Voters will have two opportunities Saturday to interact with candidates seeking to replace Rep. Martha McSally.
All six of the Democratic candidates will be attending the March for our Lives demonstration either in Tucson or Sierra Vista. And all five Republican candidates will share a stage on a private club, where they are expected to discuss various issues.
The Republican gathering is a candidate forum organized by the Pima County Republican Club that’s billed as a public event organized for Pima County Republicans, but it takes a $7.50 ticket to attend.
Except for reporters, who have been banned.
Pima County Republican Party Char David Eppihimer said the decision to keep reporters out was made by the venue, not the party. He said the Mountain Oyster Club has had a long-standing rule that prohibits any member of the media from attending events there.
This largely runs contrary to recent history, as the Arizona Daily Star and other media organizations have reported on events hosted by the Pima County Republican Party. Most recently, the Star attended an event there in July when former Donald Trump adviser Roger Stone spoke to attendees who bought a $25 ticket.
Management at the private club confirmed Friday that the “no media” rule has been a long-standing policy. Previous events where media have been let in occurred without the management’s knowledge or approval.
Candidates set to attend the GOP gathering at the private club east of Tucson include Lea Marquez Peterson, Brandon Martin, Danny Morales, Casey Welch and Marilyn Wiles. It starts at 2:30 p.m.
Democratic candidates attending the March for Our Lives demonstration in Tucson include Billy Kovacs, Ann Kirkpatrick, Bruce Wheeler, Matt Heinz and Mary Matiella. Candidate Barbara Sherry is attending a similar March for Our Lives demonstration in Sierra Vista.
The Tucson march begins at noon downtown in front of the Joel D. Valdez Main Library. Speakers are set from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the UA Mall.
