Lawmakers who missed at least 20 percent of floor votes

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: BC-Missed Votes-List, 1st Ld-Writethru,365
  • Note: SUBS 2nd item on Cajero Bedford to DELETE erroneous reference to family emergency. This writethru incorporates material contained in a corrective that moved Jan. 6.
  • With: BC-Missed Votes

By Cronkite News Service

Here are lawmakers who missed 20 percent or more of floor votes during the 2009 regular session. When a lawmaker offered an explanation, it is noted.

HOUSE
(382 Total Floor Votes)

Rich Crandall
_ Party: Republican
_ City: Mesa
_ Votes Missed: 254, 66.5 percent
_ Explanation: Took a contract job in New York for six weeks starting in early June.

Olivia Cajero-Bedford
_ Party: Democrat
_ City: Tucson
_ Votes Missed: 154, 40.3 percent
_ Explanation: Unexpected medical procedure in June, then left July 1 for three-week Harvard University executive education program.

Matt Heinz
_ Party: Democrat
_ City: Tucson
_ Votes Missed: 146, 38.2 percent
_ Explanation: Had to return to work as an emergency doctor in Tucson after the 100 days he set aside to serve in the Legislature.

Kyrsten Sinema
_ Party: Democrat
_ City: Phoenix
_ Votes Missed: 140, 36.6 percent
_ Explanation: Was called to be part of the White House’s health care reform initiative.

Anna Tovar
_ Party: Democrat
_ City: Tolleson
_ Votes Missed: 130, 34 percent

Martha Garcia
_ Party: Democrat
_ City: Phoenix
_ Votes Missed: 127, 33.2 percent

Christopher Deschene
_ Party: Democrat
_ City: Window Rock
_ Votes Missed: 119, 31.2 percent

Cloves Campbell Jr.
_ Party: Democrat
_ City: Phoenix
_ Votes Missed: 112, 29.3 percent

Lucy Mason
_ Party: Republican
_ City: Prescott
_ Votes Missed: 112, 29.3 percent
_ Explanation: Husband hospitalized and broke her foot in June.

Nancy Young Wright
_ Party: Democrat
_ City: Tucson
_ Votes Missed: 107, 28 percent

Steve Farley
_ Party: Democrat
_ City: Tucson
_ Votes Missed: 97, 25.4 percent
_ Explanation: Took a contract job in Virginia in June, then went on a previously planned family vacation.

Ed Ableser
_ Party: Democrat
_ City: Tempe
_ Votes Missed: 96, 25.1 percent

Doug Quelland
_ Party: Republican
_ City: Phoenix
_ Votes Missed: 82, 21.5 percent
_ Explanation: Running his businesses took priority after the session dragged on.

SENATE
(209 Total Floor Votes)

Debbie McCune Davis
_ Party: Democrat
_ City: Phoenix
_ Votes Missed: 153, 73.2 percent

Ken Cheuvront
_ Party: Democrat
_ City: Phoenix
_ Votes Missed: 139, 66.5 percent
_ Explanation: Scheduled work trips anticipating a 100-day session.

Richard Miranda
_ Party: Democrat
_ City: Phoenix
_ Votes Missed: 90, 43.1 percent

Rebecca Rios
_ Party: Democrat
_ City: Apache Junction
_ Votes Missed: 63, 30.1 percent
_ Explanation: Traveled to Washington in late June to lobby for jobs in her district.

Amanda Aguirre
_ Party: Democrat
_ City: Yuma
_ Votes Missed: 58, 27.8 percent
_ Explanation: Busy meeting with constituents and local governments in home district.

Albert Hale
_ Party: Democrat
_ City: Window Rock
_ Votes Missed: 55, 26.3 percent
_ Explanation: Had to return to work and couldn’t accommodate the commute past the time he set aside for the session.

Paula Aboud
_ Party: Democrat
_ City: Tucson
_ Votes Missed: 44, 21.1 percent
_ Explanation: Faulted Senate leadership for failing to communicate adequately about votes.

John Nelson
_ Party: Republican
_ City: Glendale
_ Votes Missed: 42, 20.1 percent
_ Explanation: Fell asleep during late-night sessions and couldn’t stay in session late into the night.