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Kevin Volk is the man for the job.
We met virtually with our candidate, Kevin Volk, on Wednesday evening. I have to admit to a bit of trepidation when I heard that our candidate had not previously run for office. Would he have the know-how, presence, and confidence to run a winning campaign? The answer is an overwhelming YES! And in addition to those qualities, he is laser focused on what needs to be done and why. Here is some of what I have learned about him and his election:
He is clear about how to contrast his approach to his opponents. While the elected Republican officials spend their time on political stunts, he wants to do the work and can tell you how and why. Remember the railroad cars on the border? That cost Arizona’s taxpayers $200M for a Republican photo op.
This election isn’t about getting more Democrats out to the polls. That won’t cut it. The largest group of registered voters in Kevin’s district are Republicans (39%), followed by Independents & "Other" (32%) and then Democrats (29%). So, the laborious work of door knocking and listening and persuading individual voters will be the key to his success. Our phone bankers will ensure he has a clean list to use which will reduce wasted effort.
His incumbent opponents are on the Government & Elections Committee and the House Judiciary Committee – dangerous assignments when the Right mulls over plans to steal the election. One of them sponsored a bill to have all of Arizona’s Electoral Votes go to the Republican Presidential Candidate regardless of the popular vote. We need them out!
If you think the abortion issue is settled, think again. They are simply regrouping.
I can’t wait to meet Kevin in person on June 1st. He won’t be entertaining us …he’ll show us the way forward.
-Marsha Mobley Kilian, Fundraising & Communications
Is Contraception Next on the Chopping Block?
In 2022, all Arizona State House Republicans voted to allow the 1864 Total Abortion Ban to become state law. Arizona Republicans celebrated when the State Supreme Court’s ruling paved the way for it to become Arizona law. It was only due to severe public backlash during an election year that three Republicans in swing districts made the calculated decision and voted to repeal it. Rest assured, if Republicans keep the majority in Arizona’s State House, they will vote to further restrict abortion and reproductive health services, including access to contraception.
Just this April, Arizona Republicans prevented the vote or even debate of Arizona’s Right to Contraception Act, that would “ensure that Arizonans’ reproductive healthcare decisions are kept between them and their doctors.” When asked about opposing future efforts to restrict access to contraception, Arizona State Senate Majority Leader Sonny Borrelli—the No. 2 Republican in the State Senate—expressed that women wouldn’t need contraceptives if they weren’t so promiscuous.
Last year on Twitter, the Heritage Foundation insisted that “conservatives have to lead the way in restoring sex to its true purpose and ending recreational sex and senseless use of birth control pills.”
This extremism is reflected in Congressional Republicans’ voting record: 195 House Republicans voted against The Right to Contraception Act in 2022. And Senate Republicans blocked a vote on The Right to Contraception Act from going to the floor in both 2022 and 2023. Thankfully, we have Republicans’ extremism on record now, so we can defend our right to plan our families and not be forced into the role of breeders.
Sister District Action Network: Research Briefing
Did you know that 80% of Democrats fail to vote for non-presidential, state and local candidates? Do you realize how important those elections are? Research conducted by Sister District Project, and featured in Politico's Weekly Score briefing, concluded that in 2020, Democrats would have gained control of 14 chambers in 9 states by increasing down-ballot votes by 2% or less.
The take-away from the study? When canvassing or doing voter registration, stress the importance of voting the entire ballot. Local races have a direct impact on our daily lives and serve as a springboard for those candidates who'll seek higher offices. State legislatures are becoming increasingly important as the Supreme Court has shifted legislation to the states, as with abortion rights.
If you missed the briefing, or want to see the information again, click on the following links: Survey toplines memo, Presentation Slide Deck, and Sister District Rolloff Resources.
Democrats are Out-spending Republicans for Down-Ballot Candidates!!
And that's good news! Simon Rosenberg, Hopium Chronicles, Friday, April 26, 2024, reports that Democrats are out spending Republicans for their down-ballot candidates including key congressional races to governors, state legislators and municipal office holders.
"Among this group, Democratic down-ballot candidates accounted for 86.2% of all Facebook and Instagram political spending, while Republican candidates only made up 13.8% of spending on those platforms. On Google and YouTube, the picture was similar:down-ballot Democratic campaigns spent 80.6% of digital ad dollars to 19.4% for Republicans."
Simon Rosenberg is optimistic about the election and we have our work cut out: Help Kevin Volk win and turn Arizona blue!!