Mohur Sidhwa

Democrat
Candidate for Arizona House in Legislative District 9
Phone: (520) 954-2216
Email: mohursarah@cox.net
Website: www.sidhwa2012.com
1926 E Kleindale, Tucson, AZ 85719.

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.