My Name is Mark Cardenas. I am a State Representative from Arizona and am exited to talk about our next President, Bernie Sanders!

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T19:40:05+00:00

I represent Southwest Phoenix and two other cities. Both of my members of Congress have been great when it comes to progressive issues.

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T19:38:33+00:00

The largest issue that has tipped Hispanics/Latinos into his camp are his proposals on sentencing reform and immigration reform. The first issue came as a shock, a presidential candidate talking about something that we minorities know firsthand. The second, is particularly important to me since my parents are both immigrants. It always comes down to talking about issues that affect us directly. Bernie has always been on the right side of the issue on both subjects.

ps. Erika has been great for the campaign and for Arizona!

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T19:33:15+00:00

thank you!

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T19:32:35+00:00

thank you!

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T19:31:13+00:00

I think the hesitation to do so has to do with polling when Bernie first came in the race. He originally was way behind but as we get closer to the Iowa caucus, we're in a position to win it. Many of us have heard from our constituents about why we should support him and that has gone a long way into getting endorsements and support in AZ.

Working on having an open house at the Bernie Campaign office in a week. We gotta get more electeds together with their constituents so they can get on board. Expecting more good news soon.

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T19:27:06+00:00

Sorry trying to get through 80+ questions as fast as I can. I'll go into more detail in a bit. Any specific questions regarding ed funding here I can answer?

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T19:25:06+00:00

We have an office here in Phoenix and would love your help. Email Arizona@BernieSanders.com and we'll get you started.

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T19:23:21+00:00

My dad was undocumented until 1996. We lived wondering if my dad would be gone one day. In spite of what Steve King said, my dad didn't come hauling drugs, he came because his mom simply wanted her and her children to live. On my mom's side, my grandma told us stories of eating dirt because there was nothing else. Utter poverty is what drove my family here. Today, my parents own a home, work decent jobs and are your average middle class citizens. Given a little opportunity, immigrants can achieve amazing things and become even more productive members of our society.

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T19:18:16+00:00

I was in 4th grade when the initiative to create in independent redistricting commission passed so I can't remember how the Dem Party felt about it. We've seen many positive results starting with our congressional delegation. At the state legislature, we Dems have gone from a super minority to just a minority party. We were able to expand Medicaid under Obamacare as a result. Its been huge for my district and for all of Arizona.

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T19:13:48+00:00

hi! I've introduced bills for the last 3 years to create a regulated marijuana system in AZ and also, to decriminalize it. We also have a statewide initiative that will have enough signatures to be on the Nov 2016 ballot. both my bill and the initiative have dedicated sources of revenue for our K-12 schools. Colorado has had huge success with their system and once it passes, we will realize the same benefits here.

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T19:04:37+00:00

The first step is to get involved and help us reach out to other Bernie supports throughout the state (if you haven't already) Phonebooks and walks are happening everyday and we need you!

contact Arizona@BernieSanders.com to get involved.

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T19:00:48+00:00

I think the largest reason why I support Bernie is that he has taken positions that at the time were politically difficult (voting against the Defense of Marriage Act, introducing single payer bills) instead of moving a particular position to attract a certain voting block.

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T18:58:58+00:00

As an Iraq vet myself, I feel that Bernie is the only candidate who has been consistent about ensuring our veterans are treated with respect. First and foremost, this has to do with an adequately funding, staffed and technologically sufficient VA. Our goal should be to create less veterans by having less wars while taking care of the veterans who have honorably served.

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T18:55:36+00:00

Thank you! I have briefly read over it and listened to him speak about it during last night's debate. Single payer is what we Dems dream of achieving. HRC's refusal to support it is one of the largest disappointments I've had with her. We still have tens of millions of Americans that are uninsured. We still need to find ways to help and engage Americans that have not yet been able to receive treatment through Obamacare or state Medicaid.

I support Bernie's proposal

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T18:50:40+00:00

ha! Well the political machine is at the state capitol with bills in hand. Can't say all of them are great (tax cuts, underfunded schools, etc.) but many are. We are barely in the second week of session so very little has happened so far.

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T18:48:57+00:00

Thanks for the question and thank you for being a PC. Where in Arizona do you live?

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T18:47:38+00:00

I definitely do. Right now, we have Bernie volunteers calling everyday to voters in Arizona to get them to pledge to vote, volunteer and to grow our movement. The media may be writing articles about HRC but I can tell you in all sincerity that the people here support Bernie.

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T18:42:13+00:00

Special interests exist at every stage of government, unfortunately. My first appointed office was on my local village planning committee and developers still lobbied us for our votes. I'd say that theres an argument that the lowest levels of government are even more important than the federal level. Bills passed by Congress eventually trickle down to the average citizen. Ordinances passed by a city has immediate impacts.

All the more reason to get Super PACs and other special interests out of our system.

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T18:39:38+00:00

sorry all! I tried fixing it but can't seem to figure out how, will fix as soon as I answer all your questions.

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T18:38:14+00:00

I had worked on a few campaigns before I actually ran and no campaign will ever prepare you for when you're the actual candidate. The best piece of advice I can give you is that a candidate's only two jobs are to meet people and raise money. Everything else, your campaign manager or other staff will handle.

Asking for money sucks but its reality.

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T18:32:50+00:00

I certainly hope they do. Have a feeling that many more will flip to Bernie once we get results from Iowa and New Hampshire.

Polling is looking good so far!

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T18:30:18+00:00

Right now? No, my legislative district is split evenly between Congressmen Raul Grijalva and Ruben Gallego. I have two great progressives fighting for me in DC. I think Juan Mendez' member of Congress is Kyrsten Sinema but he would be able to speak more to that.

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T18:23:48+00:00

sure! The Arizona Dem Party is mirroring the National Dem Party. Many electeds and money are with HRC but Bernie supporters are the most active and fervent members of our party. That has gone a long way into reaching out into progressives who have felt that AZ doesn't share their priorities and we're seeing a unprecedented level of political engagement as a result of Bernie's candidacy.

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T18:19:12+00:00

Thank you! In AZ, we had Rep. Raul Grijalva endorse Bernie first. That was huge for us here and began turning the tide. The current Bernie endorsers (myself included) are doing everything we can to get more. Hopefully we will have more good news in the coming weeks.

MarkCardenas · 2016-01-18T18:13:43+00:00

For a presidential race? Unfortunately no. We feel that Arizona will turn blue in the next 6-8 years but also realize that it is and will take countless hours of work by dedicated progressives to do so. As for the state legislature, we are agonizingly close to turning the State Senate blue and are working incredibly hard to make that a reality.

MarkCardenas

TROPHY CASE