Here's what you need to know about Arizona's gubernatorial candidates. Find the rest of our races to watch here.
Doug Ducey (Republican)
Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Ducey speaks with attendees at Sparking Democracy, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014 at Old Main in Tempe. (Photo by Ben Moffat)Ducey, state treasurer and founder of Cold Stone Creamery, focused his campaign primarily on lowering taxes for Arizona residents by moving toward not having a state income tax. He also cites lowering taxes as a way to incentivize businesses.
He defeated primary candidates Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, Secretary of State Ken Bennett and former GoDaddy.com executive Christine Jones to win the Republican nomination.
Ducey received criticism during the campaign for his involvement with Cold Stone Creamery. He sold the company to Kahala in 2007 and many stores suffered during the recession that began the following year.
Where he stands:
Education:Immigration: Ducey focuses on increasing border security.
Reproductive Rights: Ducey’s been endorsed by the Arizona Right to Life Political Action Committee, which opposes abortion.
Marijuana Legalization: Ducey has not made a statement about his stance on this issue.
LGBTQA Issues: Ducey believes marriage is limited to one man and one woman but says he'll follow a ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that overturned Arizona's voter-approved ban on gay marriage. He does not support giving health insurance or other benefits to domestic partners of state employees or adding language about sexual orientation, gender expression or gender identity.
Fred DuVal (Democrat)
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Fred DuVal speaks with attendees at SparkingDemocracy on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Old Main in Tempe. (Photo by Ben Moffat)
DuVal, a former member and chair of the Arizona Board of Regents, previously worked in the Clinton administration and as a private lobbyist and consultant.
He ran unopposed for the Democrat nomination in the primaries, and since the primary election has campaigned on an education platform.
DuVal's been the target of several ads targeting his vote to increase tuition at ASU, NAU and UA when the Arizona Legislature cut funding to schools during the recession.
Where he stands:
Education:Immigration: DuVal supports access to driver's licenses and in-state tuition rates for DREAMers, individuals brought illegally to the U.S. as children who meet certain criteria. His immigration plan involves cracking down on border crime and working toward comprehensive reform.
Reproductive Rights: He believes women should make their own reproductive choices.
Marijuana Legalization: DuVal said he would consider marijuana legalization and taxation based on the examples of Colorado and Washington.
LGBTQA Issues: DuVal supports same-sex marriage and extending more rights to LGBTQA individuals, including amending state discrimination policies to include sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
Barry J. Hess (Libertarian)
Barry Hess (Photo courtesy of Barry Hess)Author Barry J. Hess also ran for Arizona governor in 2010, but lost to current Gov. Jan Brewer.
Where he stands:
Education:Immigration: Hess said he wants to make border control an Arizona effort and allow workers to cross the border for jobs if they pay a 5 percent fee to access the markets here.
Marijuana Legalization: Hess has not spoken about marijuana legalization.
Reproductive Rights: Hess said he is pro-life and supports everyone’s right to life.
LGBTQA Issues: Hess said he supports same-sex marriage but would rather the government not be involved in marriage at all.
