You are here: Home / 2007 / August / Archives for 30th

Sydney Hay To Run for CD 1 Seat

August 30, 2007 By 18 Comments

Longtime conservative activist, Sydney Hay, has made it official, again. This won’t be the first time Hay has run for the CD 1 seat. In 2002, she was Rick Renzi’s strongest opponent in the Republican primary that ultimately netted Renzi.

Today, she made the announcement to seek the seat currently being vacated by Renzi. (Read the Hay Press Release.)

Sydney, who knows this district well is no stranger to national politics. Most recently, she has been involved in laying grassroots groundwork for Presidential candidate, Duncan Hunter. She has also assisted on numerous successful state and federal campaigns. Given what she knows about the district, she enters the race with a grassroots advantage.

Other Republican candidates considering jumping into the race include State Rep Bill Konopnicki, former Senate President, Ken Bennett and liberal Republicans, Arizona Corporation Commissioner Kris Mayes and State Senator, Tom O’Halleran.

Ultimately, this race will hinge on money. This may give Konopnicki some traction as the owner of several McDonalds, but Hay’s connections to national money makes her someone who can quickly fill a formidible campaign warchest.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections

State Representative Mark Anderson Steps In CD5 Race

August 30, 2007 By 13 Comments

Oddly enough, one of the most unexpected candidates to jump into the CD 5 Republican primary, has done so. State Representative Mark Anderson, perhaps one of the most civil and nicest guys in the legislature, has decided to enter the CD 5 contest.

Personally, this blogger really likes Mark Anderson and has worked with him on social issue legislation. But, I expect him to have a very difficult time overcoming his religious association as a Moonie.

The Phoenix Business Journal made a point in bringing this up in the thrid paragraph of their story on Wednesday, “Anderson is a Realtor and a member of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church. If elected, he would be the only member of Congress to be part of the Unification Church.”

Unfortunate for Rep. Anderson, this will work against him in a district that tends to elect social libertarians and steers clear of overtly-defined religious candidates. Case in point, Colette Rosati, who lost in a bitter Republican primary against Carolyn Allen in 2006. (The Rosati – Allen race took place in a legislative district that is a subset of the greater CD 5.). Those Republican voters in CD 5 will tend to make their electoral decisions along mainstream religious ties rather than on the periphery of American religions practices.

While Representative Mark Anderson a great guy and has served his district well for many years, this race will unfortunately be beyond is grasp and ability to overcome voter perceptions.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Religion