They know many voters don't understand what the mine inspector does, or why it's an elected position.
They know it's a relatively low-paid administrative job - $50,000 per year - overseeing an agency with only about a dozen employees and a tiny budget of $1.2 million.
Still, incumbent Joe Hart and challenger Manuel Cruz are managing a spirited statewide campaign for the mine inspector's position, drawing distinctions on a few issues as they drive from forum to forum.
Hart, a Republican, is an unabashed promoter of the mining industry who publicly supports the Rosemont copper mine proposed for the Santa Rita Mountains southeast of Tucson.
An employee of the Duval copper mine near Kingman for more than 20 years, Hart likes to say of his four children: "Not one of them has a student loan due to the mining industry."
People are also reading…
"If the mine inspector can't advocate for mining in the state of Arizona, then who can?" he said in an interview Friday.
Cruz, a Democrat, said that as inspector he would have more of an arm's-length relationship with the industry. He takes a neutral stand on the Rosemont mine and doesn't think the mine inspector should publicly take a position.
Having a close relationships with the industry, he said, "keeps you from being objective to the duties."
"I don't think that's the job of the mine inspector."
The main duties of the mine inspector's office are:
• Conducting mine inspections.
• Conducting safety training.
• Approving or rejecting land-reclamation plans by mining companies.
• Dealing with the perhaps 10,000 abandoned mines through education programs, fencing and filling.
Asked about his main accomplishments as mine inspector, Hart cited the "Stay out, stay alive" education campaign intended to teach children to keep away from abandoned mines.
The department also has been able to have about 200 mines filled during his term, Hart said, but he said that isn't enough. The difficulty in doing more comes in finding out who is responsible for each mine, he said. The office's top priority is to fill abandoned mines on state land.
In 2008, Hart proposed filling old mine shafts with used tires, millions of which the state had seized from a recycler. A state Senate committee rejected the plan because of concerns over fires and water pollution.
Cruz also labeled as inadequate the number of mines filled during Hart's term and criticized the tire proposal. Cruz is proposing an "Adopt-a-mine" program to accelerate the process of filling mines. Under the program, individuals or other outside contributors could give money to have a mine filled, and the Mine Inspector's Office would oversee the project, he said.
Filling abandoned mines can cost anywhere from $200 to more than $1,000 each, Cruz said.
The Mine Inspector's Office has the power to levy fines against mining companies for violating safety regulations, but Hart said he prefers not to use that power - to be the inspectors in the "white hats."
"We don't make any big huge fines to people who have infractions," Hart said. "We're not punitive."
The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, which also regulates miners' working conditions, is "extremely punitive," Hart said.
Cruz said he would like to increase safety inspections at mines, but that possibility is limited by the state's budget crisis. The office's budget dropped from $1.6 million to $1.2 million during Hart's term, Hart said.
Cruz is running as a Clean Elections candidate - a decision that Hart called financially irresponsible during this period of budget crisis.
Hart is funding his own campaign and has received thousands of dollars in donations from mining-industry groups, lobbyists and executives. For example, Jamie Sturgess, a vice president at Rosemont, has contributed at least $600. Other contributors include the Freeport-McMoRan Political Action Committee, the Rio Tinto America PAC, the Arizona Portland Cement PAC and the Arizona Rock Products Association.
Hart, a Kingman resident and native, also owns three radio and television stations in Northwestern Arizona and said he counts musicians such as Charlie Daniels as friends.
Cruz, who lives in Glendale, has five children and resigned from his job as a blasting engineer to run for the office, he said.
"Most people who qualify don't want to run," he said. "The pay's too low."
On StarNet: Find more profiles of 2010 ballot propositions and other election news at azstarnet.com/election
Meet the candidates
Joe Hart
• Running for: State mine inspector.
• Party: Republican.
• Age: 66.
• Occupation: Owner, three radio stations, three low-power TV stations.
• Education: Some community college, mining certificates.
• Past elected offices: Mine inspector. State representative, 10 years.
• Civic activities: Committee for Interstate 11, the Kingsmen (organized Kingman rodeo), Arizona Cattlemen's Association.
• Top endorsements: Gov. Jan. Brewer, Sen. John McCain, Sen. Jon Kyl.
• Top priority: Maintain the office at the current size or increase it.
• Web address: www.hart formineinspector.com/
Manuel Cruz
• Running for: State mine inspector.
• Party: Democratic.
• Age: 43.
• Occupation: Resigned as blasting engineer to run for office.
• Education: Glendale Community College, blasting certificate from Austin Powder Co.
• Past elected offices: None.
• Civic activities: Cesar Chavez program in Phoenix area, Sierra Club.
• Top endorsements: AFL-CIO, mine-safety professionals.
• Top priority: Mine-safety training and closing down abandoned mines.
• Web address: www.cruz forarizona.com/
Contact reporter Tim Steller at 807-8427 or at tsteller@azstarnet.com
