Posted on 07/30/2005 2:57:08 PM PDT by RWR8189
PHOENIX -- A Phoenix area Republican is hoping to parlay his family name and GOP roots into becoming the state's next governor. Don Goldwater confirmed Friday he is seeking his party's nomination to challenge Democratic incumbent Janet Napolitano. Goldwater has planned announcements Tuesday in Sun City, Phoenix and Tucson.
Goldwater, the nephew of former U.S. Senator and presidential hopeful Barry Goldwater, has been active in state party politics for years. He heads the GOP committee for his legislative district and has been a delegate to the Republican National Convention.
He is joining what could become a crowded field that already includes a former state Senate president, with the current Senate president, the U.S. surgeon general, a state representative and the wife of a former vice president candidate all potential contenders.
The 50-year-old resident of Laveen, an unincorporated community on the southwest edge of Phoenix, is little known outside the party.
That, however, may not be a problem, according to pollster Bruce Merrill.
"I wouldn't bet against Goldwater, just because of the name," said Merrill, who also is a professor of journalism and mass communications at Arizona State University. "The name is obviously golden in Arizona, particularly among the party people."
Nathan Sproul, a political consultant who works with Republicans, said the nature of statewide campaigns actually would give Goldwater an advantage.
That's because most of the candidates are likely to run with public funds. That stems from what happened in 2002 to Republican Matt Salmon, where his status as a privately financed candidate actually worked against him: Any funds he spent -- or spend by others on his behalf -- resulted in matching state dollars given to Napolitano.
This coming election, gubernatorial candidates will have $453,845 to spend during the primary cycle.
"In a publicly financed campaign, which is what it's shaping up to be, somebody with the name 'Goldwater' is going to start with an advantage," Sproul said.
There are more than a million registered Republicans. Sproul said even if only 300,000 likely voters are targeted, that still leaves each candidate with only about $1.50 for each person targeted.
"So anybody with a name that people recognize is going to start with some advantages," he said.
Merrill, who conducts surveys for KAET-TV, the Phoenix area PBS affiliate, agreed. "When you have three, four, five people running in the primary ... I wouldn't bet against Goldwater, just for the name," he said.
But Merrill noted that there is a potential downside for Goldwater: Many of the conservatives within the party became increasingly disenchanted with his uncle as the senator took positions in favor of a woman's right to have an abortion as well as gay rights -- including the ability of gays to serve in the military.
Sen. Carolyn Allen, R-Scottsdale, said the Goldwater name will help even though his uncle has been out of the U.S. Senate for nearly two decades and died in 1998. But Allen said she's not sure that will translate into getting the GOP nomination, much less the governor's office.
"He'd better be able to have a following past a name," she said. "He'd better be able to articulate what he chooses to do and how he's going to set himself apart from the governor we have now."
Goldwater declined Friday to talk about his platform or his views on any of the issues, saying that will have to wait until Tuesday's announcements.
The GOP field already includes former Senate President John Greene. Ken Bennett, a Prescott Republican who currently holds that post, has said he is weighing a bid.
Richard Carmona, the U.S. surgeon general also is being courted by some party officials to enter the race, especially because of his Pima County roots and his Hispanic heritage, both of which would undercut some sources of Napolitano support. Carmona, who actually is registered as an independent, has refused to comment.
Also exploring the race is Marilyn Quayle, wife of former Vice President Dan Quayle. Although the couple lived in Indiana when he was in Congress, the Quayle family has a home in Arizona.
And state Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, who earlier had taken himself out of consideration, now is considering his own political options.
Will he be like the uncle? Barry G. started out conservative and died a liberal.
Thought you might be interested in this Goldwater thread. ;-)
AuH2O was more libertarian than liberal.
Goldwater seemed less a Conservative as he was a Libertarian. His position on abortion and his rage at Reagan (for "taking over" the mantle of the Conservative movement) were large black spots on his record. This country would've been better off, however, if he had been elected President in '64.
At the moment, I'm leaning towards Ken Bennett. He seems the solid Conservative in the lineup. Carmona is interesting, but he's got some problems (namely, IIRC, it was found out that for most of his adult life, he never voted). If Marilyn Quayle is serious, I could be persuaded to support her (but she and Dan should NEVER have left Indiana, as they both could've rescued the state from Bayh & O'Bannon). Goldwater, of course, we know zilch about.
Local GOP Party and Club officials here in S. Arizona, people who are also FReepers, have met and are impressed with Don Goldwater.
That already has put him above any other candidates as far as I'm concerned.
What are his positions ? Is he pro-life ?
Giuseppe Fong ?
I've been told that yes, he is pro-life. I posted a thread on this yesterday, I believe, and some of his positions were stated there...hold on a sec...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1453388/posts
And here is one of the relevant comments:
FReeper Spiff said:
Don is about the most conservative Republican Party member you'll ever meet. He is strongly pro-life. You will see all the conservative organizations roll out to endorse him very quickly. While the Goldwater Institute has "libertarian leanings" according to KVOA channel 4, Goldwater is 100% conservative Republican. You'll see. He rocks!
OK, that sounds good so far. How old is Mr. Goldwater ?
Whoops, nevermind. It says he's 50.
Ken Bennett has not yet decided to run, though a decision will be coming soon. Ironically, the Goldwater name has positive repercussions with many liberals now, which could help Don Goldwater in the general, should he win the primary.
One name that I'm surprised hasn't been circulated for running for office is Bob Fannin (Paul's son). I know he's been serving as State GOP Chair. It's too bad we couldn't sack McCain in favor of Fannin. His dad was probably one of the best Senators ever to serve.
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