Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Keynote Speaker U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) readies himself to give his speech at the Graham County Republican Party Committee’s annual Lincoln Day Luncheon on Wednesday at Manor 415.
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – It was a literal who’s who with wall-to-wall politicians at Manor 415 on Wednesday for the Graham County Republican Committee’s annual Lincoln Day Luncheon with Keynote Speaker U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R, AZ-06).
Graham County Republican Party Committee First Vice Chairman Keith Alexander emceed the event while sporting a patriotic oversized top hat.
“Keith, thank you so much for the introduction, and thank you for the invitation, and thank you for wearing that hat,” Ciscomani quipped at the podium. “It just makes everybody feel way better about themselves.”
State Senator David Gowan (R, LD-19) was on hand as well as our local State Representatives Gail Griffin (R, LD-14) and Lupe Diaz (R, LD-14), and a swath of local government leaders, including Graham County Supervisors John Howard and Clay Mack, Thatcher Vice Mayor Jenny Howard, former County Supervisor and State House Rep. Drew John, and many other local elected officials.
The event provided an opportunity for the committee to honor two of its distinguished members who they have lost this past year; former Safford Mayor Jason Kouts and former Safford Councilman Gene Seale. Republican Committee Chairperson Marianne Clonts presented the “Patriot Awards” to their spouses, Maria Kouts and Jennifer Seale, respectively.
“Gene loved this Valley,” Jennifer Seale told the audience upon accepting his award. “And he loved serving on the city council. That was one of his goals he told me years ago that when he was in high school he hoped one day he would be on the Safford City Council.”
Harrison Talgo Sr. from Precinct 11 and Bylas was also mentioned for his passing as well.
With the primary election nearly upon us, the meeting also served as a sounding board for local Republicans seeking office. The only contested primary Republican race is for sheriff between four-time incumbent P.J. Allred and former Graham County Sheriff deputy Mike Bodine. With no candidates from any other party, the Republican Primary will decide the election for Graham County Sheriff.
“One of the main reasons I’m running is because I think that change is good,” Bodine said. “I think that there’s a ton of issues that need addressed in the county and that I think that the current sheriff and the undersheriff administration has done a good job but anytime you’re in a position for any kind of long period of time you get complacent – we start missing things.”
Sheriff Allred is running for his fifth term as sheriff after a two-decade-long career with the city of Safford Police Department.
“I’ve been serving the citizens of Graham County going on 16 years,” Allred said. “Sounds like a long time. It has been quite a while. I would like to think that experience counts for something.”
Allred gave a rundown of various Sheriff’s Office programs and partnerships on topics such as drug use and border security. Standing alongside Sheriff Allred – basically as a running mate – is his undersheriff, Jeff McCormies, who has been Allred’s only undersheriff.
The star of the event was, of course, the Keynote Speaker, U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R, AZ-06), who was in the middle of a whirlwind, 350-mile tour that day that started in Sierra Vista and ended in a farm field in Bryce, just outside of Pima.
Ciscomani has made several visits to Graham County and has helped pass millions of dollars in federal funding into needed local projects, such as $2 million to assist with the construction of a new Pima Fire Station or $1.3 million for the Graham County Linear Park. As reported previously, Ciscomani has two other local projects up for appropriations funding in the next fiscal year as well, with $2.5 million earmarked for a new road and traffic signals from Highway 70 to the new Pima High School, and $1.2 million for Graham County for water line infrastructure improvements. Ciscomani has also put in for $2.2 million for the town of Duncan to pave its Main Street and High Street.
Ciscomani seemed to shake hands with everyone in the room, and yes, he even got to hold a baby. In his more than 30-minute oratory, he reminded those in attendance of the importance of this Congressional Seat as it is one of only a handful of districts that are believed to be contested.
“This is a swing district, they call it, a competitive district,” Ciscomani said. “It’s one-third Republican, one-third Democrat, and one-third Independents . . . Do you know how many districts there are like ours there are in the country that will determine the balance of power for the most powerful country in the world? Eighteen. Out of the 435 districts in the country, there are only 18 districts that are considered competitive districts and we’re top three out of the whole country. Who wins this seat determines who has the majority in Congress. We have a one-seat majority right now. We cannot afford to lose this seat.”
