Arizona Capitol Times Election Coverage Just another Arizona Capitol Times Election Coverage site
Democrat
Candidate for Arizona House in Legislative District 8
Phone: (520) 487-2192
Email: ernestbustamante@gmail.com
403 Hetzel Ave, Mammoth, AZ 85618.
Age: 56. (12/23/55, Phoenix, AZ).
Arizona since: Birth.
Occupation: Maintenance/pipe fitter (Asarco) since 1974; small business owner, San Pedro Valley Transport, 1998.
Marital: Married (Martha).
Children: 3.
Religious preference: Catholic.
Education: Hayden High School, 1974; a few classes at Central AZ College.
Political experience: Councilmember, town of Mammoth, 2002-2003; precinct committeeman, Pinal County; vice president, United Steelworkers Union.
Legis exp: House 2003-2004.
Memberships: United Steelworkers, Local 886; Adelante Juntos Coalition; Eastern Pinal Literary Council.
Interests: Playing guitar, hunting, and fishing.
Political influence: My children. All three of my children attended Arizona public schools and graduated from institutions of higher learning (ASU, Stanford, NAU). They keep me in tune with the future of Arizona and remind me that the decisions we make as a state today will affect generations to come.
Job creation measures: Expanding our Arizona community college system. This is of vital importance to our rural communities for job training and preparing our workforce for a global economy; encouraging growth in solar technology and green jobs of the future.
Top Issues: Job creation policies; protecting education.
Prop 100 sales tax extension: Funding for our children’s education should not be “temporary.” It is the state Legislature’s job to find a stable and permanent source of funding for education. That is how we make education a priority in Arizona. As state representative, I helped pass all-day kindergarten, only to see it cut years later by a Republican-controlled Legislature. More reckless cuts have been made at the cost of our children’s future. Each school year, class sizes are increasing and teachers are being laid off. Simply put, our schools need this revenue. During this time of economic recovery, the Legislature should not raise taxes. However, I would support the continuation to protect education, just like a majority of Arizona voters did in 2010. We can’t afford not to.
Illegal immigration: For decades, the federal government has failed to act on addressing illegal immigration, thus putting a burden on states like Arizona to address the issue with piece-meal legislation. While this may be a step in the right direction, we need cooperation from the federal government to fully address this federal issue. I support comprehensive immigration reform and a safe, secure border. But Arizona taxpayers should not foot the bill.
Background & experience: As a legislator, I worked on a bi-partisan basis to restore funding for transportation in Pinal County. As a councilmember, I worked to build roads. As a union leader, I fought for better wages for workers and health care for families. As a father of three children, I understand first-hand the struggles and aspirations for working families. These combined experiences have informed me to be a true voice for middle-class families. And it is those values that I will represent at the state Capitol.
Pro-life / pro-choice: I am pro-life. Abortion should not be funded by taxpayers.
One last thing: I am a former amateur boxer and Arizona Golden Gloves winner. I’m still a fighter and will continue to fight for the middle-class.
Campaign finance: public.
