Better Know a District Race: LD26 Senate

Some Republicans wrote it off as a fluke when Democrat Charlene Pesquiera beat challenger Al Melvin for the Senate seat in 2006, the result of a bad year for the GOP nationwide at every level of office. Others see it as the result of a primary that selected a candidate unsuitable in the general election, when Melvin upset the more moderate incumbent Toni Hellon.

Now that Pesquiera has opted out of a second term, that theory will be put to the test.At the moment no Democrats have stepped up to enter the fray – though several are reported to be considering a run, shielded behind a Democrat-imposed wall of anonymity -  but the Republican side contains a primary promising to be as serious and potentially bitter as any general… perhaps more so. Rep. Pete Hershberger (R-Tucson) is running for the seat as well, and while the two share a party, their ideological divide is one that usually puts people across the aisle from each other.

Al Melvin

A scant 455 votes prevented Al Melvin from becoming senator in 2006, and if he misses it again, it won’t be from a dearth of diligence. Melvin was the first candidate in the state this cycle to turn in his signatures, and first to qualify for clean elections funding, having raised the necessary number of $5 contributions.“I’ve already received my first check,” Melvin said, imbued with a confidence of victory.

“I know I’m going to beat Pete Hersberger. In fact, I’m going to beat him more than I beat Toni Hellon.”

Melvin believes that Hershberger is out of step with the electorate of the district. “He’s the most liberal Republican in the House,” said Melvin. “When people find out what his voting record is, he won’t have a chance.”

Melvin is a staunch down-the-line conservative. He is a retired U.S. Naval Reserve captain, Minuteman, abortion and tax foe and advocate of school vouchers. These are traits he says make him the better candidate.  

“It’s a classic black and white, conservative versus liberal race,” continued Melvin, who believes he can build a much broader coalition. “Republicans, like-minded independents and Reagan Democrats will turn out in support of me.”

Pete Hershberger

The House seat Pete Hershberger currently occupies might as well just say "reserved for Hershberger" on the ballot. Both his mother and father held the seat, and Hershberger has had it for four terms.  

However, the Senate race is a different animal, as Toni Hellon could tell him. Still, Hersberger couldn’t agree less with Al Melvin's assessment of the race.

“Al Melvin is far too extreme for the district,” claims Hershberger, “as evidenced by his loss in the general despite an 11 percent registration advantage for Republicans and running against a woman who’d never even registered to vote before she ran for the Senate.”

Hershberger has opted not to go for clean elections funding. “I’m a traditional candidate – always have been.” Depending on how successful he is at fundraising, that could be the advantage Hershberger needs to overcome Melvin in September… which Hershberger acknowledges will be a challenge.

“In low voter turnout primary, Melvin is dangerous,” said Hershberger. “In election with cross section of district he can’t win. The district has traditionally sent more moderate Republicans to the legislature.”

Melvin supporters claim that Hershberger, who has voted with Democrats in the House more than any other Republican, is far too moderate for the seat, but the representative doesn’t see it that way.

“I’ve shown an ability to work across the aisle,” Hershberger said, and, more important to his mind, “a willingness to stand up to my own leadership on behalf of Southern Arizona. I won’t let Maricopa County leadership tell me how to represent my district.”