Flagstaff celebrates Halloween with Downtown Trick-or-Treat Trail

Nearly 45 Flagstaff businesses handed out candy during the Downtown Trick-or-Treat Trail event Monday to local trick-or-treaters.

Title: Vote Because Blake Masters is a Risk Northern Arizona Can’t Afford

Author: Aubrey Sonderegger

There is so much at stake for Northern Arizona in this year’s midterm elections — up and down the ballot. The right to an abortion, tax cuts for families, protecting seniors’ Social Security, the fight against climate change. Even our very democracy. It’s all on the line and every vote could make the difference.

It’s possible that nowhere is the difference between two candidates more stark than the US Senate race where Arizonans face a choice between re-electing Senator Mark Kelly — an astronaut, a Navy combat veteran, and a pragmatic leader who has delivered so much for our state over the last two years — and Blake Masters — a dangerous politician with beliefs and opinions that just don’t represent Arizona.

If Blake Masters is elected, he would do irreparable harm to our communities. He’s said he wants to completely ban abortion in America, even calling to “punish the doctors” who help women get the care they need. And here’s the thing — not only does that horrible idea hurt women, but it’s also not who we are as Arizonans. In Arizona, we all agree that women deserve the right to make our own choices, including the right to a safe and legal abortion. Senator Mark Kelly has pledged to defend our rights to privacy and medical care.

Masters has also called for slashing Social Security, saying word for word, we need to “cut the knot” and privatize the program, even though it would devastate seniors who rely on Social Security to make ends meet, at a time when costs are already too high For many people living on a fixed income, we just can’t afford to have that taken away. Senator Kelly will support the social services we have been promised by our government.

I’ve lived in Northern Arizona for 11 years and I’ve never been so concerned about the candidates we are being presented with. Words matter, and if you ask me, Blake Masters’ rhetoric proves that he’s simply unfit to serve. He called abortion “demonic.” He blamed gun violence in this country on “Black people.” He called World War II “unjust” and called the Holocaust a “hot-button issue.”

And unfortunately, Masters is just the tip of a very large, conspiracy theory laden spear. Mark Finchem, a vehement election denier, is running for Secretary of State so he can run all of Arizona’s elections. Kari Lake, a right-wing devotee of Donald Trump with no governing experience, would like to be your next governor. Every Republican candidate on your ticket represents the most dangerously extreme fact of a radicalized party. But you have a choice. Democrats like Mark Kelly, Tom O’Halleran, Katie Hobbs and Adrian Fontes offer a return to sanity and stability. These Democrats have pledged to lead on issues that matter to the people of Arizona, not in the interest of big corporations or political power. And they are committed to defending a system of democracy in which all of our voices can be heard.

We deserve so much better than these radical Republicans, and that’s why it is so important that we show up for this election and reject them and their dangerous agenda. We all need to vote and vote early.

No matter what the fringe conspiracy theorists like Blake Masters say, Arizonans have voted with our safe and secure Early Voting system for decades. Republicans and Democrats agree that we do elections well in Arizona. That’s why 90% of Arizonans vote early, and you should too.

Blake Masters has no business representing Arizona in the Senate, but races will be close and there is no doubt that every vote will matter this year. So make sure you make your voice heard and encourage all of your friends and family to do the same. It’s simple: Republicans like Blake Masters are a risk we can’t afford, so let’s get out the vote and send Democrats like Mark Kelly — a true leader who will work with anyone to get the jobs done — back to the Senate to keep fighting for Arizona. The choice is strong, make sure you are voting for the world you want to live in.

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Mickie Shannon, dressed as Ursula, smiles down at Evelyn Brown, dressed as the Little Mermaid, Monday afternoon as they make their way to the next candy stop during the Downtown Trick-or-Treat Trail. Nearly 45 local businesses handed out candy during the event to trick-or-treaters.

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Erin Costelloe (left) and Aubry Shkolnik walk down Aspen Avenue Monday afternoon dressed as angels to collect some candy during the Downtown Trick-or-Treat Trail.

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Everly, Danielle, and Easton decide which way to go before they cross Leroux Street Monday afternoon during the Downtown Trick-or-Treat Trail. Nearly 45 local businesses handed out candy during the event to trick-or-treaters.

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Juniper, River and Melissa Dohse look up the road as they cross Aspen Avenue Monday afternoon during the Downtown Trick-or-Treat Trail.

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Darth Maul and Maleficent cross Aspen Avenue Monday afternoon during the Downtown Trick-or-Treat Trail.

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

A young girl collects candy Monday afternoon outside of Alejandro’s in Heritage square during the Downtown Trick-or-Treat Trail event in which downtown businesses handed out candy to costumed trick-or-treaters.

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

A young boy dressed in a dinosaur costume plays with the Jenga blocks Monday afternoon in Heritage Square during the downtown Trick or Treat Trail in which nearly 45 businesses handed out candy to trick-or-treaters.

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

A Spiderman-Dinosaur crosses Aspen Avenue Monday afternoon during the Downtown Trick-or-Treat Trail. Nearly 45 local businesses handed out candy during the event to trick-or-treaters.



Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Mickie Shannon, dressed as Ursula, smiles down at Evelyn Brown, dressed as the Little Mermaid, Monday afternoon as they make their way to the next candy stop during the Downtown Trick-or-Treat Trail. Nearly 45 local businesses handed out candy during the event to trick-or-treaters.



Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Erin Costelloe (left) and Aubry Shkolnik walk down Aspen Avenue Monday afternoon dressed as angels to collect some candy during the Downtown Trick-or-Treat Trail.



Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Everly, Danielle, and Easton decide which way to go before they cross Leroux Street Monday afternoon during the Downtown Trick-or-Treat Trail. Nearly 45 local businesses handed out candy during the event to trick-or-treaters.



Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Juniper, River and Melissa Dohse look up the road as they cross Aspen Avenue Monday afternoon during the Downtown Trick-or-Treat Trail.



Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Darth Maul and Maleficent cross Aspen Avenue Monday afternoon during the Downtown Trick-or-Treat Trail.



Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

A young girl collects candy Monday afternoon outside of Alejandro’s in Heritage square during the Downtown Trick-or-Treat Trail event in which downtown businesses handed out candy to costumed trick-or-treaters.



Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

A young boy dressed in a dinosaur costume plays with the Jenga blocks Monday afternoon in Heritage Square during the downtown Trick or Treat Trail in which nearly 45 businesses handed out candy to trick-or-treaters.



Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

Downtown Trick or Treat Trail

A Spiderman-Dinosaur crosses Aspen Avenue Monday afternoon during the Downtown Trick-or-Treat Trail. Nearly 45 local businesses handed out candy during the event to trick-or-treaters.

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