PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) – Arizona Treasurer Doug Ducey beat out a crowded filed of Republicans Tuesday to earn his party’s nomination to replace retiring Gov. Jan Brewer.
With 99.8 percent of the precincts reporting, Ducey, who is the former CEO of Cold Stone Creamery, had collected more than 161,000 votes for 37 percent of the total vote.
His closest competitor, Scott Smith, netted 21.6 percent of the total vote.
Following the news of his victory, Ducey tweeted: “As the Republican nominee I will keep giving this race the best that is in me, and I will earn the vote by showing the best that is in (Arizona).”
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, chairman of the Republican Governors Association, released the following statement in regards to Ducey’s win: “Arizona has long been a state that gains its strength from common-sense state capital leadership, and Doug Ducey is the right candidate to continue that tradition as governor.”
An anti-abortion candidate, Ducey has built his campaign platform on promises of securing the border, fighting Obamacare and reducing government waste and spending.
He will face Democrat Fred DuVal, former director of intergovernmental affairs under President Bill Clinton, in the general election.
In the other state primary races, Republican Attorney General Tom Horne lost to Mark Brnovich by a 53-47 percent margin.
Horne has been embattled with allegations of campaign finance violations over the use of his office and staffers in his campaign.
Brnovich will face Democrat Felecia Rotellini, who ran unopposed, in the general election.
Reach David Yates at elections@legalnewsline.com
Former Cold Stone CEO wins GOP nod in Ariz. gov. race
