SOLOMON — The Graham County Democrats heard from candidates at their monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 19th, including non-partisan Safford City Council Candidate, Brad Hemphill, and Democrats Arizona State House Candidate Kimberly Moschetti, and Arizona State Senate Candidate Bob Karp.
Brad Hemphill is a non-partisan candidate running for Safford City Council. He hopes to lend a new energy to the City, his passion for Downtown Safford and the continued renovations and improvements there, as well as to be more involved in the community.
Bob Karp is a member of the Democratic Party and is running for the Arizona State Senate. He is passionate about fully funding our public schools and would vote against any special interest tax cuts until teachers have appropriate salaries and needs are met across the state. Mr. Karp supports HB 2790, which would allow community colleges like Eastern Arizona College to offer four-year degrees.
Kimberly Moshetti is a member of the Democratic Party and is running for the Arizona State House of Representatives. She recently retired as a public school teacher and is running to support the state-wide effort to fully fund our public schools. Ms Moshetti passed around a petition for the “Invest in Ed” initiative to raise $940 million for Arizona Schools, with $500 million earmarked toward teacher’s salaries. This initiative would be funded by a 3.5% income surcharge on single filers’ taxable income above $230,000 and on taxable income above $500,000 for couples filing jointly. Ms. Moshetti is “on the fence” when it comes to supporting HB 2790, the four-year degrees bill.
Graham County Democratic Party Chair, Nicholas Nordgrän-Tellez, led the participants in the Pledge of Allegiance, and conducted party business, including setting a date for the Rose Mofford Dinner for Saturday, November 14th The Democrats will also participate in a Presidential Primary Debate Watch Party at the Plank on Tuesday, February 25th and a “Get out the Vote” campaign March 13-16. The Arizona Presidential Preference Election will be held on Tuesday, March 17th. Mr. Nordgrän-Tellez also encouraged Democrats to run for Precinct Committeeperson positions throughout the county. Vice Chair Anthony Bejarano, Treasurer Patty Cervantez, and Secretary, Vance Bryce were in attendance.
The participants watched the Presidential Primary Debate and held a straw poll in which both Independent Vermont Senator, Bernie Sanders, and Democratic Massachusetts Senator, Elizabeth Warren received four votes, with former South Bend, Indiana Mayor, Pete Buttigieg receiving two votes.
The Graham County Democratic Party holds their meetings on the third Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm at La Paloma Restaurant in Solomon. For more information, please contact Nicholas Nordgrän-Tellez at 480-734-7230.
