DRAFT
Arizona Democratic Party
Regular Meeting of the ADP State Committee
Saturday, January 23, 2016
La Senita Elementary School, Kingman, Arizona
Chair Alexis Tamerón called the meeting of the Arizona Democratic Party (ADP) State Committee to
order at 1:06 pm. A color guard from Boy Scout Troop 401 from Kingman posted the colors and led the
Pledge of Allegiance. Lana Keller Robinette sang National Anthem. Joe Longoria, Mohave County Chair,
thanked the attendees for coming to Kingman and introduced Kingman Mayor Richard Anderson, who
welcomed everyone to Kingman and urged people to get out to vote and make their voices heard. The
Kingman Police Department Explorers Post 47 were thanked for their help with ushering and parking.
Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo discussed the importance of the 2016 elections for people
across the country and getting people involved in campaigns and elections especially because, according
to polls, the vast majority of people agree with what Democrats stand for.
Chair Tamerón asked the body to change agenda to move elections for National Committee members
earlier, the motion was passed unanimously by acclimation.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBER ELECTION
Chair Tamerón explained the member requirements and nomination/election process.
Janie Hydrick (Maricopa) nominated Doug Ballard (Coconino); Joe Longoria (Mohave) seconded. Kate
Gallego (Maricopa) nominated Carolyn Warner (Maricopa); Lois Pfau (Maricopa) seconded. Roman
Ulman (Maricopa) nominated Kristie O’Brien (Maricopa); Steven Slugocki (Maricopa) seconded. Dan
O’Neal (Maricopa) nominated Luis Heredia (Maricopa); Jessica Gonzalez (Maricopa) seconded. CJ
Carenza (Maricopa) nominated Emily Verdugo (Pima); Martin Quezada (Maricopa) seconded. Katie
Hobbs (Maricopa) nominated Krista Pacion (Maricopa); Toni Dennis (Yavapai) seconded. Tom
Prezelski (Pima) nominated Carmen Villa Prezelski (Pima); Ted Prezelski (Pima) seconded. Scott Prior
(Maricopa) nominated Sharon Thomas (Cochise); Joy Mims (Cochise) seconded.
On behalf of the Credentials Committee, Joanne Markis reported that for the January 23 meeting, 177
State Committee members were present in person and 197 by proxy, for a total of 360 members or 82% of
the entire membership present, indicating a quorum had been met for purposes of voting.
The candidates accepted their nominations and addressed the State Committee members in order of
nomination.
As votes were counted, Chair Tamerón recognized candidates for Corporation Commission Will Foster,
Bill Mundell, and Tom Chabin, who addressed the state committee.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Rick McGuire, ADP Treasurer, presented the treasurer’s report for the last half of 2015, noting that ADP
enters 2016 with more cash on hand than budgeted. He asked for everyone’s help in getting more
individual donors at any amount supporting the party. McGuire also noted that when it came to FEC
reports for 2015, the ADP had a couple of small amendments made to reports when new accounts were
opened, etc., whereas the AZ GOP had filed 11 new reports and 13 amendments to those reports.
DRAFT MINUTES ADP JANUARY 23, 2015, STATE COMMITTEE MEETING, continued
Examples were given about election infractions in which the FEC is fining parties and individuals around
the country.
Ray Bradford, chair of LD24 fundraising, discussed why he was active and then asked LD chairs to
contribute for their districts and various chairs noted donations from their districts.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBER ELECTION RESULTS
Chair Tamerón announced the first round of voting for National Committee Member. With a total of 360
voting, an individual needed a minimum of 181 votes to be elected. Candidates received the following
numbers of votes: Doug Ballard, 175; Carolyn Warner, 220; Kristie O’Brien, 95; Luis Heredia, 201;
Emily Verdugo, 110; Krista Pacion, 84; Carmen Villa Prezelski, 38; and Sharon Thomas, 40. Carolyn
Warner and Luis Heredia were elected ADP National Committee Members, and, per bylaws, Carmen
Villa Prezelski was removed from the ballot as she received the lowest number of votes. State Committee
members thereafter proceeded to vote again by individual ballot.
RECOGNITION OF ELECTED OFFICIALS AND CANDIDATES
Chair Tamerón recognized individuals holding elected office in the legislature, boards, city councils, and
school boards as well as candidates for office.
CHAIR’S REPORT
Chair Tamerón reviewed activities from 2015 that are impacting the 2016 elections and beyond. As a
result of extensive outreach in regard to goals and strategic directives, she noted that ADP has broadened
its reach, particularly its electronic footprint; streamlined and integrated platforms, including enhanced
VAN scoring; and has been successfully recruiting candidates and hiring staff as well as meeting financial
goals, particularly in expanding the ADP grassroots donor programs.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Senator Katie Hobbs gave the legislative update, discussing some of the bills currently filed and bills
Democratic legislators are pushing, such as managing the crisis at DCS and Sen. Hobbs’ bill about rape
kits. Candidate recruitment remains the number one focus of the caucus and the ADLCC. If individuals
know of candidates for legislative office, it was encouraged that they connect them with the state party. A
major focus for the ADLCC will be to retake the State Senate. Only three seats are needed for a majority.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
ADP Secretary Anne Greenberg presented the minutes from the September 12, 2015, state committee
meeting. Phil Lopes (Pima) moved and several individuals seconded a motion to approve; the minutes
were approved unanimously with no changes as presented.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Executive Director, Sheila Healy, discussed that the staff is growing to support candidates at all levels.
The primary focus is on voter contact and registration and expanding both by working together. Her intent
is to hire the best of the best all throughout Arizona and as she said, “Democrats can’t waste a minute,
can’t waste a dime.”
NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBER ELECTION RESULTS
Chair Tamerón provided results of the second round of balloting for DNC members.
With a total of 352 voting, an individual needed a minimum of 177 votes to be elected. Candidates
received the following numbers of votes: Doug Ballard, 155; Kristie O’Brien, 53; Emily Verdugo, 82;
Krista Pacion, 51; and Sharon Thomas, 12. No one received enough votes to be elected on this ballot; per
bylaws, Sharon Thomas was removed from the ballot as she received the lowest number of votes. Kristie
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DRAFT MINUTES ADP JANUARY 23, 2015, STATE COMMITTEE MEETING, continued
O’Brien dropped her candidacy. State Committee members thereafter proceeded to vote again by
individual ballot.
BYLAWS COMMITTEE REPORT
Doug Ballard, ADP Vice Chair and Bylaws Committee Chair, presented a proposed amendment to Article
VIII, Section 11 (d) proposed by Phil Lopes (Pima) that would revise procedures for resolutions by the
ADP state committee. The Bylaws Committee unanimously recommended rejection of the proposed
amendment on the basis that the proposed changes represented procedures that do not belong in the
bylaws. Phil Lopes spoke to his rationale and reasons for placing this forward; other state committee
members spoke for and against the proposed amendment.
Roman Ulman (Maricopa) moved to table, seconded by Jay Gittrich (Maricopa); the motion was defeated.
The question was called and the motion to approve the amendment failed on voice vote. Phil Lopes called
for division; the motion to approve was defeated 39 for and 248 against.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBER ELECTION RESULTS
Chair Tamerón announced the third round of voting for National Committee Member; a minimum of 173
votes were needed to be elected. Candidates received the following numbers of votes: Doug Ballard, 214;
Emily Verdugo, 76; and Krista Pacion, 56. Doug Ballard was elected ADP National Committee
Member.
BYLAWS COMMITTEE REPORT (CONTINUED)
Doug Ballard summarized a second proposed bylaw amendment to revise Article IV and add Article XIII
to extend the duties of the Executive Board to call for and the Executive Committee to perform a vote of
no candidate support when there appears to be serious questions about a candidate’s legitimacy and intent.
Theresa Evans (Mohave) moved to approve and Sarah Moorhead (Maricopa) seconded. Among those
speaking for and against the motion, Steve Chapman (Maricopa) expressed concern about the language
and the “slippery slope” it could create. Roman Ulman (Maricopa) felt there was no reason to clutter
bylaws with the proposed action and appeared to be more of a solution looking for a problem. Ted
Prezelski (Pima) cited an example in Pima County and noted there are times he would like the party to be
able say no, this candidate is not “one of our guys.”
A motion to amend to change electronic (email) voting to telephonic was approved while a motion to add
language that would indicate county or LD organizations could bring up candidates as well was not as it
was felt those organizations could provide such names to the Executive Board as delineated. The question
was called and the bylaw change was adopted as amended.
RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE REPORT
Franklyn Brodsky, ADP Interim Resolutions Committee Chair, presented the committee’s report on
proposed resolutions: 2016-1-1 Resolution in Opposition to USPS’s Proposed Closing of the Tucson
Processing Center (Committee Recommendation: adopt) and 2016-1-2 Resolution in of the ADP Against
the Use of the Principal of the “Permanent Fund” to Fund Education and for the Use of the Surplus of the
General Fund (Committee recommendation: not adopt).
Daria Lohman (Maricopa) moved and Ed Pyrzynski (Mohave) seconded to adopt the recommendations of
the Resolutions Committee. Discussion for and against the second resolution in particular ensued. Jim
Hannley (Pima) moved and Stephanie Rogall (Maricopa) seconded to divide question; the motion to
divide failed and the Resolutions Committee report was adopted by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
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DRAFT MINUTES ADP JANUARY 23, 2015, STATE COMMITTEE MEETING, continued
CJ Briggle (Maricopa) congratulated Chair Tamerón on her upcoming marriage. There was no other new
business or reports.
ADJOURNMENT
Thereafter, a motion to adjourn the meeting was moved and seconded; the motion carried and the meeting
was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Anne Greenberg
ADP Secretary 2015-2016
April 14, 2016
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