http://www.azcentral.com/...
On Friday, Pederson hired his third campaign manager, Sky Gallegos of Washington, D.C., who worked on both the John Kerry and John Edwards presidential campaigns. Gallegos replaces local public relations and political strategist Mario Diaz in running the campaign's day-to-day operations. Diaz will stay on as co-chairman of the campaign, a paid advisory role.
Diaz had replaced Pederson's first campaign manager, Matt Rodriguez, in January.
Gallegos, a 37-year-old native of Denver, has extensive experience working on campaigns in Western states, including her role as Western regional political director for the Al Gore/Joe Lieberman presidential campaign in 2000.
Also this news:
http://www.azstarnet.com/...
New campaign manager
Jim Pederson, the Democrat challenging Sen. Jon Kyl, has tapped a national political strategist as his new campaign manager.
Sky Gallegos will replace Mario Diaz, who is being elevated to co-chair of the campaign. Gallegos will focus on day-to-day issues. Diaz will be charged with the campaign's large-scale strategy.
Gallegos served as John Edwards' national political director for his presidential bid, as John Kerry's California state director and as the western political director for Al Gore's presidential campaign, according to aO press release.
http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/...
AZ: A Chuck Schumer influenced campaign "addition" for Jim Pederson (D-AZ): Ex-Edwards pol. dir. Sky Gallegos joins as campaign manager; Mario Diaz becomes campaign co-chair.
http://www.cumberlink.com/...
In Arizona, more than half of the $6.3 million Democrat Jim Pederson raised to challenge Republican Sen. Jon Kyl came from checks he wrote to himself, according to campaign reports.
The strip-mall developer contributed $1.7 million of the $2.3 million his campaign raised from April 1 to June 30. He has given a total of $3.7 million so far. Kyl reported about $2 million in contributions during the same period, raising a total of $11 million. He has about $7 million cash on hand.
Local Arizona blog had this to say:
http://wactivist.com/...
Mario Diaz, the former campaign manager is elevated to "Co-Chair" and Gallegos seems to be coming in to run the day to day operations, quarterback the campaign's decision making mechanism, and manage a talented though large staff.
My take is this is a good move. Campaigns need to be set up to be fast, flexible, and adaptable but DISCIPLINED and FOCUSED. Bringing in someone who is more management minded and ready get her hands dirty while keeping things headed in the right direction is a good thing. Combine that with Diaz's political experience in the state and Yuhas's creativity - and you have a strong team.
Maybe I am being overly optimistic about this - but if you know me, you know just how CHEERY and HAPPY I am. Joking aside ... I know the campaign will get some crap for making another move, and having a day to day manager from out of state, but still I think this is a positive development.
What does everyone think about this? Those Hotline articles show basically that Pederson has almost unlimited pockets and will put in to his campaign whatever is needed like Bloomberg or the guy from new jersey? This may be just what the Pederson campaign needed. I wonder when their ads are going up? With almost unlimited funds, you gotta figure soon