VOT ER’S GUIDE Jewish News of Greater Phoenix Of primary importance Upcoming election features some notable contests DEBRA MORTON GELBART redistricting to face criticism and maps in April. Five of the redrawn Contributing Writer challenge from individuals or groups congressional districts are concentrated in unhappy with proposed new maps. But in metropolitan Phoenix. This Voter’s Guide is he upcoming primary election in Arizona 2011 in Arizona, the process proved to be focusing on the four Greater Phoenix-based — set for Aug. 28 — will be the first especially contentious. The commission congressional districts with the most Jewish T time since 2002 that voters encounter crashed into the wrath of the voters — 6, 7, 8 and 9. newly configured U.S. congressional and state state’s Republicans when it With the 2010 census, Arizona legislative districts. The process of redistricting released its draft congressional gained a congressional seat has been a challenging task this election cycle, map last October. In November, and will send nine elected one that has been fraught with roadblocks. Gov. Jan Brewer fired the representatives to Washington Arizona’s Independent Redistricting commission’s chair, Colleen in January 2013. Before that can Commission is the entity charged with redrawing Mathis, for what Brewer called happen, however, the primary the state’s political map and chaired by someone “gross misconduct.” Brewer’s election is presenting a substantial not affiliated with either the Democratic or move was approved by the state hurdle for candidates in three key Republican Party. The commission was created Senate. Less than three weeks federal races. after voters approved a proposition in 2000 later, the Arizona Supreme Court shifting power from the State Legislature to overturned the firing and ordered a new bipartisan independent body to redraw Mathis reinstated. political boundaries every 10 years. The U.S. Justice Department It’s not unusual for those responsible for approved the final congressional and legislative See “Of primary” on Page S12 S12 – Voter’s Guide/JEWISH NEWS OF GREATER PHOENIX — July 27, 2012 Of primary importance Continued from Page S11 “It’s not necessarily a bad thing to the elector- Ober said two races in Arizona especially may ate if a candidate doesn’t have traditional political affect other races, because of how they could galva- experience,” Hamer said. “A strong candidate with- nize the Hispanic community. The U.S. Senate and Colleagues become opponents out a voting record can have an advantage.” Maricopa County sheriff’s races, with attention on Reconfigured congressional boundaries have “After the primary, the race in District 9 has the immigration, could encourage a higher than normal resulted in two current freshman congressmen fac- potential to become fiercely contested by outside voter turnout, he said. ing off against each other in one redrawn district. interests on both sides,” said Ron Ober, a long- Even though many legislative districts don’t have The geographically extensive redrawn 6th Con- time political strategist who is the president of competitive races in this primary election, check gressional District covers central Phoenix and its Policy Development Group, a Phoenix government out our enhanced online Voter’s Guide for mini-pro- northeast suburbs, including Scottsdale and Para- relations and crisis communications firm. As to files of candidates in the Maricopa County districts dise Valley. Rep. David Schweikert (first elected the outcome of the District 9 primary in both the Jewish voters care most about, so that you can be two years ago in District 5) and Rep. Ben Quayle Democratic and Republican fields, Ober wouldn’t introduced to at least some of the candidates in (elected in District 3) are both Republicans running make a prediction, suggesting that almost all of the your district. We’re focusing on legislative districts in this district. According to townhall.com, the con- candidates have the potential to win. 15, 18, 22, 23, 24, 26 and 28. Only two Arizona Sen- servative Club for Growth is calling this primary Hamer agrees. “You’ve got impressive, cred- ate races within those districts — the Democratic race the most watched Republican congressional ible candidates on both sides,” he said, adding and Republican primaries in District 24 — feature contest in the country. that although the district has “a Democratic tilt,” opponents. In all of the rest that we’re covering, the How did two members of the state’s congressio- he doesn’t believe the Democratic winner of the Democratic and Republican candidates for Arizona nal delegation from the same party come to oppose primary will easily win in the general election. Senate are cruising to unopposed victory in the each other in the primary? With redistricting, every “I think the Republican field in CD 9 is strong,” primary election. But until now, you may not have incumbent congressman is placed into a newly Hamer said, citing former Paradise Valley Mayor known much about them. numbered district. At the time the maps were Vernon Parker’s visibility, Schandlbauer’s CIA redrawn, Quayle’s home was located (just barely) experience and the military and business back- inside the 9th. But he decided to run in the 6th, grounds of former Chandler City Councilman Mar- where two-thirds of his current constituents live. tin Sepulveda, Rogers (a retired Air Force pilot) and Early voting begins Aug. 2 Grantham (an Air National guard pilot). He now lives in District 6, but there is no constitu- You can cast your ballot beginning Thursday, tional requirement that a candidate live in the dis- Aug. 2. To find out what congressional and trict where he or she runs; candidates are required Senate challengers similar legislative districts you’re in, paste this only to live in the state they will represent. Two Republicans running for the U.S. Senate seat address into your browser: http://tinyurl.com/ “It’s going to be a very close primary race in getdistrict. Type in your address and the site District 6,” said Glenn Hamer, the former executive now held by retiring Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., are in a competitive bid made more uncomfortable for them will give you the information. director of the state Republican Party. “Both Quayle To request an early ballot, visit http:// and Schweikert had a strong freshman term, and because they are alike in several ways. Wil Cardon, a successful businessman and lifetime resident tinyurl.com/web-elections and click on there is a lot of enthusiasm for both candidates. “Request an Early Ballot” on the right side of The outcome of that race is very much in doubt.” of the East Valley, is challenging Rep. Jeff Flake, a successful politician and lifetime resident of the page. You can also request to be placed on Arizona. Both are conservative, Mormon residents the permanent early voting list at this Web The new 9 of Mesa and attend the same neighborhood church. address. You can request an early ballot by mail as The 9th District is relatively narrow geographi- Each has five children. Each is running television late as Aug. 14. All early ballots must be in the cally but winds through a chunk of the Valley commercials suggesting that he is more conserva- hands of an elections worker by 7 p.m. Election that includes five cities and stretches from Peoria tive than his opponent. Day, Aug. 28. If you plan to mail your early Avenue in Phoenix on the north to Pecos Road in One of them will face Democrat Richard Carmona ballot, drop it in a mailbox no later than Aug. Chandler on the south. in the fall. Carmona is a Tucson-based medical doc- 23 to make sure it reaches elections officials In the 9th district, three popular Democrats (two tor and former U.S. surgeon general. He is running by Aug. 28. of whom are Jewish) are vying for their party’s unopposed in his primary after David Ruben, also If you wish to vote early in person, you must nomination in that congressional race: Andrei a medical doctor, and Don Bivens, a lawyer and go to an early voting location by Aug. 24 at 5 Cherny, the immediate past chair of the Arizona former state Democratic Party chair, dropped out of p.m. To see a list of early voting locations in Democratic Party; David Schapira, the Arizona the race. Maricopa County, visit http://tinyurl.com/ Senate minority leader; and Kyrsten Sinema, an Ober said it’s not a foregone conclusion that a earlyvotesites. If you prefer to vote on Election author and another highly visible leader of the Republican will capture the open Senate seat in the Day but are not sure of your polling place, political minority when she was in the Arizona Sen- general election. “The combination of how nasty the paste this address into your browser: http:// ate. Cherny and Schapira both have been profiled Republican primary has become and the dynamic tinyurl.com/poll-locator. Make sure you bring in Jewish News recently (“Heated primary race,” candidacy of Carmona means that this will be a a photo I.D. with you to your polling place. Jewish News, May 25). very tough race to predict in the fall.” If you’re a registered independent, you can Seven Republican candidates also are running in Hamer is confident that Flake will prevail. “The vote in the primary. You and the more than District 9. Four of them (Travis Grantham, Wendy Democrats have put up the best candidate they pos- 1 million other independents in the state Rogers, Leah Campos Schandlbauer and Jeff sibly could,” he said. “But I predict that Congress- don’t have to wait until the November general Thompson) have never before held elective office, man Flake will become Senator Flake.” election to cast a ballot.