uh, first of all, thanks for coming on on such short notice. We appreciate it. You threw your hat in the ring today to be the governor of Arizona. Let's start with. What do you believe are the most important issues that Arizonans are going to be facing?

uh, first of all, thanks for coming on on such short notice. We appreciate it. You threw your hat in the ring today to be the governor of Arizona. Let's start with. What do you believe are the most important issues that Arizonans are going to be facing?

Well, Arizona right now are telling me that they want transparency and accountability from their leaders. They want, they're tired of this partisan bickering that's going on, that's, that's holding us back and they want someone who's going to get in there and get to work and get the job done.

Well, Arizona right now are telling me that they want transparency and accountability from their leaders. They want, they're tired of this partisan bickering that's going on, that's, that's holding us back and they want someone who's going to get in there and get to work and get the job done.

And if we can work together to solve problems, we can make Arizona the best place to work, live and raise a family.

And if we can work together to solve problems, we can make Arizona the best place to work, live and raise a family.

I have a record of doing that. Um, we need to get to work on education, making sure that no student, no matter every student, no matter their zip code has access to high quality public education and we need to focus on economic recovery from the pandemic. There are still

I have a record of doing that. Um, we need to get to work on education, making sure that no student, no matter every student, no matter their zip code has access to high quality public education and we need to focus on economic recovery from the pandemic. There are still

small businesses that are struggling and Arizonans that need to get back to work.

small businesses that are struggling and Arizonans that need to get back to work.

So let's talk about the economy. I I think both of those topics, you're right on the money are huge issues in Arizona education and the economy. What changes do you think need to be made? Arizona's economy is one of the best in the country right now, and we did the best that not losing jobs are one of the best and we're doing a better job of climbing out than most places. What would you do differently than we're doing right now? Is governor or what would you hope that would be done?

So let's talk about the economy. I I think both of those topics, you're right on the money are huge issues in Arizona education and the economy. What changes do you think need to be made? Arizona's economy is one of the best in the country right now, and we did the best that not losing jobs are one of the best and we're doing a better job of climbing out than most places. What would you do differently than we're doing right now? Is governor or what would you hope that would be done?

Well, I certainly agree that, that we've done while economically, especially in relationship to other states with the pandemic. And so we certainly need to to capitalize on what has worked. Um, but I do, I do know just in conversations with Arizona that businesses are still struggling and, and

Well, I certainly agree that, that we've done while economically, especially in relationship to other states with the pandemic. And so we certainly need to to capitalize on what has worked. Um, but I do, I do know just in conversations with Arizona that businesses are still struggling and, and

an individual arizonans are still struggling. We need to make sure that we are,

an individual arizonans are still struggling. We need to make sure that we are,

um, utilizing the federal resources from the pandemic to help arizonans who need it. And um, and, and make sure that, that as we

um, utilizing the federal resources from the pandemic to help arizonans who need it. And um, and, and make sure that, that as we

move forward economically, that we are not letting people fall through the cracks

move forward economically, that we are not letting people fall through the cracks

When it comes to education, COVID-19 through such a monkey wrench and education in Arizona, there's so many students, I I believe that we're going to find out if fallen behind because of the interruption to school years. What would you plan as governor? What would you want to see the legislature send you? And what would you want to do in order to catch those students up?

When it comes to education, COVID-19 through such a monkey wrench and education in Arizona, there's so many students, I I believe that we're going to find out if fallen behind because of the interruption to school years. What would you plan as governor? What would you want to see the legislature send you? And what would you want to do in order to catch those students up?

Well, I think that there were already many inequities in many systems. Um education is not an exception uh in terms of student achievement and the pandemic really exacerbated that. So, so we still have a lot of work to do. Um The bottom line is we need to work in partnership with our

Well, I think that there were already many inequities in many systems. Um education is not an exception uh in terms of student achievement and the pandemic really exacerbated that. So, so we still have a lot of work to do. Um The bottom line is we need to work in partnership with our

parents and our educators and superintendents around the state to, to

parents and our educators and superintendents around the state to, to

To bring our education system into the 21st century so that we are meeting the needs of students where they are and that we are not leaving students behind.

To bring our education system into the 21st century so that we are meeting the needs of students where they are and that we are not leaving students behind.

Do you think that the silver lining, possibly in the pandemic is that we were able to look at and see that there are parts of the state of Arizona in rural areas that didn't have access to high speed internet and some of the things that are necessary. Do you think that's one of the improvements in education?

Do you think that the silver lining, possibly in the pandemic is that we were able to look at and see that there are parts of the state of Arizona in rural areas that didn't have access to high speed internet and some of the things that are necessary. Do you think that's one of the improvements in education?

Well, I certainly was well aware of that before. The pandemic, as I've said many times, The pandemic

Well, I certainly was well aware of that before. The pandemic, as I've said many times, The pandemic

tended to exacerbate a lot of those inequities. I'm really proud of the work that my office was able to do and helping to expand internet access in rural areas so that parents could continue to work and students could continue to learn

tended to exacerbate a lot of those inequities. I'm really proud of the work that my office was able to do and helping to expand internet access in rural areas so that parents could continue to work and students could continue to learn

uh even in areas that were hardest hit where they didn't have the best internet access available.

uh even in areas that were hardest hit where they didn't have the best internet access available.

Governor Ducey, along with Senators cinema and kelly have been very critical of the White House policy at the border. Uh The governor has sent the National Guard down to the border. What would you do with the border crisis first of all, do you consider it a crisis? And what would you do to solve that problem? Would you keep the guard down there or would you do things

Governor Ducey, along with Senators cinema and kelly have been very critical of the White House policy at the border. Uh The governor has sent the National Guard down to the border. What would you do with the border crisis first of all, do you consider it a crisis? And what would you do to solve that problem? Would you keep the guard down there or would you do things

differently?

differently?

Well,

Well,

you know, I'm really glad that Senator cinema and kelly are focused on this problem. And as governor, it is so important when we're talking about border issues that we are working in partnership with the federal government, we have to fix our broken immigration system. And that is not something

you know, I'm really glad that Senator cinema and kelly are focused on this problem. And as governor, it is so important when we're talking about border issues that we are working in partnership with the federal government, we have to fix our broken immigration system. And that is not something

I can do. It is something that's going to take an act of Congress. And so I'll continue to work in partnership with our congressional delegation to help get that done in a way that is best for Arizona for arizonans.

I can do. It is something that's going to take an act of Congress. And so I'll continue to work in partnership with our congressional delegation to help get that done in a way that is best for Arizona for arizonans.

How much did the ballot audit and the way that this has gone here in Arizona. And, you know, some of the threats that you suffered and some of the things that have happened, How much did this audit play a role in your decision to run for the governor's office?

How much did the ballot audit and the way that this has gone here in Arizona. And, you know, some of the threats that you suffered and some of the things that have happened, How much did this audit play a role in your decision to run for the governor's office?

Well, I'll tell you that, you know what I've heard from Arizona and I said this before, they want accountability and transparency from their leaders and results and we did that with the 2020 election.

Well, I'll tell you that, you know what I've heard from Arizona and I said this before, they want accountability and transparency from their leaders and results and we did that with the 2020 election.

Um You and I both know that election was fair and secure and the results we certified or accurate and I'm going to keep going to keep telling that story to Arizona because that is the truth and and the election is over and we need to move on and there are other problems that we need to solve. And Arizonans are tired of this partisan focusing on something that is because one person

Um You and I both know that election was fair and secure and the results we certified or accurate and I'm going to keep going to keep telling that story to Arizona because that is the truth and and the election is over and we need to move on and there are other problems that we need to solve. And Arizonans are tired of this partisan focusing on something that is because one person

is mad that they lost an election. So, so certainly the fact that I had armed protesters outside my house, um you know, we face threats and I didn't care to their scare tactics. I just continue to get the job done for Arizona certainly that played into my decision,

is mad that they lost an election. So, so certainly the fact that I had armed protesters outside my house, um you know, we face threats and I didn't care to their scare tactics. I just continue to get the job done for Arizona certainly that played into my decision,

um that that's the kind of leadership that I'll bring to the governor's office.

um that that's the kind of leadership that I'll bring to the governor's office.

So there's been a big push on some changes to election laws here in Arizona, aside from the audit, but in the legislature, there have been some changes they want to the election system. In Arizona, we know that previously there was some doubt on the democrat side when Hillary Clinton lost the election as as to the security and validity of the election with the Russians. Now, it's republicans.

So there's been a big push on some changes to election laws here in Arizona, aside from the audit, but in the legislature, there have been some changes they want to the election system. In Arizona, we know that previously there was some doubt on the democrat side when Hillary Clinton lost the election as as to the security and validity of the election with the Russians. Now, it's republicans.

You're you've been in this position now for quite a while.

You're you've been in this position now for quite a while.

Are there legitimate things that need to change to make our elections more secure or at least more trusted by the average voter in Arizona?

Are there legitimate things that need to change to make our elections more secure or at least more trusted by the average voter in Arizona?

Well, it's certainly not the things that are being pushed in our legislature right now. If you look at the at the bill that my office put forward,

Well, it's certainly not the things that are being pushed in our legislature right now. If you look at the at the bill that my office put forward,

that focuses on streamlining election administration,

that focuses on streamlining election administration,

improving access to the ballot and increasing election security, those changes that we proposed are based on our experience in administering the election and things that would make real improvements to the system. Those are the kind of things that we should be talking about.

improving access to the ballot and increasing election security, those changes that we proposed are based on our experience in administering the election and things that would make real improvements to the system. Those are the kind of things that we should be talking about.

Um Nothing that's going through the legislature right now, actually does any of that, it just makes it harder for people to vote. Are

Um Nothing that's going through the legislature right now, actually does any of that, it just makes it harder for people to vote. Are

you in favor of people having to show I. D. To vote?

you in favor of people having to show I. D. To vote?

Well, that that's already in law in Arizona. And um and so yes, if you're a voter in Arizona, you have to show I. D. To vote. And that is something that is already in place.

Well, that that's already in law in Arizona. And um and so yes, if you're a voter in Arizona, you have to show I. D. To vote. And that is something that is already in place.

Okay. Um when I'm when we're looking at what's happening in Arizona, we talked about the economy briefly prop two, oh, it has been an issue for the legislature now, trying to figure out what they're gonna do to try to keep the tax rate for

Okay. Um when I'm when we're looking at what's happening in Arizona, we talked about the economy briefly prop two, oh, it has been an issue for the legislature now, trying to figure out what they're gonna do to try to keep the tax rate for

Job creators a small businesses especially uh lower so that it attracts more of them and it's not in any way punishing them. Do you agree with the fight against prop 208 or how would you solve that problem in a different way if you think it's a problem?

Job creators a small businesses especially uh lower so that it attracts more of them and it's not in any way punishing them. Do you agree with the fight against prop 208 or how would you solve that problem in a different way if you think it's a problem?

Well, what they're doing right now is undermining the will of the voters and actually attempting to overturn the will of the voters, um as you know, prop 208 is voter protected. Um and we have the voter protection law in place because the legislature previously overturn the will of the voters when they pass initiatives and voters passed initiatives because the legislature

Well, what they're doing right now is undermining the will of the voters and actually attempting to overturn the will of the voters, um as you know, prop 208 is voter protected. Um and we have the voter protection law in place because the legislature previously overturn the will of the voters when they pass initiatives and voters passed initiatives because the legislature

Does't do their job. And so this is just another example of that. We have kicked the can down the road on education funding for way too long. This was the voters speaking out saying we need to do something so whether or not they're successful at undoing prop 208, we still have to address this major funding issue when it comes to education.

Does't do their job. And so this is just another example of that. We have kicked the can down the road on education funding for way too long. This was the voters speaking out saying we need to do something so whether or not they're successful at undoing prop 208, we still have to address this major funding issue when it comes to education.

I know that you had a time you had to be out by 12.20. I've taken you just a little bit past that. So I want to thank you again for coming on and I hope as we move into that election, you're you're willing to come in and talk with us again and we appreciate you being on today.

I know that you had a time you had to be out by 12.20. I've taken you just a little bit past that. So I want to thank you again for coming on and I hope as we move into that election, you're you're willing to come in and talk with us again and we appreciate you being on today.

Absolutely, thank you so much for having me.

Absolutely, thank you so much for having me.