.libsyn.com/adrian-fontes-wants-to-make-elections-better-for-voter

Meet the Maricopa County Recorder

https://echomag.com/a-fontes-2019/


Call to Action:

City of Surprise hosts Veterans Day Parade, Pancake Breakfast and Veterans Reflection Circle Dedication on Nov 11.

https://www.surpriseaz.gov/list.aspx?MID=6760
 


Learn about Voter Suppression here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/24/us/voting-college-suppression.html

Interesting Articles About our Economy:

In A Strong Economy, Why Are So Many Workers on Strike?

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/19/business/economy/workers-strike-economy.html

AZ Near Bottom in US for Salary Growth Since 2008

https://www.azmirror.com/blog/arizona-salaries-growth-bottom-of-us-since-2008/

Interesting Article Regarding Sensible Gun Laws:

Moms Demand Action Founder Says Advocacy Group in not Anti-Gun

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/moms-demand-action-founder-says-advocacy-group-is-not-anti-gun/

Learn about the future of Healthcare:

What the Medicare For All Fight is Really About

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/17/opinion/medicare-for-all.html

Bill Seeks to Provide Vision Coverage in Medicare, Lowering Costs for Seniors

https://www.thewellnews.com/bill-seeks-to-provide-vision-coverage-in-medicare-lowering-costs-for-seniors/

Interesting Climate Change Articles:

One Thing You Can Do:  Look for the Energy Star Label

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/23/climate/nyt-cilmate-newsletter-energy-star.html

Climate Change Will Inevitably Change the Way the World Produces Goods

(Hint:  This is going to change wine production.)

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/10/14/dining/drinks/climate-change-wine.html

Want to Know What Climate Change Feels Like? Ask an Alaskan!

https://grist.org/article/want-to-know-what-climate-change-feels-like-ask-an-Alaskan/
 


More information, as it becomes available, will be discussed at LD22 meetings, sent out in this LD22 newsletter, listed in events on ld22democrats.com and posted on the LD22 Facebook page.

Volunteer Spotlight

CALLING ON ARIZONA DEMOCRATS

Help Move Arizona Forward

Become part of a team and help create an Arizona that works for everyone.  The LD22 Democrats are launching an organized effort to recruit and train volunteers to reach out to voters that we have never talked to before across our district.  This is your invitation to join the team. Help move Arizona forward.  Each month we will highlight a volunteer who joined the team and is moving Arizona forward.


Get to know the LD22 volunteers!

  Volunteer Spotlight  -  Mark Hamilton
 

When did you get involved with the Democratic Party and why?
Disgusted after Thump's ‘election’ in 2016, I decided to leave the sidelines and join the game. My wife and I joined the Sun City Grand Dems club and I became a member of the Grand Dems
board.
 
What type of volunteering activities did you do in the past?
I have been a food bank volunteer and in 2018, I was the Sun City Grand coordinator for the Outlaw Dirty Money campaign.
 
Why is volunteering important to you?
It gives me an opportunity to give back to society, especially in areas that I enjoy.
 
What are your plans for volunteering in 2019 and 2020?
The Grand Dems work closely with the Valley View Community Foodbank and the Nadaberg School District. Recently I was one of many volunteers helping with the ‘postcarding’ campaign for the Nadaberg School District bond. I have also been working the LD22 team in registering new Arizona voters. With Sun City Grand Fishing Club, I also have been taking grand kids fishing when they visit their grand parents in Sun City Grand.
 
Do you have a favorite volunteering story you want to share?
I have no particular favorite story. I do enjoy meeting and talking to the wide variety of people when I volunteer.

Are you interested in civic engagement beyond voting?  LD22 has many volunteer opportunities that can fit any schedule.  Sign up to receive our weekly Volunteer Needs List Email.
 
For specific information about current Volunteer opportunities you can also contact Cheri Tomlinson at cheri.tomlinson254@gmail.com or 602.561.9470.
LD22 Stories of Impact
Howard Neiberg
REMEMBERING ROSIE

Howard Neiberg...Retired physician, Volunteer for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.
 
On October 27, 2018, while canvassing for gun sense candidates, I received a call from my son in Pittsburgh informing me of a mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue.  His great Aunt Rosie and cousin Andrea had been inside at the time.  It wasn’t until later that evening we learned Rosie and ten other worshipers had been killed and Andrea wounded. My children’s spry 97 year old aunt was murdered and their cousin wounded in what was now the deadliest attack on a Jewish community in America. Aunt Rosie, a mother of 3, a grandmother and great-grandmother was now dead simply because she was practicing her faith in our country where the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
 
This was another senseless act of gun violence fueled by hatred not unlike the all too often massacres of school children, the LBGTQ community, and other communities of different race and religion.
 
On the one year anniversary of this tragedy, a Remembering The Victims ceremony is planned at the Pittsburgh Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall. I ask that we not only remember Aunt Rosie that day, but the other 10 victims, and all those whose lives have been needlessly affected by gun violence.
 
Don’t let lawmakers separate guns from gun violence.  Become educated and engaged. Consider advocacy by joining an organization such as MomsDemandAction.org.  Then, use your voice and your vote to change the culture.

Stronger Than Hate-USC Shoah Foundation
 

One Year Out from the 2020 election

You’ve probably heard the phrase that all Politics is local. It refers to the idea that everyday concerns of citizens are front and center in people’s minds because they want their politicians to fix them. Except sometimes. This might be one of those times. We all have a pretty bad case of whiplash because every day it’s something. It’s difficult to focus on anything other than the crisis du jour. How can we be engaged and feel hope in this battleground state?
 
Here are some things you might consider as hopeful.

1. The list of County candidates continues to grow! You may want to meet two of them at Urban Margarita. Ryan Tait, running for County attorney and Dan Toporek, who must replace our disgraced County Treasurer. Of course, re-electing Adrian Fontes and Paul Penzone is critical! Both of these men have taken the rubbish they inherited and restored integrity to both the Recorder’s Office and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s department.

2. Join us for a Holiday Party on December 11th at 6pm. It’s $25/person and LD22 is joining with the Grand Dems and Northwest Valley Dems to share a traditional holiday dinner together. Purchase your tickets HERE

3. Get active! It’s the antidote for hopelessness. You learn new things, meet new people and you feel good about living your values! We elect Democrats and help Democrats vote. We have too much to do so you’ll have a choice.’

4. Contribute your time, money and energy. We do not receive financial support from either the Arizona Democratic Party or the Maricopa County Democratic party. We can only do what we can with our limited resources to elect Democrats and ensure democratic values prevail. Please give us a hand. Arizona is receiving a great deal of attention and assistance from out of state “blue” groups because they believe in us. Download our 2020 “win” plan here. 

5. We’ve been “warming up” by knocking on doors to recruit volunteers to help us win in 2020. If you said YES you would volunteer, reach out now. This article is hopeful. Check it out. https://ktar.com/story/2728362/could-maricopa-county-decide-2020-presidential-election/

I’m hopeful and I hope you are too. See you soon!


Bobbie Kithcart
Holiday Party coming in December

LD22 Holiday and Democrat Partners Celebration

It’s that time of year and this year LD22 Democrats will be joining with our fellow Democrat clubs, the Grand Dems and Northwest Valley Dems, to Celebrate. These two clubs have been actively helpful of all LD22 Democrat activities over the years and we are long overdue in celebrating each other.

The Party will be:

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Sun City Foundation

20450 N Stardust Blvd

Sun City West, AZ 85375

 

Cost of Dinner will be $25/person

***** PURCHASE TICKETS HERE *****

 The dinner buffet will include:

Turkey, Gravy & Cranberry Sauce

Ham

Mashed Potatoes

Sweet Potato

Cornbread Stuffing

Green Beans

Apple Pie

Pumpkin Pie

Brownies

In addition, a vegan menu will be provided that mirrors the above.

BYOB to Share

THINGS TO DO IN 22

For information about all LD22 Events check our calendar at https://ld22democrats.com/events.html

Sun City Grand Democrats have their monthly Blue Breakfast

The first Thursday of the month - 8:30AM to 10:00AM at Coco’s

15955 W Clearview Blvd, Surprise, AZ 85374
 

Sun City Grand Democrats Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, November 20th 7:30pm - 8:30pm

Cimarron Center, Agua Fria Room17100 W Clearview Blvd, Surprise, AZ 85387
Follow their calendar

 

Northwest Valley Democrats Club Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, November 13th 6:00 - 8:00pm - This month the speaker is Paul Penzone, Maricopa County Sheriff

Sun City Foundation, Quail Room14465 W R H Johnson Blvd, Sun City West, AZ 85375
Follow their Calendar

Donations Needed

LD 22 is on the verge of making history in 2020 and we need your help.

Our goals include:

  • Flipping the state capitol Blue with a democratic majority in the Senate and the House!
  • Flipping a second US Senate seat Blue in as many years!
  • Adding to the Democratic majority of Arizona’s 9 US Congressional seats Blue (currently democrats hold five of the nine congressional seats.) When CD8 defeats Debbie Lesko, Democrats will hold six!
  • Defeating Donald Trump and turning the White House not just Blue, but restoring honor and respect to our institutions!

LD22 Campaign Central will be the place where we will gather, launch organizing efforts to register new voters, mobilize volunteers, and turnout Democrats and Independents for victory in 2020.

Copyright © 2019 LD 22, All rights reserved.


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