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Voters in Tucson will choose a new mayor and three councilmembers this year.

As we did with the 2022 elections, our goal is to help voters get to know the candidates and where they stand on the main issues.

Starting today, we are running a series on the Opinion pages with candidates' responses to a questionnaire from the Star, along with basic biographical information to help you get to know the candidates.

Three candidates are running for mayor in the Aug. 1 primary election: Incumbent Mayor Regina Romero, a Democrat; Republican Janet "JL" Wittenbraker, and Libertarian Arthur Kerschen.

Another candidate, Ed Ackerley, is running as an independent and will be on the ballot for the Nov. 7 general election.

In Ward 1, three candidates are running: Incumbent Lane Santa Cruz, a Democrat; Republican Victoria Lem, and Democrat Miguel Ortega.

In Ward 2, four candidates are running: Incumbent Paul Cunningham, a Democrat; Democrat Lisa Nutt, Republican Ernie Shack, and Libertarian Pendleton Spicer.

In Ward 4, two candidates are running:Incumbent Nikki Lee, a Democrat, and Republican Ross Kaplowitch.

What you read is what they wrote and how they submitted their answers to us.

We want to help voters see how candidates compare with each other on specific issues.

In today's edition, the candidates discuss their top priority.

We kept our questions general so voters could see how they approach each issue.

We also compiled a list of resources voters will need as they navigate this election season, such as links to make sure you are registered to vote and key dates.

If you have any questions, contact us at staropinions@tucson.com.

We also want to hear from you, submit a letter to the editor or write an opinion piece at tucson.com/opinion.

Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!

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Hear from City of Tucson candidates - Arizona Daily Star

The creation of zones has not always meant gleaming towers and crowded ports. In South Africa, market radicals seized on apartheid policies to put the zone offense into action. Ciskei was one of several territories that the apartheid government designated a homeland for the Black population. Under this policy, Black South Africans were stripped of their citizenship and told they were citizens of these new pseudo-states instead; over 3.5 million people were forcibly relocated as a result. Seeing these developments, libertarians hoped that the homeland could work as a kind of zone, Slobodian explains; with the help of economists who believe in the power of markets, prices and incentives, it could become, depending which paper you consulted, the African Hong Kong or Africas Switzerland.

They got their chance to weigh in directly in 1984 when Ciskeis leader, Chief Lennox Sebe, put together a commission on economic policy. The head of the commission was Leon Louw, a South African inspired by Hong Kong, Friedman, and Friedrich Hayek. The model he proposed was the Export Processing Zone, which essentially created an internal offshore space with few regulations or rules to turn off investors. The strategy was to undercut countries like Taiwan by paying even lower wages. This is like Taiwan 30 or 40 years ago: no competition, cheap labor, one investor enthused. Rapid industrialization followed, as did violent state coercion: the would-be libertarian utopia operated hand in glove with the South African security forces, cracking down on dissent and any attempt at labor organizing.

In a similar instance of opportunism, market radicals also took an interest in war-torn Somalia in the 1990s. In that story, Michael van Notten, a prominent Dutch libertarian thinker and attorney whose claim to fame was the idea of the tax-free T-zone, would take the lead. Van Nottens signature scheme called for ending taxes in certain strategic locales to arouse what one economist called a stimulating jealousy in the surrounding area. In this way, lower taxation might spread by osmosis as communities raced to the bottom in order to remain competitive. In the Horn of Africa, he called for the creation of a society with no central government, ruled instead by judges rooted in the legitimacy of traditional Somali law. Individual Somali clans, as van Nottens Somali wife explained, would be able to profit from their statelessness by opening areas within their tribal lands for development, inviting businessmen and professionals the world over to come to take advantage of the absence of a central government or other coercive authority.

Read the rest here:
The Plan to Split Democracies Into Tiny Pieces - The New Republic

Holcomb

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said explicitly he will not make a bid for the U.S. Senate in 2024, quashing rumors that he would seek federal office after his gubernatorial term ends next year.

Ive closed the door. Im too busy, Holcomb, 55, told the Indiana Capital Chronicle on Friday.

Last week, the outgoing governor appeared to say in an op-ed that he will not run for the open U.S. Senate seat or any other office in the next election cycle. The announcement likely makes Third District Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Banks a lock for the GOP nomination.

U.S. Sen. Mike Braun is giving up his seat to run for governor in 2024.

I tried to make that clear maybe I buried the lead, Holcomb said about a Senate run. Ive had a lot of people contact me lately, and it was just taking up time. But out of respect to them, I thought things through. But weve got a lot of good news in the pipeline here for Indiana, and thats going to require my attention, and what I signed up to do and I enjoy doing it. So thats where Im at.

He hasnt ruled out the possibility for a bid after 2024, however.

You never know, Holcomb said. But right now, Im worried about the job that Ive got. Not the next one.

Holcomb additionally said hell continue to hold off an endorsement in the GOP contest to replace him, saying he hasnt decided yet on the 2024 gubernatorial primary race.

Thats not to say that I wont at some point, he said. Im under no timeline myself, and that would be the only timeline Id hold myself to But Ill give everyone the space that they need to define their candidacy and share who they are, share their plans.

Holcomb previously told reporters hed dive into the primary election, and give an endorsement, following the adjournment of the 2023 legislative session. Hes since danced around any endorsements though.

We need people who will turn the cards face up, be very transparent about not just what theyre for but what theyll do, and how theyll do it, he said. So, having a plan in hand, and then acting on it, and then listening and learning. I dont want to be egocentric about this, but there are probably three good suggestions for any job. plan, act, and then listen and learn from your mistakes or where you came up short, and adjust. Thats what I thinks been lacking on the federal front.

Look, Im not running, but I do need partners and not just me, the 49 other governors of both parties need partners who will focus on the big items of the day that are anchors right now. And the same would hold true for anyone running for governor in Indiana, or the country of any state. And so they need the freedom and the space to be able to share substantively not just filling out a survey but heres what we want to do. And Ive tried to do that, he continued. Im not asking anything of anyone that I havent asked of myself. Ive tried to say we need to take this to the next level, but that requires you to actually have plans like trail program plans and broadband internet plans. And so thats what Ill be looking forward to. As those get clearer, my mind will get clearer, too, and discerning what I want to do.

Holcomb cannot run for a third successive term under Indiana law.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Braun and Fort Wayne businessman Eric Doden are all running in the Republican primary for governor. All three contenders have deep pockets, promising an expensive primary race.

On the Democratic side, former Superintendent of Education Jennifer McCormick has jumped into the race. Donald Rainwater will also run again for governor as a Libertarian candidate.

The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, not-for-profit news organization that covers state government, policy and elections.

Read more from the original source:
Holcomb wont run for Senate in 2024 - The Republic

Colorado's Libertarian Party has agreed with state Republicans to stay out of competitive races in next year's election where a right-leaning, third-party candidate could be a spoiler, the chairs of both parties announced Tuesday.

Colorado GOP Chairman Dave Williams said the agreement he negotiated with Hannah Goodman, his Libertarian counterpart, will boost the chances of Republicans winning crucial 2024 legislative and congressional races.

Williams said in a statement that he hopes the unprecedented move will "ensure that these races are not spoiled by a third-party candidate so that together we can break the stranglehold radical Democrats have over our state."

Said Goodman, in a letter addressed to Williams released by the Colorado GOP:"We would prefer to work with you, and not against you, to support the Colorado that your voters believe they are supporting. We are committed to working with you to end their one-party rule here in Colorado."

Williams told Colorado Politics that the agreement will only affect what he described as competitive races, where a Libertarian candidate's votes might make a difference.

Republicans in Colorado have long complained that Libertarian nominees siphon off votes from GOP candidates, sometimes allowing Democratic nominees to win with a plurality. Libertarians, however, have also long maintained that their candidates aren't spoilers and caution Republicans against counting on the votes their nominees receive.

The Libertarian Party is the largest of Colorado's officially recognized minor political parties, with 39,830 active, registered members as of June 1. Although the party's members account for just 1% of the state's 3.8 million registered, its nominees routinely garner 2-3% of the vote, enough to swing the results in tight races.

Williams cited Democrat Yadira Caraveo's 0.7 percentage point win last year over Republican Barb Kirkmeyer in Colorado's new 8th Congressional District, where Libertarian nominee Richard Ward took nearly 4% of the vote far more than Caraveo's razor-thin margin.

Democrats swept the ballot in Colorado last year, winning every statewide race and five of the eight congressional seats while increasing the party's majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly.

"We must seek new opportunities to build coalitions that will help restore balance back to Colorado, and this new partnership is a critical first step if we are going to win in 2024," Williams said.

In the letter, Goodman outlined the agreement, which requires that Republican nominees pass a loosely defined test involving a commitment to "liberty."

"We are calling upon the Republican Party to take our goals and objectives into serious consideration and run strong liberty minded, anti-establishment candidates going forward," Goodman wrote. "If the Republican Party runs candidates who support individual liberties, we will not run competing candidates in those races."

Added Goodman: "Furthermore, we reserve the right to run our candidates if you choose not to put forth strong liberty candidates."

Williams acknowledged that Republicans can't count on the Libertarians standing down in targeted races if the party nominates just anyone.

"They are not looking for the perfect candidate, but they are making clear that our party needs more nominees who will fight for limited-government in Denver and Washington D.C.," he said in an email to supporters.

He elaborated on how possible scenarios might play out in a text message to Colorado Politics.

"At a minimum, the Libertarians will make it known to Colorado Republicans if a primary candidate is acceptable or not," Williams said. "For example, if Joe ODea runs in CD8, they will object and make it known that they prefer their own nominee in the general election."

O'Dea, the GOP's unsuccessful 2022 U.S. Senate nominee, has been floated as a potential challenger to Caraveo, though he doesn't live in the district. In last year's election, numerous leading Republicans, including former state Rep. Ron Hanks, who lost the primary to O'Dea, withheld their support from the Republican nominee over his positions on abortion and other issues.

Williams told Colorado Politics that he forwarded the agreement to the National Republican Congressional Committee and minority leaders in the state House and Senate. He added that the state GOP "will also act as a liaison" with the groups to "express the Libertarian Partys thoughts on the field of candidates.

Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, who routinely describes himself as small-l libertarian-leaning, mocked the announcement in a Twitter post.

"And if you run more pro-liberty candidates who support a womans right to choose, the freedom to marry who you love, reducing the income tax, private property rights to build housing on your own land, and legal cannabis and psilocybin small businesses then maybe you can start calling your nominees Democrats," Polis wrote.

Dick Wadhams, a Republican poltiical consultant and former state GOP chairman, told Colorado Politics he applauded Williams for having the discussion but was skeptical about any long-term benefits the agreement might yield.

"The Libertarian chairwoman said they will not oppose Republicans who support individual liberties, but that's a pretty broad definition," Wadhams said. "You never know where they're going to come down on any issues. They'reall over the map on various issues."

Wadhamsadded that Williams might not be the best arbiter of what constitutes a goodRepublican who deserves a shot without a third-party spoiler.

"After watching Williams attack people like Congressman Doug Lamborn and former Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers in the last couple weeks, count me as somewhat leery about him deciding on his own that a Republican candidate does not support individual liberties," Wadhams said.

"It's nice he's spending time on this, but it doesn't go to what really ails the Colorado Republican Party, which is Donald Trump and people who refuse to acknowledgethe cold hard reality that Donald Trump has defined the last four election cycles in Colorado for Colorado Republicans."

Colorado Democrat Party Chairman Shad Murib dismissed the pact between his Republican and Libertarian counterparts in a text message to Colorado Politics.

"The Colorado Republican Partys problem is not Libertarians spoiling elections for them their problem is that their platform is opposed by the vast majority of Colorado voters," Murib said. "If their path to victory is to embrace folks who are even more extreme than them, Id remind them that two wrongs dont make a right."

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Colorado Libertarians ink pact with state Republicans to stand down next year in crucial races - coloradopolitics.com

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoan has expressed his desire to liberate Trkiye from its current constitution, which he claims is a remnant of a coup dtat, and underlined the need for a civilian, libertarian and inclusive constitution that will be embraced by all segments of Turkish society.

We, together, want to liberate our country from its current constitution, which is the product of a coup dtat. We want our journey in the second century of our republic to be guided by a civilian, libertarian and inclusive constitution that is embraced by all segments of the society, Erdoan said in his address following the cabinet meeting at the presidential complex on June 14.

The president acknowledged the results of the May elections, stating that the introduction of the presidential system of government will bring numerous benefits in the coming years.

According to Erdoan, the elections have placed Trkiye in a new league, creating a political atmosphere conducive to achieving a civilian constitution. He highlighted the strength of Turkish democracy, stating that the nation is now capable of removing the remaining shackles that hinder progress.

The president called for unity and collaboration with the ruling Peoples Alliance to draft a new constitution that reflects the aspirations of all Turkish citizens. The new vision guided by a civilian, libertarian and inclusive constitution aims to lead Trkiye into its second century with confidence and progress, he said.

He pledged to accelerate progress towards national goals, realize long-held dreams more quickly, implement projects and plans within shorter timeframes, overcome challenges and setbacks more easily and increase services that resonate with citizens.

Erdoan also emphasized a more determined fight against both domestic and international terrorist organizations, a bolder defense of Trkiyes rights on the global stage, and a stronger commitment to regional peace and stability. He reiterated his dedication to democracy, rights and freedoms, aiming to elevate the country to the level of contemporary civilizations.

Trkiye is expanding area of influence beyond its borders, the president said, noting that the recent elections garnered significant attention worldwide.

He also highlighted the admiration and affection millions of people have for the country, with many envisioning their future connected to the nation.

Erdoan expressed satisfaction with the support and interest shown during his inauguration and subsequent foreign visits.

Turkey,

The rest is here:
Erdoan calls for civilian, libertarian constitution - Trkiye News - Hurriyet Daily News