Alphie Smith
Two Democratic candidates in the 2024 Election introduced themselves to the Democratic Club of Quail Creek (DCQC) on April 20 at the DCQC monthly meeting. They are both running for the Arizona State Legislature from Legislative District 19 (LD 19).
Bob Karp is running for the Arizona State Senate, and Gregg Frostrom is running for the Arizona State House of Representatives. Both are running “clean elections,” keeping special interest money out of their campaigns. Quail Creek Democrats supported both by donating $5 to each candidate.
Karp has owned three businesses: an aerospace manufacturing machine shop, a software development company with over 50 employees, and a real estate brokerage. In 2017-2018 he was a member of the Sierra Vista Planning & Zoning Commission. Karp has also served as 2015 President of the Southeast Arizona Association of Realtors. He lives in Sierra Vista.
Frostrom served in the Army for 23 years, retiring in 2018 from his position as Chief Warrant Officer Four (CW4). As the former President of the College Republicans at Salisbury State University (now Salisbury University), Maryland, he left the GOP in the mid-2000s.
Frostrom lives with his family outside of Tucson, where he still has his small-town values and believes in “duty” to country. He would like to “bridge the gap” with Republicans in the State House if elected.
Both Karp and Frostrom are running for mainstream values that support families and the future of Southern Arizona. These values include freedom to make your own healthcare decisions, incentives to bring healthcare to rural communities, and to guarantee healthcare to all citizens.
They are both fighting for environmental protections, including groundwater resources; quality public education; changing the “culture” of guns; ending special interest tax breaks; and ensuring that elections are free, safe, fair, and that all eligible voters can vote.
The two candidates connected with the DCQC audience through their enthusiasm and optimism to uphold common sense values that apply to all people equally. Karp and Frostrom care about policies that affect everyone.
“Democracy Happens from the Bottom-Up,” and democracy matters. Karp and Frostrom are ready to flip the Arizona State Legislature from red to blue, beginning with LD 19. “Vote the Entire Ballot.”