Better Know a District Race: LD26 House Democrats

Many thought Dr. Don Jorgensen, business owner and active Tucson Democrat, would take over the seat from former State Rep. Lena Saradnik, who left in January following a stroke in order to devote her energies to recovery. Indeed, Jorgensen, who was already in the race to take Rep. Pete Hershberger's seat, was Saradnik's choice, and received the approval of the LD26 Democratic PCs (of the three candidates they selected, one was Jorgensen and another was his then-campaign manager Cheryl Cage).

Yet it was the third candidate, Nancy Young Wright, a former Ampitheater school board member and 2006 challenger to Oro Valley Mayor Paul Loomis, who was chosen by the Pima County Board of Supervisors to represent the district in Phoenix. Her strong ties with the county were credited, and it was rumored her gender also played a part among the female-dominated board.

Whatever the reason, she is now running to hold onto the seat, and Don Jorgensen is also still in the race, vying for Hershberger's spot. Meanwhile, the third name, Cage, has left Jorgensen's campaign with his blessing to become the Democratic candidate to the Senate seat.

Jorgensen understands the challenges facing he and his Dem colleagues, but thinks the time is right for two Democrats to prevail on the ballot.

"Before 2006 there was never a Democrat elected here," he said. Saradnik's election "indicated a shift in the district to more moderate folks, more independents."

"There's a feeling here that the current leadership isn't working," he continued. He is hoping that he has a crossover appeal that will overcome the traditionally Republican leanings of the district.

"As a small business Democrat and practical progressive," he said, he expects "a lot of moderate and Republican support."

Despite this, he isn't mincing words on the campaign trail. Jorgensen does not play softball with the current Republican leadership in Phoenix, as evidenced by his inaugural campaign newsletter.

He blasted the legislature specifically over SB1108, the bill that would prevent schools from teaching anything "in conflict with the values of American citizenship and the teachings of Western civilization," or anything that disparages, denigrates or encourages "dissent from the values of American democracy."

Jorgensen called this an "attack on the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution by the radical conservatives currently in control of the Arizona Legislature" and labeled it "censorship."

"You deserve forward-thinking, fiscally responsible leaders with the experience and the principles needed to face our real challenges head-on starting with Arizona's budget challenge," read Jorgensen's pitch to LD26 voters. "The Republican majority's policies of avoidance and 'cut and run' fiscal mismanagement and tax giveaways have put the state into a deep hole. I will bring my experience and success with managing budgets strategically - in good times and tough times."     

At the moment, though, Jorgensen hasn't filed. He said he has more than enough signatures and an adequate number of $5 contributions to qualify for matching funds under the state's Clean Elections program, but wants "a cushion" and to make sure he's "crossed the t's and dotted the i's" before entering the race.

When he does, though, he believes it will be as part of a successful effort to make the 26th an entirely Democratic district.

"We're organized," he said, referring to the unique relationship among he and his fellow Democrats.

"We're a united party - we'll have many joint activites," he said.

In fact, one of the reasons Cage's decision to run for State Senate was so painless, after she "made sure everything was clear and positive with my campaign," said Jorgensen, was that all three Democratic candidates have decided to share resources.

"We've established a joint campaign committee," he said, which will focus the slate into a united front.

The head of the committee? Lena Saradnik.