Senator, Arizona State Senate, District 1, 2023-2025

Candidate, Arizona State Senate, District 1, 2024

Candidate, Governor of Arizona, 2018

Candidate, United States House of Representatives, Arizona, District 1, 2016

Secretary of State, State of Arizona, 2009-2015

Candidate, Arizona State Governor, 2014

Appointed, Secretary of State, State of Arizona, January 2009

Senator, Arizona State Senate, 1999-2007

President, Arizona State Senate, 2003-2006

President/Member, Arizona State Board of Education, 1992-1999

Member, Prescott City Council, 1985-1989

Vice Mayor, City of Prescott, 1988

Former Member, Appropriations Committee, Arizona State Senate

Former Chair, Education Committee, Arizona State Senate

Former Vice Chair, Elections Committee, Arizona State Senate

Former Member, Joint Committee on Capital Review, Arizona State Senate

Former Member, Joint Legislative Budget Committee, Arizona State Senate

Board Member, Arizona State Board of Education, 1992-1999

Board Member, Arizona State Charter Schools Board, 1995-1999

Member, Governor's Task Force on Education Reform, 1991-1992

Employee, Executive Office, Arizona Supreme Court, present

Board Chair, Global Building Systems, Incorporated, present

Chief Financial Officer, Bennett Oil Company, 2017-2023

Board of Directors, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, 2009-2019

Director of Public Relations, SDB Contracting Services, 2015-2016

Chief Executive Officer/Board Member, Bennett Oil Company, 1984-2006

Missionary, Southern Japan, 1978-1980

Member, Phoenix Rotary 100, 2015-present

Board of Directors, Boy Scouts of America - Grand Canyon Council, 2013-present

Board Member, Western Regional Medical Center, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, 2009-present

Founder/Former Director, Education Leaders Council, 1995-present

Member, Board of Directors, EMTA Corporation, present

Member, Eagle Scouts, present

Board Chair, Energy Tech America, present

Member, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, present

Former Volunteer, Big Brothers and Big Sisters

Scout Master, Boy Scouts of America, 1993-1998

Member, Arizona State Charter Schools Board, 1994-1996

Coach, Prescott Little League, 1989-1995

Director, Prescott Chamber of Commerce, 1991-1993

Board of Directors, Prescott Chamber of Commerce, 1989-1991

Number of Grandchildren:

4

Reason for Seeking Public Office:

Why I'm Running for Governor

Growing up I was taught that leadership and service are the same thing:

The most important qualification for leadership is knowing how to really serve someone.

I'm running for Governor because I want to do what I can to help.

A Heritage of Service

My parents and grandparents lived their lives this way. They supported our family, and the families of their employees, by the small businesses they started and ran. I eventually became one of those employees, driving fuel tankers from Prescott to Phoenix when I was 18.

After a church mission in Japan, an accounting degree from ASU and marrying my beautiful wife Jeanne, I returned to Prescott and began my work in the private sector, primarily as a CEO. The values I learned from nearly 30 years there, and from a long tenure of public service, taught me what it takes to make communities into better places to live, work, and raise a family.

Public Service, an honor and a privilege

Starting public service on the Prescott City Council, I learned the critical role of local government. Jeanne and I saw the need for improved education as our children entered the school system. I volunteered for a task force on education that eventually led to an appointment on the State Board of Education. Being exposed to more of the issues affecting Arizonans, we ran under the "Bennett for Senate" slogan, where I spent eight years as a State Senator, the last four as Senate President.

As the current Secretary of State, I see many Arizonans come through my office, struggling to keep their businesses alive, and their homes out of foreclosure. The last four or five years have been very tough on all of us. Hundreds of thousands of jobs were lost, and although we have now seen nearly half of those return, I want to see Arizona thrive, not just survive. A strong, growing economy is the best chance we have of ensuring that the next generation has a better quality of life than their parents and grandparents.

People, Not Politics

To put it simply, I want to be a part of something that actually helps Arizonans live better lives. In the early pioneering days of Arizona, the unreliable flow of water in our rivers nearly crippled the early Arizonans' way of life. Rather than blaming someone else, or waiting for someone else to fix the problem, they met the challenge head-on by building the Salt River Project, which now brings millions of gallons of water and ample electricity to our citizens.

That story inspires me, and reminds me that people, not politics, solve problems. Whether it's revamping the economy, ensuring kids receive the education they need, or dealing with growing health care issues, we need to remember that it's not only our future that is at stake, but the future of the next generation.

Moving Forward

All parents want their children to have the opportunity to live their lives the best they can. That's what I want for my family, and for the people who live in this great state. I'm very optimistic about the future of Arizona. I think that when we do the things that help our economy grow, we have the best chance of leaving a better Arizona for the next generation.