Kelly Townsend

Republican
Candidate for Arizona Senate in Legislative District 16
Phone: (480) 295-9438
Email: townsend2012@yahoo.com
Website: www.townsend2012.com
Twitter: @KellyTownsend11
7402 E Monte Ave, Mesa, AZ 85209.
(Mail: PO Box 13101, Mesa, AZ 85212)

Age: 43. (09/27/68, Long Beach, CA).

Arizona since: 2004.

Occupation: Doula coordinator at South Phoenix Healthy Start; management, US Airways; small business owner, Doula Services; author, Christ Centered Childbirth; doula coordinator/program director, Ashland Community Hospital, 1997-2004.

Marital: Widowed.

Children: 3.

Religious preference: Christian.

Education: B.S., human communications, ASU, expected summer 2012.

Political experience: Precinct committeeman, state committeeman and state delegate; co-founder, Greater Phoenix Tea Party.

Interests: Genealogy, photography, travel.

Political influence: State Representative Carl Seel, who taught me about the inner workings of the Legislature beginning in 2008 while we worked together on pro-life issues. He has continued to teach and inspire me.

Job creation measures: Fewer regulations and lower taxes for business here in Arizona.

Top Issues: The illegal immigration problem and improving the educational system here in Arizona.

Prop 100 sales tax extension: Oppose. Arizona needs to first take care of the massive waste within AHCCCS, by conducting an audit and implementing simple measures to reduce fraud and misuse of the system. Additionally, Arizona spends approximately $2.6 billion in entitlements given to people here illegally. That money should be returned to the people of this state, rather than taxing them to further fund non-citizens.

Illegal immigration: Until we remove the incentives that cause people to bypass the legal system and be rewarded for unlawful entry, they will continue to do so. We do need to secure the border, but that alone will not solve the problem. We must remove the financial motivation to come here illegally.

Background & experience: I have found myself in leadership positions throughout my working background, and I am prepared to enter the Legislature ready to lead and represent our district with confidence. I have been very active over the last several years in state-level politics, and find I am most interested in what is going on in Arizona. My experience leading the Greater Phoenix Tea Party, as well as my time as a precinct committeeman has prepared me to hit the ground running next January.

Pro-life / pro-choice: I co-founded the Phoenix 40 Days for Life in 2007, and am committed to supporting legislation that protects life from conception to death.

One last thing: It is with strength and determination that I pledge my total devotion to our district and to the state of Arizona. I will serve with honor and with complete integrity, and will require that of my colleagues as well. Together we can recover our state’s economy, lower the unemployment rates, create jobs, increase tourism and attract businesses to our great state. I will defend liberty for all people, and will fight for Arizona’s rights and our constitutional rights as well. I am ready to serve the good citizens of Arizona!

Campaign finance: public.