Kathy Shayna Shocket has an inside view on the stories that make headlines.
Behind the scenes of a private fundraiser in Paradise Valley, AZ
It’s one of the most watched races of the 2010 election. Ben Quayle and Jon Hulburd are vying for the congressional seat in District 3 and the unusual autumn 100-degree temperatures are not the only thing heating up the race.
With only one week until early voting begins, both candidates are scrambling to raise funds and votes. A case in point was the fundraiser for the Democratic candidate Jon Hulburd at Erin and John Gogolak’s Paradise Valley home. But amidst the landscape of the spectacular cactus and water features is a sign on their front lawn that says “John McCain for Senate 2010.” Erin Gogolak is a registered Republican and her husband John is a registered independent.
John Gogolak and Jon Hulburd
Additionally, there were several Valley entrepreneurs in the crowd who are conservative Republicans.
Yes, Hulburd, a Democrat, with a stance of extending the Bush tax cuts through 2012, has some Republican supporters. Hulburd told guests at the Gogolak’s home about his frustrations with Quayle not agreeing to a televised debate prior to the early voting (Oct. 7) deadline. He noted that KPNX-TV, the local NBC affiliate, had even offered to air a debate in primetime before early voting began. “We gave them four different dates, when I was available, but Quayle turned it down,” he told the group that had gathered for the Paradise Valley fundraiser.
Jon Hulburd
"The Quayle campaign has been playing the debate-dating game," Hulburd’s spokesperson Josh Abner said. "After the early voting deadline, they finally scheduled some debates with us on Channel 8 and KJZZ radio. While we highly respect those media outlets, such as Channel 8 and KJZZ radio, we would have also wanted the viewing audience of Channel 12 during primetime and before the Oct. 7 early voting deadline."
The morning following the Hulburd party, I called Jay Heiler, communications director for the Quayle campaign. “The reason we didn’t schedule that debate was because the TV station (Channel 12) wasn’t proposing to hold such a debate for the other local races in the other districts," Heiler said. "We have agreed to no fewer than five debates, which as far as we know is more than any campaign in the state.”
Ben Quayle, attorney and the son of former Vice President Dan Quayle, won the nomination after a 10-way primary. Republican John Shadegg, who is retiring, held the seat on Capitol Hill for eight terms.
District 3 has traditionally been characterized as a Republican and seemingly conservative district. Currently, it has a nine-point percent registration advantage with 39 percent registered Republicans, 31 percent registered Independents and 30 percent registered Democrats. The district in North Phoenix stretches from Bethany Home Road, following the I-17 corridor to the community of New River.
Because the race has gained national attention, Hulburd (an attorney and former small business owner) has appeared nationally on the Fox network's Greta Van Susteren’s show, “On the Record,” and MSNBC’s Chris Matthew’s show, “Hardball.”
The Channel 8 KAET-TV debate on “Horizon” is scheduled for Oct. 13. The debate on KJZZ will be on Oct. 15.
Stay tuned.
Kathy Shayna Shocket is a freelance Writer and TV -Field Producer based in Phoenix, AZ. The former TV Reporter has written for publications such as TIME Magazine, Money Magazine, PEOPLE Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter and The NEW YORK TIMES. You can reach her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
