Jim Pederson

DENVER -- There was little doubt Arizona's delegates to the Democratic National Convention would profess enthusiasm for Gov. Janet Napolitano's prime time speech before in front of the convention, and, as expected, the accolades poured in from Arizonans on the convention floor.

"Governor Napolitano is a clear, engaging speaker," said delegate Kate Widland, who became the fiancee of fellow delegate Ruben Gallego when he proposed to her on the floor of the convention. "It's obvious why she was given a prime time speaking slot."

Napolitano was an early endorser of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), who is scheduled to accept the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday. Despite being mentioned as a potential vice presidential pick, the governor maintains that she has not spoken with Obama about what opportunities might exist for her in an Obama administration.

DENVER -- Attorney general Terry Goddard is fulfilling two roles at the Democratic National Convention: delegate and blogger.

As part of AZCentral.com's convention coverage, they've enlisted several delegates to deliver their impressions of the DNC. While Jim Pederson, another guest blogger, is the former chair of the Arizona Democratic Party and was a senatorial candidate in 2006, Goddard has taken the rare step of being a high profile elected official who has turned commentator and spokesman for his party's delegation.

Though no stunning revelations are to be found in his once-a-day blog, the novelty of a possible gubernatorial candidate taking a turn as citizen pundit is noteworthy of itself.

DNC Chair Howard DeanDENVER -- The Arizona Democratic Party received high praise from Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, who addressed Arizona's Democratic National Convention delegates Monday. He also discussed strategy, saying the party was going to compete for rural votes and imploring Arizona Democrats to "develop relationships" with voters instead of simply pushing candidates.

Dean spoke glowingly of how the Arizona Democratic Party had flourished under former chairman Jim Pederson, calling the job he did "incredible."

"The state parties were in bad shape," recalled Dean of his impression when he took over leadership of the Democratic Party, "but there were three that were in really good shape, and one was Arizona, thanks to Pederson."

Last week the Maricopa County Republican Committee Executive Guidance Council decided to get involved in the LD18 senate primary after it was learned Republican Kevin Gibbons had received $1,500 in campaign contributions from former Democrat Party Chairman Jim Pederson and his family. The County Chairman of the MCRC, Tom Husband encouraged Gibbons to give the donations back to Pederson.

CQ Politics has a list of the top 10 campaign committees with outstanding debt.  Coming in at number seven on the list is Arizona’s own Jim Pederson.  Pederson still has $2,532,972 in campaign debt from his 2006 US Senate bid against Jon Kyl.  Under FEC regulations a candidate cannot close their committee until all debts have a repayment agreement approved by the Commission.  Pederson’s debt is from personal loans he made to the campaign during his election.  

Quarterly fundraising filings are coming up, and Bob Lord is looking to keep his campaign's finances looking strong.

Question: You are an Arizona Democrat looking to run for office, who do you want on your finance team.

Answer: Jim “Sugar Daddy” Pederson  read more »

Barack Obama and Caroline Kennedy will join Governor Janet Napolitano in Phoenix on Wednesday January 30th. The event will be held at Veterans Memorial Coliseum on the state fair grounds at 1326 W. McDowell Rd in Phoenix. Doors will open for the rally at 3:30pm.  read more »

It appears Hillary Clinton has found a way to effectively use her husband. It seens when she sends him out on the attack it backfires. Now she is using him for something he has always been good at, raising some big bucks.

Bill Clinton will be in Phoenix on Thursday night at the home of Jim Pederson. Pederson will be hosting a $2300/person fundraiser to benefit Hillary.

Jim Pederson estimates there are more than 10,000 in the crowd to see Hillary Clinton in Laveen tonight. Among those speaking include Pederson and Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox.  Sen Clinton will be stopping by the overflow rooms after she finishes speaking.