Jim Pederson

DENVER -- There was little doubt Arizona's delegates to the Democratic National Convention would profess enthusiasm for Gov. Janet Napolitano's prime time speech before in front of the convention, and, as expected, the accolades poured in from Arizonans on the convention floor.

"Governor Napolitano is a clear, engaging speaker," said delegate Kate Widland, who became the fiancee of fellow delegate Ruben Gallego when he proposed to her on the floor of the convention. "It's obvious why she was given a prime time speaking slot."

Napolitano was an early endorser of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), who is scheduled to accept the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday. Despite being mentioned as a potential vice presidential pick, the governor maintains that she has not spoken with Obama about what opportunities might exist for her in an Obama administration.

DNC Chair Howard DeanDENVER -- The Arizona Democratic Party received high praise from Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, who addressed Arizona's Democratic National Convention delegates Monday. He also discussed strategy, saying the party was going to compete for rural votes and imploring Arizona Democrats to "develop relationships" with voters instead of simply pushing candidates.

Dean spoke glowingly of how the Arizona Democratic Party had flourished under former chairman Jim Pederson, calling the job he did "incredible."

"The state parties were in bad shape," recalled Dean of his impression when he took over leadership of the Democratic Party, "but there were three that were in really good shape, and one was Arizona, thanks to Pederson."

Last week the Maricopa County Republican Committee Executive Guidance Council decided to get involved in the LD18 senate primary after it was learned Republican Kevin Gibbons had received $1,500 in campaign contributions from former Democrat Party Chairman Jim Pederson and his family.  The County Chairman of the MCRC, Tom Husband encouraged Gibbons to give the donations back to Pederson.

CQ Politics has a list of the top 10 campaign committees with outstanding debt.  Coming in at number seven on the list is Arizona’s own Jim Pederson.  Pederson still has $2,532,972 in campaign debt from his 2006 US Senate bid against Jon Kyl.  Under FEC regulations a candidate cannot close their committee until all debts have a repayment agreement approved by the Commission.  Pederson’s debt is from personal loans he made to the campaign during his election.