Redistricting applicants

In the order listed on the Arizona Supreme Court website, here are the applicants hoping to fill the vacant seat formerly held by Jose Herrera:

Lanette Campbell, a community outreach specialist for Health Choice. Black female, married to former state Rep. Cloves Campbell Jr.

Laura Casas, teaches third grade in the Isaac School District (west Phoenix). Ms. Casas is an Hispanic female who earned her Bachelor's degree in 2009. To the application question, "Will your employment and/or personal circumstances permit you to attend meetings of the Independent Redistricting Commission in their entirety?" Ms. Casas answered NO.

Wil Counts, a pharmacist who also holds a Ph.D. in Psychology (1977), is a Black male.

Bernard J. Dougherty, a retired Maricopa County Superior Court Judge, is a Caucasian male.

Andrea M Esquer currently practices law, overseeing the Homeowner Advocacy Unit of the Sandra Day O'Connor School of Law (ASU) Civil Justice Clinic. She has served as Public Information Officer for former Attorney General Terry Goddard and is an Hispanic female.

Lisette Flores earned her law degree in 2003 and is a member of the Valley Leadership Class 34 (2013). Ms. Flores, an Hispanic Female, is director of legal services for local non-profit Friendly House.

Cid R Kallen, an attorney (JD 2009) with his own private practice in Yuma, is an Hispanic male and veteran of the US Marine Corps. Having volunteered that he has sought an extension on filing and paying his 2012 income tax returns, there may be a question of personal organization and/or workload management.

Jo Ann L. Martinez, an Hispanic female, holds a Master's degree and serves as a program director at ASU Downtown.

Jimmie D. Smith, another Yuma attorney with his own practice, is a Caucasian male who also applied to serve on the AIRC in 2010. To the application question, "Will your employment and/or personal circumstances permit you to attend meetings of the Independent Redistricting Commission in their entirety?" Mr. Smith answered NO.

Joseph H. Thomas teaches government in Mesa high schools and is a leader in the Arizona Education Association. Joe is a Caucasian male.

Frank Verderame is an attorney in Phoenix (partner in his own small firm). Mr. Verderame (a Caucasian male) has connections, from his undergraduate studies at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA., to the Rose Institute (to which, mapping consultant bidder National Demographics Corporation is affliated).

Ronald E. Warnicke, (Caucasian male) served as former Gov. Bruce Babbitt's first chief of staff and is now of counsel at the law firm of Gordon Silver in Phoenix.

Joshua Zaragosa is an Hispanic male and works for Mario E Diaz and Associates, which he says is a Government and Public Relations firm. I wonder if Mr. Zaragosa realizes that "government relations" is another way to say "lobbying." He has worked on campaigns for Senate Minority Leader Leah Landrum Taylor as well as current Phoenix City Council candidate Warren Stewart. To the application question, "Will your employment and/or personal circumstances permit you to attend meetings of the Independent Redistricting Commission in their entirety?" Mr. Zaragosa answered NO.

There you have it. Thirteen applicants for one vacant seat on the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. Three of the applicants, Casas, Smith and Zaragosa, appear to have eliminated themselves right off the bat by indicating they would not be available for all meetings that may be required.

Mr. Verderame's interest in the Rose Institute raises a potential red flag, as does Mr. Kallen's answer regarding his income tax filings. That Mrs. Campbell is married to a (recent) former member of the Arizona House of Representatives makes her candidacy questionable.

Among the remaining seven applicants, there are some very strong qualifications.

As a reminder, the Appellate Courts Commission on Appointments meets at 12:30 pm this coming Monday afternoon to interview the applicants in public and to discuss the qualifications of each, at the Arizona State Courts building, 1501 W. Washington St., Phoenix.

I will try to be there and report back to you on Monday evening.