2006 Harry E. Mitchell for Congress
This website was created by Harry E. Mitchell for his 2006 run for Congress​. He won the Democratic primary and then went on to win the general election.
BIO
U.S. Rep. Harry E. Mitchell was first elected on Nov. 7, 2006 by the people of Arizona's Fifth District to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. As a native Arizonan, former longtime mayor of Tempe and retired school teacher, he took his common-sense values to Washington and has remained a strong advocate for Arizona's families and local communities. He takes to Congress his commitment to fiscal responsibility, strengthening Arizona’s local economy, securing our border, and honoring our veterans.
Harry has a record of getting real results for Arizona. He previously served as the mayor of Tempe, Arizona, where he led the efforts to revitalize Tempe's downtown area, including laying the foundation for the Rio Salado Project and Tempe Town Lake. As Mayor, he expanded mass transportation and created new jobs by building partnerships with businesses, community leaders and neighborhoods to foster smart economic development. To honor his success as Mayor, the City of Tempe erected a 35-foot statue of Harry in downtown Tempe and renamed the city's government center the Harry E. Mitchell Government Complex. His success and popularity as Mayor led The Arizona Republic to name Harry "a living legend."
After Harry’s successful tenure as Mayor, he was elected to the Arizona State Senate, where he helped grow Arizona's economy and shape Arizona State University into a world-class academic institution.
Throughout his time as Tempe’s Mayor, Harry also taught American government and economics at Tempe High School, the same high school he graduated from, for 28 years. He also served as an adjunct professor at his alma mater, ASU.
Harry and his high school sweetheart Marianne, who taught at Scottsdale's Coronado High School, Tempe High School and Ahwatukee's Mountain Pointe High School, have been married for 48 years, and have lived in the same house in Tempe for close to 45 years. They are the parents of two children and have five grandchildren, and all live in Tempe.
Arizona's Fifth Congressional District includes Scottsdale, Tempe, Fountain Hills, Ahwatukee Foothills, Mesa, Chandler, Rio Verde, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and the Salt River-Pima Maricopa Indian Community.
Representing Arizona’s Fifth District
Harry believes elected leaders have to get their priorities straight. While the current economic crisis has families worried about their financial future, Harry has also worked across party lines to keep taxes low, cut wasteful spending and stop members of Congress from receiving an annual pay raise.
When Harry was first elected to Congress, he sought out a seat on the House Veterans Affairs’ Committee because he believed that the best way to honor the sacrifices of our veterans is to ensure they receive the care and dignity they have earned. As Chairman of the Subcommittee of Oversight and Investigations, Harry also lead investigations that led to the cleaning up of the mess at Walter Reed Medical Center and cut bureaucratic red tape at the VA. Harry was also the lead sponsor of the New GI Bill, which was signed into law in June 2008.
Special Recognition
Harry was presented with American Legion Department of Arizona’s ‘Distinguished Legislator Award’ in for his work on behalf of our nation’s veterans. Previous Distinguished Legislator Award recipients include Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl.
In 2009, the Arizona Capitol Times named Harry as a leader that helped shape and define Arizona this decade. Specifically, they cited Mitchell’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, his “non-partisan aura” and ability to work across the aisle with Republican colleagues to get results for Arizona. Harry has also been recognized by The Wall Street Journal for having a "sensible" position on key tax cuts and received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious "Spirit of Enterprise" Award for his pro-growth, pro-business record.
The Arizona Republic’s ‘Decade in Review 2000-2009’ highlighted Harry as one of the Valley’s Newsmakers over the last decade. Specifically, they cited his effectiveness in delivering critical resources for his district and his ability to “work effectively in the hectic, high-pressure world of Washington” by putting “his consensus-building skills and his dedication to local concerns…to work in the nation’s capital.”
Harry was also honored as the South West Transit Association’s 2009 Legislator of the Year. Mitchell has urged investment in public transportation infrastructure which creates jobs, sparks economic development and is environmentally responsible – in addition, he was awarded the Patron Award by the Arizona Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
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Dear Friends,
I want to thank the people of Arizona's Fifth Congressional District for electing me to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. I am humbled by your trust and confidence.
With their vote, Arizonans sent Washington a clear message: it's time for both Republicans and Democrats to put the people's work before partisanship.
They believe, as I do, that we cannot address our nation's most important challenges unless we work together. We have an obligation to secure our borders, invest in embryonic stem cell research, restore fiscal discipline, and demand a plan for victory in Iraq.
Make no mistake, this victory comes on the shoulders of thousands of people who supported and volunteered for our campaign. Volunteers often don't get the recognition they deserve, but we could not have done this without you, and I am eternally grateful to each and every one of you.
I'd also like to thank the entire Mitchell family, and especially my wife Marianne, for their incredible support throughout this campaign. Marianne and I have been married for 44 years; we've raised two wonderful children together. And I can't think of a time where I've needed her support more than in the past six months. She's been there every step of the way.
It's been a hard fought campaign. I want to thank Congressman Hayworth for his 12 years of service to our country. We may not share similar views on many issues, but we do have something in common -- we both believe, that through service, we can make America a better place for future generations.
I also want to reach out to those who did not support my candidacy. While I did not earn your vote in this election, I will work to earn your trust and you can rest assured that I will be a representative for all of the people of this District.
I know this process took longer than many had hoped. But I was a teacher for 28 years and taught my students that it is important to count every vote and respect the will of every voter. The patience the people have shown through this process has made our democracy stronger.
Thank you,
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2006 Primary Results
November 21, 2006 -
Mitchell Declares Victory, Beats Hayworth For 5th District Seat
The Associated Press
PHOENIX -- Democrat Harry Mitchell finally declared victory Tuesday in his race to unseat Republican incumbent J.D. Hayworth in the 5th Congressional District.
With all ballots counted, Mitchell garnered 101,838 votes, or 50.4 percent, to Hayworth's 93,815, or 46.4 percent. Libertarian Warren Severin received 6,357 votes, or 3.1 percent.
"I want to thank the people of Arizona's Fifth Congressional District for electing me to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. I am humbled by your trust and confidence," Mitchell said in a statement. "With their vote, Arizonans sent Washington a clear message: it's time for both Republicans and Democrats to put the people's work before partisanship."
The Arizona Secretary of State's office reported that all 15 counties have now finished their ballot counts. The state will canvass the results next month.
The Associated Press called the race for Mitchell the night of the Nov. 7 election. Hayworth did not concede until a week later, saying he wanted all the votes to be counted.
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.November 10,
2006 -
Mitchell Prepares For Move To Congress
by Paul Giblin
East Valley Tribune
November 10, 2006
While incumbent Rep. J.D. Hayworth continued to wait out the final vote count three days after the election, his political opponent and apparent successor Harry Mitchell began making preparations to replace him. Mitchell, a Democrat, on Thursday named former congressman Sam Coppersmith chairman of his transition committee.
Hayworth has yet to concede defeat in the 5th Congressional District, and Mitchell has yet to accept victory.
However, the next Congress will be seated in January. With that in mind, Mitchell said he needs to prepare to take office, even though ballots are still being counted.
"While the election may take a few more days to officially decide, the people of this district deserve to know that regardless of who wins, their new congressman will be ready to govern effectively," Mitchell said.
Election officials were still counting thousands of outstanding ballots Thursday.
Mitchell led 50.4 percent to 46.3 percent with 146,346 votes counted through Thursday night.
The percentages were virtually unchanged from Wednesday, when the tally was 140,819.
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Mitchell Prepares For Move To Congress
by Paul Giblin
East Valley Tribune
November 10, 2006
While incumbent Rep. J.D. Hayworth continued to wait out the final vote count three days after the election, his political opponent and apparent successor Harry Mitchell began making preparations to replace him. Mitchell, a Democrat, on Thursday named former congressman Sam Coppersmith chairman of his transition committee.
Hayworth has yet to concede defeat in the 5th Congressional District, and Mitchell has yet to accept victory.
However, the next Congress will be seated in January. With that in mind, Mitchell said he needs to prepare to take office, even though ballots are still being counted.
"While the election may take a few more days to officially decide, the people of this district deserve to know that regardless of who wins, their new congressman will be ready to govern effectively," Mitchell said.
Election officials were still counting thousands of outstanding ballots Thursday.
Mitchell led 50.4 percent to 46.3 percent with 146,346 votes counted through Thursday night.
The percentages were virtually unchanged from Wednesday, when the tally was 140,819.
"I really feel good about the position I'm in now. I'd rather be 6,000 votes ahead with other votes to be counted than the other way around," Mitchell said.
The process of counting "provisional" and "conditional provision" ballots is expected to take several more days.
With the change in power to a Democratic majority, Coppersmith said "things are moving (especially) quickly with the re-organization of the House, the change in control between the parties and all the switching of offices."
Among Mitchell's immediate concerns are assembling staff and setting up offices in both Washington and in Arizona.
Mitchell has every intention of vacating his sparse campaign headquarters next to Tom's BBQ restaurant at the Mill Towne Center in Tempe.
The oddly configured office suite featured a two-door bathroom that doubled as a hallway connecting Mitchell's personal office to his aides' work space.
Mitchell plans to fly to Washington on Sunday to attend orientation sessions for incoming members of Congress.
"We're confident that we're going to win and we're going to be prepared," he said.
The candidates have yet to speak to one another since election night, Mitchell said.
Hayworth attended the Mesa funeral of former state House speaker Jeff Groscost on Thursday. Hayworth did not discuss the political race.
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November 9, 2006 -
Mitchell Names Transition Team Co-Chair, Shies From Declaring Win
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Democrat Harry Mitchell won't declare victory. But he's acting like a winner.
The former Tempe mayor and state senator named a former congressman to co-chair a team that will help him assume a seat in congress as the representative of Arizona's 5th Congressional District.
Mitchell beat Republican J.D. Hayworth for the seat in Tuesday's general election.
Today, he appointed former Arizona Congressman Sam Coppersmith to help lead his Congressional transition team.
The team will help choose Mitchell's staff and make other decisions.
Mitchell held back from declaring victory as more than 200-thousand provisional and early ballots remained to be counted in Maricopa County. It's unclear how many of those ballots came from District 5.