Three-term Sen. Toni Hellon of Tucson, one of two incumbents who lost their bids for re-election this year, says her defeat in District 26 by fellow Republican Al Melvin was no big deal in the overall context of her life.
In a Health Committee hearing two years ago on a medical malpractice bill, Ms. Hellon tearfully revealed she lost her daughter in an emergency room foul-up. And over the past several years, she had grown discontented with her job and with the Legislature’s approach to public education.
A veteran of southern Arizona politics and one who still loves politics, she nevertheless was ready to leave, she told Arizona Capitol Times in a telephone interview Oct. 11.
“It’s hard to miss something you didn’t like,” she said.
Did you think you would win or did you sense an ill wind blowing≠
No, we didn’t expect this. There isn’t a poll anywhere that showed I was in danger and, by the way, there wasn’t a poll in the state that I know of that showed Len Munsil was going to win, either.
So, what does that say for polling≠
I don’t think we can count on it anymore.
It’s unusual for an incumbent legislator to lose. What were the factors in your defeat≠
Only about 18 percent of the voters in my district showed up in the primary and, usually, about 10 to 12 percent of the Republican voters in the primary… are the right wing voters. They do show up in primaries. So, if you want to overcome that, clearly you need a larger turnout, and we didn’t have that. There were 12 hit pieces done against me. Eight were by my opponent. Every piece that he had was a hit piece on me. The Amway PAC did another four pieces, plus radio and television.
You chose not to get dirty to fight back.
You will never find anything I’ve ever done that you would call a hit piece against another candidate. I just don’t do it. I know it was frustrating for members of my advisory committee, who are extremely experienced, knowledgeable, political experts. I’m just not comfortable doing it.
Rep. Ted Downing told us that it is rare that Democrats in Pima County put out hit pieces on each other. You were the subject of independently financed and hard-hitting mail pieces, which you just mentioned, from an outside conservative group. Is such becoming common practice in a Republican primary≠
Yes it is. The group we’re talking about wanted a “yes” man — with man being the key part of that. They don’t make it obvious; they don’t say it or point to it, but if you check all the races this group got involved in across the country, you’ll find they went after women in particular.
Do you think those who voted against your former husband, Mike Hellon, who ran for Congress, also voted against you. Was it a name thing there≠
No, I don’t think one had to do with the other.
So, what taste do you have in your mouth now about state politics≠
I’ve been at this for 30 years, you know, since 1976. It doesn’t change my taste or opinion of politics. I haven’t shed one tear and haven’t had one moment of regret about it. I just haven’t. I love politics; I love the political process. I’m sorry to see it take a turn like this. As long as negative politics in campaigns work, we’ll continue to see more and more escalation of it, until the voters decide they’re just not going to accept it.
You’ve expressed concern about the right turn the Republican Party has taken over the years. Why did that happen≠
I suppose we became complacent in the beginning. This is like a wave. The last time I remember this sort of thing happening was in ’88-’89, and then it subsided at bit. The people who come in at these times, and they’re promised by their groups that they are going to come in a make a huge difference. Those folks expect to make a huge difference fairly quickly, and if it doesn’t happen within a year or two, a good majority of those folks fade away. A few who stay on and enjoy the process — [Sen.] Thayer Verschoor would be one of those who kind of came in in one of those waves — find you love it and can make a difference. But you also find you have to moderate a little. You have to accept a wider range of ideas and personalities. So many of the people I know who have been involved for a long time… in the Republican Party are discouraged overall and are registering independent.
Did you ever consider switching parties≠
Never. I’m exactly in the party I belong. I don’t believe we are right on everything.
What legislation you sponsored are you most proud of≠
As I count them, I’ve had 35 bills signed by either Governor Hull or Governor Napolitano. All-day kindergarten: I’m extraordinarily proud of that. Boy, I took a lot of criticism on that from the party — I bucked my party on that, but it is the right thing to do. Our trauma center, of course. The poison center and [funding for] the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
And your tax incentives for the film industry≠
The most interesting thing about that legislation is the group that was most critical of it was the Maricopa County group from the East Valley, and yet the biggest recipient of the first big film, “Kingdom,” is done out there… and they’re flush with money coming in. It’s so ironic.
What has been your biggest letdown in the Senate≠
It always has to do with education. I just do not see the Legislature recognizing how important our public education facilities are and everything attached to that, teachers, students. I never imagined I would have to spend my entire service in the Legislature fighting for public education. It’s just mind boggling. The legislative support of our universities is really lacking, really lacking, and I just don’t see the desire to improve that by the people who are elected.
Did Tim Bee lose a vote for Senate president with your defeat≠
I don’t know the answer to that. I have not had that conversation with Mr. Melvin. Tim Bee has it locked up, by the way. I think Thayer Verschoor lost a vote for majority leader.
Are you supporting Len Munsil≠
I’m not taking a position, but let me just say I find it very difficult to support any candidate who does not support public education.
Are you going to vote to increase legislative salaries≠
Sure, I always have. The funny thing is I’ve never run into one person who doesn’t say they support it, and yet it goes down.
What’s next for Toni Hellon≠
I’m considering options, that’s all. I don’t know yet exactly what I will accept or do. Even if I’m in the private sector, I hope I’ll be able to help with education issues.
Up closer
If you could go out to dinner with anyone alive or dead, who would it be≠
Thomas Jefferson

What’s the most daring or scary thing you’ve ever done≠ There’s only one thing that scares me in my life and that is having another one of my children die before me.

Latest book read. I hope I’ll have time to begin reading again.

Favorite TV show or movie
“Lone Star”

Do you read your horoscope every day≠ No.