Posted on 04/27/2005 10:55:22 PM PDT by GOPXtreme20
Local News
Graf plans to face Kolbe again in 2006
BY BILL HESS Wednesday, April 27, 2005 2:04 PM MDT
Herald/Review
SIERRA VISTA - With a little than 16 months before the next congressional primary, former state Rep. Randy Graf will officially throw his hat into the Republican ring this week.
Graf, of Green Valley, said Tuesday that he wants to have more time to raise money for his campaign against Republican incumbent Jim Kolbe for the Congressional District 8 seat.
"We got a late start last time," Graf told the Herald/Review, referring to the 2004 primary campaign.
On Thursday, Graf will be officially announcing his candidacy at three locations in the congressional district - Green Valley, Tucson and Sierra Vista.
In Sierra Vista, Graf will formalize his bid at 1:30 p.m. at the Ethel Berger Center, 2650 E. Tacoma St.
Although Graf carried Cochise County in the 2004 primary, he lost the race when all the district votes were counted. The county favored him over Kolbe 52 percent to 48 percent. Kolbe took the district 57 percent to 43 percent.
In a statement on his Web site on Tuesday, Kolbe said in the open system of elections anyone who is eligible to hold office is free to run.
But, he said, he will concentrate on doing his job as the district congressman.
"For now, however, I am focused on using my seniority and experience in Congress to build on our achievements for Southeastern Arizona," Kolbe said
While he looks forward to debating Graf again on issues, he said he does not believe the voters of the district think he should be engaged in political campaigning months before the next election.
"Therefore, I will continue to fulfill my obligations to the people of Arizona by serving tem in Congress and will have no further comment on the 2006 election," Kolbe said.
Graf said the issues that were important to him and many voters in 2004 are the same ones Kolbe will have to respond before the next primary, which is in September 2006.
Saying ensuring more people understand his positions, Graf said, "I've got to get out early and move fast."
As during his 2004 attempt to unseat Kolbe in the primary, he said the main issue is illegal immigration problem.
Last Saturday, Graf said he and his wife supported the Minuteman Project by volunteering their time in Cochise County looking for illegal immigrants. Minuteman volunteers from around the nation came to the county beginning on April 1 for a monthlong presence to monitor the U.S.-Mexico border.
The early announcement of his candidacy also will allow him to counter some misinformation put out by Kolbe in 2004, especially that he supported a state bill to fire teachers, firefighters and police officers "which wasn't true," Graf said.
SENIOR REPORTER Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.
BUMP
We absolutely must get rid of Kolbe. He is a dinosaur.
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