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Friday, March 29, 2024

Goddard makes third bid for Arizona governor

Terry Goddard (D)

Jan Brewer (R)

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Legal Newsline)-Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard on Monday officially kicked of his campaign for governor, calling for tax increases to help the state make ends meet amid a decline in revenues.

Goddard, the former mayor of Phoenix who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, said a bevy of tax loopholes ought to be closed so the state can preserve schools' finding and money for vital services.

He said such things country club memberships and elective cosmetic surgeries should be taxed in the Grand Canyon State, it was reported.

"Bottom line, what I'm proposing is a different process and that I believe is critically important for getting Arizona out of this mess," Goddard was quoted by The Associated Press as saying.

Goddard, 63, was first elected attorney general in 2002 and reelected in 2006. He has twice unsuccessfully run for governor. He officially declared his candidacy Jan. 22 but delayed his kickoff tour until after his recent qualification for public campaign funding.

The attorney general served as Phoenix mayor from 1984 to 1990. His father, Samuel Goddard Jr., was Arizona governor from 1965 to 1967.

Also seeking the Democratic nomination is former congressional aide Miguel Olivas. On the Republican side, Gov. Jan Brewer faces multiple primary challengers, including state Treasurer Dean Martin, attorney John Munger and businessman Buz Mills.

Brewer became the state's chief executive after Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano in January 2009 became U.S. secretary of homeland security for President Barack Obama's administration.

As Arizona secretary of state, Brewer was the first in line to succeed Napolitano.

From Legal Newsline: Reach staff reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.

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