Democrat

Age: 54. (11/19/57, India).

Arizona since: 1981.

Occupation: Small business owner, Integrated Personal Solutions, since 1998.

Marital: Widowed.

Children: 1 (deceased).

Religious preference: Unitarian.

Education: M.A., anthropology, UofA, 1983; B.A., anthropology and economics, University of Denver, 1981.

Political experience: Candidate, state Legislature LD 28, 2010; vice chair, AZ Democratic Party, 2009; first vice-chair, Pima County Democratic Party, 2006-2008; chair, Pima County Legislative District 28, 2006-2008; volunteer to various candidates, since 1982.

Memberships: American Assn of University Women, League of Women Voters, AZ Women’s Political Caucus, NAACP, Partners in Public Health, Stonewall Democrats.

Interests: Reading, archaeology, astronomy, tutoring, cooking, dance.

Political influence: Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. I watched the Watergate hearings as a teenager when I first came to the U.S. on summer vacation in 1974. That showed me different realities and the power of a strong democracy. I heard the power of words and quiet passion. This led me to read the founding documents and the immense possibilities that a woman could have in the U.S. It was then that I decided to move to the U.S. as soon as I could.

Job creation measures: Arizona needs a fully modernized economy. This begins with a genuine respect for excellent education from preschool through graduate school, with an emphasis on science education and science literacy – starting in the earliest grades. This would prepare Arizonans to thrive in a globalized 21st century economy. Internship programs between our high tech businesses and our high schools would expose our kids to multiple layers of possibilities and opportunities. We have to look at jobs and education as a systemic whole. I would encourage the development of small businesses that serve our growing solar, high tech and biotech industries.

Top Issues: I would focus on women’s health and safety. She needs full access to reproductive health care with choices made by her and her health care providers, rather than a Legislature that is uneducated in the medical field. I would put back some of the funding for domestic violence shelters..

Education: It is time we graduated our youth with complete literacy. A robust science and math education has got to be thought of as part of literacy. We cannot rob our next generation by depriving our youth of the future tools they will need in an increasingly globalized economy. This is both a moral as well as an economic issue.

Prop 100 sales tax extension: Arizona suffers from a structural revenue deficit caused by tax cuts, credits and exemptions passed over the past 20+ years. Though I am opposed to the regressive sales tax, the Legislature has left us little choice but to support a new sales tax as a temporary measure till our Legislature can show the maturity and political will to enact comprehensive tax reform.

Illegal immigration: Immigration is a federal issue. It will take the collective will and courage of our federal politicians to fix the issue.

Background & experience: I have been engaged in local issues for over 25 years. I understand political realities. As an immigrant, I understand issues regarding immigrants, education and the economy in a wider context. I am alert to women’s issues on a personal as well as professional level. As a mother, I understand the absurdity of having our youngest being without access to health care. As a scientist, I will defend the sciences when the Legislature misrepresents scientific facts and sets policy based on these. As a successful small business owner, I bring yet another set of experiences and skills to the table.

Pro-life / pro-choice: I strongly believe in and support a constitutional right of privacy between a woman and her physician in making personal medical decisions. The government should not impose undue burdens and restrictions upon a woman’s right of privacy in seeking medical care from her doctor.

One last thing: I am incredibly grateful to the U.S. for the freedoms it has given me, both as a citizen and as a woman. I am equally worried about what our Legislature is doing to curtail these freedoms. I have never been, nor will I ever be, a spectator in life or in politics. I choose to make a difference. I have a fierce pride in Arizona. We will recover, we will rebuild and we will thrive. I have faith in the people of Arizona.

Campaign finance: public.

Democrat

Age: 55. (11/05/56, Franklin, PA).

Arizona since: 1987.

Occupation: Licensed professional counselor in private practice since 2005 (depression, anxiety, grief, couples’ counseling); faculty member, University of Phoenix, since 1992; substance abuse counselor, The Haven, 2009-2010 and 2003-2007; domestic violence counselor, House of Neighborly Services, 2000-2004; domestic violence counselor, The Brewster Center, 2001-2002; television and radio newscaster, KOLD-TV, KNST and KTUC Radio, 1978-1998..

Children: 1.

Education: Master’s, counseling, Univ of Phoenix, 2003; B.A., counseling psychology, 2000; liberal arts, Pima Community College, 1996-2000; nursing and liberal arts, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, 1977-1979.

Memberships: Licensed professional counselor, state of AZ; American Counseling Assn; Nat’l Bd of Certified Counselors; Sierra Club; Emily’s List; Arizona List.

Interests: Enjoying nature, Native American culture, LGBT, social justice issues.

Political influence: Gabrielle Giffords.

Job creation measures: Provide incentives for businesses that create sustainable, higher-paying jobs that stay in Arizona; create private/public partnerships to invest in businesses in biomedicine, clean technology, and renewable energy. Arizona should be a world leader in solar energy.

Top Issues: My top priority is creating higher paying jobs in a sustainable economy, closely followed by making sure Arizona invests in education to give our state the competitive edge that is so critical to our future.

Prop 100 sales tax extension: I do favor extending the temporary tax increase because the current Legislature has left Arizona with so few options for generating revenue.

Illegal immigration: Arizona must have comprehensive and manageable immigration reform which is the responsibility of the federal government. Arizona lawmakers should strive to build positive relationships which benefit the economies of both Arizona and Mexico. I would support efforts to build a path to citizenship similar to the Dream Act.

Background & experience: As a former television and radio newscaster, I have strong effective communication skills, which will create a positive impact in our state House and bring back consensus through relationship building. As a business owner, I understand the risks and challenges involved in starting and growing a business. As a counselor, I understand the hopes and struggles of the people of Arizona. I will work to empower all Arizonans, not just those of one party, and I will be the voice for those who currently have none. I have the skills to effectively reach across the political divide to build relationships and create consensus for the betterment of my community. As a college instructor, I understand that an educated and skilled workforce is vital to Arizona’s economy and I will work to invest in quality education; K-12, universities, colleges, and adult education.

Pro-life / pro-choice: I support a woman’s right to choose. Government should not be in the position of legislating morality and should not interfere in the medical decisions between a woman and her doctor.

One last thing: I believe if you work hard, you should be able to raise a family, own a home, send your kids to college, and set aside money for retirement. That dream has faded for Arizonans. We need a renewal of fairness and balance; Arizona’s public education system needs to become one of the best in the nation to ensure Arizona’s place in the world economy and to make us attractive to companies who will bring higher paying jobs here. Arizonans deserve access to affordable health care, including mental health and reproductive health services. I will work to increase comprehensive health care for the uninsured and the under insured, because investing in public health and preventative health is smart protection against soaring costs. I am the hard working problem-solver, dynamic leader and compassionate visionary we need in the state House. A vote for me is a vote to bring back balance to our House.

Campaign finance: private.

Republican

Did not respond.

Republican

Age: 38. (03/25/74, Tucson, AZ).

Arizona since: Birth.

Occupation: Executive director, Linkages of Arizona, since 2004; empowerment zone administrator, city of Tucson, 2001-2004; city council aide ward II, city of Tucson 2000; director of economic and community development, city of South Tucson, 1996-2000; adjunct assistant professor, UofA, since 2003.

Marital: Married (Kristen, speech language pathologist).

Children: 3.

Religious preference: Christian.

Education: M.P.A., UofA, 2000; B.A., history, UofA, 1997.

Political experience: Chair, City of Tucson Budget Advisory Committee; Joint Legislative Commission on Homelessness; Governor’s Rehabilitation Advisory Council.

Memberships: Bd member/treasurer, Greater Tucson Leadership Council; Boy Scouts of America, Catalina Council, Executive Committee; bd of directors, Mulcahy YMCA; Pima Assn of Governments, Population Planning Committee; Fred G Acosta Job Corps, Advisory Council; bd of directors, Vision for Tucson; bd of directors, Jobs for Life; La Frontera Housing Bd.

Interests: Rock climbing, mountain biking, and spending time with my family.

Political influence: Heiko Oberman – He taught me how to identify the principles that shape political events through an understanding of history. Jim Click – He taught me how to motivate people and produce results [and] how to turn theory into reality.

Job creation measures: Support educational programs that work and will help build a workforce that can attract and grow strong companies in Arizona. This includes looking at the funding formulas and logistical needs to encourage dual enrollments between high schools and community colleges and supporting the joint technological educational districts. Understand industry specific needs especially in areas of competitive strength for Arizona, including creating a non-fly area for drone development in aerospace and working to raise the threshold for the business personal property tax to support logistics and capital-intensive manufacturing.

Top Issues: Economic development: this includes supporting existing companies through workforce training, tax code modification, and simply listening to and addressing their concerns. Also, we need to have a frank discussion about why companies do and do not come to Arizona and make ourselves more attractive to business relocation. This includes marketing Phoenix and Tucson as one region and ensuring that we have site ready facilities in the industries that we are targeting..

Education: every industry needs a well-trained workforce and a good education offers economic hope to every individual. It is a key component to reducing criminal recidivism and poverty.

Prop 100 sales tax extension: At this point I oppose it. The current budget is balanced and we have a framework for the next several years that will help us keep it that way. However, I want to see what revenue and economic growth looks like in 2012 and the recommendations of the Governor’s Sales Tax Task Force before making a final decision.

Illegal immigration: We need to tie our economy more closely with Sonora though trade, tourism and using programs such as the foreign trade zones to develop a competitive manufacturing base. This will create jobs in both regions and reduce the economic pressures for illegal immigration.

Background & experience: In my community I have created solutions and partnerships that actually worked and produced real results for the people I serve. My entire career has been focused on creating pragmatic solutions that bring together diverse and often competing groups. In order to do this I have to study the complexities of the problem and see the systems we are impacting at both a micro and macro level.

Pro-life / pro-choice: I oppose abortion, and I believe that most people in Arizona would like there to be less abortions next year than there are this year. I believe that requires both sides to work together to support women who are in a vulnerable situation by providing more options in terms of pre-natal care, adoption and counseling.

One last thing: As a third generation Arizonan, I believe that we can and should be the greatest state in the union. I want to have a part in getting us there and will work with leaders from every part of our community in order to make that happen.

Campaign finance: private.