Elections 2014 Just another Arizona Capitol Times Election Coverage site
Democrat – Congressional District 4 U.S. House
Phone: (928) 234-5633
Email: mikelweisser@gmail.com
Website: www.mikelweisser.org
Facebook: Mikel Weisser
Twitter: @mikelweisser
Address: 4490 N Sundown Dr, So-Hi, AZ 86413
Age: 55. (02/07/59, Beaumont, TX).
Arizona since: 2001
Occupation: Full-time candidate; teacher (social studies and English), White Cliffs Middle School, 2001-12; 10 years at Bullhead Junior High; previous freelance journalist, program coordinator in a homeless shelter.
Marital: Married
Children: 3
Education: M.Ed., NAU, 2005; M.A. literary criticism, University of Illinois at Springfield, 1999; B.A., English, Sangamon State University, 1992; Raymondville High School (TX) 1977.
Political experience: Vice-chair, Democratic Party progressive caucus; secretary, Mohave County Democratic Party, ran for Congress in 2012; helped with wife’s 2010 & 2012 state legislative races; active member of AZ Democratic Party since 2004; legislative liaison, Safer AZ (a cannabis reform PAC).
Interests: Poetry, music (guitar & vocals), visual arts, political activism, travel, cannabis reform, travel, Arizona legislative politics, Anglo-Hispanic relations/border politics, rural life.
Top priority: My top priority would be to continue my state-level work on cannabis reform to the national level. I would also push for an equalization plan for poor and rural schools.
Initial legislation: Of course this would depend on where I was assigned to committee, but three ideas I want to introduce: A solar powered rural electrification grid to generate the energy necessary to operate desalinization plants for Arizona agricultural production; I would propose a funding mechanism to cap secondary education class sizes at 25 and expand electives programs; I would propose a bill to decriminalize and regulate banking operations for cannabis related industries.
Federal deficit: Just to note, I recommend continuing the deficit reduction plans of President Obama, streamline procurement procedures for military expenditures [and] reverse the trend towards privatization and re-nationalize as many government services as practical.
Federal spending in AZ: The solar powered rural grid electrical generation to power the Yuma area desalinization plants could [help] Arizona’s battle between north and south over water resources and improve the lives of Arizona’s rural citizens.
Respected opponent: Barry Hess has earned a good deal of my respect with his combination of practical explanations for his political positions and his willingness to work with Democrats to challenge GOP voter suppression policies.
Public policy advice: First, I turn to my wife, Beth Weisser, who has been my active political partner since we met; Dan O’Neal & Barb Njos of PDA, AZ Democratic Party executive director DJ Quinlan; Dennis Bohlke on cannabis reform; Jim Holway on water and utility issues; Sharon Thomas on educational issues; Randall Holmes and Joe Murphy of DFA; Marcus Ferrell & Brian Scully on campaign strategy & Martin Quezada on legislative strategy.
