The Arizona senate primary is this coming Tuesday. Two more days. The Tucson newspaper, the Arizona Daily Star, printed an article today informing the public that interest in the primary is waning and turnout is expected to be very low. They continue to fail to report the breaking news on any of the Democratic candidates that is being reported at the Tucson Citizen and other Arizona blogs, newspapers, and alternative weekly papers, and they completely ignore the neck-and-neck sprint to the finish line that supporters of all the candidates are running right now. A brief glance at the Phoenix paper shows similar lack of coverage.
A big part of why the general public is apathetic about this race, both in Arizona and across the country and the larger blogosphere, is that everyone assumes it doesn't matter, because McCain is untouchable.
The importance of the primary winner for people who live in Arizona is not important to those in other states, and not even widely understood by uninformed Arizonans, thanks to the terrible mainstream newspapers here. The impact this race could have on the US Senate and progressives across the country has yet to be widely recognized, but that is changing.
The facts on the ground here in Arizona are that the Democratic senate primary is a tight race, with an unknown outcome, and one candidate who has been rapidly rising from relative obscurity a few short months ago to a statewide whirlwind of grassroots support to elect him to the US Senate. More people every day are understanding why, and getting on board with Arizonans who are serious about taking back our state. And in Randy Parraz we have a leader and a candidate who can succeed.
Here is a recent short clip of Randy firing up a room of volunteers and supporters, where he talks directly about the idea that he is a "one issue candidate" (he says he is, and his issue is Justice. Everything he does and believes stems from that.)
He also talks about the charge of him being "the Latino candidate" and addresses why and how he represents all Arizonans who oppose the direction the republicans are taking the state. And it's a powerful call to action. If you have not had the pleasure of hearing Randy speak or are not sure he can win, please give this a listen.
Randy has been doing these kinds of events, in big rooms and small, across the state and the movement to elect him has been gaining momentum daily. This clip shows why.
There's also another piece of good news today, not reported by the newspapers of course, but important.
Courtesy of Dave in AZ in the comments on a diary this morning by Parraz supporter and friend john bonifaz, Dan O'Neal of AZ PDA endorses Parraz!
Dan O'Neal, one of the state organizers for the Arizona Chapter of Progressive Democrats of America, issued a personal endorsement for Randy Parraz yesterday:
While, his honest, clear, and unwavering stand on progressive issues is paramount, it is not a small thing to understand - the political realization - that he can win! - Randy can beat McCain because he brings into the political process voters, Latinos, labor, progressives, and independents who Terry Goddard can't deliver on his own. This helps the party as a whole and this year- in this climate -we certainly need help.
Therefore, as a progressive who wants very much to see John McCain sent into permanent retirement, I urge all of you to take a few hours in the next two days and work hard to help get Randy Parraz elected, as our candidate for U.S. Senate.
Please see Dave's comment for the whole endorsement letter. It's good.
Also see this comment from downwithtyranny in the same diary to see a new 30-second spot they have started running to support Randy from now through the primary. Thank you!
If you know anyone in Arizona who may not be voting or aware of this candidate please consider sending them a note or link to his website and encourage them to vote for him. Independents can vote in the primary! They just have to ask for a Democratic ballot and then vote for Randy Parraz. In talking to voters I realize too many here think they can't vote because they are not registered as Democrats, so it's important to do special outreach to them to make sure they know they can participate and help Randy win. Every vote matters!
Usual disclaimers: I don't work for Parraz or any campaign. I'm a voter and an Arizona native who cares about my state, and I'm doing these diaries to support Randy because I believe in him and want him to win. Thanks for reading.