Ariz. Senate, Dist. 24: Don Shooter

Name: Don Shooter

Age: 58

Hometown: Kentucky

Office running for: AZ State Senate

In district: D 24

Political experience: Ran for Congress (1992), Chairman of Colorado River Tea party (2009-2010)

Family: Married 34 years, three children, five grandchildren

Party: Republican

Please describe your platform

Less government, less taxes. I don't trust either of the political parties but i do trust the people.

If elected, what is your first priority?

Promote job creation by cutting taxes and regulations on all business.

Who do you think is your biggest challenger and why?

The incumbent Amanda Aguirre

What do you think sets you apart from your opponent(s)?

I am a Tea Party candidate who will fight both parties if need be to secure a good future for my children and grandchildren.

What would you do to achieve more transparency in government, and should government officials be in charge of managing those efforts?

I think bills should be posted online three days before being voted on.

Public notices are regarded as one important way for the public to find out what is really happening in government. Newspapers currently not only print public notices but also operate a free, consolidated, online, searchable database. Some people advocate that public notices should be available only on government websites. Do you agree that the Legislature should change the current law to mandate that public notices be available only on government websites?

I think we should have sources not controlled by government! I trust the people, if given honest information; the American people will do the right thing.

What do you think is the biggest challenge right now facing Yumans, and Arizonans?

Jobs and the economy.

What would you do, if elected, to help change that?

A large portion of the economic downturn has been the uncertainty created by Washington. They have created a business climate where owners are afraid to hire because they don't know what their tax burden, health care costs, and other expenses are going to be, because every time they turn around, Washington is changing the playing field. We can't change everything in Washington, but we can make sure Phoenix doesn't make the same mistakes. We can copy the successful business tax models of states like Texas, Georgia, etc, to attract businesses from overtaxed and over-regulated states like California, to bring them to Yuma.

What is one of your strengths? Weaknesses? (Something you'd like to improve upon)?

I believe I possess the “Pioneer spirit” that made Arizona great. I am willing to sacrifice so that my children (and grandchildren) can have the same freedoms, and prosperity, we enjoy.

What is one thing that you want voters to know?

I distrust both political parties, but I do trust the people! As a co founder and president of the Yuma Tea Party I was fighting for America and Arizona before I was asked to run for this office. If the people send me to the capitol, I will continue to fight for them!

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

If I were elected to the State Senate, my first priority would be to work hard to bring jobs to Yuma and all of District 24.

When it's all said and done, Democrats, Independents and Republicans, all essentially want the same things. A good education for their kids, a decent job, or business, and a chance make a better life for their family and themselves. The way to do this is to unleash the free enterprise system to do what it does best.

You do this by creating a business friendly climate in Yuma, and the state. This would be accomplished by getting the government out of your business and pocketbook by reducing taxes and regulations on business. We can unleash the productivity of the free enterprise system, and allow the American people to do what they do best, which is to create wealth and posterity for us all.

The best form of “welfare” is a good paying job! By reducing taxes and regulations, we can get an increasing number of small businesses to relocate to Yuma from more heavily taxed and regulated states, like California. Yuma has so many great things going for it: we have water, a great climate for farming and recreation, a plentiful labor supply, and we are located next to the California markets for our products, etc. But, what we haven't had is vision and leadership to maximize these assets

As your next State Senator I will work hard to provide that type of vision and leadership!