There’s an awful lot of energy here on Daily Kos lately. I think it’s terrific that almost everyone is very excited about supporting their candidate in the POTUS primary.
I’m hoping that enthusiasm also translates into the support we critically need for downballot candidates in races across the country.
I want to talk about a particular downballot race and candidate, and my endorsement of him, but I hope folks bring up others worthy of our support in the comments.
Democrats tend to do well in heavily populated urban areas. In both 2008 and 2012, the most populous county in the country to vote GOP was Maricopa County, AZ, home of Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The most populous city controlled by the GOP in that county is Mesa, AZ, which despite the fact that many of you have never heard of it, has more people than the City of Atlanta.
This year, Mesa is holding City council elections for 3 of the 6 districts. A Republican is vacating the District 1 council seat.
Although Mesa elections are ostensibly non-partisan, it’s fairly easy to determine the party affiliation of most participants, though these are not mentioned by their campaigns. A prominent fellow Mesan, former council member and vice-mayor, and devoted public servant is running for council district 1 with the support of local Democrats as well as testimonials from sometime opponents from the other side of the aisle.
You can read his bio (which includes a long history of working for the poor and disadvantaged) here:
www.patgilbertformesa.com
Here’s a tidbit about him going after Arpaio a few years ago which you won't read there: m.eastvalleytribune.com/…
He sued the vindictive SOB, going after his private purse. He has a long history of achieving progressive aims within the conservative framework of the area.
Here is another tidbit about a non-profit facility dedicated to him because he made it happen to provide integrated services to low-income Mesans: trumanscholars.org/…
Please join me in supporting this great Mesa citizen in his latest endeavor by donating to his council campaign:
secure.piryx.com/…
Note that the disclosure limit in this race is just $25.
P.S. In the interest of full disclosure, I went to high school with Pat’s son and have contributed to his campaign myself.