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Wide array of candidates with wide array of stances

General
GROUNDS CONTROL
LANDCAPE FOREMAN & LABORERS Services
Post Office Health Care
Godwin Corp
Physician Assistant Education
Rio Salado College
Online Instructors Trades/Construction
Mechanical Systems, Inc.
Plumbing Suprintendent Finance and Accounting
Sierra Southwest Cooperative Services
Accounts Payable/Payroll Manager Retail
TOTAL WINE & MORE
WINE TEAM MEMBERS, CASHIER & STOCK MEMEBERS

Age: 52

Occupation: Pipe fitter, Asarco

Family: Married to Martha Bustamante for 31 years; three children

Religion: Catholic

Income: No answer given.

Education: Attended Central Arizona College

Political experience: Arizona state representative (2003-04); Mammoth Town Council; planning and zoning commissioner; United Steelworkers Union, vice president (two terms); Democratic precinct committeeman, Pinal County

What is the biggest issue facing your district?

Bustamante: The economy.

Pacion: The economy is affecting every aspect of my district's residents, from education to jobs to transportation to health care.

Bond: Economy.

Should taxes be cut or kept at current or higher levels to avoid cutting government programs?

Bustamante: Taxes must always remain low.

Pacion: We need to concentrate on ways to boost the state's economy through business and new markets instead of by cutting taxes and programs that Arizonans are relying on. We must focus on drawing new businesses to Arizona, and we must take advantage of our natural resources to do so.

Bond: I would rather see them stay the same to avoid cutting government programs. We need to cut spending in other areas.

What would you do to improve Arizona's schools?

Bustamante: I will continue to support funding all-day kindergarten and investing in our universities. I also support a tuition freeze for students entering college. In order for companies to locate to Arizona, we must have an educated work force.

Pacion: We must provide the tools, equipment, teachers and classes that give our children a well-rounded education. We must increase the amount we spend on our public schools so our children have more opportunities to be successful in life. We must also expand public education to include college degrees.

Bond: We need to model the states that are doing well and start holding the administrators and school boards accountable.

Do you believe marriage is only between a man and a woman?

Bustamante: I believe marriage should be between a man and a woman.

Pacion: Marriage is a personal matter that should be left to individuals to navigate.

Bond: No. My stance is that your home should be private on all issues, from your religious practices to who do you talk to on the phone and whom do you share your life.

Should the state expand government services to help those who lack health care?

Bustamante: Yes, it should be expanded — especially for children. Expand the risk pool for small businesses and the self-employed to keep premium costs down.

Pacion: We must provide options that give Arizonans adequate health care by expanding current health-care programs to accommodate more families, especially families with children. For small businesses and self-employed individuals, I support banding together to negotiate competitive health insurance options.

Bond: I think it is more of a national issue. However, we need to look at Massachusetts — look at what they did right and what they did wrong with their program.

What should the state's role be when it comes to controlling immigration and mitigating its effects?

Bustamante: Enforcing immigration policy is the responsibility of the federal government. Federal immigration policy needs to be completely revamped. Piecemeal state action in this area is counterproductive.

Pacion: The federal government is responsible for securing our borders, and we should hold our federal representatives accountable for our border security. On a state level, I support the employer-sanctions law. However, it should be improved and expanded to prevent anonymous complaints and to modify the severity of consequences for employers in violation of the law.

Bond: I am concerned specifically with a criminal element that potentially is slipping through the cracks. We need to work with the federal government and make sure that the plan of action that we develop is humane and fair to all. Our governor signed into law Senate Bill 1372, which makes these crimes a Class 4 felony, in 2005. It is my wish to extend these laws to the networks supporting jackal transportation itself as organized crime.

What should be done at the state level to address environmental concerns?

Bustamante: The state should adopt a goal of increasing investment in solar and wind energy.

Pacion: Conservation starts at home. Arizonans have the opportunity to reduce their own energy use to reduce their environmental footprint. On a state level, we can make a significant dent in pollution by reducing the number of cars on roads. In the short term, we can offer incentives to employers who allow their employees to telecommute or work compressed workweeks. In the long term, we can invest in public transportation. We can also invest in renewable energy and tax incentives for businesses that build renewable-energy plants in Arizona, especially solar energy.

Bond: We need to start investing money into making Arizona No. 1 in the solar-power industry. We need to be an example by encouraging solar power for homes and commercial business.

Age: 33

Occupation: Private detective, owner of Bond Investigations Inc.

Family: Single father of 2 1/2-year-old girl

Religion: Christian

Income: Not enough!

Education: Three years of college

Political experience: None

Age: 32

Occupation: Lead technical writer, GoDaddy.com Inc.

Family: Married

Religion: None

Income: $67,000

Education: University of Arizona, B.A. with a double major in English and creative writing

Political experience: Elected precinct committee member (2004, 2006); Pinal County Democrats treasurer (2005 to 2008); state committee member (2004, 2006). Ran for state representative in 2006.

Age: 54

Occupation: Small-business owner; Salvation Army service extension unit director

Family: Married, with son and daughter

Religion: Christian

Education: Attended community college; high school diploma.

Political experience: Incumbent