Prominent Democrats backing Renzi over Simon

By Adam Gaub, Assistant Editor
Published on Thursday, September 28, 2006 4:29 PM MST

Ellen Simon may have dominated the District 1 Democratic primary, but it is the incumbent Republican Rick Renzi who is now pulling in some key Democratic support.

Less than a week after the primary elections, Renzi's campaign announced the names of 55 prominent office-holding Democrats who would be supporting him over the challenging Democrat Simon in the upcoming general election in November. Of those Democrats, 17 hold office in either Graham or Greenlee county.

Safford Mayor Ron Green was an obvious choice to get behind Renzi, stating even before the Democratic primaries that if Ellen Simon won, he would lend his support to the incumbent Republican.

David Flaks, the communications manager for the Simon campaign, said it was voters, not politicians, that would be the deciding factor in this race.

"Rick Renzi still has to answer to the voters of the First District," Flaks said. "The more (voters) learn about Ellen Simon's message of change, the more they are responding positively."

Renzi said he feels fortunate to have the support of so many Democrats and said he has enjoyed particularly working with Green, calling his efforts on behalf of the City of Safford "phenomenal."

"Mayor Ron Green is an exceptionally hard worker and a strong advocate for the people of Safford," Renzi said. "As a result of Mayor Green's recent visit to Washington, we were able to successfully secure the necessary funding for the Safford Wastewater Treatment Plant."

Safford Vice Mayor J.T. Cotter said it is the work Renzi has done and the connections he has made that caused him to support the congressman.

"He already has the contacts within Congress," Cotter said.

Cotter said his decision to support Renzi has little to do with party lines, but is based on his track record of what he has done to help the city of Safford while in office.

"(I've) worked with a lot of wonderful Democratic leaders and put party lines behind us," Renzi said. "When that happens, walls come down and things get done."

Democrats from all different offices have come out in support of Renzi, including Graham County Sheriff Frank Hughes, Graham and Greenlee School Superintendents Donna McGaughey and Tom Powers, two Greenlee County supervisors and councilmen from Safford, Pima, Duncan and Thatcher. Additionally, Green, Thatcher Mayor Bob Rivera, Duncan Mayor Randy Norton and Graham County Supervisor Drew John all were listed in support of Renzi.

The congressman said he and his staff began making calls right after the primary election to shore up support with opposing party members.

Renzi said he is looking forward to debating the other candidates, including libertarian David Schlosser, who challenged Renzi and Simon to a series of eight debates. Renzi said it has been four years since a debate was held in the Gila Valley.

Contact Adam Gaub at 428-2560, ext. 240, or e-mail him at adam@eacourier.com.

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Comments

11 comment(s)

lorraine wrote on Jan 24, 2010 12:15 PM:

" I AM TRYING TO FIND KARL AND SHARON WATSON THEY USED TO BE A COUNTRY BAND CALL ROJOE AND SAPPHIRE ITS BEEN ALONG TIME .DO I HAVE THE RIGHT ONES ?THANK YOU "

Ian Mccartney wrote on Sep 17, 2008 4:20 PM:

" I went to this camp in the summer of 05 when they were located in concho. I highly doubt that vallentine is telling the truth because when i went they was plenty of food. I remeber that they made us but on spf 50 sunscreen by the gallons. They provided us with gallons of water a day. I think that denton should have stayed in concho because it was a lot better. Big deal the recruits have no ac or water. what to expect bootcamp to be a vaction? And by the way the dirt isnt going to kill you "

H. Craig Bradley wrote on Apr 18, 2008 5:29 PM:

" The percentage of Americans who recreate in the wild outdoors of our National Forests is shrinking all the time. Today's America is predominately an urban/suburban America. Increasingly, individuals can not part with their IPods, Cell Phones, Laptop Computers and Navigational Aides (GPS). Roughing it outdoors is an experience that fewer and fewer individuals are getting "

Anonymous wrote on Apr 3, 2008 5:06 PM:

" Why not tell these people and organizations how you feel?

Vice Principal Kerry Wilson
Principal Robert Beeman
Superintendent Mark Tregaskes
Safford, Arizona Middle School

734 11Th Street
Safford, AZ 85546
Phone Number: (928) 348-7040

http://az.localschooldirectory.com/schools_info.php/school_id/3495 "

THS Alum 2004 wrote on Mar 20, 2008 4:21 PM:

" I graduated with these guys and it's sad to say that I'm really not that surprised. They're meat heads and are a "few fries short of a happy meal". The authorities did nothing wrong, these people made a dumb choice and will have to deal with the consequences.

P.S. Doug did it. "

blah wrote on Mar 6, 2008 8:29 AM:

" Whatever "

colton wrote on Jan 29, 2008 2:02 PM:

" i think doug grant is innocent an i think you should not charge him for murder "

saline wrote on Jan 29, 2008 2:01 PM:

" hello hello hello hello hello hello "

Michael Jackson wrote on Dec 11, 2007 3:02 PM:

" Why doesn't this newspaper admit that the story reported by Pam Crandall, as related by Jesse MacBeth, in the above article, is a flat out lie??? MacBeth has since admitted that he did not go to Iraq and that he made up all of the stories repeated by Pam Crandall. Please tell the truth. The longer that the Courier stands by these lies the sillier it looks. "

Jesu Christ! wrote on Oct 25, 2007 8:53 PM:

" And the authorities wonder why it is that students have so little respect for authority. If I were this kid (or the kid's mother) I would never look at authority the same way again. "

Daniel Connell wrote on Oct 23, 2007 9:35 AM:

" i am writting to say that this was a harmless prank and just a little fun for these two innocent teenagers. they should have not gotten in that much trouble for just a harmless prank. being a friend to them you wouldnt see it in my view. they were just looking to have fun in safford because there is nothing else to do and jose hernandez should have not been sent to ADJC on his first crime he ever commited. "

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