Ann Kirkpatrick for Arizona Congressional District 1

Background:

I am a former legislator, county prosecutor, small business owner, and community leader who served as President of the United Way of Northern Arizona. I was born in McNary, Arizona and am a native of rural Arizona and have lived and worked in Flagstaff for 25 years.

Goals:

As I contemplated running for office it came down to something simple. We have been let down by politicians that care more about getting reelected rather than standing up for their beliefs. I was ready to step forward from the state legislature to congress to offer a new kind of leadership. Also, this is a district that deserves trustworthy representation by someone who will protect our clean air and our open spaces, while bringing jobs, opportunity and economic development to our communities. To do this we need our representative to know our issues and to care about our people. I know that I am the person who will restore honorable and dedicated representation to the people of the 1st District.

Issues:

1. We need to get our troops out of Iraq, safely and soon, and take care of them once they’re here. We need an administration that will match the courage of our troops overseas. There has been gross negligence in terms of mismanagement of the rebuilding effort in Iraq. Now is the time to make a change in Iraq. Now is the time to honor those who return from combat with the best care America can provide. Now is the time to begin rebuilding America’s position in the world.

2. Our rural communities continue to struggle to find adequate and affordable health care. In the small towns of Congressional District 1, not only is health insurance hard to come by, so are doctors, emergency services, and specialized care facilities. We have to find a solution to the healthcare crisis in America that is leaving our communities, our families and our children at risk.
3. Improving educational opportunities for our children as the foundation for increased and improved economic development. I will strongly support early childhood education programs. When our children first sit down at a desk, they need to be ready to learn. The federal government must invest in Head Start and universal pre-school, more tutoring and year-round education options, as well as special attention for rural and urban schools, many of which are failing. We cannot expect our children to achieve high academic standards if we have not ensured that their basic needs are met. Early learning opportunities improve a student’s chance of success.

Grassroots Support:

Grassroots organizing will play a very large roll in my campaign. This district is tremendous in scope, encompassing 84 small towns, 11 different Native American tribes, and numerous other people groups spread out over a piece of land the size of Pennsylvania. The only way to reach every voter and get the turnout needed to win an election is with a stellar grassroots campaign. Being able to mobilize the people in an effective manner will win or lose the campaign.

DFA Values:

I am socially progressive because I feel Americans deserve more freedoms rather than less. I am unequivocally pro-choice. I am in favor of equal rights for all Americans, regardless of faith, gender, age, race, sexual orientation or sexual preference. I fight to help all people receive the health care they so desperately need. I am for removing our troops from Iraq and treating our veterans with the best care available. At the same time, I am against tax breaks for the rich�"if anyone should get a break it should be the poorest, not the wealthiest. Furthermore, I am absolutely against an unbalanced budget. If America’s working class can live their daily lives on a balanced budget, I think the government should have to as well.