Ariz. State Treasurer: Doug Ducey

Name: Doug Ducey

Age: 46

Hometown: Paradise Valley, AZ

Office running for: State Treasurer

Political experience: none

Family: Wife, Angela; Three sons, Jack (13), Joe (11), Sam (7)

Party: Republican

Please describe your platform:

If elected, I will focus on three priorities: 1) being a prudent manager of the state’s finances, 2) bringing openness and clarity to Arizona’s finances so that all citizens know how government is spending our money, and 3) working with the governor to help create private-sector jobs.

If elected, what is your first priority?

The primary role of the Treasurer is to be a good and prudent manager of the state’s money and investments. The Treasurer’s most critical role is that of fiduciary to the taxpayer.

Who do you think is your biggest challenger and why?

My biggest challenger is my Democrat opponent because he is the other major party nominee.

What do you think sets you apart from your opponent(s)?

I am a businessman, not a Washington political insider. As CEO of Cold Stone Creamery, I led the expansion of the company from a handful of stores to over 1,440 stores worldwide. I know what it takes to create jobs and to build a healthy business climate in Arizona.

What would you do to achieve more transparency in government, and should government officials be in charge of managing those efforts?

I will improve the AZ Checkbooks website that our current Treasurer has started by taking the data available on the site and turning it into easily searchable and understandable information. This will bring openness and clarity to Arizona’s finances so that all citizens know how government is spending our money.

Public notices are regarded as one important way for the public to find out what is really happening in government. Newspapers currently not only print public notices but also operate a free, consolidated, online, searchable database. Some people advocate that public notices should be available only on government websites. Do you agree that the Legislature should change the current law to mandate that public notices be available only on government websites.

I do not believe that the Legislature should mandate that public notices be available only on government websites.  We want as many means of communicating with citizens as possible to ensure they’re informed about important events.

What do you think is the biggest challenge right now facing Yumans, and Arizonans?

From my conversations with Yumans and folks all around the state, the economy and job creation are the biggest challenges.

What would you do, if elected, to help change that?

I’m a businessman. I know how entrepreneurs think, and I know about creating jobs. I’ll bring that experience and work with whomever is our next governor to help create both a healthy business climate in Arizona and good, private-sector jobs.

What is one of your strength? Weaknesses (something you’d like to improve upon)?

My greatest strength is leadership.  I have an ability to bring people together; to get them to support a common vision; and to get the job done.

Probably my greatest weakness is impatience.  I tend to make decisions quickly, and can sometimes get frustrated when others don’t move with the same speed that I do.  I’m getting better in this regard, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement.

What is one thing that you want voters to know?

I’ve had a long and successful career creating jobs in the private sector, and I’d like to bring some new energy and a different perspective to government.  We’ve got to get Arizona’s economy moving again, and I think I can help.