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Ruben Ortega
Ortega, Ruben (Democrat)
Phone: (520) 378-6474
Email: ortega4az25@gmail.com
8008 S. Vato Ln., Hereford, AZ 85615
Age: 54 (2/14/56, Douglas, AZ).
Arizona since: Birth.
Occupation: Running for office keeps me occupied full time; manager of family owned business, Ortega’s boot/shoe repair & leather goods, since 1996.
Marital: Single.
Religious preference: Do not have one (raised Catholic).
Education: B.A., political science, ASU, 1978.
Political experience: Democrat party volunteer/contributor, since 1980; Ann Littrell for Cochise County Superior Court Judge 2004 and 2008; Ortega for Cochise County Supervisor, 2000; Ortega for State Representative, 1988-96; McNulty for Congress, rural campaign coordinator, 1982; AZ House 1989-96.
Memberships have included: Sierra Vista League of United Latin American Citizens, nature conservancy, Ramsey Canyon Preserve; Sierra Vista Chamber of Commerce; National Alliance on Mental Illness for Southeastern AZ.
Interests: Dancing, good food, micro beers, golfing, reading, walking, watching major league baseball, blues festivals, all that is political.
Issues:
Political influence: Jim McNulty, member of US congress, 1983-84, Arizona state senator, member, board of regents, U.S. senate candidate, liberal lawyer from Bisbee.
Budget recommendations: Broaden sales tax base, revisit current business tax credits.
Other concerns: Need to change the method and manner in which we pay for education, from kindergarten through college, improve and maintain health care access and availability in rural Arizona.
Fiscal philosophy: We should not spend any more than we take in, consider going into a two-year budget cycle.
Background & experience: Having danced the legislative tango before will help a lot, in addition to community service and running a small business. Being away from the state capitol for 15 years will make me a better public servant.
Proposition 100 sales tax: Favor. The Legislature is given three years to come up with better ideas to fund education, health services and public safety.
Pro-life/pro-choice: It is none of government’s business.
One last thing: I have demonstrated the ability to work both sides of the political aisle with an emphasis on rural Arizona and its unique challenges.
Campaign Finance: public.