Scott Neely

Scott Neely ran for election for Mayor of Mesa in Arizona. He lost in the primary on July 30, 2024.

Neely completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Scott Neely was born in Hemet, California. His career experience includes working as a small business owner. ^[1]

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Mayor of Mesa

Mark Freeman defeated Scott Smith in the general election for Mayor of Mesa on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Mark Freeman (Nonpartisan)	52.9	100,718
	Scott Smith (Nonpartisan)	47.1	89,740

	There were no incumbents in this race. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 190,458
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Mesa

Scott Smith and Mark Freeman defeated Ryan Winkle, Scott Neely, and Carey Davis in the primary for Mayor of Mesa on July 30, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Scott Smith (Nonpartisan)	29.1	21,633
✔	Mark Freeman (Nonpartisan)	28.6	21,312
	Ryan Winkle (Nonpartisan)	14.7	10,964
	Scott Neely (Nonpartisan)	13.9	10,353
	Carey Davis (Nonpartisan)	13.3	9,909
	Other/Write-in votes	0.3	220

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 74,391
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Neely in this election.

2022

General election

General election for Governor of Arizona

The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Arizona on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Katie Hobbs (D)	50.3	1,287,891
		Kari Lake (R)	49.6	1,270,774
		Liana West (G) (Write-in)	0.0	254
	Submit photo	Mikaela Lutes-Burton (L) (Write-in)	0.0	213
		William Pounds (Independent-Green Party) (Write-in)	0.0	139
	Submit photo	Steph Denny (R) (Write-in)	0.0	74
	Submit photo	Alice Novoa (R) (Write-in)	0.0	55
	Submit photo	Rayshawn Merrill (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	44
	Submit photo	Anthony Camboni (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	41

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,559,485
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Barry J. Hess (L)
Alex Sadowski (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Arizona

Katie Hobbs defeated Marco Lopez and Aaron Lieberman (Unofficially withdrew) in the Democratic primary for Governor of Arizona on August 2, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Katie Hobbs	72.3	431,059
	Marco Lopez	22.8	136,090
	Aaron Lieberman (Unofficially withdrew)	4.8	28,878

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 596,027
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Arizona

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of Arizona on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kari Lake	48.0	398,860
		Karrin Taylor Robson	43.1	358,682
		Matt Salmon (Unofficially withdrew)	3.7	30,704
		Scott Neely	3.1	25,876
		Paola Tulliani-Zen	2.1	17,281
	Submit photo	Carlos Roldan (Write-in)	0.0	42
	Submit photo	Alex Schatz (Write-in)	0.0	39
		Patrick Finerd (Write-in)	0.0	24

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 831,508
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Libertarian primary election

Libertarian primary for Governor of Arizona

Barry J. Hess advanced from the Libertarian primary for Governor of Arizona on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Barry J. Hess (Write-in)	100.0	550

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 550
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Steve Remus (L)

Campaign themes

2024

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released June 10, 2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Scott Neely completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Neely's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a devoted father, loving husband & proud business owner, I have been part of Mesa for over two decades.

My Christian faith guides my commitment to community leadership and is a testament to my belief in the values that bind us together. Beyond being a successful businessman, I have worn many hats over the years – a foreman, a community servant, and a stalwart resident who has witnessed Mesa's growth and challenges firsthand. With roots firmly planted in Mesa for more than 20 years, children who graduated from Mesa HS, I understand the pulse of the city and its diverse residents. My business acumen has not only contributed to the local economy but has also provided employment opportunities, fostering a sense of community and mutual prosperity. My community service endeavors underscore my genuine concern for Mesa's well-being. Whether it's supporting local initiatives or actively engaging in community development projects, I have consistently demonstrated a commitment to giving back. Mesa stands at a crucial juncture, and I believe it's time for the next generation of leadership to shape a better future. My slogan is "People over politics, the next generation of leadership," this encapsulates my vision for a city that thrives under progressive, inclusive, & visionary leadership.

In my candidacy, Mesa finds a compassionate leader, a forward-thinking businessman, and a community advocate with a heart dedicated to service.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

People over politics. It's time to restore the trust of the Mesa tax payors. I believe in the power of skilled hands-on education. While we welcome major tech companies, including semiconductor firms, to Mesa, we must also ensure our educational system prepares students for all career paths. I will expand programs like EVIT to ensure our students have the skills needed for a successful future.
I am deeply committed to restoring safety in our schools. As Mayor, I will create a task force to tackle violence and drug issues plaguing our educational institutions. Additionally, I will prioritize student health by implementing a "say no vape" program to
protect our children.
We must rebuild: Education funding must be used wisely. I will work closely with the school board to conduct a thorough audit, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent in the classroom, not on bloated administrative salaries. To rebuild our economy, we must address our non-competitive tax rates. I will spearhead tax reform initiatives to attract and retain small and medium-sized businesses, revitalizing Mesa's economic landscape while continuing to welcome major tech companies that bring innovation and opportunity.
Its time for the leadership of Mesa to reclaim our communities! Public safety is paramount. I will increase law enforcement staffing and ensure officers receive proper training to combat crime effectively. By making panhandling illegal, we will reclaim our streets from vagrancy and drug-related activities, making Mesa safer for all. I oppose the expansion of light rail, which neglects essential infrastructure and harms small businesses. Instead, I will redirect resources to support local businesses and improve existing infrastructure, reclaiming Mesa's economic vitality. As a Mesa resident and business owner, I am not a politician—I am one of you. Together, let's bring real change to Mesa.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education Reform: I believe in hands-on education & want to expand programs like EVIT to equip students with practical skills.

Ensuring our educational system prepares students for all career paths.
Public Safety: Creating safer school environments and combating issues like violence and drug use are crucial. I'm dedicated to
implementing initiatives like the "say no to vape" program to protect our children's health.
Economic Revitalization: I'm committed to responsible use of education funding and advocating for tax reform to attract and retain

businesses. Revitalizing Mesa's economy while supporting local businesses.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

"The Republic" by Plato: This ancient philosophical work delves into topics such as justice, morality, and the ideal state, providing insights into foundational concepts of governance and civic responsibility.

"The Federalist Papers" by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay: These essays, written during the American founding era, provide arguments for the structure of government, the balance of powers, and the importance of constitutional

principles.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

It's time for a non-politician businessman to be the lead of our great city as there are several characteristics and principles that are crucial for an elected official:

Integrity: Upholding honesty, ethical behavior, and transparency.
Accountability: Taking responsibility for actions, decisions, and promises made to the public to serve the community's best
interests.
Leadership: Inspiring and guiding others toward common goals, even in challenging times, tackling tough problems effectively.
Empathy: Understanding and empathizing with diverse perspectives and needs within the community to make inclusive and informed decisions.
Collaboration: Working collaboratively with colleagues, stakeholders, and community members to promote consensus-building,
effective problem-solving, and the ability to enact meaningful change.
Adaptability: Being open to new ideas, feedback, and evolving circumstances to respond effectively to changing needs and
challenges.

Commitment to Public Service: Prioritizing the public good above personal interests, This would be NEW for a Mesa Mayor

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities of someone elected to public office, particularly a mayoral position, typically include:

Leadership: Providing vision, direction, and effective decision-making to guide the city toward its goals and address its challenges.
Policy Development: Collaborating with stakeholders, city council members, and community members to develop policies that address the city's needs and promote its well-being.
Budget Oversight: Managing the city's finances responsibly, allocating resources efficiently, and ensuring transparency in budgetary decisions.
Community Engagement: Engaging with residents, businesses, and community organizations to understand their concerns, gather input, and foster a sense of belonging and participation in civic affairs.
Economic Development: Promoting economic growth, job creation, and investment in the city to enhance its prosperity and quality
of life for residents.
Public Safety: Ensuring the safety and security of residents by supporting law enforcement efforts, promoting crime prevention strategies, and addressing community safety concerns.
Infrastructure and Services: Maintaining and improving the city's infrastructure, including roads, utilities, parks, and public facilities, to meet the needs of residents and businesses.
Representation: Serving as the city's ambassador, advocating for its interests at the regional, state, and national levels, and representing the city's values and priorities to external stakeholders.
Crisis Management: Responding effectively to emergencies, disasters, and other crises that may impact the city, ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and coordinating response efforts with relevant agencies and organizations.

Ethical Conduct: Upholding high standards of ethics, integrity, and accountability in all aspects of governance, and serving as a role model for ethical behavior in public service.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event that happened in my lifetime would have to be September 11, 2001. I was 19 years old at the time and getting ready to start a concrete job that I was hired for at 5 o'clock in the morning. After 9/11 occurred, I vowed to be the most
patriotic man that I could be, and vowed to protect our nation in any way that I could.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I started my first company in high school when I was 17 years old in January of 1997. I named it "Instant Lawn & Rock Services", and I provided the full package including landscape design, installation, concrete installation, masonry installation, sprinkler & drip

irrigation systems and installation and more.

Instant Lawn & Rock Services lasted until I graduated high school and went to work for my father in sales and marketing at BestLine Materials Inc full time, until my father's death in 2002.

What is your favorite book? Why?

"Lord of the Flies" is my favorite book. Although I was young when I read it, it has stuck with me all the way into my adult years and now. The book entails stranded boys on an island and their failed attempt to govern themselves. Now, this book reminds me
of the current political struggles, we are suffering through as a nation and is still relevant today.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

If I could be a fictional character, I would choose to be Captain America.

A mayor is a leader in his or her city. What does that mean to you?

A leader as a mayor I will have a focus on the voters, not special interests. This means prioritizing the needs and aspirations of the residents who elected me. It involves maintaining transparency, integrity, and accountability in government operations, engaging with the community to understand their priorities, and making decisions that benefit the broader public rather than catering to big donors or special interest groups. By staying accessible, responsive, and committed to improving the quality of life for all residents, I aim to lead with the interests of the voters at the forefront of governance.

If the mayor in your city is a member of the city council and there's a city manager appointed to handle the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe should be the mayor's top priority in office?

As a member of the city council with a city manager overseeing daily operations, the mayor's primary focus should be on strategic leadership and policy direction. This involves working collaboratively with the council and stakeholders to establish a vision for the city's future and develop policies that address key priorities such as economic growth, public safety, infrastructure, sustainability, and social equity. Additionally, the mayor plays a crucial role in engaging with the community, representing the city's interests at higher levels of government, providing oversight for the city manager, and fostering collaboration and partnerships to achieve shared goals. This strategic approach ensures effective governance and positive outcomes for the city and its residents.

If the mayor in your city is not a member of the city council and oversees the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor and city council?

In a scenario where the mayor oversees the day-to-day administration without being a member of the city council, the ideal relationship with the council is one of collaboration and communication. The mayor and council should work together closely, sharing information, seeking input, and making decisions that reflect the community's needs. Clear communication channels, regular meetings, and updates help keep everyone informed and aligned on key issues. Mutual respect for each other's roles and responsibilities is crucial, with the mayor focusing on administration and implementation while the council provides oversight and policy direction. Transparency, accountability, constructive dialogue, and a shared vision for the city's future are key elements in fostering a positive and effective relationship between the mayor and city council, ultimately benefiting the community as a whole

What do you love most about your city?

What I love most about my city is its incredible diversity, vibrant suburban culture known across America as the "largest suburb of America," and the rich educational environment with the largest community college in the US. Additionally, the city boasts some of the most picturesque trails in the state, offering nature enthusiasts a beautiful escape. What makes it even more special is the blend of small-town charm within a bustling big city, creating a unique and welcoming atmosphere.

What do you perceive to be your city's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Over the next decade, I perceive Mesa's greatest challenges to be the balancing act between progress and community well-being.

As a large and growing city, we face issues such as homelessness and crime, which are characteristic of big cities. At the same time, there's significant development happening, bringing both opportunities and challenges.

One of the key challenges will be ensuring that this development, often influenced by special interests and financial flows, doesn't overshadow the safety and security of our community. It will require solid leadership to navigate these complexities and prioritize the needs of residents while embracing growth and economic opportunities. Balancing the interests of various stakeholders, fostering inclusive growth, and maintaining a strong focus on community safety and quality of life will be critical in addressing these challenges effectively over the next decade

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the state government?

The ideal relationship between my city and the state government is one built on collaboration, partnership, and mutual respect.

Effective communication channels must be established, fostering regular dialogue between city officials and state representatives to address shared concerns, exchange information, and coordinate on policy matters. This partnership should extend to funding initiatives, where both entities collaborate on grants and resources to support key projects, infrastructure development, public services, and community programs that benefit residents at both levels. Policy alignment is crucial, ensuring that city and state policies, regulations, and initiatives work together to promote economic growth, environmental sustainability, public safety, education, healthcare, and other critical areas of governance. Advocacy and representation play a significant role, with both parties advocating for the city's interests at the state level and ensuring that legislative decisions consider the needs and perspectives of local communities. Flexibility and autonomy are essential, respecting the city's decision-making authority while navigating within the broader framework of state laws and regulations. Collaborative problem-solving is key, addressing shared challenges such as transportation infrastructure, affordable housing, healthcare access, environmental protection, and economic development by leveraging the expertise and resources of both entities. Finally, mutual support during emergencies, disasters, and crises underscores the importance of effective communication, coordination, and cooperation for the safety and well-being of residents. This collaborative approach fosters a strong, mutually beneficial relationship that promotes the overall prosperity and

well-being of our community.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the federal government?

The ideal relationship between my city and the federal government is one founded on partnership, collaboration, and mutual support across various key areas. Firstly, there should be a focus on resource allocation, with the federal government providing adequate funding, grants, and resources to support critical infrastructure projects, public services, and community programs that directly benefit residents. Additionally, both entities should work together to align policies, regulations, and initiatives that promote economic growth, environmental sustainability, public safety, healthcare access, education, and other essential aspects of governance. Advocacy and representation are crucial, with the city maintaining strong representation at the federal level to lobby for its interests, priorities, and funding needs, while also leveraging federal programs and initiatives to benefit the community.
Collaborative projects and partnerships can address shared challenges like transportation infrastructure, affordable housing, environmental protection, and disaster response. Moreover, data sharing, research collaboration, regulatory cooperation, and mutual support during emergencies further strengthen this relationship, fostering a cooperative approach that enhances decisionmaking, service delivery, and overall quality of life for residents

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor's office and law enforcement?

The ideal relationship between the mayor's office and law enforcement is characterized by collaboration, transparency, accountability, and mutual respect. Both entities work closely on public safety initiatives, crime prevention strategies, and emergency response planning to ensure the safety and security of residents. Transparency and accountability are crucial, with law enforcement agencies providing regular updates and reports to the mayor's office and the public, fostering trust and confidence. The mayor's office supports law enforcement by providing resources, training, and technology to enhance effectiveness.
Community engagement efforts, including outreach programs and partnerships, strengthen relationships and build trust with residents. Oversight and review mechanisms ensure adherence to legal and ethical standards, promote accountability and address any misconduct promptly. During emergencies or critical incidents, coordination between the mayor's office and law enforcement ensures a cohesive and effective response. Respecting civil liberties and human rights while upholding law enforcement's duties is paramount. This collaborative and respectful relationship ensures public safety, upholds the rule of law, and creates a safer and more inclusive city for everyone.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

As a candidate for mayor, I'm not seeking endorsements from organizations or politicians. Tough decisions must be made without influence from

special interests seeking favors. The endorsements that matter to me are from the thousands of Mesa citizens who signed my
petition, urging me to take on this role. Their trust and support drive my commitment to serving the community's best interests and

making decisions that benefit all residents.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I believe financial transparency and government accountability are fundamental pillars of a healthy democracy and effective governance.

Financial Transparency: Governments should strive to be transparent in their financial operations by providing accessible, accurate, and timely information about budget allocations, expenditures, revenues, and public debts. This transparency enables citizens to understand how taxpayer money is being used, promotes trust in government institutions, and allows for informed public discourse on fiscal policies.
Government Accountability: Elected officials and government agencies should be held accountable for their actions, decisions, and use of public resources. This accountability involves mechanisms such as regular audits, oversight by independent bodies, public hearings, and the ability for citizens to hold officials accountable through elections and legal channels. Accountability fosters integrity, ethical conduct, and responsiveness to the needs and priorities of the community.
Ethical Standards: In addition to transparency and accountability, upholding high ethical standards is crucial for public officials and government institutions. This includes avoiding conflicts of interest, disclosing financial interests, adhering to codes of conduct, and maintaining integrity in decision-making processes. Ethical governance builds public trust, promotes fairness, and ensures that government actions serve the public interest rather than personal gain or special interests.

Citizen Engagement: Engaging citizens in the oversight of government finances and accountability mechanisms is essential. This can be achieved through platforms for public participation, citizen audits, whistleblower protections, and transparency initiatives that involve citizens in monitoring government performance and promoting accountability.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2022

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released February 20, 2022

Scott Neely completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Neely's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am an ultra-conservative, multiple small business owner running for Arizona Governor. I have self-funded my campaign thus far, and would just like the opportunity to allow Arizonan's to get to know me and understand my unique vision for Arizona. I am a blue-collared, middle class, worker who wants to free the Arizona middle class. What motivated me to run was the simple fact that the other candidates running do not understand what the middle class life is like, when middle class workers are the foundation of Arizona. Being a part of the people and working beside them every day gives me a unique point of view. I want to make Arizona a place where people love to work, play, and live. Right now, people are beginning to believe that their are only 4 republican candidates for governor, and it is my goal to change that and give them a different option, an option that involves me. I am confident that if the media was not biased against people like myself, without millions of dollars to spend on my campaign, I would receive exposure and the people of Arizona would enjoy my perspective and what I have to offer them. Again, I am with the people, and I am for the people, and I want to continue being for them if I am elected governor.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I have personally helped build sections of the border wall in Douglas, Yuma, and Nogales, and as governor, I will offer my hands-on labor, my company's equipment, and my crews to do it again. Arizona tax-payers have already paid for the materials, so I will take and apply THEIR steel where it belongs to protect our state from human and drug traffickers, and any other threats. Arizonan's work hard for their money, and I will not let their, already paid for steel, continue to rust away at the hands of the Biden Administration.
Arizona water, food, and energy is one of my top priorities, and as governor, I want to address the current drought conditions that are negatively impacting Arizonan's, including the tribal communities and our farmers. I want to offer the implementation of a desalinization plant in California for a cut of their portion of Colorado River water. Arizona is reaching dangerously low levels, and I want a solution that would stimulate American jobs, while saving our precious water.
Election integrity has been a concern for a large amount of Arizonan's, and I want them to be assured that, when I am in the position to do so, I will travel every avenue to figure out the result of the 2020 audit. I have had the opportunity to meet with fellow Arizonan's who worked on the audit, and can comfortably say that our election was fraudulent and purposefully deceitful. As the results of the audit sit on the desk of our current Attorney General, it has not been addressed and I plan to do the opposite to restore election integrity that have left Arizonan's with distrust.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

At this time, the border wall, or the lack there of, is my biggest situation that I want to take care of. With that comes the issue of immigration as a whole. I have spend the last 17 years, physically, helping build the border wall and I have become seriously concerned about the failure of it thus far. I am unhappy with the way this problem has been addressed. The solution is simple but our federal and state government has made it difficult. As long as this issue remains, the American people are at risk, and that does not sit well with me. Truly, it never will. Arizona is at risk of the exposure of drug smuggling, human trafficking, and even death. Immigration has turned into a concept of taking care of others before our own, and that is not the foundation that our constitution was built on. We must take care of our American people before we are in any position to take care of anyone else. As Arizonan's, we are facing issues like homelessness, addiction, and lack of senior care, and it will never be okay to put the needs of our people to the side. It is unfortunate that people feel the need to seek asylum here in our country, but we are not at the capacity to fund their solutions. If there is anything that I care about, it is about border policies, immigration, and the impact it has on the Arizonan's and Americans in their homes.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to our former President, Donald J. Trump, and I am now following his example to spread patriotism across our state. I look up to President Trump because he is unapologetic, blunt, honest to a fault and always America First. He has fearlessly stood up for the people of this country and took on hatred for the sake of our freedom. He was aware of the turmoil that modern technology has created and never backed down. He has done more for this country than he has ever been given credit for, until now. We need more patriots like him to fight for what is right, and I could never be more thankful that he has opened up different perspectives for American people to see for themselves.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Three places you can look to try and understand my political philosophy would be the Bible, the American Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official should be a follower of god, shows work ethic and integrity, understand and follows the American Constitution, and never infringes on the rights of the people. Most importantly, they should know the importance of individualism and property rights and how those are tied to government overregulation.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I know how to run a successful, honest, service based business aimed at pleasing customers the same way as I aim to please the people I will serve as governor.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities for someone elected to the governor's office, are to protect state's rights, state's land, state's resources, and most of all, the state's citizens.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave Arizona in better fiscal shape. Most importantly, I would like to leave Arizona water resources more plentiful than they were prior to my administration through water recharge storage of underground aquifers.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event that happened in my lifetime would have to be September 11, 2001. I was 19 years old at the time and getting ready to start a concrete job that I was hired for at 5 a'clock in the morning. After 9/11 occurred, I vowed to be the most patriotic man that I could be, and vowed to protect our nation in any way that I could.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I started my first company in high school when I was 17 years old in January of 1997. I named it "Instant Lawn & Rock Services", and I provided the full package including landscape design, installation, concrete installation, masonry installation, sprinkler & drip irrigation systems and installation and more.

Instant Lawn & Rock Services lasted until I graduated high school and went to work for my father in sales and marketing at BestLine Materials Inc full time, until my fathers death in 2002.

What is your favorite book? Why?

"Lord of the Flies" is my favorite book. Although, I was young when I read it, it has stuck with me all the way into my adult years and now. The book entails stranded boys on an island and their failed attempt to govern themselves. Now, this book reminds me of the current political struggles we are suffering through as a nation and is still relevant today.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

If I could be a fictional character, I would choose to be Captain America.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Arrowsmith, the first song that I danced to as a newly wed to my wife, Maria.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

The biggest struggle that I have faced is the red tape tied to government regulation and how it impacts my small businesses while illegal immigrants run parallel businesses to mine with zero government regulation.

A governor is the top executive authority in his or her state. What does that mean do you?

To me, a governor is an individual who holds great responsibility in representing all Arizonans. It is a duty and a privilege to be trusted by a state's people and it is the highest honor that must not be taken for granted. It is a position that has been abused, but it is now a position that must be better used to serve the people and not politicians.

Governors have many responsibilities, which vary from state to state. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your state?

In the state of Arizona, the governor is directly responsible for the use of 30% of the yearly state budget. This responsibility, outside the legislature, this budget must be used for the good of the people and not abused. This responsibility is unique and the most critical part of being an Arizona Governor.

Different states require governors to have different degrees of responsibility for the state budgeting process. If it were your choice, what do you believe is the appropriate degree of gubernatorial involvement with this process in your state?

As mentioned previously, the Arizona Governor is responsible for 30% of the yearly state budget. I think The Arizona Governor already has too much involvement in appropriation of the state yearly budget. I personally believe that the appropriate degree of involvement, in terms of budgeting, should be settled in the legislature and lowered. Governors in Arizona have too much power in this process.

In most states, governors have the power to make line-item vetoes. If that is true in your state, what would be your philosophy for how and when to use this power?

Our Arizona Constitution gives governors the power to line-item veto. I believe that it is appropriate to use this power when it is in direct violation of our American Constitution in any way shape or form.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The ideal relationship would be equal involvement in governing the state. At the moment, I believe that both positions have had a power struggle, and it serves no purpose for the citizens. The ideal relationship would be a relationship that serves to better assist Arizonans as opposed to struggling over who has more authority over law-making.

What do you love most about your state?

The thing I love the most about Arizona is that we have the most lax gun laws and some of the lowest crime rates in America.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

I believe that our greatest challenge facing Arizona is the water shortage as our state is continuously growing at a record pace. There is not a sufficient amount of water to sustain the population increase in Arizona and unless it is addressed, then we are facing a drought like we have never seen.

Tell us your favorite joke.

"I am running for governor." Many people find this humorous until proven true.

Under what circumstances should the governor of your state be able to use emergency powers?

Only under the circumstances of war, severe casualties, or during times of severe disaster, should a governor be able to use emergency powers.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign website

Neely's campaign website stated the following:^[2]

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ELECTION INTEGRITY

Arizonans need and deserve elections that we can trust. Our state government must initiate safeguards to assure every legitimate vote counts. I will work to establish reforms making it harder to cheat and that would protect the integrity and security of Arizona’s election process.

The past election has created a mistrust of how our elections are conducted. It has challenged our election officials and made the process highly skeptical. This will only continue to be a growing crisis of trust until we act to change it.

There is no denying that compounded errors and omissions by election officials and careless, shoddy election practices and procedures have caused the problem.

We all agree on one thing: Everyone who’s eligible to vote should be able to. As, governor, I will push for legislation to address concerns about ineligible persons casting ballots with safeguards against voter fraud. I will ensure equitable access to voting for all eligible voters.

Arizona’s election was complex and certainly not perfect, and the audits initiated were a way of officially verifying the legitimacy of the results to improve our electoral system.

Today’s technology does leave voting machines subject to being infected with malicious software affecting tabulations. So, creating a fair election is not easy. Election officials and even poll workers must be held accountable if the future of our elections are to have integrity.

Voting rights advocates rallied at the Arizona state capitol in support of Arizona HB2289, the One Day – One Vote – On Paper – In Person – Precinct Polling – ID Required – No Machines – No Mail-in/Absentee Ballots Bill. Also referred to as the “Election Integrity Bill” which passed out of the Senate Government Committee but didn’t have the votes to pass in session.

The bill simply states that all voting must “occur only on election day and all ballots be cast in person by a voter at the voter’s election precinct polling place.” HB2289 provides for mail-in voting by overseas residents, service members, and hospitalized voters to submit absentee ballots.

Scott Neely was the only candidate running for Arizona governor to sign the Arizona Election Integrity Declaration at the Arizona capitol with those also fighting for election integrity.

Arizona and America are in the midst of a voting war in a fight over free and fair elections. Apparently, the other gubernatorial candidates don’t care about fair elections, or they would have signed in support of HB2289 today. The battle is over how we guarantee that our government remains of the people, by the people, and for the people through basic safeguards.

Voters agree that Arizona needs and deserves elections that they can trust. Our state government must initiate safeguards to assure every legitimate vote counts.

Election reforms are coming according to Arizona’s Patriot Party who has been working to establish procedures making it harder to cheat and to protect the integrity and security of Arizona’s election process.

The Arizona Patriot Party is seeking legislation to expand U.S. citizenship voting requirements in the state, but critics warn it violates federal law and will jeopardize the voter registrations of thousands of Arizona residents.

Election officials say there is no evidence that any of Arizona’s voting methods have been fraudulent and support their statement that there is no credible evidence that non-citizens are attempting to vote.

We all agree on one thing: Everyone who’s eligible to vote should be able to. As, governor, I will push for legislation to address concerns about ineligible persons casting ballots with safeguards against voter fraud. I will ensure equitable access to voting for all eligible voters.

Arizona’s past election has created a mistrust of how our elections are conducted. It has challenged our election officials and made the process highly skeptical. This will only continue to be a growing crisis of trust until we act to change it.

There is no denying that compounded errors and omissions by election officials and careless, shoddy election practices and procedures have caused the problem. I am an advocate of much tougher voting requirements and fully support HB2289.

If this system of voting is allowed to go unchecked, at the mercy of hackers all our elections– federal, state and local are at risk.

I pledge to do everything as governor to restore the trust in our Arizona elections, including requiring voter ID and proof of citizenship for each ballot cast, implement a voter registration crosscheck system to identify voters registered in multiple places to eliminate illegal double voting, and finally compare voter rolls with government records, updating voter information and identifying convicted felons, noncitizens and unsigned ballots, removing them from the rolls.

Every voter in Arizona should have the right to cast a ballot and feel that it is protected in our electoral process, including assisting voters with disabilities.

As governor, I will work for bipartisan collaboration with a common purpose to ensure that our voting system is fair and secure, and that every vote cast in accordance with Arizona’s applicable laws is counted.

RESTART THE WALL NOW - I WILL PERSONALLY HELP BUILD THE WALL

Immigration policies determine the kind of Arizona and America future generations will inherit. The invasion occurring across our Arizona-Mexico border is the most pressing issue facing Arizona’s future to date.

Our next governor must have the fortitude to stand on the US Constitution, and against Washington to protect Arizona from further invasion according to Article VI section 4 of the US Constitution which requires that the government protect every state from invasion. Whether you, agree with current immigration policy or not, it is plain that the millions of illegal immigrants are pouring over our Arizona border which constitutes an invasion.

The constitution does not require that the invasion be armed, dangerous, violent, or anything else; just that there not be an invasion. Our leaders pay lip service to the problem but make absolutely no serious effort to stop it. They are not doing their job, presumably because they may lose ethnic votes, or business votes, or some other vote,” Neely said.

While our border patrol agents prepare for chaos at the border with the ending of the Title 42 public health order, the surge of humanity will still continue. Arizona needs an effective plan for today, and tomorrow. My plan is the only common-sense solution.

I have three simple and sensible attainable solutions for addressing our border crisis:

First: I will immediately deploy Arizona National Guard personnel to the border to fulfill assignments in providing backup support. Guard personnel will assist Border Patrol with security, processing, assembling, installing, maintaining and monitoring surveillance devices including drones, seismic ground sensors for detecting any tunneling under the wall, and security cameras with facial recognition software. Currently, the Border Patrol spends 60% of their time with paperwork. My plan promises to eliminate the strain on agents and tighten security.

Second: I will authorize the construction of permanent Arizona National Guard barracks at three critical border locations and begin installing surveillance towers.

Third: I will restart construction on the physical steel border wall utilizing my concrete construction crews and equipment to get the wall restarted.

I have already personally, with hands-on, helped construct portions of the border wall at Yuma, Nogales and Douglas, so I’m no stranger to how it’s done. What I want to add in certain terrain are technologically advanced surveillance devices which can be monitored by drones and video,” Neely said.

To truly keep Arizonan’s safe, we must end all illegal undocumented border crossings to stop invaders, smugglers, human traffickers and drug runners. We also need a better system for evaluating and processing asylum seekers. The burden to Arizona’s healthcare system, economy, employment opportunities and safety of our citizens is in jeopardy.

Arizonans must realize that with shifting dynamics at the southwest border involving ebb-and-flow of illegal immigrants and nefarious actors. Arizona will always require a border wall to protect the state and the country.

Stopping the construction of a border wall serves no purpose and only threatens our safety and incentivizes criminals and many employers to hire illegal aliens, ultimately hurting American jobs. Now we also must deal with the millions of people who have been allowed to enter over our borders illegally, disperse throughout our nation over objections of Arizonans and most of the majority of the American people.

The only way to stop the never-ending flow of migrant traffic is to build a strong border wall using solid steel and digital technology.

I have personally seen the chaos as Arizona struggles to control our border as record waves of illegal border crossers enter our state. Some of them have COVID. Some of them are drug runners and human traffickers. They are potentially criminals. They could be terrorists. We should be able to control who enters by vetting those coming into our state and country.

Arizona could build the wall based on the US Constitution Article IV Section 4, guaranteeing a state the right to protect itself, and to be free from an invasion by a foreign country, which would include building a wall to stop the invasion of illegals into Arizona.

I continue to support keeping construction efforts moving forward. My experience and dedication to keeping Arizona safe for our families and businesses is one of the reasons I am running for the office of governor of Arizona.

I am not a prejudiced person, I’m married to a Hispanic, who is also concerned with what’s happening at the border. We both want to protect the personal safety of Arizona citizens and prevent drug and human smuggling groups. The only way to stop the never-ending flow of migrant traffic is to build a strong border wall.

I pledge to stand up to Washington for Arizona, defying the policies that are threatening lives and destroying our state and our country. This is not merely my campaign promise, this is a solemn promise to help protect Arizona and defend the United States of America.

As a nation, we have always welcomed—and will continue to welcome—newcomers who embrace our values, assimilate into our society, pledge allegiance to our flag, and strive after the American dream. As governor of Arizona I am committed to ensuring that the dream legally continues.If you are reading this please know that I need your vote on August 2nd, 2022. Together we can keep Arizona free and safe.

MANDATED VACCINES AND MASKING DESTROY TRUST IN PUBLIC HEALTH

The nation’s mixed health-messaging by administration officials and health experts complicit with the media apparatus has continued to spread more confusion as the omicron variant spreads, and once again health authorities are urging people to get a vaccine and mask up indoors. Yes, we’ve heard it all before. The vax-test-mask stipulations by governments to force private sector firms to comply with vaccinating, testing and masking is unconstitutional at best. While employers await the outcome of court decisions, the vaccine mandates have caused many employees to quit, weakening our healthcare system and destroying the business employee base.

The Biden administration has exceeded its authority in my opinion. As governor, I will ban mandatory vaccines within Arizona’s private companies. I will further prohibit mask mandates in schools. Mask wearing by children in schools disrupts learning, may exacerbate anxiety, breathing difficulties and impares social development. It is a matter of parental rights and who should be able to decide whether their children wear masks in school or not.

The lack of consistency and mixed messaging destroys trust in our healthcare system especially now that we know that the vaccine does not cure or prevent a vaccinated person from contracting COVID-19.

Having a mask mandate doesn’t necessarily cease the spread. It’s not reasonable or realistic to think that we’re containing the spread by mandating masks.

I am against any business, school or government to mandate a vaccine or the wearing of masks.

Public-health messaging has been considerably less stellar and considerably less reliable than we hoped for during the pandemic. We are also now seeing what I have believed all-along, that governors and mayors around the country are realizing their mistakes and are looking for new ways to curb the spread without putting lockdowns in place or closing down businesses.

If anyone feels a personal obligation to be vaccinated or wear a mask, that choice is theirs. I want people to make their own choices. It is a matter of civil liberties.

I believe in barring mandatory testing in the workplace and face-masking requirements for any citizens of Arizona.

ARIZONA’S OPPOSITION TO CRITICAL RACE THEORY (CRT)

Arizona has experienced a move in our schools towards parent activism which began during the COVID-19 outbreak when our schools were closed, and kids had to learn remotely from their homes. As a parent with school-aged children, I got a closer look at school curricula and began to ask what the heck are our kids being taught on issues such as critical race theory and white privilege, gender equity and the use of pronouns, and touting America’s failures.

I understand and applaud the many Arizona mothers and fathers who have protested and demanded something better from Arizona education. Their numbers are growing exponentially.

It’s true what they say, “A sleeping giant has been awakened.”

Contrary to what some educators believe, parents should and must have a say in what their kids are taught. I stand with parents and their grassroots movement in response to the expanded influence of progressives and socialists on government and education.

Educators, parents, businesses, community organizations and legislators must all play a role in transforming the education system in Arizona.

The National Association of Educators supported the instruction of CRT, recently asserting, “it is reasonable and appropriate for curriculum to be informed by academic frameworks for understanding and interpreting the impact of the past on current society, including critical race theory.”

It’s extremely unfortunate that left-wing groups want to undermine education and indoctrinate our children with critical race theory. I feel that it does an injustice to all kids.

I believe that CRT attributes to racism as a means to further divide us. It deceives people into thinking it somehow makes minority kids feel better about themselves, when it can actually make them feel marginalized. That’s how the Left infiltrates and separates people, pitting them against one another to take control over them.

Proponents feel racism is embedded in our laws, regulations, rules and procedures that leads to a different outcome by race. Well, not in Arizona. I will do everything I can to ensure a non-biasis and non-discriminatory environment in our schools.

I understand, having a mixed race family myself, who on occasion have felt the pain of discrimination, yet they don’t think America is a racist country, or that they live in a racist state, and they certainly don’t think Arizona practices systematic racism.

I want every individual to know that they will have a governor that will only accept equality in Arizona government policies abstaining from granting any special advantage to one individual or group in any way that is prejudicial in distinction between another.

Yes, terrible racist things have been done in our past, and ultimately, we cannot employ colorblind ideology in a society that is far from colorblind. What we can teach is that racism does exist, and it is wrong, but is far from systematic.

I want every student and parent to know that I will do everything in my power to ensure that the pathways to success are equitable.

There have been recent discussions on eliminating teaching styles in classrooms that are inappropriate and not helpful to students. I put students and parents first.

I denounce teaching concepts associated with CRT including banning the discussion, training, and/or orientation by our Arizona schools that the U.S. or Arizona is inherently racist.

I feel that I do have a moral responsibility to do something about how racism impacts all of our lives today in our government and in our schools.

I really want to improve Arizona’s education system by focusing on developing an optimistic, inclusive, and solid curriculum for students, free from labeling that shows our kids how they can create a stronger, safer and more prosperous future for themselves in Arizona and America through their education.

This is what I propose doing as Governor: First, I will put classroom running and curriculum-building decisions in the hands of the community. To accomplish this I will bring together teams of experienced educators and parents to provide research-proven solutions to the challenges facing Arizona schools.

I will raise standards for teachers in areas where student outcomes are lowest, challenging them to better educate and not focus on test scores, but teach students how to learn and excel.

Quality teaching can be effectively measured by numerous variables that include, but are not limited to, student performance on assessments.

I will balance over-crowded classrooms. Finally, I will address the school-to-prison pipeline created by Zero-Tolerance practices in Arizona schools. Suspending and expelling students from school for nonviolent offenses and actions that are disruptive and taking them through the juvenile and criminal justice system for minor infractions has created the school-to-prison pipeline.

Resource officers arrest students for behaviors that would be handled best by the school administration, or parents, rather than a juvenile court judge. The reasons students commit minor infractions are often children with a history of poverty, disabilities, abuse and neglect.

As governor, I will ask our educators to create additional educational and counseling services to avoid isolating these students and then pushing these kids out of the school system.

Changes like these can only benefit our students and Arizona’s education system. All it requires is policymakers coming together and taking a few initial steps, with parents, to begin moving Arizona’s education in the direction of positive change.

ARIZONA WORK FORCE OF THE FUTURE - GRANTS

Arizona’s Workforce Of The Future: Aligning Education And Work Through Expanding Grants

Arizona’s future workforce is changing with technological innovation resulting in many new jobs and changes to existing jobs. Technology refuses to standstill. As our imaginations continue to push the envelope of skill, training, and knowledge,

Arizona workers must develop the technical and nontechnical skills required by these changes.

It is difficult to predict which skills workers will require in the future, but many jobs share a need for both types of workers.

As governor, I will support our students in universities, community colleges and technical trade schools by expanding access to continuous learning of skills like carpentry, electrical energy, HVAC, metal working, plumbing, precision tooling, welding, concrete, shotcrete/gunite applications and equipment operation, aircraft and industrial mechanics and electric vehicle charge-point station installation training.

To support the Arizona workforce of the future I will expand the existing Arizona college grants and scholarships, increasing the amount available, and expanding it to include first-year students entering Arizona universities and community colleges, as well as creating new grant programs for trade school students.

Arizona state government currently offers a variety of need-based grants and merit-based scholarships to students within the state, however more aid is needed to prepare our students for the future. I will work with Arizona industry partners to contribute to existing programs or create grant programs in the businesses name.

There is no question that education is a powerful driver of prosperity. I feel Arizona must start by raising the graduation rate in our high schools. I also believe we must provide greater assistance for students with disabilities, students who identify as LGBTQ, and students who are English language learners.

As governor, I will work to make higher education, technical and trades’ training more accessible and affordable for all Arizona students to reflect upcoming, well-paid, in-demand jobs for the future.

IMPROVING ARIZONA'S K -12 EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

It’s clear our educators’ methods of teaching has not worked well leaving our education system ranked 49th for the worst in the nation in quality education. Arizona’s education system is failing our kids. Arizona is also ranked 49th in student drop-out rates which to me is unacceptable, and I’m sure you feel the same way.

What educators are teaching begins to lose interest among middle and high school students when they don’t see the relevance of what they are learning. They don’t see how it serves their lives. It’s a failing curriculum more than bad teachers.

Education is one of Arizona’s most challenging issues. My plans as governor will challenge educators to improve Arizona’s curriculum, and teach what students will need for tomorrow.

My solutions for improving our education system once-and-for-all presented here is lengthy, but I hope you take the time to read through it all and see if you agree.

COMBINING SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Arizona doesn’t need 217 school districts. I will combine the number of Arizona K-12 school districts, and reduce the numbers of administrators, combine administration offices and convert those empty offices into student language support and instruction labs/classrooms.

I want to take the money saved and apply it to increase teacher’s salaries and update classrooms, including new-learning centralized digital instruction.

I will require a learning plan to control the curriculum to assure there is no CRT being taught.

The state has been throwing money at the problem for years, with no clear improvement. I want results in student graduation rates immediately! I also want measurable results of teacher effectiveness beyond certification to include teacher classroom performance and student success.

There will be no income tax, sales or property tax increases for schools until we see some results leading our children out of their last place education ranking. It is unacceptable for Arizona to be dead last in the quality of education.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT EDUCATION, CIRRUCLUM AND CRT

As a parent with school-aged children and grandchildren, I have gotten a closer look at school curricula and began to ask what the heck are our kids being taught on issues such as critical race theory and white privilege, gender equity and the use of ever increasing pronoun identities for children and touting America’s failures.

Contrary to what some educators believe, parents should and must have a say in what their kids are being taught. I stand with parents and their grassroots movement in response to the expanded influence of progressives and socialists on government and education.

I denounce teaching concepts associated with CRT including banning the discussion, training, and/or orientation by our Arizona schools.

I’m talking about empowering parents to ensure they have a voice and role in their children’s education. I will not put government between parents and children. Parents know that when I’m serving them as governor I’m going to stand up for parents, children, teachers, and we are going to put education in Arizona back on track.

I will also be investing into special education. My goal is to also fund a new charter school initiative and trade school training and certification.

I want to improve Arizona’s education system by focusing on developing an optimistic, inclusive, and solid curriculum for students, free from labeling that shows our kids how the can create a stronger, safer and more prosperous future for themselves in Arizona and America through their education.

I will raise standards for teachers in areas where student outcomes are lowest, challenging them to better educate and not focus on test scores, but teach students how to learn and excel focusing on reading literacy and math comprehension.

Arizona needs to work harder on new standards for math and language establishing clear and concise, measurable learning goals.

I will balance over-crowded classrooms by combining district administrative offices and using those closed as expanded classroom.

I will increase the numbers of educational counselors which is lacking in our system. They will be assigned and to closely monitor students assigned to them, responsibility to following their progress. Counselors will have student graduation metrics to attain.

I want to avoid isolating students and then pushing these kids out of the school system.

To accomplish this goal, I will bring together teams of experienced educators and parents to provide research-proven solutions to the challenges facing Arizona schools. It will be called: “The 49 to 1 Program” to move Arizona’s education system up the scale.

My concern is that these multiple disruptions in educating our students has put them behind, how far, depends on the strength of our teachers which raises concerns about a potential increase in teacher turnover and future teacher shortages in Arizona.

I am determined to provide Arizona students with basic life, and maintenance, skills that would boost their independence after graduation. It is critical for our students to understand the importance of life skills to better prepare them for adulthood. Areas of life skills that are neglected in our Arizona curriculum include management of time and money, communication with others, comprehension of healthcare, and instruction on employment processes. Although our current curriculum includes the fundamentals, it fails to set our children up for success in terms of everyday life.

I want to provide Arizona students with the best possible education and the highest level of academic preparation possible, so that Arizona students may prosper in the competitive, global economy.

All Arizonians should have the opportunity to get a quality education, and that will require rebuilding our education system that ranks near the bottom at 49th in the nation.

As a state, Arizona has failed to address how race fits into our education system with 62 percent K-12 students being minority.

I will be taking steps to improve the likelihood that all students reach the same high standards expected of a quality education system.

I will rebuild Arizona’s education system to effectively meet the needs and challenges of the individual student with the parent in control of education decisions for his or her child.

To achieve ‘Educational Equity’, I propose increasing the state’s investment in scholarships and grants that create pathways to careers in our universities, community colleges and trade schools for high school students.

As governor, I want to connect the K-12 education system with early learning, higher education and trades’ training with specific certifications. Additionally, both middle schools and high schools should improve their technical education opportunities to better prepare non-college students for jobs.

I will work with our state educators to improve our classrooms for the unique challenges our teachers face, necessitating many of the modifications they may require to the traditional classroom environment.

Keep in mind, Arizona has one of the country’s lowest levels of educational attainment among people aged 25-34. The goal is for Arizonans to achieve training or education beyond high school.

PRO LIFE

I am pro-life, or the ‘right to life,’ believing that abortion is the taking of human life. I believe that the right to life is God-given and prefer to protect the sanctity of life. I will stand firm on my pro-life belief in a way that honors the lives of all involved including, the fetus, mother, father and community. That is “pro-life” with integrity for all concerned.

I want to be absolutely certain that every child born into a family too poor to feed it is taken care of on a societal level.

Being “pro-life” means that I agree with the fundamental statement of this country contained in our Declaration of Independence: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.’ It is my belief that life begins at creation, not some months later. This statement in the Declaration is the expression of our Natural and Human Rights.

I have always believed in protecting from harm the unborn and the weak, the poor and the vulnerable.

2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS

I have, and always will stand for the Constitution and our Second Amendment rights with a commitment to reject any attempt by the federal government to circumvent the fundamental right Arizonans have to keep and bear arms to protect themselves and their property.

Restrictive gun control laws give too much power to the government and may result in government tyranny and the government taking away all guns from citizens. We already have gun control, it’s called background checks. You’ll never be able to legislate against mental health.

Arizonans second amendment rights have been protected through safeguarding against frivolous lawsuits that have no connection to unlawful use of firearms. The new state law mirrors federal law that was passed on a bipartisan basis.

I support responsible, law-abiding gun owners, and that we oppose government overreach and any unlawful efforts to limit our access to firearms and ammunition.

Assault weapons bans do not significantly affect murder rates at the state level. So-called ‘Assault weapons’ are more often than not less powerful than other hunting rifles. The term ‘assault weapon’ was conjured up by anti-gun legislators to scare voters into thinking these firearms are something out of a horror movie.

The Founders of our Country understood that the right to own and bear arms is as fundamental and as essential to maintaining liberty as are the rights of free speech, a free press, freedom of religion and the other protections against government encroachments on liberty as defined in The U.S. Bill of Rights. ...

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

Respecting Religious Freedom and the Right to Peaceably Assemble.

As governor, I will never allow the curtailing of religious freedoms, particularly restrictions on religious gatherings. Arizonans will ALWAYS be allowed to worship at any time, and how we choose, gathering with fellow believers for prayer and worship.

It is the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that grants and protects the right for all of us practice our own religion.

It will be my duty, and obligation to work with our Arizona legislature to ensure through law that our government authority does not restrict in any way our First Amendment Rights, anything less is unacceptable and unconstitutional.

DEVELOPING ARIZONA WORKER(S) POTENTIAL

It is critical for voters to almost uniformly believe that if Arizona is to succeed going forward, everyone—regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or religious background must enjoy equality and a fair shot at economic success. It’s important to take a look, to see how people lives are changing in Arizona and what we can do in government to assist in improving their livelihood and healthy lifestyles.

I believe in redemption. Nearly every day I work with men and women building the infrastructure of Arizona whose families are struggling to make ends meet. Many are hoping to improve their skills through advanced training and mentoring to increase their worth and pay.

While high school’s encourage graduates to go to college for academic degrees rather than for training in industrial and other trades. Many fields are experiencing worker shortages. Arizona needs to address both educational paths for students.

It is essential that Arizona colleges, universities and community colleges provide access to high-quality online courses. Through the expansion of broadband Internet services we will be able to reach into rural communities providing education to more people with virtual campuses.

I want to increase college student grants and trade school training along with work study opportunities through business partnerships. The goal is to help people escape poverty through education and provide short term social program assistance that truly works.

The program I want is designed to support individuals and families with the goal of moving them towards self-sufficiency, reducing dependence, by increasing their education and work skills, and their earnings.

Only a small percentage of high school graduates are enrolled in training school vocationally oriented certification programs. I want to increase that number significantly.

College degrees have left vocational programs with an image problem, leaving the state with far fewer skilled workers than needed. As a laborer myself, I will elevate the professions that I know are in demand where individuals with technical education are actually slightly more likely to be employed than their counterparts with academic credentials.

I don’t want any Arizonan to feel like they are stuck in a ‘go-nowhere job’ by offering career futures through online classes and apprenticeships.

As governor, if the state can offer a hand up through education and training we’re going to do just that to help Arizona workers reach their full potential.

KEEP ARIZONA, ARIZONA– NOT CALIFORNIA OR WORSE

Transplants from blue states are making Arizona purple. We call these transplants ‘Leftugees’ who are fleeing the burdens of liberal Left policies. The influx into Arizona of these political/economic refugees from various blue states is certain to continue. They come escaping their former states’ high taxes, corrupt politics, government overreach and high cost of living. Often these blue state Leftugees do not consider that the reason they are here was to flee the political practices of their blue state.

The top five states seeing a mass exodus are all Democrat-controlled. A recent study by U-Haul reported that the top five states to see the greatest influx of new residents includes Arizona.

We don’t want Arizona to be like California, New York, New Jersey, Michigan and Illinois, We want to remain Arizona in the purest sense. Arizona represents one of the best possible environments for businesses, workers and families to succeed, because it is led by a Republican governor, and I want to keep it that way.

We Arizonans are a proud people and love our country, but America’s accelerating migration patterns is bringing a pending idiotic disaster brought to you by unrestrained liberal leadership from leftist governed states. California leads the way in pathetic and persistent blindness to the political and cultural failures.

These modern-day pioneers are desperate to escape the heavy-burdensome regulation-ridden big government approach pushed by liberal leaders in Democrat controlled states.

Weak leadership by Democrat governors and mayors have been unwilling to stop looting, riots and property destruction by a protected faction that represents blue state chaos. With more to come.

People are migrating to places where they feel safe and secure and can be left alone, like Arizona. People want neighbors they can depend on and know they are like them. The political divide cannot divide our communities.

Arizona is a model state with some of America’s top ranking communities. Our state is a blend of natural open lands and an abundance of technologies that makes it attractive. We see more people leaving those regions since they can continue working remotely without over-regulation, high crime, oppressive taxes, high cost of living, debt burden, lock downs and housing shortages. Blue state people are looking for a new life in a safer, more comfortable environment.

Those states and cities where democrat leadership and progressive policies have failed can be seen from wasteful spending, a lack of willingness to combat the rise in crime, drug use, homelessness, vagrancy, poverty, energy deficiencies and quality of life in general.

It is government that has made California and many other blue states unsustainable. Not the people, but a liberal government.

California now ranks dead last among U.S. states in quality of life, according to a study by U.S. News, which ranked it behind New Jersey (49th) and Indiana (48th).

Many blue state government leaders have failed to enforce laws. The left has long believed that many who commit crimes are victims themselves. As governor, I will not tolerate lawlessness or disrespect and will block liberal policies whenever possible.

California voters overwhelmingly supported requiring permits to buy ammunition. I anticipate other Blue states to do the same. Not in Arizona.

As more and more people from blue states become residents of Arizona, I welcome you, and ask that you not bring the liberal progressive ideology here that you left your former state to escape.

California’s liberalism’s emptiness has been the source of the state’s great failure — a failure of imagination and liberal, progressive governing. In Arizona our imaginations run free.

There’s nothing we can do to stop people from moving to Arizona. The best thing we can do is help people that move here get acclimated to the freedoms of Arizona and why it’s important that they help to maintain it that way.

My hope is that people who move to Arizona come here to be more conservative in their thinking and politics.

When living in Arizona. Be Arizona free. That means preserving the traditions and values of the past and applying them to the future—this is the core of Arizona.

MORE RURAL COMMUNITY INVOLVMENT

Reaching Out To The Arizona’s Rural Communities

In recent years, politics and government’s over-reaching policies have created resentment and division between people in small communities and those in cities, placing democracy at risk. I realize as Arizona governor I must work hard to bridge the gap and provide greater representation across the board.

I believe that my platform has the power to create a populist movement that can involve everyone regardless of who they are and take Arizona into the future.

Just because a community in Arizona is rural, remote, small, or isolated does not mean that property redevelopment and community revitalization are not possible. I will work to create economic growth through the bottom‐up flourishing of rural communities supported by technology and manufacturing companies moving to small towns backed by state government incentives. I believe the erosion of Arizona’s small-town culture is an erosion of the culture of our nation.

As governor, I will work to rebuilt trust and help small towns recover from the pandemic, drought, population shifts, etc. I will aggressively develop innovative solutions for rural communities throughout Arizona to become geographically inclusive in our state’s growth.

As I travel from town-to-town my message remains consistent, addressing the health care disparities in rural communities by investing in federally-qualified health centers and telehealth, providing more basic health services by bringing virtual health clinics to those rural communities.

I am hoping to gain the support of the mayors of those smaller towns and communities, be they Republican, Democrat or Independent. I come from the same kind of people, so I definitely think I have a better voice than most of the other candidates in the governor’s race.

Too many people in Arizona’s rural areas have been left behind in the global economy. I want to ensure that residents in these areas have the same economic, educational and healthcare opportunities as those in wealthier parts of the state.

At a time when many Arizona small towns are in crisis—facing economic decline, drug addiction problems, despair, and while some state politicians have given up on our small towns, I have not.

I believe the erosion of Arizona’s small town culture is an erosion of the culture of our nation.

As governor, I will work to help small towns recover from the pandemic, drought, population shifts, etc., I will aggressively develop innovative solutions for rural communities throughout Arizona to become geographically inclusive in our state’s growth.

Here in Arizona we trust our people. We respect their rights. We want all of us to innovate and succeed with less government in the way. It’s something we share.

It is my belief that Arizona is the best state in the nation where people would want to live, work and play.

I believe for me, the road to Arizona’s capitol runs through Arizona towns.

ADDRESSING ARIZONA'S DRUG AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS

End Arizona’s Drug Crisis and Tackle Mental Health Challenges

The drug crisis and mental health challenges have touched nearly every Arizona family. Drugs have taken loved ones and impacted our families and our workforce. As drug addiction and overdoses take their toll on Arizona families and the homeless, the state must start treating addiction differently.

The Arizona Department of Health Services reported, well over 10,000 Arizonans have died of an opioid overdose this past year, which is the leading cause of death for Americans under 50 years old.

All Arizona’s 15 counties and nearly 100 cities and towns can participate in the massive $26 billion settlement in opioid litigation brought by states against three pharmaceutical companies. The settlement is expected to bring about $550 million to Arizona with an estimated $80 million going to Maricopa County.

I feel that Arizona’s portion of the settlement is only the beginning of what is necessary to fund inpatient treatment and care. I will work with our legislature to create a personalized approach to tackling the addiction challenges in our state.

Many of those in our system are there because of crimes rooted in addiction. Jail time without rehab is not a cure for addiction.

As governor, I will create an Office of Addition Recovery to assure the settlement funds, and any additional funds necessary are available and used properly. The money must be used to address costs associated with treatment, care and prevention to support both government and non-profit organizations.

Strong and compassionate leadership can help us end the drug crisis and tackle mental health challenges that have affected so many by helping those who suffer from addiction to reclaim their lives.

WATER AND ENERGY PRIORITIES

As Arizona continues to experience increasing drought conditions there are numerous alternatives that as governor, I will vigorously pursue. I will make revisions to Arizona’s current water policy decisions that will make more sense given the importance of immediately seeking sustainable water supplies for Arizona. Present Arizona water policy decisions consider moving water from the Missouri or Mississippi Rivers to Arizona.

This thinking is ridiculous, costly and impractical, especially when we have smarter alternatives.

Voluntary water cutbacks are already in force in the cities of Mesa and Phoenix, with other Valley communities to follow, and spreading to cities and towns throughout Arizona. Mandatory cuts to water deliveries are around the river’s bend. We must move now to save Arizona’s economy and lifestyle.

The water deficit Arizona faces can be addressed with a number of solutions. SPOILER ALERT: Both Governor Ducey, and my gubernatorial candidate competitor, Kari Lake, propose building a desalination plant in Mexico. I think their idea is unwise, reckless thinking. I would never let Mexico control our water resource that would be subject to the whims of a cartel-run foreign government who could easily hold our water hostage.

My common-sense approach to the state’s drought problem includes constructing a pipeline from the Sea of Cortez in Mexico and piping it to Yuma, Arizona where we already have a desalination plant. The distance is only approximately 75 miles, much closer than piping water from California. And at a much lower cost for construction.

The Yuma plant was built in the 1990s and will need to be expanded and updated. Currently, It’s only in use periodically. At the same time, I will construct a new larger desalination facility in Yuma using the latest Israeli technology which is at the forefront of desalination. From Yuma is can be reverse pumped through Arizona’s existing canal system, and also piped throughout the state. It also makes no sense to give up American engineering and construction jobs to build a plant in Mexico.

I also will pursue constructing mini desalination plants in Arizona where we have what’s called “brackish water” resources underground. Here in Arizona and other parts of the Southwest, we have a largely untapped resource — brackish groundwater — that could substantially augment water supplies for a few hundred years, accordingly to Montgomery and Associates, Water Resource Consultants.

Brackish water is an abundant and untapped resource right here in Arizona. Brackish groundwater is more saline than fresh water but less saline than seawater making it a great alternative. Brackish groundwater is extremely abundant. In Arizona alone there is more than 600 million acre-feet (MAF) of recoverable brackish groundwater stored underground. This supply equates to almost 100 times our current total water use.

Arizona’s brackish water may require pre-treatment to remove constituents that are not addressed through the desalination process, depending on the source of the salinity and the groundwater chemistry.

To put things into perspective, the current cost to desalinate water ranges from about $1–$5 per 1,000 gallons. Compare this to the cost of bottled water, which is $1–$3 per gallon.

Still another source to increase water availability is the management of our forests, which is critically important to protect water resources. By simply thinning trees it can result in gains to streamflow by increasing runoff, which would aid in reducing the threat of forest fires.

ENERGY

In addition to water shortages, there is another issue involving the Colorado River and the Lake Mead Reservoir, and that is electrical power generation at the Hoover Hydroelectric Powerplant providing Arizona with electricity. As the Colorado River lowers and Lake Mead Reservoir levels drop it could shut down one of the largest electrical power plants in the Southwest serving Arizona.

Lake Mead’s water decline is a result of the dire situation upstream at Lake Powell, which has declined to 34% of full capacity. Further drops in water levels won’t provide enough water flow for the generators to power the dam’s turbines, thus shutting down the plant and creating energy uncertainty for millions of people in the region.

Dam operators schedule water releases to take place during peak energy demand hours so that cheap hydropower is available when the more expensive alternative power sources are in demand.

Arizona’s growth has created an unprecedented demand for water and electricity. I recognize the threat, and as governor I will initiate a plan to increase Arizona’s share of Colorado River water, fund the Arizona/US construction of desalination plants to include piping Sea of Cortez Ocean water to Yuma and pursue brackish water test plants and implement a program for conserving our electrical consumption so that Arizona households and businesses will have the water and power they need.

We will need to use all available technologies to increase the productivity of each drop of Arizona water.

BRACKISH WATER INFORMATION SOURCE: MONTGOMERY & ASSOCIATES

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Arizona, unlike any other state, is uniquely positioned for the future with a diverse, innovative and sustainable economy. Arizona offers powerful technological forces that are fueling an underlying change in our economy and will challenge all of our existing approaches, systems and institutions.

The Arizona Commerce Authority as reported by AZINNO, stated that in 2021, “Arizona’s growth was attributed to semiconductors; electric and automated vehicles; batteries; renewable energy; the internet Of things; artificial intelligence; quantum computing; smart materials; fintech; proptech; edtech; medtech; biopharma; cybersecurity and so much more.”

We have an opportunity to reinvent state government and embrace technology, along with many other growing sectors of industry to build an economy and workforce for the future.

As an owner of multiple construction-related businesses and supplies, I understand what businesses and our economy require from the inside. Working with a variety of public and private small and large businesses, I know the territory. I understand first-hand the investment required in capital, people and the importance of assisting and working with state government.

With a business owner’s background, I am willing to join the battlefield of politics, running for governor because I saw no other candidates in a position with qualifications to run a state. My goals for Arizona require experience and leadership in contrast to the other candidates to further our state’s economic growth.

I do not want our state to lack the relatable business sense to operate in favor of Arizona’s competitiveness with its policies and investments that foster educated and technically trained people offering smart ideas. We are positioned in the right environment to promote innovation. I plan on investing significantly in research and development funding to further support our educational institutions that produce trending research and a skilled workforce.

As Arizona’s governor, I will be working on solutions for recharging those sectors of business that have been negatively impacted resulting from the pandemic with focus on a post-pandemic economic recovery.

I plan to develop a “Work As One Arizona” partnership between government, business and our workforce by providing more robust leadership with team member development opportunities.

My program will work to match prospective workers with apprenticeship programs where they can earn wages while receiving training and work experience. To attract new businesses to Arizona will require an educated and skill-trained available workforce.

Addressing the immediate workforce shortages, particularly in areas the labor force is not sufficiently able to fill business needs or support continued economic growth.

Arizonian businesses must be prepared if the pandemic outbreak fades more slowly delaying Arizona’s economic recovery. While we hope that things will return to more normal conditions soon for businesses and workers alike, we must consider the changes that will impact our economy.

Working with businesses, I plan targeted strategies to reach those workers in vulnerable populations and those who for one reason or another have left the workforce. I will develop a plan of incentives to attract workers in connection with businesses.

Additionally, as governor, I will be establishing a task force for reviewing Arizona’s business regulations and regulatory processes as a priority. If changes to business regulations and their associated administrative processes are required to counter the economic fallout from the pandemic, I will make them moving forward. The task force will be comprised of members of the business community, both large and small, and government officials. This will also involve improving the lines of communication between commerce and regulatory agencies where needed.

I know navigating an economic recovery and resilient recovery may be challenging for several business sectors and will require help from state government.

I want businesses to know where to come to innovate, whether starting out, expanding or relocating, that Arizona has appealing options and a smart and trained workforce. Arizona will be known as a competitive market for the best talent unrivaled in the country.

ARIZONA TOURISM

Travel, tourism and outdoor recreation jobs make up a large portion of Arizona’s private employment. Arizona tourism and related industries and businesses that rely on people traveling have suffered along with tourism jobs which were disproportionately affected. Arizona tourism is also key for the conservation of our natural and cultural heritage. It is imperative that we rebuild our tourism sector for that purpose as well. It allows people to experience some of Arizona’s cultural and natural riches.

Arizona tourism has been hit hard by the ongoing fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Getting back to our pre-pandemic ways of attracting tourists and doing business must include additional funding exceeding what has already been pledged.

Currently, the Governor’s Visit Arizona Initiative has pledged over $100 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding to launch a program to increase tourism visitation to the state.

Arizona’s tourism industry suffered significant reductions in visitors and revenues last year and continues sluggish in 2021. Losses suffered in the pandemic-plagued tourism seasons have caused some businesses to be lost for good.

The initiative is designed to increase visitation and tourism spending in Arizona, bolster job creation and accelerate economic recovery.

As governor, I want to take a more proactive approach to enhancing Arizona tourism by providing additional funding to assist the recovery of communities and tourism destinations. I want to further underscore that idea by promoting the value of a vacation in Arizona with the creation of a new travelers/vacationers experience across the state focusing on increased visitor spending, to offset the lower numbers of visitors.

The plan is to increase visitor spending through promotion and development of travel experiences throughout our state and highlighting less traveled regions of interest.

Arizona needs new branding and traveler promotions for a “See All Of Arizona” campaign with a Road Map app for experiences and supported by podcasts, traditions and social media.

I want to focus on expanding and enhancing authentic visitor experiences that foster appreciation of our Arizona culture.

Looking down the road, so to speak, we hear that many automakers are shifting to manufacturing nothing but cleaner, electric vehicles. What that means for Arizona is the need for ample charging stations and the need to promote our tourism in a different manner to those electric vehicle traveling tourists.

With President Biden’s recent target of making 50% of all new vehicle sales electric by 2030, combined with Hertz plans to buy 1,000,000 Tesla cars, electric is in the future of Arizona tourism.

IN SUPPORT OF OUR MILITARY

Our members of the military often endure long separations from their families and shoulder the burdens of service. They spend holidays and milestones apart from those they love the most or celebrate with only a short phone call or virtual chat. The strength of our Armed Forces who serve on behalf of our country comes not just from those who wear the uniform, but from their families, and should also come from us on their behalf.

I am in strong support of our military, and as governor of Arizona I will be committed to launching a Military Family Forces initiative specifically for military families to raise awareness of not only their partners’ appreciated service, but a tribute to their daily sacrifices and challenges.

Mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, and children are affected emotionally, physically, and financially. By raising awareness about the unique aspects of military life, we can work toward solutions in better supporting these families.

In view of pending turmoil in the world and conflicts that will eminently arise, I want to increase Arizona’s $1 million cap on the charity fund, for current needs and those in the future, in the Arizona Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF) for active-duty service members. The fund provides financial assistance to active duty service members, Veterans, and their families. This funding addresses unforeseen financial hardships caused by the member’s military service. It is a helping hand to bridge the gap for basic living expenses for housing, rental assistance, vehicle payments, utility assistance and other basic expenses.

As these expenses increase with inflation military families will require greater assistance. In addition to raising the amount of the charity Arizona Military Family Relief Fund, I encourage Arizonans to consider personally donating to the fund once the current cap has been raised. Your contribution allows you to receive an Arizona state tax credit in support of veterans.

BACK THE BLUE

Arizona’s law enforcement officers serve as our heroes and deserve our encouragement by vocally standing up for our men and women in blue. I support our law enforcement officers, and will ensure as governor, that our community of heroes and their families receive the support they need to do their jobs safely and successfully.

I will encourage, enable and vocally stand up for all law enforcement and believe they are critical to the freedoms we enjoy and the safety we need.

It is important that we amplify our appreciation for the dedication and passion they bring to our communities. We expect them to handle violent crime situations, respond to auto accidents, counsel the homeless, calm domestic disputes, deal with serious mental health encounters, rescue children and animals and numerous mentoring and life-threatening situations.

Our law enforcement officers serve with no regard for race, creed, or color. I personally won’t tolerate disrespecting the thousands of officers who put their lives on the line daily in exchange for others often in crisis response.

Government leaders have to make a decision whether to “Defund the Police” and reallocate or redirect funding away from their police departments to other government agencies. This decision can be dangerous when funding is reduced.

Budget cuts made as a means of defunding the police means fewer resources, and lessened opportunities to provide meaningful training opportunities due to lack of accessible funds.

I will not allow the dismantling of our police departments, as an optional choice of shifting funds away from departments would only create dangerous situations for communities. As governor, I hold firm on pulling state funding on any Arizona municipality that moves to defund their departments.

As governor, our city police departments, county sheriff’s offices, state troopers, Capitol police and professional staff are guaranteed my 100% support. No if, and, or buts!

The media and Left do not consider the actual threat to public safety when they support defunding police and often only focus on random incidents involving brutality and racial injustice. Beyond a ‘few bad apples’, rouge cops who engage in racist and abusive treatment of citizens are not the norm.

If the media would report on the acts of kindness, endangerment and counseling activities performed by police their entire daily newscasts would be about amazing stories of heroism, protection and self-sacrifice by law enforcement.

Arizona’s law enforcement professionals are incredible people who elevate our state through selfless services and courageous action.

I stand with law enforcement who put their lives on the line daily.

Their jobs go beyond enforcement of Arizona laws, they make a sacrifice for our freedom!

Let’s join together on behalf of our men and women in Blue who demonstrate each day… ‘When the going gets tough … the ‘Blue get going!’

For me, Back The Blue is not just an event for a photo op – It’s a positive movement!

SUPPORTING SENIORS FOR IMPROVED LIFESTYLES

Politicians have long been accused of disregarding the needs of the elderly and for failing to plan for the challenges posed by the country’s rapidly ageing population. In Arizona, I want to promote healthier senior lifestyles, as well as to detect, prevent, and respond to mental health issues that affect their physical and social well-being. Arizona’s vulnerable populations need more assistance with housing, grocery shopping, meal deliveries, transportation to medical appointments, emergency errands and social interactions.

According to latest U.S. Census Bureau in Arizona over 1.2 million (19.3 percent) are over the age of 60; nearly 600,000 (9.4 percent) are over the age of 70; and nearly 222,000 (3.5 percent) are over 80.

A clear relationship exists between our state and our senior population regarding their well-being and health issues. I believe we must focus on protecting the homebound and those who are medically fragile or dealing with depression. Public health and mental health are important especially for those most at-risk like seniors and those medically vulnerable.

I plan to create a new special program exclusively for supporting our older populations who face isolation and are often removed from social activities and interactions with their communities. I will allocate a portion of the funding to non-profit organizations across the state that support senior citizens in dealing with their needs, as well as other social and emotional issues. The programs will offer vital support to older adults for support in providing basic need services as they continue to grow with Arizona’s senior population.

Arizona Department of Economic Security in partnership with the non-profit Area Agency on Aging (AAA) provides senior needs by county throughout Arizona. Many programs are offered in partnership with DES and funded through the Older Americans Act.

I plan to expand state funding to many non-profits who are dedicated to assisting older adults and providing frail seniors with home and community-based services, so that they can continue living in their own homes, instead of having to enter a nursing home.

Regarding nursing homes, no nursing home in Arizona will be allowed to develop standard procedures that violate the Nursing Home Reform Law. I want Arizonans to know that as governor, I will want to hear any complaints regarding nursing homes and the care they are providing. I also want people to know that there should be no fear or shyness if they report a problem that a nursing home will retaliate against a resident in some way.

I feel that caregiving for family and friends is a serious public health issue in Arizona. I want to recognize and thank all family caregivers who serve as the backbone of the healthcare system in the country. Currently, nearly one in five people are now caring for an adult with health or functional needs according to AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving. If you are personally caring for an aging parent, ill spouse, a brother with downs syndrome or a next door neighbor, I salute you as one of those invaluable caregivers!

Let’s work together to make Arizona a perfect place for seniors.

ARIZONA INFRASTRUCTURE

Arizona’s needs a governor experienced in Infrastructure with hands-on knowledge

Arizona can expect to receive $5.3 billion from the federal government for rebuilding infrastructure throughout the state. The funds will go towards rebuilding, repairing and strengthening hundreds of miles of roads and bridges, replace and improve water systems and modernizing the electrical grid in Arizona.

$100 million is allocated specifically for improving Internet access.

After personally traveling more than 500,000 miles on Arizona roads and highways, and over our bridges during the past two decades, I have noticed considerable degradation and deterioration of our once proud Arizona highways. At one point we had the best highway system in the nation, that were highlighted in the Popular Arizona Highways Magazinefor many decades.

Arizona’s funding would support work on 132 bridges and 3,193 miles of highways that are considered in ‘poor’ condition. The money is also earmarked for improving runways, taxiways and airport-owned towers, terminal development, and noise reduction projects., to improve public transportation, provide safe and clean drinking water, wildfire protection, protections against cyberattacks, provide broadband coverage across the state including help for low-income families who can’t afford internet access.

Arizona can also expect millions of infrastructure dollars for new construction and rehabilitation at Arizona’s San Luis Port of Entry and Douglas Port of Entry.

In addition, Arizona can apply for other competitive grants for further infrastructure projects.

I can honestly say that I have personally helped build many categories of Arizona’s infrastructure. I have extensive, practical, hands-on experience building Arizona roads and bridges, airport terminals, canals, communication towers, gas pipeline supports, electrical substations, Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant and evaporation ponds, green energy methane gas plant ponds, Tucson Border Patrol station headquarters and water supply improvements to list a few.

I draw on my years of combined business experience qualifying me to both help construct projects while overseeing and maintaining many aspects of the project. My focus will be on cost containments to ensure Arizona gets every pennies worth of its infrastructure dollar. I plan to make a thorough systemic review of our Washington funded infrastructure projects and the investment we make in each to ensure a better future.

Federal infrastructure projects often take years to approve, many times running significantly over budget. Competition for infrastructure money is vicious with urban areas applying more political clout than rural areas. As governor of Arizona, I will make sure that all federal infrastructure money is directed where it needs to go to best serve the needs of every community, including Native American communities.

Here in Arizona over 350,000 residents lack Internet access primarily in rural areas, and that will be my priority. In our digital age of education nearly 30% of Arizona students have no access to the Internet, according to a study by Common Sense, a Boston consulting group. Those most effected were minority, low-income and rural families. I want to see that all students have access to the Internet to provide equal opportunities. We desperately need those investments for students to succeed in school and the essential use in our daily lives.

Perhaps the fastest social change in modern times is remote workforces. The ‘work-from-anywhere’ office is a practice considered permanent in many organizations. That means employees can work from virtually anywhere in many beautiful rural Arizona communities once dependable Internet broadband access is available. It also means having a solid infrastructure will provide the foundation for future economic growth in rural areas to attract businesses to create jobs in those communities. Infrastructure investments can play a key role in workforce recovery for Arizona.

Beyond telecommunicating, these workforces are an advantage for local for storefront businesses, who rely on Internet for sales and marketing.

Our state is poised and ready to put the infrastructure dollars to work. However, unsupervised spending would not benefit Arizona’s citizens. I will review each infrastructure project, leaving nothing to chance to avoid out-of-control wasteful spending. I have the perfect experience to ensure Arizona makes smart investments with our federal infrastructure dollars. No other candidate for governor can match my experience and knowledge.

Looking down the road Arizona needs a system of EV chargers along highway corridors and within communities to provide convenient charging where people live, work, and shop. EV chargers will facilitate long-distance travel within Arizona with particular focus on rural, disadvantaged, and hard-to-reach communities. EV chargers are essential for many Arizona’s out of the way tourist destinations.

When it comes to infrastructure from funding to building, having a governor who has spent 24 years wearing a hard hat is a definite advantage for Arizona in providing properly budgeted and constructed projects supporting state economies.

HELPING SMALL BUSINESS

With more than 45% of the US economy driven by small businesses, Arizona is no exception employing more than half the state’s workforce.

Running a small business isn’t easy. I can personally attest to that. Succeeding is even harder, and it’s more difficult when regulations and things out of your control hold you back. As a small business owner of three related businesses, I know how government regulations have a sizable impact on free enterprise.

Over regulation and taxation disproportionately impact Arizona small businesses. It’s even more burdensome for small businesses, which employ half of all Arizona’s private-sector workers to deal with supply chain disruptions, the pandemic and limited governmental support.

Higher minimum wages, workers compensation, unemployment insurance, and occupational licensing rules are some of the many state and local rules that disproportionately affect small companies.

Several small businesses in Arizona continue to struggle with the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic with many reporting a decline in revenues over the past few months. This struggle was first addressed by the University of Arizona’s Economic and Business Research Center in 2020, and for many, it continues today.

The funding, provided by the current governor’s administration as part of Arizona’s Back to Work Small Business Rehiring and Retention program launched in August falls short of what is critically needed.

Everything from the pandemic, wildfires, storms and flooding has impacted Arizona’s small businesses. The current program funds up to $10,000 in expenditures for employee hiring/signing bonuses, relocation bonuses for employees that are moving to take an open position, and employee retention bonuses. Much more funding is needed, particularly for rural areas.

I work in every part of the state in large cities and in many small communities and have seen firsthand the negative impact on Arizona’s small businesses and their families.

As governor, I will find ways to help struggling companies make comebacks by creating policies that will be beneficial to Arizona’s small business recovery. I will do everything in my power as governor to make one of the biggest economic expansions in the state’s history favorable to small businesses.

In today’s world of high competition and e-commerce, it’s more important than ever to keep consumer prices low in order to compete with products from less expensive markets.

I plan to establish a consortium as a support group of influential business leaders, executives and entrepreneurs from every Arizona community focusing on small business, to assist with acquiring state funding to rev up Arizona’s critical engine of economic prosperity.

TRADE SCHOOL GRANTS

A student’s decision whether to pursue a vocational degree at a trade school or an academic degree at an Arizona university is often a matter of the cost of tuition fees, and the earning potential of a degree after graduation.

According to the College Grants Database, the interest in trade school education has grown in the past decade. This turnabout was fueled by the increased need for skilled trade workers and the current economic downturn. Today, a large volume of students seek to build the foundations of their careers through vocational and trade education.

Trade schools encompass a wide variety of hands-on educational pursuits. In the past, financial aid had been hard to come by for these fields. I plan to increase financial aid opportunities for students who wish to attend Arizona trade schools in the form of trade school grants and scholarships.

As governor, I also want to develop technology and trade centers in partnerships with area businesses to provide for interviews as a career pathway where employers can meet, develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain apprenticeships. Students can obtain paid work experience while earning recognized credentials.

Trade schools encompass a wide variety of hands-on educational pursuits. In the past, financial aid had been hard to come by for these fields. I plan to increase financial aid opportunities for students who wish to attend Arizona trade schools in the form of trade school grants and scholarships.

Grants would be provided as free for first year students with no strings attached. Economic need is the typical basis on which they are awarded. These grants would be provided on a needs-basis to include women, low-income individuals, minorities and those with disabilities.

Scholarships do not require repayment but will be based on evidence of achievement.

Those individuals who wish to specialize in trades such as plumbers, carpenters, auto mechanics, welders, masons, concreters, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) may pursue their education at a community college or technical school.

I will expand the numbers and dollar amounts of grants available for both higher education and trade schools.

SEX AND LABOR TRAFFICKING ACROSS ARIZONA'S BORDER

Sex And Labor Trafficking Across Arizona’s Border Is A Human And Economic Disaster

Arizona is losing the battle against human sex and labor trafficking at the border and seriously affecting the total wealth of Arizonans and Americans.

Beginning in 2000, President Bill Clinton signed into law the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, making the trafficking of persons a federal crime. Since then, TVPA has been reauthorized four times: Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPA 2008).

The TVPRA 2008 expanded the protections available with the T visa and required that all unaccompanied alien children be screened as potential victims of human trafficking. The Act was revised again in 2013, 2017 and finally updated in 2021. The government has a paper plan, but with no real action or follow through to solve the problem.

THE NEELY PLAN

My action plan involves coordinating state, local, and tribal entities to assist my administration with strengthening the border, increasing prosecution of traffickers and enhancing victim outreach and services.

In order to prevent the crime of the illegal invasion occurring at our Arizona border is my plan to deploy the Arizona National Guard to the border to assist US Border Patrol with the processing of illegals entering Arizona.

One of the biggest challenges facing law enforcement at the Arizona border is the ability to accurately identify human trafficking victims. Considering the huge volumes of illegals flooding across the border the challenge is identifying victims and traffickers.

It is reported that 60% of a Border Patrol Agent’s time is spent processing illegals, making it virtually impossible to vetting those who are being trafficked or trafficking.

Because we know that human trafficking disproportionately impacts ethnic minorities, women and girls, and young boys, these vulnerable migrants must be protected.

It is common for traffickers to isolate victims by moving them far away from friends and family, altering their physical appearances, or continuously moving them to new locations. Victims are heavily conditioned to remain loyal to the trafficker and to distrust law enforcement.

Sex traffickers may exploit victims through the use of escort services, street corner solicitation, hotels and homes, selling them through online commercial sex advertising, among other means. Traffickers often manipulate adult or child victims’ suffering from difficult economic conditions, instability in housing, substance abuse issues, or lack of family support, isolating victims and make them wholly dependent upon their traffickers.

A deeper problem affecting all illegal migrants in this crisis is the creation of a permanent ‘Under Class” fueling corruption, exploitation and forced labor.

Labor trafficking occurs across many different industries, including domestic work, traveling sales crews, food services, peddling and begging, agriculture, hospitality, and landscaping. In some industries, such as illicit massage businesses involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.

My mission as Arizona governor will be to combat human sex trafficking and labor trafficking by providing a supporting presence of Arizona National Guard on the border, along with constructing Arizona Guard barracks as a permanent and defensive posture.

I will direct funding for three Guard barracks at Yuma, Douglas and Nogales along with the installation of technologically advanced video, seismic and drone surveillance, equipment along the border which can be operated and maintained by our Guard.

Anyone who tells you that immigration doesn’t have any negative effects doesn’t understand how it really works. When the supply of workers goes up, the price that firms have to pay to hire and employ workers goes down. Wage trends over the past half-century suggest that a 10 percent increase in the number of workers with a particular set of skills lowers the wage of that group. Even after the economy has fully adjusted, those skill groups that received the most immigrants will still offer lower pay relative to those that received fewer immigrants.

I don’t want Arizonans who are already living paycheck-to-paycheck because of wages to suffer in an earnings war they will inevitably lose unless we act now.

Our current immigration policy and the lack of border protections has left many Americans behind. I will do everything possible to end or drastically curtail the problem.

It’s time to enforce our own rules and protect Arizonans rights

NEELY INVEST IN ARIZONA ACT

Too many people in Arizona rural areas feel they have been left behind in state government representation. I want to ensure that residents in Arizona’s rural communities have the same economic, educational and healthcare opportunities as those in wealthier parts of the state. My focus as governor will be to ensure state funding goes to rural communities and not just allow it to be gobbled up by cities. I plan to introduce my ‘Invest In Arizona Act’, which will reach all parts of the state.

It’s counterproductive to dismiss rural voters as backward folks who don’t know what they need. I have spent more of my campaigning time in rural areas talking to voters about their issues.

One bright note for rural Arizona is the federal infrastructure bill that contains a number of programs that will help towns throughout the state, such as billions to be spent for broadband. But the question remains which new Arizona governor will assure rural Arizonans that the projects will be scheduled swiftly and funded fully.

The continual lack of broadband has hurt small towns struggling to sustain themselves. With reliable internet access, people are longer limited in the types of jobs they can work remotely. Also, children will be provided educational opportunities. It’s clear that free markets aren’t serving rural people well in broadband, leaving entire areas of the state behind.

As governor, I pledge to be the strongest advocate for rural communities and a watchdog over taxpayer infrastructure dollars, making sure the dollars go to the right projects in the right places.

For rural voters, much of the anxiety stems from economic uncertainty and lack of small-town considerations over big city interests by the next governor. I feel that rural voters know Lake, Robson, Salmon and Hobbs are all city elitists, making me the only candidate connected to the working class.

I pledges to mend rural deficiencies in state funding for farmers, teachers, road and bridge repair, broadband, hospitals, small businesses, child payments, relief assistance and housing.

I don’t just campaign in rural areas, I’ve actually worked there for years, side-by-side with local laborers on literally hundreds of construction jobs. I doubt if the present rooster of Republican candidates has even been to as many rural communities as I have. I know these people, work with them, respect and like them. I feel that I will best represent the working middle-class of Arizona.

HEALTHY SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT

Our continuing catastrophic wildfires are contaminating our rivers and streams that contribute water supplies to our reservoirs. Healthy forests collect rain and snow melt that feed rivers and streams and ensure an adequate water supply.

Precipitation provides excess water which travels downstream for use elsewhere and areas where forest management can influence water quality and quantity.

Unhealthy and unmanaged forests contribute to wildfires, while our healthy, well managed forests allow more water to reach underground aquifers and streams and rivers.

The density from overgrown forests of Arizona has created forests that are unhealthy, and that are highly susceptible to insect and disease infestations. Forest thinning continues to be an important management component on state trust lands and must be increased.

Wildfires destroy homes, structures, wildlife and leave watersheds vulnerable to flooding and erosion. Flooding carries significant amounts of burned wood ash, sediment and debris downstream that destroy fish habitats and riparian areas and reduce the available storage capacity of downstream reservoirs. Contaminated water is also costly for cities to treat to potable water standards.

With the knowledge that Arizona’s forested areas contribute as much as 90 percent of the water that flows into streams and rivers, and that the Salt and Verde rivers supply about half of the drinking water in the Phoenix metropolitan area, why hasn’t the state done anything substantial to correct the problem?

It is crucial that forests are managed in a sustainable and healthy manner. Poor forest health influences the amount of water traveling through forests. Beginning with forest lands owned by the state, county, and municipal government, I plan to begin a clearing program.

The National Association of State Foresters suggests that states should prioritize service delivery to these identified Target Watersheds in order to help protect drinking water supplies.

A multi-resource management plan of action must be developed for systematically clearing our forests mitigating fuels from over mature, overly dense and dead/decaying debris. Arizona needs a sustainable forest management program that can be fostered through a partnership of Federal, State, and local government efforts.

Arizona’s long-term drought increases the focus on the issue. As governor, I will be committed to conserving, protecting, and enhancing the forest resources, protecting forest ecosystems, rural communities, recreational values, wildlife habitat and Arizona’s water supply.^[3]

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↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 20, 2022
↑ Scott Neely 2022 campaign website, "Issues," accessed July 29, 2022
↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

[bio-1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 20, 2022

[2] Scott Neely 2022 campaign website, "Issues," accessed July 29, 2022

[quotedisclaimer-3] Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

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