Opinion

Support System

An endorsement is the political equivalent of a stamp of approval. When newspapers, elected officials, high-profile residents and community or special-interest organizations endorse a candidate (or take a stand on an issue), they're telling the voters: "This is a candidate whose policy positions and ideology are in line with ours." Naturally, the endorsers hope you'll vote along those same ideological lines. Tucson voters will have plenty of suggestions on whom to vote for when they step into the election booth Tuesday. It's a relatively small, but locally important, election - three City Council seats (one is unopposed) and two ballot propositions to be decided. Endorsements come from big names, such as singer Linda Ronstadt - a Democrat - who ditched her Republican cousin, Fred, in his quest for a third term in favor of Nina Trasoff before the singer scampered off to California. Endorsements also come from community and special-interest groups promoting and protecting their social and political agendas. The Arizona Women's Political Caucus gave a dual endorsement to both Ward 3 candidates, Kathleen Dunbar and Karin Uhlich, because both met the caucus' criteria, said Laura Penny, the caucus' vice president for political action. The group also endorsed Ward 5 candidate Nina Trasoff. The purpose of the caucus is to put more women into elected offices and appointed positions; it does not endorse male candidates. Both Dunbar and Uhlich answered a questionnaire and met the caucus' criteria for endorsement, which include supporting equal rights for men and women. "When it comes to our issues, these women are equal," said Penny. The political endorsement can be a time-saving device for voters, as many of these groups spend many hours of staff and volunteer time screening candidates and vetting propositions before stamping them with their seal of approval. Through face-to-face meetings and/or questionnaires, candidates are asked where they stand on issues critical to the seat they hope to fill and to the group asking the questions. Ideally, a group's endorsement reflects a level of access and assessment for which the average, everyday voter doesn't have the time or the resources to accomplish alone. Endorsements should give voters a bit of insight into the candidate's ideology and policy positions. Clearly, endorsements reflect a group's perception that the interests and concerns of its constituents or members will be best represented by the endorsed candidates. The Southern Arizona Home Builders Association Super PAC members interviewed candidates from each of the three City Council wards and each candidate responded to a series of written questions, according to SAHBA's November 2005 "Blue Print" newsletter. Dunbar, Ronstadt and uncontested Ward 5 incumbent Steve Leal got SAHBA's nod. The Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce's candidate evaluation committee reviewed candidates' written responses to questions on issues such as transportation and the city's budget, and conducted 45-minute interviews with candidates. That committee passed its findings to the chamber's political action committee for endorsement, according to the chamber's Web site and press materials. Dunbar and Ronstadt got the chamber's OK. (SAHBA and the chamber are among groups that have political action committees, or PACs, which are separately funded bodies - no commingling of membership dues.) Likewise, endorsements embrace previous actions. The Tucson Police Officers Association is endorsing Dunbar and Ronstadt because the two incumbent council members have been huge supporters of Tucson police officers, according to the association president, Larry Lopez. "Their track records speak for themselves," Lopez said. The Tucson Firefighters Association Local 479 is endorsing Ronstadt, Leal and Dunbar because they have solid records of supporting public safety, according to Brian Delfs, association president. "They have had to make some tough calls in order to put more firefighters, paramedics and police officers on the streets," Delfs noted in an e-mail. In short, these different organizations have done the tough, detailed work and research to give voters options to take with them to the voting booth. Reviewing the special-interest group endorsements before going to the polls can give you insight into a candidate's ideology and help you determine who gets your vote - and who doesn't. Now all you have to do is make up your mind and vote.