Popular Tucson radio host, James T. Harris, of 104.1 The Truth broke the news today that Tucson City Councilman Steve Kozachik has decided that he is finally changing his party registration to Democrat. Tucson republicans have been urging the move for over a year, as Kozachik’s behavior has become more erratic.
Kozachik, who will unlikely win in a Republican Primary announced the move in an open letter to the public.
Former friend and supporter, Jon Justice, who has the morning drive time show on 104.1 The Truth, took credit for Kozachik’s move. For years, Kozachik appeared on Justice’s show nearly every Friday morning and gained popularity through it. Justice refused to have him on after a “stab in the back” of conservatives by Kozachik.
Justice said that the show hadn’t changed since Kozachik first appeared, but it appears that with at least one primary opponent, Kozachik is forced to run as a Democrat. Justice said that “we wouldn’t have thrown our support behind him if he wasn’t what he said he was, but he changed.”
State Senator Frank Antenori said he was “glad that Steve found one shred of integrity left and admitted what we have all known all along – that he is a progressive Democrat and not a Republican of any kind. Even with that remaining shred of integrity, Kozachik could still claim that the republicans changed. He stabbed those conservatives, those Tea Party members and the rest who worked so hard for him to get elected and he did so as only a Benedict Arnold could.”
According to republican sources, two well-funded Republicans and at least one Independent are considering a run against Kozachik in upcoming ward 6 race.