2 more Az. lawmakers switch endorsements from Lieberman to Kerry [View All]

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Arizona Rep. Amanda Aguirre and Rep. Ernest Bustamante Switch Their Endorsement to John Kerry


October  22,  2003

PHOENIX –
Arizona House Rep. Amanda Aguirre of Yuma County and Rep. Ernest Bustamante of Pinal County today switched their endorsement to John Kerry for President. Both previously supported Joseph Lieberman.

“At the debate in Phoenix, John Kerry outshone everyone on stage. He demonstrated a genuine understanding of sky-rocketing health care costs and of the need for immigration reform,” said State House Rep. Amanda Aguirre. “These problems face Arizonans today. John Kerry has the best plan to provide affordable health care and he is personally committed to working with President Fox to resolve our border concerns.”

Amanda Aguirre represents Yuma County in the Arizona House of Representatives. Aguirre, M.A, R.D. also serves as Executive Director of the Western Arizona Area Health Education Center, Inc., a non-profit organization. In January 2000, she was appointed by President Clinton to the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission. Aguirre also is President of the Rio Colorado Commission, a commission established in Yuma County to promote economic development.

“John Kerry knows how to create jobs. Of all the candidates, including George W. Bush, he is most capable of restoring our faltering manufacturing sector,” said State House Rep. Ernest Bustamante. “I switched because John Kerry has the most concrete, forward-looking approach to bring jobs back to Arizona. As a union leader, I believe he also has the strongest record in protecting workers’ right to unionize.”

Ernest Bustamante represents Pinal County in the Arizona House of Representatives and is currently serving his first term. Bustamante is a member of the Steel Workers Union Local 886. Previously, he served as a councilman for the town of Mammoth. He was raised in the Hayden, Winkelman area, which is part of his district.

“I am very grateful for the support of Amanda Aguirre and Ernie Bustamante. They are persuasive leaders of our party,” said John Kerry. “As a health care advocate, Amanda has been a powerful advocate for the uninsured, especially in Western Arizona. Ernie has fought to spur investment and to defend the rights of union members. I'm proud to have both of them on my team as we put our nation back to work.”

The endorsements come after Arizona House Rep. Ben Miranda of South Phoenix switched his support to John Kerry in late September.