NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday April 27, 2008

Arizona Democrats finalize national convention delegation

Over 500 people gathered Saturday in Phoenix as the Arizona Democratic Party’s state committee elected the final members of the national convention delegation, including two superdelegates.

Excitement about the convention and the presidential race was palpable at the historic prospect of choosing either the first woman or the first African American nominee for President. Delegate candidates repeatedly expressed their unity in suppporting whichever candidate ultimately wins the Democratic nomination, and the importance of winning the White House in November to prevent a third Bush term.

“We’re taking a strong and diverse delegation to the national convention,” said Don Bivens, Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party. “We are going to Denver with the most diverse delegation in Arizona history to bring our state’s independent voice to the first-ever Western convention to elect a President who will change course in Iraq and restore the American dream to the middle class.”

In the superdelegate category, Attorney General Terry Goddard was elected on a unanimous voice vote. Charlene Fernandez, chairwoman of the Yuma County Democratic Party, was elected first-vice chairwoman of the party. Arizona has total of 11 superdelegates, whom four have declared for Senator Clinton, three for Senator Obama, and four remain uncommitted.

In the pledged category, 19 newly elected delegates join 37 Congressional-level delegates who were chosen in March.

Of the new delegates, seven party leaders and elected officials were chosen. Four are pledged to Sen. Hilary Clinton, and three are pledged to Sen. Barack Obama.

Party leader and elected official delegates (Clinton):

Arizona Sen. Amanda Aguirre Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community President Diane Enos Arizona Democratic Party Vice-Chairman Tony J. Gonzales Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley

Party leader and elected official delegates (Obama):

Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Ned J. Norris Pima County Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez Arizona Rep. Kyrsten Sinema

Twelve at-large delegates were chosen, seven for Clinton and five for Obama.

At-large delegates (Clinton)

Arizona Sen. Ken Cheuvront Fountain Hills Councilwoman Ginny Dickey Adam Falk Katie Hobbs Michael Incorvaia Amanda Simpson Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox

At-large delegates (Obama)

Magdalena Barajas Sen. Dennis DeConcini Ruben Gallego Arizona Rep. David Schapira Brandan Spradling

Three alternates were selected.

Alternates (Clinton)

DNC Member-elect and Arizona Democratic Party secretary Judy Kennedy Arizona Rep. Robert Meza

Alternate (Obama)

Phoenix Councilman Michael Johnson

The allocation of delegates was based on the results of Arizona’s Feb. 5 primary. Sen. Clinton received 31 pledged delegates and Sen. Obama received pledged 25 delegates. Adding Arizona’s 11 superdelegates bring the total number in Arizona’s convention delegation to 67.