News
Candidates for Kolbe's seat square off in Willcox forum
By CAROL BROEDER and AINSLEE S. WITTIG/Arizona Range News
More than 130 people listened to seven candidates running for Congressional District 8 at a forum held in Willcox Saturday afternoon.
The forum at the Willcox High School auditorium was hosted by the Northern Cochise County Democrats organization, but all candidates were invited.
Five of six Democrats running for the party's nomination Sept. 5 in the parimay election attended. They are Gabriel Giffords, Jeff Latas, Alex Rodriguez, Francine Shacter and Patty Weiss. William "Bill" Johnson did not attend.
Frank Antenori was the sole Republican attending the forum. Four others running for the Republican nomination in the primary did not attend, including Randy Graf, Mike Hellon, Steve Huffman and Mike Jenkins.
Independent candidate Jay Quick attended. Libertarian candidate David Nolan did not.
Biographies were written by candidates.
Gabrielle Giffords
Gabrielle Giffords is a third-generation Arizonan and a product of our public schools. Ten years ago, Giffords came home to take over the family business, El Campo Tire, and served as President and CEO for four years. Giffords was elected to the Arizona State Legislature in 2000, and fought to expand affordable health care, improve schools and create good jobs. She was named the 2004 Legislator of the Year by the Arizona Mental Health Association, and a Top 10 Technology Legislator for her work creating hi-tech jobs.
Jeff Latas
Jeff Latas worked his way through the University of Arizona, earning a degree in aerospace engineering. Col. Latas flew the F-15E through five combat tours in the Middle East, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism. He managed Pentagon weapons programs, earned a master's degree in public administration and served on the Quadrennial Defense Review. He and his wife of 26 years have two grown children, one an Iraq veteran. Latas is a Captain with JetBlue.
Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez was as born and raised in Nogales, Ariz. He was a Distinguished Graduate from the New Mexico Military Institute and holds a bachelor's from the University of Arizona and a master's degree in public policy from Harvard. Rodriguez served as Army Captain in Bosnia and worked for the Secretary of Defense during the Clinton Administration. He was elected to the Tucson Unified School Board in a tough eight-way race, and volunteers on transportation and bond committees. Rodriguez is newly married to Claudia Araiza.
Francine Shacter
Francine Shacter was born and raised in Los Angeles. She is a life-long, progressive Democrat; married with four children; and earned a BA from Goddard College in 1975. Shacter has 30 years of service with the Federal government: five years in Congress, seven years at the Census Bureau, and the balance at the Consumer Product Safety Commission as chronic hazards program manager, liaison with Office of Management and Budget. Shacter is active in the Tucson Democratic party, a Precinct Chairwoman (PC) on the Committee to recruit and train PCs. She volunteers with the Reading Seed Program and Quilts for a Cause.
Patty Weiss
Patty Weiss enters politics following a 34-year career as a journalist. She was Arizona's first woman evening news anchor. As a community activist, she's researched tough issues including transportation, water, economic growth and environment. An advocate for the mentally ill, Weiss is a founding trustee of the Institute for Mental Health Research. The UA Alumni Association just honored her for her long service to the University. Weiss and her husband have five grown children.
Frank Antenori
Frank Antenori is a retired Army Green Beret and combat veteran of Desert
Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq, where he received the Bronze Star for Valor. He has a bachelor's in health science and was a nationally registered paramedic for 10 years. Antenori has extensive experience in guerrilla warfare, border security and counter drug operation, gained during deployments to 34 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Frank is currently a program manager at Raytheon.
Jay Quick
Jay Quick has been a resident of Southern Arizona since the 1960s. He is a former Marine who holds a bachelor of science and a master's degree in economic geology from the University of Arizona. Quick has worked as a geologist in Cochise County and the Southwest. He has extensive management experience in commercial construction, and is currently the owner of Quick Custom Metals. Jay lives in Tucson, but has worked and lived in Cochise County at various times and owns property south of Sierra Vista, a few miles from the Mexican border.
Each candidate was asked eight questions by moderator Betty Lindstrom. The questions were on issues concerning the war in Iraq, nuclear weapons in Iran, universal healthcare, national debt, gay marriage, U.S./Mexico border wall, preventing American business from moving to other nations, and clean elections.
War in Iraq
Candidates were asked if they believe the U.S. is safer now than it was prior to sending troops to Iraq.
Most of the seven candidates agreed that America is not safer, and that American troops should be brought home from Iraq.
Gabrielle Giffords said she believes that war should be the "very last recourse," and that the U.S. needs a new secretary of defense.
"No, we're not safer," said Francine Shacter. "Let's get out of there."
Frank Antenori, who said he had first-hand experience hunting down Al-Qaeda terrorists, was the only one in strong disagreement.
"I think we are safer. We are killing terrorists over there instead of here," said Antenori, "We need to stay there."
Jeff Latas, who served five tours of duty in the Middle East, said the troops need to be brought home from Iraq.
"When I worked in the Pentagon, before the weapon inspectors were expelled, I knew that Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction," he said. "Terrorists weren't in Iraq. We picked the fight because of oil and to help Haliburton and Exxon-Mobil. No, we're not safer. They're growing their army and getting stronger and its getting worse."
Nuclear weapons in Iran
Candidates were asked if the United States should launch an "unprovoked, pre-emptive strike" on Iran.
Most of the candidates said no to the strike, opting for more peaceful solutions.
Rodriguez said "we should focus on nuclear non-proliferation, with incentives for those not proliferating and (setting) stakes to stop them" from proliferation.
Latas said that while at the Pentagon and knew about the "dirty bomb" that would be used to destroy them in such an attack.
"It's the only weapon that would work, but 10 million Middle Easterners would die," Latas told the audience. "We would be isolated, and our standard of living would go way down."
"What you need to understand is that the West is modern, and the East is traditional and visceral," Antenori said in support of a pre-emptive strike. "Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world. If Iran has a nuclear weapon they'll want to use it - they'll probably hit Israel first. They don't care if we hit them, they'll all go see Allah."
Quick said we should "sweat out a cold war," like the rest of the world did when it was between Russia and the U.S., and that sanctions may only drive them further toward arming themselves.
Universal healthcare
On the issue of healthcare, most candidates agreed the U.S. should use a universal healthcare system.
"We need people to be able to afford preventative healthcare, and not wait until a catastrophic emergency room visit," Rodriguez said.
"It raises productivity," he added. "I think my Republican friends would agree with me that the healthier workers are, the more productive they are."
Antenori said there are pluses and minuses for universal healthcare.
He cited the monetary incentives for doctors researching better surgical techniques or pharmaceutical companies producing better medicines as negatives to universal healthcare, because there may not be the monetary incentive in a universal public system.
He added, "No one is denied healthcare in this country. You can walk into any hospital and get healthcare."
Shacter said, "I don't agree with Frank. The profit (incentives) goes to the corporations," not the doctors or employees.
"The American people want universal healthcare," said Patty Weiss. "The problem is that the people in Congress are bought off by insurance and pharmaceutical companies. There should be affordable healthcare for everyone."
National debt
The candidates were asked whether they supported a constitutional amendment to balance the budget each year.
Most all of the candidates that the government should practice fiscal responsibility, but that a constitutional amendment would not allow for a crisis situation.
Antenori said he agrees with former President Ronald Reagan that there should be more fiscal responsibility and smaller government.
He said that Congress and President George W. Bush are "out of control," and he supports a constitutional balanced budget amendment. He also wants the ability for line-item veto in the budget to reduce the pork spending by both parties.
Latas agreed. "With $40 billion worth of pork, it's killing us. Our debt to nations like China and Saudi Arabia, and we paid $320 billion last year in interest alone to them."
The government is "forsaking working people and retired people," Weiss said. "A constitutional amendment? No. But I do advocate responsible pay as you go spending, like that of Clinton's administration."
Giffords said that when she gets to Congress, she would fight any attempt to increase Congressional salaries.
"If they can't balance the budget, they shouldn't get an increase," she told the audience. "That is shameful."
Shacter said she wants to see a "genuinely progressive tax system," and a good balance of political parties in Congress. "Balanced government, balanced budget," she said.
"You can't trust Congress with money," said Independent Candidate Jay Quick. "We need to turn it over to the Congressional Budget Office."
Gay marriage
The seven candidates, asked about the "gay marriage ban," were in agreement.
"Like Jeff, I support the Constitution," said Antenori. "Those guys 225 years ago knew what they were doing. The federal government has no business in the marriage business."
Quoting someone he had heard speak while in the military, Latas said, "Liberty and justice for all --- we've got a long way to go. I think the government should recognize civil unions, and let the religious institutions define marriage," he said. Weiss made a similar suggestion.
Gifford said she opposed the gay marriage ban, calling it a "wedge issue" used to take people's focus off more serious issues."
Shacter agreed with Gifford, adding that a civil union is a contract.
"We live in an era when no one wants to commit. These people want to commit and we want to penalize them?," she said.
"I don't think we're defined by our sexuality," Quick said. "If they want to get married, then God bless them."
"We should not be in the business of discriminating," said Rodriguez, adding "and that's what we'd be doing."
U.S./Mexico border wall
The candidates agreed that a wall along the border does not serve a useful purpose.
Latas said that all the wall accomplishes is "bigger profits for Mexican smugglers, since people can't go over it."
He also referred to the wall's environmental impact in causing the future extinction of jaguars in the U.S., which migrate from Mexico.
Antenori, who calls himself "an avid hunter and fisherman," also referred to its effect on wildlife.
"Animals have first priority on the dirt," he said. "What we need is more boots."
Antenori said that 15,000 to 20,000 more Border Patrol agents are needed to apprehend illegal immigrants and encourage normal immigration channels."
Weiss told the audience she visited Naco recently and people there were happy that the wall slows down car thieves, "but that has nothing to do with immigration," she said.
Gifford agreed, calling it "impractical and insanely expensive. Building a wall is not the solution to immigration" problems.
Shacter agreed, but raised an issue no one else did.
"The wall cuts through Indian lands," she said. "We've taken their land, now we split their reservations."
Quick said "the wall symbolizes failed policy - a failed chance to make us better friends and neighbors. A guest worker program is better policy."
Preventing American business from moving to other nations
The candidates were asked the best way to stop American-owned companies from re-locating to Mexico and other countries.
Weiss said that hers is a "20- or 30-year solution, that is creating a viable economic middle class in Mexico," and, at home, to "take care of tax policies to prevent companies from going off shore."
Gifford added that, "We need a guest worker program, and to secure the border."
"The American corporations are entities that support the people who work in Congress," Shacter said. "As to how to stop them from moving, hold your breath and turn purple."
Rodriguez said, "We live in a global interdependent economy. The root cause of immigration is extreme poverty. We should, in addition to tougher employer sanctions and a guest worker program, help other nations establish stronger economies."
Antenori explained that he is different from many of his fellow Republicans.
"I'm not a free trader, I'm a fair trader," he said. "We need to impose the same standards on other countries, and punish the ones who blow those rules off."
Latas said that American companies "are moving into China and India by the droves. Globalization is too big of a bite to take," he told the audience, "We need to start in the Western hemisphere (building economies) and re-examining trade with nations who don't practice fair labor."
Clean elections
For the final questions, the candidates were asked if they support clean elections laws.
"We need to protect clean election laws," Giffords said. "Washington's a mess. We need to cut back on lobbyists meals and gifts, and reduce the amount people can give to campaigns."
Quick pointed out that there is no campaign financing for Independent candidates.
"There is no provision for anyone to do that," he said, adding that people are "buying Congressmen, but not directly."
"Our democracy is sick, "Rodriguez said. "If you have no ties to the rich, you have less of a voice. It's all based on money. Do we want to focus on our issues or on raising money?"
Antenori called clean elections law "a good idea. It sounds good, but it doesn't work. I'm surprised my Democratic friends are supporting it -- it actually works well for right-wing Republicans. Maybe we can limit contributions to a $1,000 max, but there are still loopholes allowing you to raise money on the side."
Weiss said, "I absolutely believe in clean elections. But there is a candidate here (Giffords) who chose to run for state senate three times without using clean elections. She took special interest money each time."
Shacter said, "We spend $2 million to $5 million on elections when children are going to bed hungry. Public funding is better to bring the money our of politics and improve the integrity of our politicians."
The primary election Sept. 5 will decide which Democrat and Republican will run in the general election in November for Congressman Jim Kolbe's seat. Kolbe is retiring after 11 terms in Congress.
The forum at the Willcox High School auditorium was hosted by the Northern Cochise County Democrats organization, but all candidates were invited.
Five of six Democrats running for the party's nomination Sept. 5 in the parimay election attended. They are Gabriel Giffords, Jeff Latas, Alex Rodriguez, Francine Shacter and Patty Weiss. William "Bill" Johnson did not attend.
Frank Antenori was the sole Republican attending the forum. Four others running for the Republican nomination in the primary did not attend, including Randy Graf, Mike Hellon, Steve Huffman and Mike Jenkins.
Independent candidate Jay Quick attended. Libertarian candidate David Nolan did not.
Biographies were written by candidates.
Gabrielle Giffords
Gabrielle Giffords is a third-generation Arizonan and a product of our public schools. Ten years ago, Giffords came home to take over the family business, El Campo Tire, and served as President and CEO for four years. Giffords was elected to the Arizona State Legislature in 2000, and fought to expand affordable health care, improve schools and create good jobs. She was named the 2004 Legislator of the Year by the Arizona Mental Health Association, and a Top 10 Technology Legislator for her work creating hi-tech jobs.
Jeff Latas
Jeff Latas worked his way through the University of Arizona, earning a degree in aerospace engineering. Col. Latas flew the F-15E through five combat tours in the Middle East, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism. He managed Pentagon weapons programs, earned a master's degree in public administration and served on the Quadrennial Defense Review. He and his wife of 26 years have two grown children, one an Iraq veteran. Latas is a Captain with JetBlue.
Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez was as born and raised in Nogales, Ariz. He was a Distinguished Graduate from the New Mexico Military Institute and holds a bachelor's from the University of Arizona and a master's degree in public policy from Harvard. Rodriguez served as Army Captain in Bosnia and worked for the Secretary of Defense during the Clinton Administration. He was elected to the Tucson Unified School Board in a tough eight-way race, and volunteers on transportation and bond committees. Rodriguez is newly married to Claudia Araiza.
Francine Shacter
Francine Shacter was born and raised in Los Angeles. She is a life-long, progressive Democrat; married with four children; and earned a BA from Goddard College in 1975. Shacter has 30 years of service with the Federal government: five years in Congress, seven years at the Census Bureau, and the balance at the Consumer Product Safety Commission as chronic hazards program manager, liaison with Office of Management and Budget. Shacter is active in the Tucson Democratic party, a Precinct Chairwoman (PC) on the Committee to recruit and train PCs. She volunteers with the Reading Seed Program and Quilts for a Cause.
Patty Weiss
Patty Weiss enters politics following a 34-year career as a journalist. She was Arizona's first woman evening news anchor. As a community activist, she's researched tough issues including transportation, water, economic growth and environment. An advocate for the mentally ill, Weiss is a founding trustee of the Institute for Mental Health Research. The UA Alumni Association just honored her for her long service to the University. Weiss and her husband have five grown children.
Frank Antenori
Frank Antenori is a retired Army Green Beret and combat veteran of Desert
Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq, where he received the Bronze Star for Valor. He has a bachelor's in health science and was a nationally registered paramedic for 10 years. Antenori has extensive experience in guerrilla warfare, border security and counter drug operation, gained during deployments to 34 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Frank is currently a program manager at Raytheon.
Jay Quick
Jay Quick has been a resident of Southern Arizona since the 1960s. He is a former Marine who holds a bachelor of science and a master's degree in economic geology from the University of Arizona. Quick has worked as a geologist in Cochise County and the Southwest. He has extensive management experience in commercial construction, and is currently the owner of Quick Custom Metals. Jay lives in Tucson, but has worked and lived in Cochise County at various times and owns property south of Sierra Vista, a few miles from the Mexican border.
Each candidate was asked eight questions by moderator Betty Lindstrom. The questions were on issues concerning the war in Iraq, nuclear weapons in Iran, universal healthcare, national debt, gay marriage, U.S./Mexico border wall, preventing American business from moving to other nations, and clean elections.
War in Iraq
Candidates were asked if they believe the U.S. is safer now than it was prior to sending troops to Iraq.
Most of the seven candidates agreed that America is not safer, and that American troops should be brought home from Iraq.
Gabrielle Giffords said she believes that war should be the "very last recourse," and that the U.S. needs a new secretary of defense.
"No, we're not safer," said Francine Shacter. "Let's get out of there."
Frank Antenori, who said he had first-hand experience hunting down Al-Qaeda terrorists, was the only one in strong disagreement.
"I think we are safer. We are killing terrorists over there instead of here," said Antenori, "We need to stay there."
Jeff Latas, who served five tours of duty in the Middle East, said the troops need to be brought home from Iraq.
"When I worked in the Pentagon, before the weapon inspectors were expelled, I knew that Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction," he said. "Terrorists weren't in Iraq. We picked the fight because of oil and to help Haliburton and Exxon-Mobil. No, we're not safer. They're growing their army and getting stronger and its getting worse."
Nuclear weapons in Iran
Candidates were asked if the United States should launch an "unprovoked, pre-emptive strike" on Iran.
Most of the candidates said no to the strike, opting for more peaceful solutions.
Rodriguez said "we should focus on nuclear non-proliferation, with incentives for those not proliferating and (setting) stakes to stop them" from proliferation.
Latas said that while at the Pentagon and knew about the "dirty bomb" that would be used to destroy them in such an attack.
"It's the only weapon that would work, but 10 million Middle Easterners would die," Latas told the audience. "We would be isolated, and our standard of living would go way down."
"What you need to understand is that the West is modern, and the East is traditional and visceral," Antenori said in support of a pre-emptive strike. "Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world. If Iran has a nuclear weapon they'll want to use it - they'll probably hit Israel first. They don't care if we hit them, they'll all go see Allah."
Quick said we should "sweat out a cold war," like the rest of the world did when it was between Russia and the U.S., and that sanctions may only drive them further toward arming themselves.
Universal healthcare
On the issue of healthcare, most candidates agreed the U.S. should use a universal healthcare system.
"We need people to be able to afford preventative healthcare, and not wait until a catastrophic emergency room visit," Rodriguez said.
"It raises productivity," he added. "I think my Republican friends would agree with me that the healthier workers are, the more productive they are."
Antenori said there are pluses and minuses for universal healthcare.
He cited the monetary incentives for doctors researching better surgical techniques or pharmaceutical companies producing better medicines as negatives to universal healthcare, because there may not be the monetary incentive in a universal public system.
He added, "No one is denied healthcare in this country. You can walk into any hospital and get healthcare."
Shacter said, "I don't agree with Frank. The profit (incentives) goes to the corporations," not the doctors or employees.
"The American people want universal healthcare," said Patty Weiss. "The problem is that the people in Congress are bought off by insurance and pharmaceutical companies. There should be affordable healthcare for everyone."
National debt
The candidates were asked whether they supported a constitutional amendment to balance the budget each year.
Most all of the candidates that the government should practice fiscal responsibility, but that a constitutional amendment would not allow for a crisis situation.
Antenori said he agrees with former President Ronald Reagan that there should be more fiscal responsibility and smaller government.
He said that Congress and President George W. Bush are "out of control," and he supports a constitutional balanced budget amendment. He also wants the ability for line-item veto in the budget to reduce the pork spending by both parties.
Latas agreed. "With $40 billion worth of pork, it's killing us. Our debt to nations like China and Saudi Arabia, and we paid $320 billion last year in interest alone to them."
The government is "forsaking working people and retired people," Weiss said. "A constitutional amendment? No. But I do advocate responsible pay as you go spending, like that of Clinton's administration."
Giffords said that when she gets to Congress, she would fight any attempt to increase Congressional salaries.
"If they can't balance the budget, they shouldn't get an increase," she told the audience. "That is shameful."
Shacter said she wants to see a "genuinely progressive tax system," and a good balance of political parties in Congress. "Balanced government, balanced budget," she said.
"You can't trust Congress with money," said Independent Candidate Jay Quick. "We need to turn it over to the Congressional Budget Office."
Gay marriage
The seven candidates, asked about the "gay marriage ban," were in agreement.
"Like Jeff, I support the Constitution," said Antenori. "Those guys 225 years ago knew what they were doing. The federal government has no business in the marriage business."
Quoting someone he had heard speak while in the military, Latas said, "Liberty and justice for all --- we've got a long way to go. I think the government should recognize civil unions, and let the religious institutions define marriage," he said. Weiss made a similar suggestion.
Gifford said she opposed the gay marriage ban, calling it a "wedge issue" used to take people's focus off more serious issues."
Shacter agreed with Gifford, adding that a civil union is a contract.
"We live in an era when no one wants to commit. These people want to commit and we want to penalize them?," she said.
"I don't think we're defined by our sexuality," Quick said. "If they want to get married, then God bless them."
"We should not be in the business of discriminating," said Rodriguez, adding "and that's what we'd be doing."
U.S./Mexico border wall
The candidates agreed that a wall along the border does not serve a useful purpose.
Latas said that all the wall accomplishes is "bigger profits for Mexican smugglers, since people can't go over it."
He also referred to the wall's environmental impact in causing the future extinction of jaguars in the U.S., which migrate from Mexico.
Antenori, who calls himself "an avid hunter and fisherman," also referred to its effect on wildlife.
"Animals have first priority on the dirt," he said. "What we need is more boots."
Antenori said that 15,000 to 20,000 more Border Patrol agents are needed to apprehend illegal immigrants and encourage normal immigration channels."
Weiss told the audience she visited Naco recently and people there were happy that the wall slows down car thieves, "but that has nothing to do with immigration," she said.
Gifford agreed, calling it "impractical and insanely expensive. Building a wall is not the solution to immigration" problems.
Shacter agreed, but raised an issue no one else did.
"The wall cuts through Indian lands," she said. "We've taken their land, now we split their reservations."
Quick said "the wall symbolizes failed policy - a failed chance to make us better friends and neighbors. A guest worker program is better policy."
Preventing American business from moving to other nations
The candidates were asked the best way to stop American-owned companies from re-locating to Mexico and other countries.
Weiss said that hers is a "20- or 30-year solution, that is creating a viable economic middle class in Mexico," and, at home, to "take care of tax policies to prevent companies from going off shore."
Gifford added that, "We need a guest worker program, and to secure the border."
"The American corporations are entities that support the people who work in Congress," Shacter said. "As to how to stop them from moving, hold your breath and turn purple."
Rodriguez said, "We live in a global interdependent economy. The root cause of immigration is extreme poverty. We should, in addition to tougher employer sanctions and a guest worker program, help other nations establish stronger economies."
Antenori explained that he is different from many of his fellow Republicans.
"I'm not a free trader, I'm a fair trader," he said. "We need to impose the same standards on other countries, and punish the ones who blow those rules off."
Latas said that American companies "are moving into China and India by the droves. Globalization is too big of a bite to take," he told the audience, "We need to start in the Western hemisphere (building economies) and re-examining trade with nations who don't practice fair labor."
Clean elections
For the final questions, the candidates were asked if they support clean elections laws.
"We need to protect clean election laws," Giffords said. "Washington's a mess. We need to cut back on lobbyists meals and gifts, and reduce the amount people can give to campaigns."
Quick pointed out that there is no campaign financing for Independent candidates.
"There is no provision for anyone to do that," he said, adding that people are "buying Congressmen, but not directly."
"Our democracy is sick, "Rodriguez said. "If you have no ties to the rich, you have less of a voice. It's all based on money. Do we want to focus on our issues or on raising money?"
Antenori called clean elections law "a good idea. It sounds good, but it doesn't work. I'm surprised my Democratic friends are supporting it -- it actually works well for right-wing Republicans. Maybe we can limit contributions to a $1,000 max, but there are still loopholes allowing you to raise money on the side."
Weiss said, "I absolutely believe in clean elections. But there is a candidate here (Giffords) who chose to run for state senate three times without using clean elections. She took special interest money each time."
Shacter said, "We spend $2 million to $5 million on elections when children are going to bed hungry. Public funding is better to bring the money our of politics and improve the integrity of our politicians."
The primary election Sept. 5 will decide which Democrat and Republican will run in the general election in November for Congressman Jim Kolbe's seat. Kolbe is retiring after 11 terms in Congress.
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