Harry Mitchell files in CD-5 race!

From a press release from Harry Mitchell's campaign today:

MITCHELL FILES FOR CONGRESSIONAL BALLOT

TEMPE – U.S. Congressional candidate Harry Mitchell this morning filed the necessary paperwork with the Secretary of State to place his name on ballot for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives in Arizona’s Fifth Congressional District.

Mitchell filed 2,965 petition signatures, more than six times the requirement for placement on the ballot. Last week, 12-year incumbent U.S. Rep. J.D. Hayworth filed 2,730 petitions with the Secretary of State.

“I’m very thankful to the thousands of Arizonans who are sending a clear message that we need a new direction for our country,” said Mitchell.

Go Harry! I like how, even at this early stage, Harry has already outperformed Hayworth. :)

(Hat tip to Lofty Donkey for the press release.)

[Update, June 15: Based on last-minute filings from both candidates, the numbers have shifted. Hayworth probably realized Mitchell was going to outperform him because in the last few days JD's campaign put on a burst of speed to gather more petitions. The final tallies, from the AZ Secretary of State website are:

Hayworth: 3479
Mitchell: 2998]


On Mitchell's campaign website, he also presents clear leadership on the Immigration issue:

Dear Friends,

For too long, the people of Arizona have been waiting for Washington to meet its federal responsibility and secure the U.S.-Mexico border.

Congress has an opportunity to do just that, but it must act soon.

The Senate has already passed bi-partisan border security and immigration reform legislation that would be a critical first step to securing our border. Arizonans support this legislation, which provides for more Border Patrol agents, and establishes a temporary worker program that will match jobs with willing workers.

The House has two options: it can meet its responsibility to Border States by achieving a bi-partisan compromise, or it can use obstructionist tactics to derail this important legislation.

I call on the House to do what's right for Arizona, and pass this legislation. We can not afford to go another day with a broken border because some in Congress would prefer to further divide our nation and taint the issue of border security with political partisanship.

That attitude is already hurting our nation. We can do better. We deserve better. And, if Congress fails to meet its responsibility, voters will demand better

So, from Harry Mitchell, we get this excellent leadership, sound thinking, and a bipartisan approach to practical, comprehensive solutions. This is what good politics - in the service of the people - looks like.

It's vastly better than the extremist, polarizing and impractical "enforcement only" rhetoric from JD Hayworth, purely meant to pander to his base and obstruct bipartisan solutions.