The Phoenix City elections slated for August 30, 2011 seem to be getting very little coverage here at the Great Orange Satan. So, I'll try to do my best with a brief rundown on what's been happening in my council district, and what it may mean for the balance of power in the nation's sixth largest city.
First, of "partisanship":
Former state Senator (and loser of AZ-03 primary to Ben Quayle) Jim Waring has entered the 2nd Council District race, which already seems to have attracted at least one other tea party challenger. This wouldn't necessarily be news, apart from Jim's blanketing of the Phoenix 2nd with campaign signs that clearly list his party affiliation.
This strikes me as completely odd - Phoenix elections are supposedly non-partisan; there is no party affiliation listed on the ballot, and candidates are not expected to run as an affiliate of any party. I'm guessing he's counting on the heavily weighted Republican registration to help him pull this election out in his favor. I'm no lawyer or elections expert, but campaigning in this way seems... dirty?
Of "puppets":
Former District 2 councilwoman Peggy Neely announced her run for Mayor last month. By law, she had to resign her seat.
This is triggering a special election for district 2, which is why Jim Waring (above) is trying to pull out the stops to get back in government. In the mean time, Bryan Jeffries, a firefighter and EMT was selected by the council to fill her role. The hubbub from the right is because Jeffries also just happens to be a leader for the local IAFF.
Cue the typical Republican/conservative Wharrgarbl:
"Well, of COURSE we support our firefighters and policemen! But this UNION THUG has no place on the Phoenix City Council"
In any case, expect more divide and conquer politics in these races. When the main daily decides to run such a bullshiat story as "City workers to get raises" that really strains to push the argument that continued wage depression HELPS an economy... you know the level of derp is going to be unbearable.
And life goes on here, the epicenter of teh stupid.Updated by AZ Independent at Wed May 18, 2011 at 10:11 AM MST
Oops! The "puppet" is actually a reference to this red meat article (and its republishings) making its rounds in the Phoenix conserva-sphere: http://politicsarizona.com/...