Posts Tagged ‘elections’

First she survived the worst year for Democrats in Congress since 1938 by winning re-election.  Weeks later, she survived being shot in the head at point blank range by a raving madman.

Now she demonstrates a strength of will that is nothing short of a miracle.

Gabby Giffords’ survival is amazing.  It is proof that she has much more to accomplish on this earth.

As I read the cover story of this week’s People magazine and then watched the Diane Sawyer special, I realized that we really never know what our life holds in store.  In Gabby’s case, it is incredible adversity and showing the true grit to overcome that adversity.

I’ll never forget that fateful Saturday morning.  I had just landed in Phoenix and was walking up the sidewalk to the PF Changs at Norterra Shoppes for an early lunch with my kids.  I got a text from a friend that simply read “Urgent. Call me.”

I called and my mouth dropped in shock in hearing the news that Congresswoman Giffords had been shot.

Now, ten months later, to see her, and to hear her, is inspiring.  Her love of life, her love of her husband Mark, her complete strength in the face of the worst of adversity demonstrates absolute courage.  She is a survivor.

We don’t know whether she will run for Congress again.  In the end, it doesn’t matter.  She has left an indelible mark on this world that a mere Member of Congress could only dream of.

Stay strong, Gabby. We’re praying for you, cheering for you and, most of all, forever grateful for the inspiration and miracle that you are to all of us.

Yesterday’s election was proof, once again, that voters can be finicky – and that’s the way it should be.

Here is a rundown:

 Legislative District 18 Recall

The big story was the surprise victory of Republican Jerry Lewis over Republican State Senate President Russell Pearce.  Pearce was placed on recall ballot through the efforts of some left-wing and Democrat- affiliated organizations, but it was conservative Republican Jerry Lewis who took advantage of the opportunity by running a very solid race. Pearce outspent Lewis as much as 3-1, and Pearce also enjoyed support from some independent expenditures and the entirety of the Republican establishment.

It wasn’t enough.  Voters were given a choice between a hard-edged Mormon conservative Republican whose main issue has been immigration (Pearce) and a softer spoken Mormon conservative Republican who has been a champion for school choice (Lewis).  This will likely impact the next legislative session, in that there will be fewer immigration-related issues at the forefront.

Lewis will be a good fit in a conservative State Senate, but Pearce loyalists will likely spend time unnecessarily sniping at him – and he may be a short termer, depending on what happens with redistricting.

City of Phoenix

In the Phoenix, union-backed Greg Stanton prevailed over Wes Gullet.  Thelda Williams prevailed over a challenge from the right.  One of the unspoken stories in that race was the Williams enjoyed strong support from the LDS community (who would typically be more aligned with a more conservative candidate) because of her work in helping the LDS Church preserve the ability to build a temple in the north reaches of Phoenix.  Daniel Valenzuela bested Brenda Sperduti.  After Jim Waring unseated a union boss in August, there is a pretty even split on how much union influence there will be at City Hall.

Who said politics was boring?

The race to fill the Senate seat of Edward Kennedy in Massachusetts is turning into the most closely watched election of the season. In what can only be described as unbelievable, the Republican candidate, Scott Brown, is in a dead heat with the Democrat candidate, Martha Coakley.

For a Republican to even be in the game in a state like Massachusetts is incredible. This is a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 5-1.

It has gotten so dire for Democrats, that there has been talk about delaying the certification of the election if Brown wins. Just for those keeping track, the last time there was a special election in Massachusetts for an open House seat, the winner was sworn in two days later.

In reaction to a question about a delayed certification, the esteemed Representative Barney Frank said it was a “conspiracy theory.”

“There isn’t the slightest possibility of it happening—a way of doing it.”

Well Mr. Frank, we’ll remember that on February 20 if Brown ends up winning.

Even if the Democrat wins, this race does not portend a good year for Democrats nationally.