Arizona Politics News

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Now that local elections are all but over for the counting in Tucson (and a possible recount in Ward 3), it's time once again to update the early filers with the Arizona Secretary of State for 2010. You can play along at home at http://www.azsos.gov/cfs/CommitteeSearch.aspx

The big news today: Terry Goddard, the state's highest-elected Democrat, filed paperwork Friday morning announcing that he is exploring a run for governor next year. Political Insider Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and former Arizona Democratic Party Chairman and 2006 U.S. Senate candidate Jim Pederson previously announced that they would not run. Former Tempe Mayor Neil Giuliano has also decided not to run

by David Safier

Education scandal rags Education Week is abuzz with vaguely interested in the shocking not-terribly-exciting news that Washington D.C. Superintendent Michelle Rhee is engaged to former basketball star, former charter school operator and current Sacramento mayor, Kevin Johnson.

They've been carrying on a bi-coastal romance for some time. Johnson says it will be a long engagement.

I thought you'd want to know.

Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, the state's highest-elected Democrat, filed paperwork Friday morning announcing that he is exploring a run for governor next year.
The step is a formality, the furthest the state's resign-to-run law allows a sitting office holder to go in preparing a campaign for a different position. As of Jan. 1, Goddard - who is term-limited next year - will be allowed to formally launch his campaign.
Regardless, Goddard's first official step toward the gubernatorial campaign is significant. He is the first Democrat to inch into the race and he does so as the overwhelming favorite to capture his party's nomination. ...

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by David Safier

Kudos to Giffords for taking such a public stand saying she plans to vote for the House health care bill Saturday. She could try and do it quietly. Instead, she's making the case for her vote in today's Star.

I have to admit, I don't know all the details of the House bill, so I'm not going to analyze Giffords' comments about the specifics of the legislation. But I do know enough to say that I support this kind of language:

It was 45 years ago that Congress passed the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 — a historic measure that for the first time outlawed all racial segregation in schools, public places and employment.