Make your voice heard- early voting has started

Early voting in the primary election began July 29, 2010.  If you are among the hundreds of thousands of Arizona voters who have signed up to be on the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) or requested an early ballot, your ballot should be arriving in your mailbox any day now.

Democrats and independent voters who opt to vote in the Democratic Party Primary will have the opportunity to choose who will best serve this state as the next Superintendent of Public Instruction and who will best represent our Democratic values against the Republican Party nominee in the general election.  As a lifelong educator and a lifelong Democrat, I know our children don't have to fail.  The question is, will we fail them?

It has been 16 years since Arizonans elected a Democrat and an educator to lead our public schools. The status quo and special interest insiders have failed to provide excellent public schools for all of Arizona's children.  It's time to elect a Superintendent of Public Instruction who will be a true advocate for our children, someone who will put our kids first and stop at nothing to ensure every child has access to an excellent public school.

I was honored to earn the Democratic Party nomination when I ran for this position in 2006.  In the general election that year, with your help, I came close to beating the Republican incumbent.  In fact, it was the closest of all the statewide races.   We just needed about 25 more votes per precinct.  With the momentum we've built since then, and the grassroots movement you've helped to create, I know we can earn the votes needed to win this election for our children this year.  We must change the direction our state is headed and do what's right for our children.

Over the next 26 days when you mark your ballot, whether you receive it in the mail, at an early voting polling site or your polling location on Election Day, I ask you to join the many leaders listed below who have endorsed my candidacy and vote Jason Williams for Superintendent of Public Instruction.   I, also, ask you to please share this message with your family, friends and colleagues so they can join you in voting Jason Williams for Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Early voting in the primary election has begun.  Please remember to share this message with family, friends and colleagues, and vote Jason Williams for Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Voices of Support
As of today, the following elected officials, community leaders and organizations have endorsed my candidacy. If you would like to add your name to this list of supporters, please email HelpKids@WilliamsForArizona.com.
Community, State and National Organizations

IBEW Local 640
Chandler Chamber of Commerce
Equality Arizona
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona
Arizona State Building and Construction Trades Council
Arizona Pipe Trades 469
Elected Officials

State Representative (House Minority Leader) and Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board Member David Lujan
State Representative Cloves Campbell, Jr.
State Representative Pat Fleming
State Representative Matt Heinz
State Representative Robert Meza
Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox
Maricopa Community College Board Member Randolph Lumm
Phoenix City Councilmember Tom Simplot
Mesa City Councilmember Dennis Kavanaugh
Tempe City Councilmember Joel Navarro
Tempe City Councilmember Corey Woods
Sahuarita Town Councilmember Rosanna Gabaldon
Alhambra Elementary School District Governing Board Member Adam Lopez Falk
Alhambra Elementary School District Governing Board Member Elizabeth Sanchez
Creighton Elementary School District Governing Board Member Matt Jewett
Creighton Elementary School District Governing Board Member Carl Zaragoza
Madison Elementary School District Board Member Robin Stamp
Osborn Elementary School District Board Member Theresa Martinez
Roosevelt Elementary School District Governing Board Member Jim Munoz
Roosevelt Elementary School District Governing Board Member Norma Munoz
Roosevelt Elementary School District Governing Board Member Betty Thompson
Roosevelt Elementary School District Governing Board Member Betty Ware
Tempe Elementary School District Governing Board Member Sherri Connell
Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board President Amy Kobeta
Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board Clerk Linda Abril
Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board Member Lela Alston
Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board Member Dr. George Brooks
Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board Member Dr. Cristy Lopez
Former Coconino County Supervisor Tio Tachias
Former Flagstaff Mayor Bill Erwin
Former Flagstaff City Councilmember Mel Hannah
Former Springerville Mayor David Silva
Community and Business Leaders
Alhambra Elementary School District Superintendent Jim Rice
Former Tolleson High School District Superintendent Kino Flores
Former Round Valley Unified School District Superintendent Dennis Silva (Springerville)
Bishop Henry Barnwell
Pastor Aubrey Barnwell
Gregory E. Torrez
Raul Aguirre
Gene Blue
Luis Ibarra
Pete Garcia
Edmundo Hidalgo
Earl Wilcox
Ray Arvizu
Wayne Manske
Delia Torres
Michael Williams
Deborah Chapman
Armando Contreras
Tony Colon
George Diaz
Tommy Espinoza
John Graham
Esther Lumm
Anna-Marie Mars
Vasti Mugica
Dan Maller
Sal Rivera
Angela Begay
Norma L. Begay

Thank you for your support and your vote.