Open Primaries: Two Points of View

Posted by Pauline Hechler

on Jan 15, 2016

A recent study by the Morrison Institute for Public Policy highlighted one fact: Arizona independents have grown from 11% in 1992 to 37% today. The study found that almost two-thirds of Arizona voters believe the State Legislature has the wrong priorities and that there is too much partisan conflict in the Arizona State Capitol. The vast majority of independents want political reform that moves us away from the system we have today.

There is a national movement active in Arizona to, among other things, open presidential primaries to independent voters. Today’s discussion will be about whether structural changes to our electoral process are a good idea.

Proposition: Paul Johnson is an Arizona native, and most remembered for his service as Mayor of Phoenix from 1990 to 1994, after serving four years on the City Council. He is known for his work on education, the environment, crime, and children's issues. As mayor, he brought about the nation's first kids’ gun law, the curfew program, and a 90 acre park at the Indian School site. He averted a major transit strike, and helped America West Airlines through bankruptcy. Under his leadership, Phoenix was voted Best Run City in the World. Paul ran twice for Arizona governor -- in 1994 and 1998 -- and today is a proud Independent voter. He is a busy entrepreneur, and leader of Open and Honest Elections, a reform movement dedicated to creating fair and competitive elections for all of Arizona.

Opposition: Bill Risner graduated from Catalina High School in 1961, The University of Arizona business school in 1965, U. of A. Law School in 1968, and attended graduate business school at the U of A until 1969. He practices at Risner & Graham, where he focuses on personal injury and wrongful death law. Throughout his career, Bill has been an active member of the Pima County Democratic Party. Bill successfully handled a redistricting case for the Democratic Party against the City of Tucson in 1971. He was president of the Tucson Community Development and Design Center for many years, and has represented many community groups on environmental and planning issues. He says, “I have been fortunate to have avoided being elected to office in spite of my candidacy, including a race for Pima County Attorney in 1976.”

Moderator: Jim Kolbe currently serves as a senior transatlantic fellow for the German Marshall Fund of the United States. In addition to his work with GMF, Kolbe serves on the board of counselors for McLarty Associates and is president of JTK Consulting, which represents the interests of Arizona clients to the United States Congress. Locally, Jim serves on the boards of directors for the Community Food Bank and Critical Path Institute, as co-chair of the Governor’s Transportation and Trade Task Force, and on the Council on Foreign Relations. For 22 years, Jim served in the U.S. House of Representatives as our Congressman. Prior to Congress, he served six years in the Arizona State Senate. Jim was commissioned in the United States Naval Reserves in 1965 and gave a year of service in the Republic of Vietnam with Coastal forces (Swift boats). He retired after 10 years as a Lieutenant Commander. Jim graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, and from Stanford University with an MBA.