Tag Archives: Election 2014

Arizona Republicans chide Kirkpatrick for flying Mexican flag

Posted on by

ELOY – The Arizona GOP reported that the Ann Kirkpatrick flew a Mexican flag on her float at a parade in Eloy on September 13. Her tweet did not feature the flag prominently, but the Republicans added a photo showing the float with the flag.
Kirkpatricktweetflag-300x232640px-FOT9CF4
According to the Eloy Enterprise, the parade was part of a celebration called sponsored by a group called Corazon De Latinos Unidos which translates to Latino Heart of America.

According to the article:

Las Fiestas Patrias is an important festival celebrated throughout Mexico and Latino communities in the U.S., marking Mexico’s Independence Day. Las Fiestas Patrias, meaning “homeland celebration…”

It does seem inconsistent that while Kirkpatrick seems proud to wave the Mexican flag, she is not proud enough to tweet the fact. The homeland they are celebrating seems apparent with the absence of American flags.

The Maricopa County Republicans report that the Mayor of Eloy, Joe Nagy, has endorsed Andy Tobin to represent Congressional District 1.

Gary King makes totally non-racist remark about opponent

Posted on by
Governor Martinez of New Mexico

Governor Martinez of New Mexico

NEW MEXICO – The Democratic candidate for the office of Governor of New Mexico is under fire for comments made at a private campaign function concerning incumbent Republican Governor Susanna Martinez. The non-racist Democrat Gary King stated that Governor Martinez “…does not have a Latino heart.”

While the Republican Governors Association is demanding an apology, Governor Martinez told KOAT in New Mexico:

I’m not sure what Gary King meant by what he said, so I’m not going to accuse him of racism.

King will not apologize stating that he was simply plagiarizing “labor leader” Dolores Huerta.

Main stream media, which appropriately jumped on the Mitt Romney 47% video, are fortunately silent on this non-racist non-issue. Mother Jones even went through the trouble of creating a total transcript of the entire “secret” video of Romney during his campaign event. They are silent on this video.

One poll shows that Governor Martinez may be re-elected for Governor of New Mexico, but a 2016 bid for the office of President of the United States is not likely.


Video from KOAT

SEE ALSO: New Mexico Gubernatorial Candidate Under Fire For Claiming Rival Susana Martinez ‘Does Not Have Latino Heart’

The signs, they are a changin’

Posted on by

signs5Signs for candidates are changing all across the land following the primary elections last week. All, that is, except for two.

signs8The signs for Andy Tobin and Gary Kiehne still remain as they still do not know which one to remove. Andy Tobin and Gary Kiehne are the Republican candidate vying for the chance to face Ann Kirkpatrick in Congressional District 1.

According to the office of the Secretary of State, 2508 ballots remain to be counted in Coconino and Yavapai Counties. Neither candidate is willing to relent as a mere 359 votes separate Kiehne from leader Andy Tobin.

Probably the main reason for the narrow margin is the fact that Adam Kwasman came across with a respectable 15,050 votes in his bid for the race in November. So far Tobin is standing at 18,438 to Kiehne’s 18,079.

The county offices were closed over the Labor day holiday so the outstanding ballots still remain. The results are required to be in the office of Secretary of State this Wednesday. The results remain unofficial until the final canvas of the office of Secretary of State scheduled for September 8.

sylvia-allen-facebook

Photo from Brenda Barton Facebook page


One new sign that appeared is for candidate Sylvia Allen who has officially been selected to replace the late Chester Crandell who passed away due to injuries in an accident on August 4. Sylvia Allen will run unopposed, barring a write-in candidate, for the Senate seat for legislative district 6.

Allen is a well-known conservative who is a strong supporter of State’s Tenth Amendment rights and the Second Amendment.

Primary results for Congressional District 1 still in question.

Posted on by

Arizona-electsCOCONINO/YAVAPAI – The race for the Republican nomination for Congressional District 1 is still in question. This is the only race which remains undecided in the primaries. The office of the Secretary of State reports that 2,508 ballots remain to be counted in the counties of Coconino and Yavapai.

The race between Andy Tobin and Gary Kiehne has narrowed four votes with only 366 separating the two candidates. The latest news is that the outstanding votes in Yavapai county have dropped to 619 yet to be counted down from 2,401 as of yesterday. Currently 815 votes separate the two candidates in Yavapai county so Tobin will take Yavapai event after all the remaining votes are counted.

In Coconino County 1,889 ballots remain to be counted. The spread between the two candidates in the county is 980 votes. Because the county recorder will not count ballots over the weekend, we will have to wait until Monday before we get the final results. These votes could change the course of the primary election for Congressional District 1. The name recognition that Tobin enjoys could give him the edge in the vote count, however.

It is apparent that the fat lady hasn’t sung in Congressional District 1.

Yavapai County Primary Election night reporting delay

Posted on by

Arizona-electsPRESCOTT – During Primary Election Night Reporting, Yavapai County, working with new election equipment, experienced technical difficulties properly exporting the results file out of its system. Yavapai County worked throughout the night and exported a results file at approximately 5:40 a.m. Once Yavapai exported the file, that data was successfully uploaded into the state election night reporting system without difficulty. It does not appear to significantly change the results of the primary.

A press release from Leslie M. Hoffman, Yavapai County Recorder, stated:

The elections results for the Primary Election of August 26, 2014 were accurately tabulated, published on the Yavapai County website, and reported to the Arizona Secretary of State. There was a delay in reporting election data to the Secretary of State due to a communication issue that slowed the export of the data to the Secretary of State. The new Unisyn Voting Solutions’ equipment installed by Yavapai County pursuant to ARS 16-442(F) performed as designed. The new equipment is certified by the U.S. Elections Assistance Commission and used in multiple jurisdictions across the country. The vote tabulations were accurate and posted on the County website beginning at 9:30PM and the election data uploaded to the Secretary of State by 6:00AM. The Elections Department is working closely with Unisyn Voting Solutions to resolve the communication issue that created the delay.

The office of the Secretary of State stated in their email:

In May 2014, Yavapai County approved this election equipment for experimental use pursuant to A.R.S. 16-442(F). Since the Secretary of State’s Office certifies an end-to-end voting system, the system as configured in Yavapai County was not certified by the State. This new election system, Unisyn OpenElect, is only used in Yavapai County.

A.R.S. 16-442 referenced provides:

The secretary of state or the governing body may provide for the experimental use of a voting system or device without a final adoption thereof, and its use at the election is as valid as if the machines had been permanently adopted.

Unisyn OpenElect voting systems is part of International Lottery & Totalizator Systems corporation which makes online wagering systems for horse racing and lottery systems. According to the company website, Berjaya Lottery Management (HK) Ltd. in Wan Chai, Hong Kong has become their major shareholder. The Unisyn OpenElect voting system was approved for use by the Election Assistance Commission in 2005.

It appears that the voting problem is not a significant factor in the CD-1 race between Andy Tobin and Gary Kiehne, despite television news reports.

What is a factor are the votes yet to be tabulated. According to a press release by the Secretary of State there are still votes yet to be tabulated in Coconino and Yavapai Counties. There are still 2,596 early and 984 provisional ballots yet to be tallied in Coconino. There are 1,894 early and 507 provisional ballots remaining in Yavapai. Only 470 votes separate Tobin from opponent Kiehne.

The current results are not official as the canvasing process is not over. Counties have five-days until the close of business Wednesday, September 3 to verify and process the remaining ballots. A state canvas to certify the election results for national, State and legislative races is scheduled for September 8.

Yavapai County election officials did not respond to a phone call for an interview, but did issue a press release through the office of the Secretary of State.

Cochise County ballot tabulation issue could revise primary election results.

Posted on by

Arizona-electsCOCHISE COUNTY – The office of the Secretary of State reports that Cochise County experienced technical difficulties with yesterday’s tabulation of ballots that will cause a revision of the Primary Election Night Results, possibly changing the outcomes of some races. Cochise County is covered by Legislative District #14 and Congressional District #2. Thus no Coconino County results will be affected.

Previously posted results for this county have been removed from the Secretary of State’s election reporting system. Cochise County is actively working on a resolution and new files will be uploaded when available.

Please note that all election results are unofficial until the Canvass.

The only Statewide election which might be affected is the race for Corporation Commission between Tom Forese, Doug Little and Lucy Mason on the Republican side. On the Democrat side, Sandra Kennedy and Jim Holway are about 14-points apart.

Gail Griffin is running unopposed in LD-14 for the office of State Senator. Republicans David Gowan and David Stevens appear too far ahead of Susan Syfert to effect much of a change in the race for representative of that district.

Andy Tobin the Republican nominee for Arizona CD-1

Posted on by

As of this morning, Andy Tobin has pulled ahead of Gary Kiehne by 532 votes with one precinct left to report. It appears that Tobin took all precincts albeit by very narrow margins.

Ann Kirkpatrick took the seat back after Paul Gosar ran to another district because she was too hard to beat. Tobin will probably have to appeal to the ever increasing number of Independent voters to make a good showing.

Primary 2014 done deal. For the most part.

Posted on by

Arizona-electsSTATEWIDE – Republicans have selected Doug Ducey to represent them in the governors race. John Huppenthal will no longer be the Superintendent of Public Instruction. It appears that Tom Horne has lost his race to Mark Bronovich. Tom Forese and Doug Little will probably be the the Republican candidates for Arizona Corporation Commission.

Michele Reagan will face former Attorney General Terry Goddard for the position of Secretary of State in the General Election.

In Coconino County elections voter turnout matched the predicted 25% with 25.72% of voters turning out to vote. As of 10:25 70 of 71 precints in the county reported.

Coconino County voted for Andy Tobin to represent them with 2,880 votes to 1986 votes for Gary Kiehne with 68 of 71 precincts reporting. Adam Kwasman received 1,308 of the 6,218 votes counted. Throughout the rest of the Congressional District 1, however, the numbers change drastically. As of this writing, the only race left is for Congressional District 1 where 14 votes separate Andy Tobin and Gary Kiehne. with 125 precints yet to report. This is basically the only race that has not been called.

Coconino selected Doug Ducey with Christine Jones coming in second by 2,262 to 1,555 votes respectively. Scott Smith came in fourth with Ken Bennett beating him out by 33 votes for third place. Doug Ducey, of course, has already been declared the Republican Candiadate for governor statewide.

The late Senator Chester Crandell will win the nomination for Senator for Legislative District 6. However Sylvia Allen will be the candidate for the seat. Currently she runs unopposed as there are no Democrats or official write-in candidates facing her. The only opposition she would have is if a write-in files.

There is no surprise that Brenda Barton and Bob Thorpe are the Republican nominees for State Representative for LD-6, but they will be opposed by Democrat Lanny Morrison.

In Flagstaff, Celia Barotz leads the Council race with 21.33% of the vote followed by Eva Putzova with 18.03% and Jim McCarthy in third with 15.10% of the vote. Scott Overton is followed by Charlie Odegaard 12.96% to 12.20% respectively.

Sandra J. Moriarity has won over Cliff Hamilton for the Mayor of Sedona with with 407 votes to 373 votes and both precints reporting. For council Angela Lefevre leads the race with 24.8% of the vote followed by John Thompson with 18.71%. Scott Jablow took third place with 16.60% of the vote. Rio Robson took 12.48% of the vote with the rest of the candidates receiving less than 10% each.

In Tusayan Bill Fitzgerald has taken 27.74% of the vote for council member. John Rueter has 24.52% of the vote, Craig Sanderson 20.65% and Rebecca Wirth 19.35%.

Since Proposition 402 passed in Williams, John Moore is declared re-elected for Mayor with the three councilmen; Donald Dent, Bernie Hiemenz and Lee Payne.

In the race for Justice of the Peace in Williams, incumbent Robert Krombeen won 615 votes to 360 votes for contender Jeff Brownlee. The Justice of the Peace race in Flagstaff appears to have gone to Howard Grodman with 53.89% of the vote agains Warren Sanford’s 45.79% of the vote.

In Sedona, Proposition 429 passed 499 votes to 237. Proposition 401 passed in Tusayan 36 to 24 votes. Proposition 400 in the Town of Fredonia passed 86 to 36.

The real race in Williams

Posted on by

jop-raceArizona-electsWILLIAMS – The race for Justice of the Peace in Williams is the real local race to watch. The outcome not only effects Williams, but Valle and Tusayan, as well. The Justice of the Peace is also under contract as magistrate for the City of Williams. This has been the only contentious race in the City of Williams.

Jeff Brownlee is vying for the office of Justice of the Peace from incumbent Robert Krombeen. The winner of this race will be on the ballot in November. The only opposition they are likely to face is if another contender, or the candidate failing in this primary, faces a write-in candidate.

Anyone may file as a write-in candidate to be on the ballot for any County Office they qualify for. Candidates must file by September 25th by 5 pm. Write-in candidates must also file financial reports and disclosures and whatever other paperwork is required by any other candidate.

Electors may ONLY vote for write-in candidates who have filed the proper paperwork and whose name appears on the write-in candidates list provided at all of the polling places. If an elector writes in the name of a fictitious or real person as a “protest” vote, that vote will not be counted.

A person desiring to run as a write-in for a state or national office in the General Election in November must file through the office of the Secretary of State.

Mayor and councilmen re-elected! (Probably)

Posted on by

20140227 005aArizona-electsWILLIAMS – With an error rate of approximately +/-100%, our super-scientific just-like-CNN exit polling indicates that Mayor John Moore is leading the primary for re-election to the office of Mayor. Don Dent has a strong lead for one of the council seats. Bernie Hiemenz and Lee Payne, however, are running about 50% of the vote. This is based on the number of people polled.

If Williams passes Proposition 402 for Home Rule, they also pass a measure which will declare them elected without having to have their names on the ballot for the General Election. Susan Kerley, Clerk for the City of Williams, explained that this is legal since the number of candidates equals the number of seats available on the council. Since the vote for Home Rule has never failed, the aforementioned candidates will probably be considered elected after this primary without having to face a possible write-in candidate in the General.

The good news is that we will no longer have to suffer through the negative campaign ads going around. Oh, sorry. That was the governor’s race.

The other three seats will be up for grabs in two-years.