Two Democratic newcomers are challenging an incumbent in the primary election for Legislative District 10, which includes eastern midtown and most of Tucson’s east side.
Voters will choose two candidates in the Aug. 30 primary who will go on to run against Republican Todd Clodfelter in November’s general election for the district’s two seats in the state House.
Incumbent Stefanie Mach is fighting to keep her seat against challengers Kirsten Engel and Courtney Frogge for a third term, and the other seat is vacant, since Democrat Bruce Wheeler will be stepping down at the end of the term.
What issues do voters in your district tell you they are concerned about?
Engel: Education. Education. Education. Voters in my district want good schools, affordable higher education and respect for our hard-working teachers.
Frogge: Legislators who undermine our public schools and our economy. They want forward-looking, sustainable solutions that give every Arizona family a fair chance at success and ensure a bright future for the next generation. Moreover, LD10 voters share a sense of disenchantment with the current political system. That system is failing Arizona families, as politicians spend more time trying to score political points than working together for solutions. Voters in LD10, and across our state, want legislators who will work to bring people together, build coalitions, and get results that matter in their daily lives.
Mach: Education is a top priority for the people in LD10. Early childhood education, teacher retention, vocational technology, safe classrooms, affordable higher education are all examples of issues that concern people with whom I have spoken. Transportation and water infrastructure improvements are important as well as prison reform. All of these issues lead back to true economic development and a strong job market. Ultimately, people just want to have their hard work valued so that they can support themselves and their families.
How do you intend to get your ideas passed through a House that has a Republican majority?
Engel: My entire career I have negotiated with people who do not always agree with my positions. I have always been a strong advocate for my ideas and know how to work with others to get them to the table to hammer out an agreement. I am resourceful and a hard worker. I will work on new solutions to break through age-old stalemates on our region’s priority issues of education funding, economic development and environmental sustainability.
Frogge: As a fifth-generation Arizonan born in LD10, with nearly 10 years of experience working for issues and candidates across Arizona, I know how to build coalitions and bring public pressure in support of a cause. Having built coalitions in nearly every county in Arizona, I understand the districts — and, more importantly, the voters — represented by Republican legislators. In many cases I’ve worked alongside those same voters on behalf of a cause. That combination of institutional knowledge and on-the-ground experience means I have the tools to identify our common ground and get results for Southern Arizona.
Mach: Politics is about relationships. If one honors their word, follows through on promises, shows respect and maintains integrity throughout the difficult process of making laws, a person can get a lot done. Because my colleagues know that I am more concerned with accomplishing goals than taking credit, I have been successful passing bills in colleagues’ names and my own. I work well with fellow legislators and concerned stakeholders to accomplish goals together. Improving my knowledge base and experience with a diversity of issues has also increased my ability to succeed as a member of the minority party.
What is the most important issue that you expect to be voting on in the next year or two, and how will you vote?
Engel: Creating a dedicated, permanent funding source for public education at all levels. Right now we spend more on inmates in private prison than we do on students in our schools. We need to flip that formula in order to reverse the years of funding cuts that are standing in the way of our students’ and our state’s achievements.
Frogge: Funding public education. The cuts must stop. Ensuring great public schools is the most important way to give our kids the tools for success. It’s how we keep our economy strong and attract new businesses to our state. And it’s a reflection of our values: as a fifth-generation Arizonan, I know that we must do everything we can to keep our promises to future generations of Arizonans. That’s why I will always vote to support our kids, our schools, and our educators — and I have the skills, experience, and relationships necessary to build consensus and get results for our schools.
Mach: People like to believe that improving our community is as simple as taking one action. The truth is that we must pull many levers to advance our state. In Arizona, we need to do more to improve education; however, it isn’t as simple as increasing teacher retention programs for quality educators. To learn, kids also need: proper healthcare, a safe way to get to school, enough nutrition, vision screenings, a stable household … etc. I intend to vote understanding the complexity of what it takes to make a society great.
Contact reporter Caitlin Schmidt at cschmidt@tucson.com or 573-4191. Twitter: @caitlinschmidt
