GOP candidate for state treasurer calls for transparency

A businessman running for state treasurer says Arizona needs a fiscal conservative who would make state finances more transparent so voters could be more informed and demand greater political accountability.

Republican Doug Ducey quickly admits that he's a newcomer to politics, but he stresses how that fact may be in the voters' best interest.

“My background is in the private sector. I have no political experience,” Ducey told the Yuma Sun during a Wednesday visit to Yuma. “But I'm not beholden to anyone at the state Capitol or beholden to any of the failed decisions of the past.”

Ducey co-owned the Cold Stone Creamery corporation for 11 years, overseeing 1,444 stores in all 50 states and 10 foreign nations. He sold the company in 2007. Ducey now serves as chairman and lead investor for a Scottsdale-based company that transforms old home movies and photos into digital formats that can be viewed on computers and phones.

His candidacy for state treasurer marks his first attempt to hold public office.

Ducey explains he was inspired to join the political realm by the “growing frustration and disappointment” he felt as a businessman watching mishandling of the state's finances.

“I thought some business thinking and some private sector background and financial background would add some value at the state Capitol, to get involved and be part of the solution. I want to get the budget balanced, bring solutions to state government and get us growing and moving forward as a state again.”

Also at the top of his platform stands his plan to make Arizona's financial information more available and more understandable for voters.

“I want to bring complete clarity to the state's finances,” Ducey said. “I think if people could really understand how spending breaks down in K-12 education ... or corrections, they will be able to apply the proper pressure on the Legislature and governor to make sound business decisions.”

He stressed that Arizona's current financial woes were “very avoidable.”

“To think of where we are as a state after 15 years of incredible growth, the fact we had a $2.6 billion surplus in 2006 and $1 billion in the rainy day fund and today we're insolvent as a state.

“It's just a cardinal sin from a business standpoint. If we were a company, we would have to hang out the bankruptcy sign.”