The 2010 race for the governor’s office in Arizona could be dominated by conservatives upset at the way Gov. Brewer has handled the state’s economic crisis.

According to Secretary of State Ken Bennett’s office, six candidates have filed paperwork to run in 2010 for the state’s highest office.

The candidates include former Republican state Sen. Karen Johnson, Libertarian candidate and Goldwater Institute cofounder Roy Miller, Tempe Independent Janelle Wood, Republican candidate Timothy Willis of Congress, Ariz.; Phoenix-based accountant and Republican candidate Hugh Kealer; and John Paul Mitchell, a Sun City Independent who works as a call-center manager for Discover Card.

All of the candidates who have registered thus far identify themselves as fiscal conservatives. They are part of a growing chorus of state conservatives unhappy with many of Gov. Brewer’s policies, particularly her calls for a temporary tax increase.

“People are losing their homes, they’re losing their jobs,” Johnson said. “And you want to increase their taxes?”

Johnson is not alone in her criticism of the governor. Other conservatives say they filed for candidacy because they were upset with the governor’s plan to raise taxes during the recession.

Miller said his candidacy is simply a political statement.

“To be perfectly frank, my announcement is a protest against the proposed tax increase,” Miller said. “I would back out if any notable Republican who opposes the tax increase would enter the race.”

But other candidates have no such plans. The field now includes two political novices — Mitchell and Kealer, who say they are ready to bring change to the Capitol.

Mitchell said there are plenty of other ways to fund the deficit without burdening taxpayers. If elected governor, he said he would invest public money into private enterprises, such as entertainment venues, that would help generate revenue. This would allow the government to fund programs reasonably without an increase in taxes, he said.

“I think it’s going to be quite revolutionary,” Mitchell said. “I would like to take government funds and invest them in economically stimulating [private] projects.”

The candidates’ similarities end with their disdain for Brewer’s tax policy. Each seems to have different views on other issues facing the state, such as education and border violence.

Kealer said the Legislature needs to find areas other than education to cut from the budget. The universities in particular, he said, are important to the state’s economic growth.

“We’re cutting costs in education. We can’t afford that,” Kealer said. “What about some of these other programs? We spend a lot of money on welfare every year.”

Johnson criticized the University and President Michael Crow for what she believes is extravagant spending on expansion. Johnson, unlike Kealer, said she favors further cuts to the state’s universities.

“I’m absolutely for [the cuts]. Michael Crow has built himself a little kingdom,” Johnson said. “We’ve got ASU satellites all over Maricopa County, and I don’t think ASU needs them.”

Wood declined to comment on her candidacy, saying she is not yet ready to speak publicly about it, and Willis could not be reached for comment.

Willis’ blog, however, shows a political temperament similar to Kealer and Mitchell — an Arizona everyman upset with Brewer for asking citizens to vote on a temporary tax increase.

“I suggest that the new governor should spend several months responsibly slashing the budget before she mentions raising taxes again,” Willis posted on Jan. 12.

No Democrats have registered at this early point in the campaign. The Arizona Democratic Party has not officially endorsed a candidate, but state Attorney General Terry Goddard, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and Jim Pederson, a Phoenix real estate developer who lost a 2006 Senate race to Republican incumbent John Kyl, are rumored to be interested.

Brewer’s communications director, Paul Senseman, said Brewer would have a very good chance in 2010 with voters who understand that sacrifices need to be made during desperate economic times.

“We believe the governor’s actions will demonstrate her leadership [ability] in times of crisis,” Senseman said. “And I know the voters are pleased with the fact that she is very realistic and very pragmatic with her approach.”

Reach the reporter at derek.quizon@asu.edu.