Good Evening
Welcome to the 2014 Baja Arizona Kossacks Election Returns Liveblog.
Oh sure, you could go to the one on the Front Page but they probably won't get down in the weeds with the State Ledge or the Corporation Commission or the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board. And besides, sometimes we scoop the FP. So click through, read the news and join us for election returns in Baja.
Arizona's Progressive Roots
This was in the Star this morning (Arizona Daily Star, 11-4-14). In September of 1912 Theodore Roosevelt made a campaign stop in the Old Pueblo. He was running for President as the nominee of a third party, the new Progressive "Bull Moose" Party. Here's part of his speech:
Roosevelt, wearing a gray suit and large, soft, black hat, walked up the platform at a little after noon. William M. Watson gave a brief speech, then introduced Roosevelt as “the leading American citizen.”
The presidential hopeful launched into his speech, though at times his voice became a cracked squeal as a result of the wear and tear from a nationwide campaign.
He spoke about his love for Arizona in the beginning, saying, “You men and women of Arizona, I felt that I must come in this campaign to Arizona, because I believe so much in your people. It was from Arizona that I got my own regiment in the Spanish War. I have many friends here, and what is more, I have grown to feel that Arizona can, in many points, set the pace for the East — for the Northeast.
“Your constitution has in it many things which I intend to try to see put into the New York constitution, when that is redrawn. And it seems to me that you people here embody those qualities to which we Progressives have a right appeal.”
He continued on, focusing on his support for women’s suffrage in Arizona.
Then he launched into a stirring denunciation of Democrats and Republicans, saying both were “privilege-controlled” and “boss-ridden” parties.
He lauded his Progressives as the answer to the corrupt factions that had controlled the United States for so many years.
1912 was the year Arizona became a state and our state constitution was written in the spirit of the
Progressive movement of that time. I often wish we could recover that spirit.
Must See TV
OK, I can't say that there is never anything good on cable TV. I saw this here on the GOS yesterday, h/t Eric Nelson, and posted it this morning in CUA. It's very good; hits two of my favorite themes, ALEC and Republicans running unopposed. The segment is 17 minutes long but the best part is the last 5 or so, here they are:
A Couple More Notes
I'm sure we're all sick of the TV ad overkill we've had to endure this election season. According to the Star, (AZ Daily Star, 10-31-14), 35,485 political ads have aired in Tucson, 43,123 in Phoenix. Added together, TV stations in the two cities collected a total of $52 million. Republican Gubernatorial candidate Doug Doucey is running on that tired, old lie that tax-cuts for business actually increase revenue because they create jobs. They New York Times, (Tax Cuts on Trial, 11-02-14), notes that Republican incumbent governors Brownback of Kansas, Walker of Wisconsin and Corbett of Pennsylvania are all in trouble because of the damage they've done to their states with tax-cuts. Danehy at the Weekly made the same point with a little snarkier style, (Tucson Weekly, 10-31-14). And finally, many of us have stayed up late on election night in the past waiting for the results from the Navajo Rez. Those votes have often been decisive in congressional and statewide races. It's anybody's guess what will happen up there tonight. Tribal politics are in turmoil. Repubs think it will help ALEC-tool Andy Tobin take his corruption to the next level in AZ-01. Here's a summary: Phoenix New Times, 11-3-14.
Let's Get To It
Alright then, I've got a beer in my hand, my Raúl Grijalva t-shirt on and my lucky coin in my pocket. (Yup, that same lucky coin that has helped me win the Powerball® so many times.) Good luck everyone and let's see some results.
7:11 PM PT: First results have Kirkpatrick up big, Grijalva losing, nothing in CD-2. Ducey ahead.
7:33 PM PT (Dave in AZ): 2nd update, only 51 precincts, but Ducey up 56/42, but close SoS 52/48, AG 53/47 R
7:37 PM PT: Az here: NPR sucks so bad, especially the national coverage. You can tell which team they're rooting for. 3,679 write-ins for Mine Inspector. Thanks guys.
8:01 PM PT (Dave in AZ): NBC just switched over to KVOA, they called it for Ducey GOV, Barber ahead 4%, Kirkpatrick CD1+2
8:31 PM PT (Dave in AZ): Damn Half precints reporting in SoS site, DuVal has lost 54-74, SoS 52-48R, AG 53-47
8:31 PM PT: Az: NPR has called it for Duochey too.
8:35 PM PT (Dave in AZ): Oops Guv 51-41R. CS01 looks good 51-48D, CD2 54-45D, CD9-54-42D, SoS + AG close 52-48
Wed Nov 05, 2014 at 4:29 AM PT (Dave in AZ): Good morning Baja Kossacks. Well, not so good politically, but I do believe the sun will still shine, and that's a good thing. AZ repugs managed to sweep statewide yet again - Doozey 54/41, SoS 52/48, AG 53/47, Supt. Public Instruction 51/49, Corp. Commission 29/21. In Congressional races, Kirkpatrick looks safe, 53.1/46.5. McSalley has a 36 vote lead, but much of the outstanding votes are from Cochise County, which for some reason only reported early ballots, none of the in person voting yesterday. I think Barber is in trouble. Sinema won easily, 54/42.5. As many of you know I won't shed any tears for Barber, and with the most Republicans in the House since Herbert Hoover was President (I remember it well), well, at least we'll have an open Dem primary in CD02 in 2016.
Wed Nov 05, 2014 at 4:34 AM PT (Dave in AZ): Actually, the reverse is the case in Cochise County - only in person ballots were reported, none of the early ballots. From the Cochise County elections site:
"UPDATE: Posted results do not yet include early ballots.
Due to technical difficulties the early ballot counting machine did not match the hand count. Therefore, early ballots are in the process of being delivered to Graham County where they will be counted by their equipment.
It is anticipated that the early ballot count will be completed with results posted late Wednesday, November 5th."
Wed Nov 05, 2014 at 4:56 AM PT (Dave in AZ): On final update on CD02, for now. AZ Star is reporting 32,000 early and provisional ballots remain to be counted in Pima county. Cochise county is reporting 12,300 from in person voting, 68/32% McSally. Based on that I would guess at least 20k early ballots to be reported in Cochise. Results so far show Barber carrying Pima county by only 51.3/48.3
Wed Nov 05, 2014 at 3:11 PM PT: AZ here: Sec of State says McSally wins. 194 of 194 precincts reporting: McSally - 90,345 votes, 50.36%, Barber - 88,267 votes, 49.20%