Arizona Gubernatorial Alert

Those of you who live in Arizona know that we have a very important gubernatorial election coming up. Currently we are being served by former Secretary of Sate Jan Brewer (R), who replaced Janet Napolitano (D) after Napolitano was appointed by President Obama to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

While we do have some time before the Arizona Republican primary which takes place on September 7, 2010, it is never too early to get acquainted with your choices. At this time Governor Brewer has not committed to seeking reelection. Other names being discussed for the Republican ticket are many and include such prominent figures as Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Congressman Jeff Flake, and former Congressman J. D. Hayworth. A more complete list of possible Republican and Democratic party candidates can be found on the "Our Campaigns" website.

Today I heard a radio advertisement for John Munger and was intrigued, so I checked out his website. I must say I am impressed by his resume. He has experience as a former State Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, a former member of the Republican National Committee, and former Pima County Republican Chairman. Munger also served as Co-Chairman of the McCain for President, Arizona Campaign, a position that both impresses me and concerns me. Currently he is Chairman of ImagineArizona, a Political Action Committee with a mission to promote policies based on creating dynamic economic growth through the empowerment of free people and limited government.

Speaking of policies and economic growth, I also am impressed by his ideas as he states them on his website, and believe that he may be the right person at the right time, given our current economic situation in both Arizona and America.

Regarding taxes, his website states that "Rather than increasing taxes, we must reduce or eliminate the corporate income tax ( which is higher than almost any other state in our region) and completely eliminate our Personal Property Tax on Business Equipment (which most of the states in our region do not charge) to finally make Arizona competitive for small investment and the creation of real jobs for real Arizona families. In addition we must eliminate Arizona capital gains tax in order to encourage investment of new job creation here in Arizona."

On the border and immigration, his policy is that "We must immediately declare war on the cartels, marshall, train, and equip Arizona’s own interjurisdictional crime task force to attack the cartels anywhere we find them, drive them from our state, and secure our borders where the Feds will not."

Munger has great ideas about the development of our highway system that do not involve government and taxes; instead he maps out a plan in which private corporations fund the development of highways. "Private companies stand ready to invest their own money to build those four lanes of road, from Tucson to Flagstaff, and would employ Arizona workers, equipment, and materials to do it. The four lanes would be built in about 3 years, and would be built and maintained according to state standards and then turned over to the state in roughly 30 years, free and clear. Arizonan, including truckers, could drive either on the public road for free and pay a small fee to drive on the toll lanes. Your choice. But safety and speed of movement would be enhanced in any event."

On his website, he describes why he is running for governor by asking "Where is Arizona going?" His answer, in part, tells me that he very much understands the issues this state faces as I see them. He continues by stating "Frankly, the universal answer I have heard from virtually all Arizonans is: “I don’t know.” Universally, after far too many years of drifting government, led by professional politicians with little real experience, and directed only by Crisis Management, with government responding only at the last moment of crisis, Arizonans have watched in frustration as jobs and businesses disappear, our education system fails our children, a water shortage looms on the horizon, our transportation system totters, all while government has grown at twice the combined rater of inflation plus population growth for the last many years."

I must admit, I am a bit biased toward J. D. Hayworth, and should he choose to run he would probably have my vote in a minute. However, I also believe that Hayworth is serving the people of Phoenix and Arizona in a very important capacity in his current position as a talk show host for AM 550 KFYI. He keeps us informed of issues both local and national with an insight that not many can offer.

Hayworth has also openly discussed running in 2010 for the Senate seat currently occupied by John McCain, and I believe his previous experience in Washington combined with his current understanding of the issues at home would provide great representation, but there he's only one of one hundred.

If you are a resident of Arizona and are concerned about the future of our state I hope you take some time to learn about John Munger, as I believe he certainly is worthy of serious consideration.