Arizona's political party for cool people: highly-educated, high-income, sophisticated people who appreciate diversity and care about our less fortunate sisters and brothers.

We've banded together to make Arizona less of a shithole by voting out the backward majority who've made the state a backwater and a bicoastal joke.
Showing posts with label Richard Grayson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Richard Grayson. Show all posts

Thursday, May 9, 2013

New Arizona Americans Elect Party Coconino County Co-Chairs Holden Pham and Randa Hamid Commit Themselves to Party Platform Advocating Economic Justice

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., May 9 -

Arizona Americans Elect Party leader Trey Young today appeared at a press conference at Northern Arizona University to introduce the party's new Coconino County co-chairs Holden Pham and Randa Hamid and highlight the Arizona Americans Elect Party's commitment to economic justice.

Mr. Pham, 24, is a graduate student at NAU, working on his M.A. degree in Social Responsibility and Sustainable Communities in Flagstaff.  Ms. Hamid, 30, who received her undergraduate and law degrees from Yale University, also lives in Flagstaff, where she is a staff attorney in social policy with the Global Economic Justice Center.

"Both of these amazing young people will be an important part in our 2014 campaign not just for public offices from Governor on down in Arizona but also for our party's commitment to economic justice and to ending the scourge of income inequality and wealth disparity in our state and nation," said Mr. Young as he introduced the new county leaders.

The Arizona Americans Elect Party is the fastest-growing political party in the state.  Committed to social responsibility and economic justice, the party's first candidates, Richard Grayson and Stephen Dolgos, ran for Congress in 2012, and the party plans to run candidates in federal and state races in 2014.  Social activist J.L. Meader of Mesa has already filed to run as a candidate in the Americans Elect Party primary for Governor.

"We're going to get a lot of support in our fight for economic justice in 2014 as a continuation and adjunct to the Occupy movement," said Mr. Pham.  "With the rich getting richer, middle class wages are frozen in carbonite, and more of us are out of work or working harder and longer for less money, it's time to make a concerted effort to turn things around in Arizona."

Ms. Hamid agreed.  "We are living in difficult times, "she said. "As the same time we’re told that we can no longer afford the programs that have kept so many of us from falling into abject poverty, massive tax breaks are being given to millionaires and their corporations.  The Arizona Americans Elect Party understands that our country isn’t broke, the money is just in the wrong pockets."  

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

New Americans Elect Party Pinal County Co-Chairs Erica Núñez and Hoyt Schermerhorn IV Pledge to Fight Global Warming to Protect Arizona's Future


APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz., May 8 -

Trey Young, leader of Arizona's fastest growing political party, the Americans Elect Party, which will be on the state's ballots again in 2014 after a successful debut in the 2012 election, traveled to Apache Junction today to introduce the party's new co-chairs in Pinal County, Erica Núñez and Hoyt Schermerhorn IV, both climate change activists, who pledged to build the growing party's base in Pinal County.

Dr. Núñez, who lives with her boyfriend and daughter in Apache Junction, is a graduate of Columbia University, from which she earned an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering  and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and plasma physics.  She said her decision to become a climate scientist was “a marriage of convenience and deep conviction.”  As a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, established by the United Nations in 1988, Dr. Núñez helped write papers that were influential in framing the climate-change discussion.  She joined the Arizona Americans Elect Party in 2012 to work for its candidate Richard Grayson, also of Apache Junction, who received 1% of the vote in the race for Arizona's Fourth Congressional District seat.

Rev. Schermerhorn, ordained as a pastor in the Metropolitan Community Church, lives in Gold Canyon with his husband and son.  He studied at Duke University, where he earned an undergraduate degree in geology and a Master of Environmental Management (M.E.M.) degree, and he also holds the Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary.  Also an active member of the Arizona Americans Elect Party from Grayson's 2012 congressional campaign, Rev. Schermerhorn is on the board of directors of Interfaith Moral Action on Climate, which has urged state legislatures and Congress to enact legislation to combat global warming.

Both of the Pinal County Americans Elect Party leaders vowed to elect candidates in 2014 who will protect the environment.  "As most Arizona voters know, climate change is very real," said Dr. Núñez, "and we have a limited time to produce legislation and regulation to protect our environment from the dangers of global warming."
"Although the Arizona Americans Elect Party is active on many fronts," Rev. Schermerhorn said, "climate change may be the defining issue of our generation, and we need to make public support for environmental protections as widespread as support for gay marriage and immigration reform.  Of course, there are a lot of backward-thinking, ignorant people in Pinal County and the state, and we need to show them the error of their ways -- or destroy them before they destroy the beauty of Arizona."

"We are proud to have these accomplished young leaders representing the Americans Elect Party in Pinal County, a crucial area, as we move into next year's Arizona state and federal elections," said Mr. Young, the party's leader. 

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Newly-Elected Arizona Americans Elect Party Yuma County Co-Chairs Rain Halligan and Elijah Sanchez Pledge to Make Arizona Less of a Shithole


YUMA, Ariz., Apr. 30 -

Rain Halligan and Elijah Sanchez, both of Yuma, were today elected co-chairs of the Yuma County chapter of the Arizona Americans Elect Party, and pledged themselves to "make Arizona less of a shithole."

Ms. Halligan, 28, a Yuma visual artist and LGBT activist, and Mr. Sanchez, bassist in a Yuma band, were elected at a meeting of party members led by state party leader Trey Young, and including party treasurer Dr. Irina Tereshkova, artistic director Richard Grayson, and first vice-chairwoman Buffy Lehman Auchincloss.

"Arizona as we know it is, like, totally fucked up," said Ms. Halligan.
Mr. Sanchez agreed, noting that the recent signing of a bill to forbid the destruction of weapons received in municipal gun buybacks is just the latest example of how "Arizona is seen as a laughingstock filled with right-wing assholes."

"Most Republican male legislators like guns because they're concerned about their small penis size," said Ms. Halligan.  "Jan Brewer must have a similar problem or something."

"The Arizona Americans Elect Party will change all that in the 2014 elections," said party leader Trey Young.  "We're looking for cool people to join us and for cool people to run as candidates.  Hopefully, we'll get some more of Yuma's 'natural aristocrats' like Rain and Elijah to become a part of Arizona's fastest-growing political party."

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Dr. Irina Tereshkova Selected as New State Treasurer of the Arizona Americans Elect Party


PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz., Apr. 27, 2013 - 

Dr. Irina Tereshkova was today named Treasurer of the Arizona Americans Elect Party, one of Arizona's ballot-qualified political parties, and since its electoral debut last year, the fastest-growing party in the state. 

Dr. Tereshkova, 27, of Phoenix, was selected by the party's new Supreme Leader, Trey Young, who took office last night after winning a a leadership fight. She is also the Chief Financial Officer of Très Jeune, the holding company for various restaurant, media and financial enterprises of Mr. Young, who is also her fiancé. She graduated magna cum laude from Sarah Lawrence College and received her Ph.D. in art history from Stanford University. 

Mr. Young, 26, of Scottsdale, said he intends to make changes in the structure of the Arizona Americans Elect Party and part of that was bringing in someone versed in finance to be the group's first Treasurer.   Dr. Tereshkova also serves on the Board of Directors of The Buzzgawk Fund, the hedge fund where Mr. Young is managing partner.

"I'm sure Irina will do a magnificent job in terms of fundraising for Arizona Americans Elect," said Mr. Young. "Previously, the party was getting off the ground and we didn't pay much attention to money. But Dr. Tershkova can start the ball rolling in getting more high-powered donors to contribute to the party's coffers for the coming 2014 state and congressional elections." 

Richard Grayson, the party's Artistic Director, also praised Dr. Tereshkova from his hospital room at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, where he is being treated for a concussion. "Irina is filled with new ideas about how to raise money for the party," Grayson said. "I'm looking forward to seeing what she has mind to make the Arizona Americans Elect Party more effective."

In another change for Arizona Americans Elect, the party headquarters was moved during the night from Mesa to Paradise Valley and is temporarily being housed at the home of Jaden Parascandola, Mr. Young's stepbrother. 

Friday, April 26, 2013

Trey Young, 26, of Scottsdale, Named New Supreme Leader of Arizona Americans Elect Party After Defeating Incumbent in Leadership Fight




CHANDLER, Ariz., Apr. 26, 2013 – 

Trey Young of Scottsdale was installed as the new Supreme Leader of the Arizona Americans Elect Party tonight.  His installation followed a mixed martial arts bout with the party’s former Supreme Leader, Richard Grayson, that took place as an exhibition match of a card put on by local promotion World Fighting Federation MMA at Wild Horse Pass Casino in Chandler.

The Arizona Americans Elect Party is Arizona’s fifth ballot-qualified political party, currently with 266 registered voters.  Its first candidates appeared on the 2012 ballot: Grayson, of Apache Junction, as the candidate in the Fourth Congressional District, and Stephen Dolgos of New River was the candidate in the Eighth Congressional District. 

The Americans Elect Party candidates for Congress from Arizona garnered the fourth highest number of votes in 2012, finishing ahead of the long-established Arizona Green Party. 

By party tradition and its by-rules, the new Supreme Leader has to be selected from among party members who declare their candidacy and who then defeat the old Supreme Leader in the combat of his choice.

Young, 26, of Scottsdale, won the party leadership decisively when he stopped the 61-year-old Grayson one minute into the second round after five minutes of a slugfest to open the fight. 

Grayson, 5’6” and 152 pounds, came forward 20 seconds in with a step-in right elbow. But Young, 6’1” and 165 pounds, had no qualms firing back and landed a good left hook. Young chased Grayson down and landed punches and a head kick. Then he gestured for the party’s founding leader to come forward – and he did, landing a good shot of his own, then a solid left jab.

Young kept coming forward with a relentless pace, and the two traded big bombs in tight before Young clinched Grayson up and looked to land elbows. Moments later, Grayson had Young backing up with a left hand, then several shots to the body that put the challenger on the canvas.

Grayson got on top and went to work with the ground and pound with Young going into survival mode from his guard. Young expertly locked in a triangle choke that was deep and appeared to have Grayson in trouble. But Grayson escaped and with the fight back on the feet for the last 20 seconds of the round, Young had Grayson backing up eating punches.

The two traded punches early in the second, and Young quickly got in and landed some giant knees that cut opened up a cut below Grayson’s eye. Young kept the pressure on and landed big punches on the ground, and with Grayson's knee on the canvas, he landed big elbows to the body as Grayson covered up. From there, the referee had seen enough and ended the match.

"I think Richard did a good job as the Arizona American Elect party’s founder, but I think I proved it’s time for a younger, more dynamic leader to take over," Young said. "He hurt me really bad with that body shot. I was really close to being incapacitated and unable to defend myself, but I know that in political fights, you need to come back with everything you’ve got. I look forward to being the Supreme Leader of Arizona’s fastest-growing political party."

Grayson congratulated the new Americans Elect Party Supreme Leader on his win and pledged his loyalty.  “Trey has proven he has what it takes to run an impressive and aggressive campaign for the Arizona Americans Elect party,” Grayson said.  “He’ll be a strong leader.  He was obviously stronger than I was tonight.” 

Young asked Grayson to stay on as the party’s Artistic Director, and Grayson agreed, saying he would help the new Supreme Leader recruit candidates for Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Education Commissioner, Corporation Commissioner, and for all the seats in the Arizona State Legislature and U.S. House Congressional delegation that are up in 2014.  But according to party by-laws, the outgoing Supreme Leader must go into exile from the state and at the end of the month, Grayson will leave Arizona and return to his native Brooklyn. 

Anyone interested in running for office should contact the party’s new Supreme Leader.  According to the party’s by-laws, Trey Young can be challenged for the party leadership only after the 2014 election.  Grayson has ruled out a rematch.

"It's a new day for the Arizona Americans Elect Party, and we party members look forward to a more collective form of leadership going into the 2014 election," said Irina Tereshkova, a registered Americans Elect party voter and a spectator at the Wild Horse Pass Casino who embraced the victor following the bout as the crowd cheered wildly.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Trey Young of Scottsdale Announces Bid to Become Supreme Leader of Arizona Americans Elect Party


SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Apr. 24

Trey Young, 26, of Scottsdale, a member of the Arizona Americans Elect Party since February 2013, has announced a bid to become the new Supreme Leader of the party.   Mr. Young, a hedge fund manager, fashion model, and restaurant owner, said he hopes to bring "fresh leadership" to Arizona's fastest-growing political party, which is ballot-qualified in state and federal elections for 2014.

"It's time to turn the Arizona Americans Elect Party in a new direction, with more dynamic leadership," Mr. Young said in a statement.  "It's disgraceful that we had only two candidates running in the 2012 election when we could have made the differences in numerous races for the U.S. Senate, Congress, and the state legislature."

The leadership of the party became vacant when Richard Grayson, 61,now the party's Artistic Director, announced that he was stepping down as Supreme Leader.  However, by party by-rules, the new Supreme Leader has to be selected from among party members -- currently numbering 266 -- who defeat the old Supreme Leader in the combat of his choice.

A mixed-martial arts bout between Grayson and Young will held on a date to be announced as an exhibition match of a card put on by local promotion World Fighting Federation MMA at Wild Horse Pass Casino in Chandler.  

Both Arizona Americans Elect Party members said they looked forward to their contest.  

"If the Democrats and Republicans in Arizona held their leadership battles in this fresh and exciting way, they might actually be relevant to voters," said Young.

Grayson agreed.  "The Arizona Americans Elect Party takes our politics seriously, but also with style and flair.  Just like the despicable old Joe Arpaio, I'm not going to give up running things without a fight."

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Secretary of State Ken Bennett Announces that the Arizona Americans Elect Party is STILL the Fastest-Growing Political Party in Arizona, with Over 12% Growth Since the November 2012 Election

PHOENIX, Apr. 22 - For the fifth time in the past year, the office of Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett has announced the latest Arizona voter count showing that the Arizona Americans Elect Party has remained the fastest-growing political party in the state, increasing its membership by more than 3% in just the three months since January 2013. 

While the new figures show the number of registered Republicans and Democrats declined and the Greens and Libertarians had grown by less than 1% and 2% respectively, the Arizona Americans Elect Party's membership has grown over 79% since March 2012, when it had 148 members.

"From 177 registered Americans Elect Party members in last September's primary, we have increased our number to 266 voters," said Richard Grayson, Artistic Director of the Arizona Americans Elect Party and Americans Elect Party 2012 candidate for Congress in the Fourth Congressional District. Stephen Dolgos of New River was the 2012 Americans Elect Party candidate in the Eighth Congressional District.  

The Americans Elect Party candidates for Congress from Arizona garnered the fourth highest number of votes in 2012, finishing ahead of the long-established Arizona Green Party.

"We are planning to run a candidate for Governor and all state and federal offices in 2014, when we are assured of being on the ballot again," said Grayson, who is also the party's Acting Supreme Leader. "You too can join the cool new party in town where everyone is welcome." 

The motto of the party is "Let's make Arizona less of a shithole."

Monday, April 1, 2013

Richard Grayson to Step Down as Supreme Leader of Arizona Americans Elect Party, Will Assume Title of "Artistic Director"



Mesa, Ariz., Apr. 1 -- 

At the secret headquarters of the ballot-qualified Arizona Americans Elect Party today in Mesa, Richard Grayson announced his retirement as Supreme Leader of the Party.  Grayson, 61, of Apache Junction, and the party's candidate in 2012 for the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona's Fourth Congressional District, will assume the new title of Artistic Director of the Americans Elect Party.

"Since our party's inception a year ago, the Arizona Americans Elect Party has been the fastest-growing of the state's five ballot-qualified parties, and we nudged the longstanding Green Party out of fourth place in 2012 in the votes received for candidates for Congress," Grayson said in a statement.  "I am proud that those accomplishments took place while I was the party's Supreme Leader, but it is time to step down."

The Arizona Americans Elect Party announced that Grayson would assume the new title of Artistic Director while remaining as Acting Supreme Leader until a new Supreme Leader is selected.

"By party tradition," Grayson said, "the new Supreme Leader has to defeat the old Supreme Leader in combat of his or her choice.  I am looking forward to a mixed martial arts contest with anyone who wishes to wrest total control of the party away from me."

Grayson said that as Acting Supreme Leader and Artistic Director, he would spend the next few months working out and recruiting candidates to run on the Arizona Americans Elect Party banner for Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Education Commissioner, Corporation Commissioner, and for all the seats in the Arizona State Legislature and U.S. House Congressional delegation that are up in 2014.

"The Arizona Americans Elect Party will be stronger than ever in the next state election," Grayson told voters, "and I expect to be stronger, too."  

He urged anyone any Arizona party members who want to be a 2014 Americans Elect candidate to prepare to run for office and any of them who want to be the party's new permanent Supreme Leader to prepare to be rendered unconscious in a fair but brutal fight.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Secretary of State Ken Bennett Announces that the Arizona Americans Elect Party is STILL the Fastest-Growing Political Party in Arizona, with Over 8% Growth Since the November 2012 Election

PHOENIX, Feb. 5 - For the fourth time in ninth months, the office of Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett has announced the latest Arizona voter count showing that the Arizona Americans Elect Party has remained the fastest-growing political party in the state, increasing its membership by more than 8% in just the three months since the November 2012 election. While the new figures show the number of registered Republicans and Democrats declined, the Arizona Americans Elect Party's membership has grown over 74% since March, when it had 148 members.
"From 177 registered Americans Elect Party members in August, we have increased our number to 258 voters," said Richard Grayson, Supreme Leader of the Arizona Americans Elect Party and Americans Elect Party 2012 candidate for Congress in the Fourth Congressional District. Stephen Dolgos of New River was the 2012 Americans Elect Party candidate in the Eighth Congressional District.  The Americans Elect Party candidates for Congress from Arizona garnered the fourth highest number of votes in 2012, finishing ahead of the long-established Arizona Green Party.

"We are planning to run a candidate for Governor and all state and federal offices in 2014, when we are assured of being on the ballot again," said Grayson, who also holds the titles of Capo di Tutti Capi and King Moshiach of Arizona Americans Elect. "You too can join the cool new party in town where everyone is welcome." 

The motto of the party is "Let's make Arizona less of a shithole."

Monday, November 19, 2012

Arizona Americans Elect Party Candidates for Congress Win Enough Votes to Displace Arizona Green Party as State's Fourth Political Party

MESA, Ariz., Nov. 19 - Candidates for Congress from the Arizona Americans Elect Party received the fourth highest total number of votes of any political party in the state's November election, displacing the long-established Arizona Green Party. 

"We are very proud of the Arizona Americans Elect Party voters and our candidates," said Richard Grayson, Supreme Leader of the Arizona Americans Elect Party and Americans Elect Party candidate for Congress in the Fourth Congressional District. 

Stephen Dolgos of New River was the 2012 Americans Elect Party candidate in the Eighth Congressional District. 

Arizona Americans Elect Party congressional candidates received a total of 6,423 votes, way ahead of the Arizona Green Party congressional vote of only 5,152. 

The Americans Elect Party is also the fastest-growing party in Arizona, increasing its membership by 60% in the past eight months. 

"We are planning to run a candidate for Governor and all state and federal offices in 2014, when we are assured of being on the ballot again," said Grayson. "You too can join the cool new party in town where everyone is welcome." 

The motto of the party is "Let's make Arizona less of a shithole."

Friday, November 2, 2012

Secretary of State Ken Bennett Announces that the Arizona Americans Elect Party is STILL the Fastest-Growing Political Party in Arizona, with 34% Growth Since August

PHOENIX, Oct. 30 - For the third time in five months, the office of Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett has announced the latest Arizona voter count showing that the Arizona Americans Elect Party has remained the fastest-growing political party in the state, increasing its membership by more than a third (33.9%) in just the two months since the August primary. While the new figures show the number of registered independents has declined for the first time since 1990, the Arizona Americans Elect Party's membership has grown over 60% since March, when it had 148 members.
"From 177 registered Americans Elect Party members in August, we have increased our number to 237 voters," said Richard Grayson, Supreme Leader of the Arizona Americans Elect Party and Americans Elect Party candidate for Congress in the Fourth Congressional District. Stephen Dolgos of New River is the Americans Elect Party candidate in the Eighth Congressional District. Other Arizona Americans Elect Party candidates include Barack Obama for President, Richard Carmona for U.S. Senator, and Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Salazar for Congress.
"Of course, anyone, regardless of party, can vote for our fine Arizona Americans Elect Party candidates on Tuesday," said Grayson. "You too can join the cool new party in town where everyone is welcome."

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Arizona Americans Elect Party Endorses Angel Torres and Haryaksha Gregor Knauer for State Representative


MESA, Ariz., Oct. 30 - Today the Arizona Americans Elect Party announced that it is endorsing Angel Torres and Haryaksha Gregor Knauer for State Representative in Legislative Districts 27 and 26, respectively.  The two candidates are running on the Green Party line, but now they also are candidates of the Americans Elect Party.

"We are delighted to endorse these two qualified candidates for the state legislature," said Richard Grayson, Supreme Leader of the Arizona Americans Elect Party and the party's nominee for U.S. Representative in Arizona's Fourth Congressional District. "Both have been activists in their party, their communities and the state for many years, and they will serve with distinction in a legislature that is currently dominated by insane extremists."

The Arizona Americans Elect Party had previously endorsed two other candidates for the State House of Representatives: Gerard Davis in Legislative District 24 and comedian Bill Maher in Legislative District 16.

Other Green Party candidates running with Americans Elect Party support include Daniel Pout and Thomas Meadows for the Arizona Corporation Commission and Mark Salazar for U.S. Representative in Arizona's Sixth Congressional District.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Arizona Americans Elect Party Thanks Mayor Mike Bloomberg for His Generous Gift

Arizona Americans Elect Party Gratefully Thanks Its Supporters in 2012 Election

MESA, Ariz., Oct. 21 -

Speaking this afternoon at the Arizona Americans Elect Party's secret headquarters in Mesa, the party's Supreme Leader, Richard Grayson, and Americans Elect Party nominee for Congress in Arizona's Fourth Congressional District, thanked those citizens and others who have been strong supporters of the party.

"These people have gone beyond being helpful and generous to really being the sparkplug that has done whatever sparkplugs do to get old-fashioned gas-powered automobiles going," said Grayson, who does not own a car.

Grayson listed the Arizona Americans Elect Party's benefactors and thanked each of them individually:
Elliot L. Ackerman Jackie Adams David Albertson Judy Albertson Neil A. Allen Melvin T. Andrews Kellen Arno Michael Arno Dr. F. Christopher Arterton David Aufhauser Daren Bascome Dr. C. Fred Bergsten Arthur H. Bilger David Binetti Gerald W. Blakeley Jr. Arturo Brillembourg Hilda Ochoa Brillembourg John H. Burbank III Mark Burnett Edward T. Colligan Charles R. Conn Dr. Denis A. Cortese, M.D. W. Bowman Cutter Charles H. Dallara Nathan Daschle Larry Diamond Andrew Doctoroff, Esq. Wendy Drake Esther Dyson Jessica Einhorn Michael Eisner The Honorable Mark Erwin Brian M. Findlay Alice Finn Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild Les Francis Dean Furbush Jennifer Glass Raymond Glendening Judith S. Goldstein Mr. Nihal W. Goonewardene Roderick M. Hills The Honorable Carla Hills Michael Horvitz Jerry Jasinowski Jim Jonas Dale E. Jones David King Gary Krisel Heide Lankeit W. David Lawson Lawrence Lessig Michael Lewitt Dr. Aaron Lobel Lee Lowenstein Bertil Lundqvist Sarah Malm Julia Malone Will Marshall Ms. Dale P. Mathias Rafael Mayer Cara Brown McCormick Mark McKinnon Morton H. Meyerson Ambassador John Negroponte Mark K. Nichols George Nolfi Deborah Winslow Nutter David M. Olsen Greg Orman Frederick Pakis Ambassador Mark Palmer Carol Perrin Robert Picard Jason Putorti Bruce Raben Jordan H. Rednor Joseph L. Rice Rob Richie Peter Alan Rinfret Nancy E. Roman Robert L. Rosen Kirk T. Rostron Richard Salomon Tom Sansonetti Dr. David E. Scharff Dr. Jill Savage Scharff Douglas Schoen Tom Serres Richard E. Snyder Dorothy Meadows Sobol Darry Sragow Henry A. Sweetbaum Dr. Lisbeth L. Tarlow Dr. G. Richard Thoman Lynn Thoman James Thomson George Vradenburg Ileana Wachtel The Honorable David M. Walker Lynda C. Webster The Honorable William H. Webster Edward L. Weidenfeld Sheila Rabb Weidenfeld William Wrigley Jr. Peter Arno Dimple Bhayani Nancy Blackmore Virginia Bosse Cynthia Burnette Grover Bynum Kahlil Byrd Kate Cantwell Brittanie Clement Jenna Cochran Lori Corder Wendy Drake Sam Edelen Brian Findlay Jackie Freeman Allison Grant Sam Haas Michael Hackett Drew Hazouri Kevin Heller Zach Hubbard Lindsey Jacobson Jeff Knighton Patricia Kramer Sarah Kroll-Rosenbaum Dagny Leonard Tanya Lervik Joshua Levine Jose Lugo Sarah Malm Ben Marcus Julia Malone Meghan Maloney Alan McGee Erin McKenna Kaitlin Murphy Katie Nunn Jess Overby Dan Pashman Justin Pinn Andrea Relopez Laura Rodriguez Ryan Ross Doug Schoen Jennifer Scullion Jeremy Shore Gourdin Sirles Alice Skelton Jordan Taylor-Jones Alisha Thomas Nick Troiano Ileana Wachtel Cara Webster Lynda C. Webster Cheryl Wheeler Blake Wright Michael Zuckerman

Arizona Americans Elect Party Endorses President Obama; Carmona for Senator; Dolgos, Grayson, Grijalva, Barber, Cobb, Kirkpatrick, Salazar, Sinema and Morgan for Congress; Pout, Gohl and Meadows for Corporation Commission

MESA, Ariz., Oct. 21 -

Today the Arizona Americans Elect Party announced its endorsements in the races for President and Congress, as well as for three seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission.

Richard Grayson, Supreme Leader of the Arizona Americans Elect Party and an endorsed candidate for Congress in the Fourth District, announced the endorsement at the party's secret headquarters in Mesa.  

"I'm proud to endorse the entire Arizona Americans Elect Party slate, from President Obama and Rich Carmona for U.S. Senator, as well as our candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives," Grayson said.  "Although only Stephen Dolgos in the Eighth Congressional District and I are running officially on the Americans Elect Party, we are cross-endorsing candidates of other parties for the other congressional seats."

The Arizona Americans Elect Party endorses the following candidates in 2012:

President/Vice President: Barack Obama/Joseph Biden (Democrat)
U.S. Senator: Richard Carmona (Democrat)
U.S. House, District 1: Ann Kirkpatrick (Democrat)
U.S. House, District 2: Ron Barber (Democrat)
U.S. House, District 3: Raul Grijalva (Democrat)
U.S. House, District 4: Richard Grayson (Americans Elect)
U.S. House, District 5: Spencer Morgan (Democrat)
U.S. House, District 6: Mark Salazar (Green)
U.S. House, District 7: Joe Cobb (Libertarian)
U.S. House, District 8: Stephen Dolgos (Americans Elect)
U.S. House, District 9: Kyrsten Sinema (Democrat)
Arizona Corporation Commission: Daniel Pout (Green), Christopher Gohl (Libertarian), Thomas Meadows (Green)


Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Unofficial Statewide and Federal Results of Arizona Americans Elect Party Primary; Stephen Dologos in AZ-08 to be First Americans Elect Party Nominee for Congress in U.S.A.


MESA, Ariz., Aug. 29 - 

Stephen Dolgos of New River will become the first Americans Elect Party nominee for Congress on the November ballot in Arizona's Eighth Congressional District, following yesterday's Arizona Americans Elect Party primary. 

Dolgos won his primary and will be running against evil Rep. Trent Franks (Republican) and nonentity Gene Scharer (Democrat). The Americans Elect Party will await the official results, due in two weeks, to see if any of its write-in candidates also made the November ballot.  Richard Grayson of Apache Junction ran as a write-in candidate in Arizona's Fourth Congressional District.  [Sept. 10 update: the Arizona Secretary of State's office has announced that Grayson has won the Americans Elect Party nomination with eleven votes in the 4th C.D.]

"Over 360 voters Arizonans chose to cast their primary votes in the Arizona Americans Elect Party primary yesterday," said the party's Supreme Leader, Richard Grayson.  "In some races we outpolled the longstanding Green Party, and we're confident of something in the near future, or maybe not."

Here are the unofficial statewide and federal results of the August 28 Arizona Americans Elect Party primary:

 
U.S. Senator
Write-in (AEL) 181 100.00% Total 181

U.S. Rep. in Congress - Dist. 1
Write-in (AEL) 37 100.00% Total 37

U.S. Rep. in Congress - Dist. 2
Write-in (AEL) 13 100.00% Total 13

U.S. Rep. in Congress - Dist. 3
Write-in 16 100.00% Total 16

U.S. Rep. in Congress - Dist. 4
Write-in (AEL) 55 100.00% Total 55

U.S. Rep. in Congress - Dist. 5
Write-in 10 100.00% Total 10

U.S. Rep. in Congress - Dist. 6
Write-in 15 100.00% Total 15

U.S. Rep. in Congress - Dist. 7
Write-in 9 100.00% Total 9

U.S. Rep. in Congress - Dist. 8
DOLGOS, STEPHEN (AEL) 27 87.10%
Write-in 4 12.90%
Total 31

U.S. Rep. in Congress - Dist. 9
Write-in 17 100.00% Total 17

Corporation Commissioner
Write-in (AEL) 361 100.00% Total 361

Friday, August 24, 2012

Secretary of State Ken Bennett Announces that the Arizona Americans Elect Party is STILL the Fastest-Growing Political Party in Arizona, with Almost 20% Growth Since March

MESA, Ariz., Aug. 24 - For the second time in two months, the office of Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett has announced the latest Arizona voter count showing that the Arizona Americans Elect Party has remained the fastest-growing political party in the state at the same time that every other political party -- Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, and Green -- again lost registered voters since June, as they had between March and June, and the number of independent voters also decreased.

Although every other party's membership declined in the two months since June, the Arizona Americans Elect Party grew by more than 5%, with nine new Americans Elect Party voters joining the fast-growing party. Since just March, the Arizona Americans Elect Party has grown by almost 20% -- 19.59%, to be more exact.

"Now there are 177 of us," said Richard Grayson, Supreme Leader of the Arizona Americans Elect Party and a write-in candidate for Congress in the Fourth Congressional District.


Stephen Dolgos of New River will be on the ballot as the first Americans Elect Party candidate ever to run on the ballot. Dolgos is running for Congress in the Eighth Congressional District. He is also Supreme Leader of the Arizona Americans Elect Party, as are all 177 party members, several of whom are running on the Americans Elect Party line for local offices in Cochise County.

"Any independent Arizona voter may join our Americans Elect Party members and vote in the Americans Elect Party primary this Tuesday, August 28," said Grayson. "You too can join the cool new party in town where everyone is welcome."

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Arizona Americans Elect Party Endorses Bill Maher, Green Party Write-In Candidate, for Arizona State House in District 16



MESA, Ariz., July 12 -

Today the Arizona Americans Elect Party endorsed Bill Maher, Green Party write-in candidate for the State House of Representatives in District 16.

Richard Grayson, Supreme Leader of the Arizona Americans Elect Party, announced the endorsement at the party's secret headquarters in Mesa.  

"I'm proud that we have the famous Bill Maher running in my own district here in the East Valley, including east Mesa and Apache Junction.," Grayson said.  "Although we were not able to recruit Bill Maher to run on our party, we were happy to be able to facilitate his candidacy on the Green Party line."

"The Arizona Americans Elect Party strongly endorses Bill Maher's candidacy," said Grayson, "and we consider him 'our' nominee just as we are sure he will win the Green Party nomination on August 28."

In addition to being Supreme Leader of the Arizona Americans Elect Party, Grayson is running as a write-in candidate in the Americans Elect Party primary for Congress in District 4.  Stephen Dolgos of New River is on the ballot as the Americans Elect Party nominee for Congress in District 8.

"We welcome Bill Maher's entrance into Arizona electoral politics," said Grayson, "and we know his addition will make our state legislature less of a joke."

Friday, July 6, 2012

Secretary of State Ken Bennett Announces that Arizona Americans Elect Party is the Fastest-Growing Political Party in Arizona

MESA, Ariz., July 6 - Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett has announced the latest Arizona voter count information as of June. With one month to go to register for the August 28 primary, the Arizona Americans Elect Party has become the fastest-growing political party in the state, having grown by 13.5% since March. 

Every other political party -- Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, and Green -- lost registered voters since March.

Twenty new Americans Elect Party voters joined the 148 Americans Elect Party voters counted in March.

"Now there are 168 of us," said Richard Grayson, Supreme Leader of the Arizona Americans Elect Party and a write-in candidate for Congress in the Fourth Congressional District.


Stephen Dolgos of New River will be on the ballot as the first Americans Elect Party candidate ever to run on the ballot. Dolgos is running for Congress in the Eighth Congressional District. He is also Supreme Leader of the Arizona Americans Elect Party, as are all 168 party members. 

"We are still seeking write-in candidates for all offices to run in the August 28 primary," said Grayson. "You must file by the July 17 deadline. We are the cool new political party in town where everyone is welcome -- to join us, to run as a candidate, and to be our Supreme Leader."

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Richard Grayson Qualifies as Write-In Candidate for Congress in Americans Elect Party Primary in Arizona's Fourth Congressional District

 
PHOENIX, June 5 -  

Richard Grayson has qualified as a write-in candidate in the Americans Elect Party primary in Arizona's Fourth Congressional District and today was listed on the Arizona Secretary of State website's list of candidates in the August 28 primaries. 

The other candidates, who will be on the ballot, in Arizona's Fourth Congressional District are Democrats Johnnie Robinson and Mikel Weisser; Libertarian Joe Pamelia; and Republicans Paul Gosar, Ron Gould, and Rick Murphy.