I thought I would take this unique opportunity to share with the voters my personal passion – raising and showing registered Quarter Horses and Paints. I have been involved with the industry since the day I was born, and in Arizona since 1988. Many people may know me from the horse shows, but they may not know that I am running for the Arizona State Legislature.

While my district is in northeast Maricopa County, I believe that electing a person who fundamentally understands the equine industry benefits the entire state of Arizona. The Arizona Thoroughbred Association donated to my campaign because they are confident in my ability to represent the interest of the equine industry at the State Capital. This is extremely important. The Arizona Association of Realtors, a group that understands our property interests as landowners, also endorses me. I am actively seeking other endorsements throughout the campaign as well.

Arizona is facing some of the most challenging times; our state is in a dire financial situation. We are spending more than we earn in state revenues. State agencies are feeling some of the greatest budget hits. Breeder award accounts and county fair accounts have been drastically reduced. Breeding numbers are down. Horse show numbers are declining. People’s farms and ranches are going under. This is a tragedy. We need to elect officials who understand the important contribution our industry makes to this state to help improve the situation.

For example, our state is heavily dependent on sales tax. This is just one of many key areas where horse enthusiasts contribute to the general fund in Arizona. Horse owners spend a great deal of money taking care of our horses. Our purchases keep other industries profitable including retail stores, hotels, gas stations, feed stores, farms, ranches, and the list continues. When our industry is profitable, our state benefits. When our industry is in decline, the state is loosing money. It’s really that simple.

We need to elect people to office who fundamentally understand that the horse industry is an important contributor to the economic recovery of Arizona. We need people who understand that it is not just about horse shows, county fairs, and watching a horse race as social events. It’s about the economy. The horse industry is more than just recreational pursuits; it’s about bringing dollars to Arizona and spending dollars in Arizona.

How can you help? I need your vote in Legislative District 7. If you don’t live in this district, I need you to contact your friends who DO live in the district. The primary election is August 24th. Mail-in ballots will be mailed July 29th. But many people don’t vote in the primary and this greatly concerns me. We need people to take an active stance in the primary, voting for candidates who understand our industry. Otherwise, we will not have a choice to elect someone who supports the equine industry in the general election. I know we are all extremely busy, but I am asking you to take the time and make your voice heard in the primary election. I am the ONLY candidate in my race that owns horses and is deeply committed to our interests.

Please go to my website, http://voteheathercarter.com and use the links provided to check your voter registration. If you are not registered, please register by July 26th. You can vote for me in the primary if you are a Republican or independent. As an independent, call the County Recorder’s office and ask them to mail you a Republican ballot. You can call 602-506-1511 and push zero to talk to someone. You can also go to the polls and ask to vote the Republican ticket. If you use Facebook, sign up to follow my page by going to http://facebook.com/voteheathercarterld7 and click on the button ‘like.’

Finally, I need help getting the word out and this takes money and support. I am funding my campaign traditionally. I am NOT taking taxpayer dollars to run my campaign via Clean Elections. I am running a grassroots campaign and spending every dollar carefully. I would appreciate a campaign donation of any amount up to $410. Also, if you are inspired by my message, and would like to post a yard sign, I would be happy to bring one by and put it in your yard. Each yard sign brings in neighborhood votes.

I look forward to meeting you on the campaign trail and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. 602-697-9777. Thank you! And don’t forget to VOTE in the PRIMARY!

Are they 4 education?

In Arizona, education is one of the top issues during this 2010
election.

http://www.ExpectMoreArizona.org/ is a website where you can learn
about a coordinated state effort to help people rally around
educational issues, and vote people into office who are pro-education.

But, make no mistake - just because someone says on a flyer or in a
speech that they are PRO-education, they may not share the same pro-education stance you do!

You need to dive deeper into their ideas to truly measure their dedication to education. Most of the conversations around education in Arizona revolves around 'school choice.' We already have one of the strongest educational systems built on 'choice' in the nation. We need to look beyond this single issue and delve into core beliefs about teaching and learning.

Ask good questions, just like teachers do, that are beyond simple support/oppose answers.

Ask them what their fundamental beliefs are about education. Ask them how they believe we can improve education. Ask them what they believe about public education. Ask them what they believe the most challenging issues we are facing in educating Arizona. Ask the candidates about their experience in Arizona schools.

Just because someone 'went to school' and just because they have a child 'in school,' does not guarantee they fundamentally understand education (both K-12 and higher education), or understand our schools in Arizona.

Arizona schools deserve a champion in the legislature - someone who is fiscally conservative, and someone who is willing to challenge the 20th century notion of education from an educational entrepreneur's perspective.

This is why I am running for the Arizona House or Representatives for LD 7. I have dedicated a professional lifetime to supporting and advancing education in Arizona.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY 2010!!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads and Grandfathers out there!

I want to THANK MY HUSBAND for being my greatest soldier in my campaign.

Also, while I am busy doing all of my campaigning, Jay is making sure our daughter gets to all her basketball games.

He is a wonderful husband and father. I am blessed!

THANK YOU JAY! I LOVE YOU!

Let's get this campaign started!

Hello everyone! I hope this post finds you relaxed and ready to head into summer following a fabulous Memorial Day!

My summer is going to take a decidedly different route this season - one that will focus on my campaign for the Arizona House of Representatives in Legislative District 7. LD 7 covers most of Carefree, all of Cave Creek and parts of north Phoenix and Scottsdale. I will be spending my summer getting to know the voters in this district and hopefully earning their votes!

I want to use this blog as a space where you can get to know a little bit more about me and my position on key issues. I also want to share with you the ups and down of my campaign. I hope there will be more 'ups' than 'downs,' but I believe both are important learning opportunities.

Please take the time to send me a message if you would like me to blog about a particular topic or have a question for me!

I look forward to getting to know you and earning your vote!