Larry Bodine, Author at Democrats of Greater Tucson

About Larry Bodine

Larry Bodine is the President of Democrats of Greater Tucson, and a PC in Legislative District 9. A journalist and attorney, Larry Bodine attends live political events and reports on them for the Blog for Arizona, which features politics from a liberal viewpoint. See http://blogforarizona.net/ He has been an elected Democratic precinct committeeman in Illinois and Arizona, starting with the 2006 Tammy Duckworth campaign (she is now a US Senator). As an elected Democratic precinct committeeman in LD9 in Tucson, he works to get Democrats elected. Since 2017 he has taught “Getting Active in Local Politics” at OLLI-UA (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) at the University of Arizona in Tucson. His 45-year career includes reporting for the New York Daily News, which was the largest-circulation US newspaper at the time. He has won 7 awards for investigative journalism.

DGT Salon with Progressive Veterans from Common Defense of Arizona

For our kickoff evening Salon on March 24, 2022, we presented three progressive veterans from CommonDefense.us, the country’s largest veteran-led grassroots organization committed to mobilizing veterans to elect accountable leaders and promote progressive values in 2022 and beyond. Not all veterans are conservatives and Republicans. Sgt. Sylvia Andersh, USAF Sgt. Michael O'Connell, USMC Sgt. Caleb Hayter, USMC We have three wonderful Arizona veterans joining us to explain the history, mission, and work of this progressive organization and to discuss those topics with our DGT community: Sgt. Caleb Hayter, USMC. He will lead off with his videos and [...]

By Larry Bodine|2022-04-16T08:25:42-07:00April 16th, 2022|Community Organizing|

Data Analyst Sam Almy Describes How to Keep Arizona Blue

Our speaker Sam Almy, a Data Analyst with Uplift Campaign, describes what the new districts mean to Democrats and Republicans. Sam Almy Sam has worked with any campaign from US President to the local school board. In 2008, Sam started political work in Tucson, working for the AZ Democratic Party’s Coordinated Campaign and reporting as the Voter File Manager for the Arizona Democratic Party. In 2010, he ran a paid canvass with US Congressman Raul Grijalva. In 2012, Sam moved to Phoenix to focus on data analytics. Contact him at:Email: sam@upliftcampaigns.comTwitter: @sfalmy "It's all about turnout this year," [...]

By Larry Bodine|2022-04-15T20:57:05-07:00April 2nd, 2022|Arizona Democratic Party|

Sen. Victoria Steele will bring Compassion as a Justice of the Peace

State Senator, therapist and educator Victoria Steele spoke at the March 29, 2022, meeting of Democrats of Greater Tucson. She has served as an Arizona State Senator for most of the last decade creating laws. “Now I want to administer the law compassionately and justly – to restore faith in the Justice Court,” she says. Prior to serving in the Legislature, she was a licensed substance misuse counselor, a domestic violence therapist, and a teacher of college graduate-level counseling students. Edited Transcript: "I have been helping to write laws, pass laws, and introduce legislation regarding child abuse, domestic violence, sexual [...]

By Larry Bodine|2022-04-06T14:18:09-07:00March 29th, 2022|Local Candidates and Electeds, Tucson|

Keep Constable Gonzalez, and Sign her Petition to Get on the Ballot

Esther Gonzalez As a public servant of Pima County for more than 11 years, Esther Gonzalez executes her duties with the utmost regard for every person she works with. In return, she earns the utmost respect from both tenants and landlords. Print a PDF of Esther Gonzalez's Petition. As the only Pima County Constable certified in Crisis Intervention, she is trained in communicating with citizens experiencing emotional distress, mental illness, and drug abuse. She is fully bilingual and one of only two females to serve as a Constable in all of Pima County. With her knowledge and [...]

By Larry Bodine|2022-03-28T19:01:52-07:00March 28th, 2022|Local Candidates and Electeds|

Kat Stratford Stands Up for Trans, Gay and Refugee Rights

Kat Stratford is running for State Representative as a Democrat in the new LD18 (formerly LD9). She plans to focus on the unprecedented climate crisis that will render much of our beautiful desert uninhabitable within 50 years. Families are still struggling to gain reasonable access to basics like healthcare, education, and food assistance. Voting rights and reproductive rights are at stake in 2022. Kat is an outspoken advocate for victims of violent crime. She has volunteered with Homicide Survivors Inc since 2013, and she became a certified Rape Crisis Advocate at SACASA in 2014.

By Larry Bodine|2022-03-27T12:27:40-07:00March 27th, 2022|State Representative|

Members Only: Vote on Proposed Bylaws

The Democrats of Greater Tucson Board voted on March 14, 2022, to update the Bylaws, primarily to establish a procedure for online elections. Additional minor changes were also made. The Board hereby asks paid-up members of Democrats of Greater Tucson to approve these changes. CLICK HERE TO VOTE: www.surveymonkey.com/r/JJ5RCP8 Please vote before April 10, 2022, at 5 pm. Proposed Bylaws with changes highlighted ARTICLE V – OFFICERS, ELECTIONS, AND DUTIES A. Elected officers include President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and six members-at-large. Officers shall hold offices for one year or until their successors are elected. Officers must [...]

By Larry Bodine|2022-04-06T10:33:16-07:00March 27th, 2022|Survey|

Obituary for Olivia Cajero Bedford

Former Arizona state Legislator Olivia Cajero Bedford passed away on February 9, 2022. In 2000, she ran for the AZ House of Representatives, following in her parents' footsteps. Olivia lost but came back stronger and won her first election two years later. She served in both the AZ House and Senate for 16 years. She loved representing her constituents and will be remembered for campaigning by standing in the bed of her purple truck waving at voters. Olivia backed the working class, fighting for teachers, law enforcement, and unions. She was a pro-choice voter and worked to save the beautiful [...]

By Larry Bodine|2022-03-27T09:58:49-07:00March 26th, 2022|Arizona Democratic Party|

It’s Time for Democrats to Take Over the Legislature

Michael Bryan, the founder of Blog for Arizona and Larry Bodine, President of Democrats of Greater Tucson, appeared on the March 12, 2022, edition of the John C. Scott Political Forum on KVOI radio, 1040 on the AM channel. Audio Player Broadcaster John C. Schott, host of the John C. Scott Political Forum every Saturday at 3 pm on KVOI radiom 1030 AM. John C. Scott: You’re listening to the John C. Scott political forum. Larry Bodine: If there ever was a time to get active in local politics. It’s right now. This is Larry Bodine, President [...]

By Larry Bodine|2022-03-14T20:13:51-07:00March 14th, 2022|Education|

Anti-School Bills in the Arizona Legislature

The Republican state Legislature is leading the "egregious destruction of education," according to Dustin Williams, Pima County School Superintendent, who spoke at the March 3, 2022 meeting of Democrats of Greater Tucson. He discussed several pending bills that use "the tactics of fear" on what can be taught in school. Dustin Williams, Pima County School Superintendent SB1138 would limit transgender students from expressing their gender identity in school bathrooms, school classrooms and school sports. Bill text: https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/55leg/2R/bills/SB1138P.pdf News article: https://www.abc15.com/news/state/13-bills-that-could-affect-transgender-youth-winding-through-arizona-legislature SB1165 would prevent transgender girls in grades K-12 from playing on girls' sports teams. Dubbed the “Save Women’s [...]

By Larry Bodine|2022-03-14T17:25:29-07:00March 14th, 2022|Education|

Positions of the Arizona Association of County School Superintendents on 90+ AZ Bills

House Bills H2008 Civics Instruction Neutral/No Position H2009 Violation of State Law Neutral/No Position H2019 Paid Governing Board Members Oppose H2026 Literacy Endorsements Support H2027 CTED Revisions Support H2034 CTED Associate Degrees Support H2039 Live, Remote Instruction Support, w/ Grant Exemption H2040 ESA Notification Support H2077 Candidates, Electronic Signatures Support H2086 Immunizations Neutral/No Position H2109 Tobacco Industry Limits Support H2112 CRT Restrictions Neutral/No Position H2114 Define Gross Mismanagement (AACSS BILL) W/D for the year H2117 Transportation Support Level, CTEDs Support H2118 Alternative Schools Neutral/No Position [...]

By Larry Bodine|2022-03-14T19:41:27-07:00March 14th, 2022|Education|