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Ken Bennett

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Ken Bennett
Ken Bennett.jpg
Arizona Secretary of State
Incumbent
In office
2009 - present
Term ends
January 5, 2015
Years in position 4
PartyRepublican
PredecessorJan Brewer (R)
Compensation
Base salary$70,000
Elections and appointments
First electedNovember 2, 2010
Next electionNovember 4, 2014
AppointedJanuary 9, 2009
Appointed byGov. Jan Brewer
Term limits2 consecutive terms
Prior offices
Arizona State Senate
2000-2007
Education
High schoolPrescott High School (1977)
Bachelor'sArizona State University (1984)
Personal
BirthdayAugust 1, 1959
Place of birthTucson, Arizona
ReligionChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Websites
Office website
Campaign website

Contents

Ken Bennett (born August 1, 1959, in Tucson, Arizona) is the current Republican Arizona Secretary of State. He was appointed to the position by former Secretary of State Jan Brewer (R), who ascended to the governorship following the resignation of Janet Napolitano in January 2009. [1] He first won election to the office in 2010. [2]

Biography

Bennett is a lifelong Arizona resident, with the exception of serving a couple years as a missionary in Southern Japan before University. He was born in Tucson, grew up in Prescott, and attended Arizona State University in Tempe, where he earned his degree in accounting. After graduating from college in 1984, the future Secretary of State of Arizona began his 25-years-and-counting career of mingled public service and private business. Prior to entering politics, Bennett was CEO of Bennett Oil Company, a family fuel-distribution business (he is still member of its board of directors), served on the Prescott Economic Development Comm. Board of Directors, in addition to several other roles demonstrating his activeness within the community, including:

  • Coach, Prescott Little League and AYSO Soccer (1989-1995)
  • Director, Prescott Chamber of Commerce (1991-1993)
  • Scout Master, Volunteer, Boy Scouts of America (1993-1998)
  • Former Director, Education Leaders Council (1995-present)
  • Board Member, Western Regional Medical Center, Cancer Treatment Centers of America (present)

Bennett was also the 2007 recipient of the Polly Rosenbaum Award from the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records for his "support of the State Library's mission to preserve Arizona's history and to provide access to information on the state."[3]

Education

  • Prescott High School (1977)
  • Attended Yavapai College (1981 President’s Scholarship)
  • B.S., Arizona State University (1984) in accounting

Political career

Bennett began his political career as a member of the Prescott City Council. He was elected in 1985 and served for four years. He was named mayor pro-tempore in 1988. Then from 1994 to 1996, he served as a member of the Arizona State Charter Schools Board. He was elected in 1999 to serve the public on the Arizona State Senate, a position he maintained until 2007. Bennett's served as Republican Floor Leader in 2002 and Senate president for his final years (2003-2007) before reaching the office's four-term term limit.[3]

Arizona Secretary of State (2009-present)

See also: Ballotpedia Q&A with Bennett

Previous officeholder and fellow Republican Jan Brewer appointed Bennett as her successor in January, 2009 upon her election to the Governor's office. He was elected to a full term in 2010.

Transparency

In early 2012, Bennett was been coordinating with Attorney General of Arizona Tom Horne and Representative Eddie Farnsworth on a bill promoting transparency in the financing of campaigns. The legislation, House Bill 2385, addresses inadequate campaign finance regulations as well as a group called called “Citizens United” organizations. The bill seeks to "ensure the integrity of Arizona's electoral process by expanding corporate disclosure requirements."[4]

Bennett also changed a law that required state agencies to file a paper notice of where a public meeting notice will be posted. "Agencies will establish a notice area on their Web site creating transparency in government."[5]

Updating office operations

Bennett upgraded the office's paper filing systems with an electronic system for improved efficiency and accuracy in processing records and election data. He also updated the Secretary of State website to meet to state layout standards. The new site archives all office and election information, and is more user-friendly, making information more accessible and transparent to Arizona constituents.

Presidential preference

2012

See also: Endorsements by state officials of presidential candidates in the 2012 election

Ken Bennett endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election. [6]

Elections

2014

See also: Arizona gubernatorial election, 2014

In 2011, Bennett began exploring a possible run for Governor of Arizona in 2014. As of November 2012, Bennett was still considering a bid, though he has not made any formal commitment to enter the race.[7]

2010

See also: Arizona Secretary of State election, 2010
  • 2010 Race for Secretary of State - Republican Primary
  • Ken Bennett ran unopposed in this contest
2010 Race for Secretary of State - General Election [8]
Party Candidate Vote Percentage
     Republican Party Approveda Ken Bennett 58.2%
     Democratic Party Chris Deschene 41.8%
Total Votes 1,661,065

Campaign donors

Ballotpedia collects information on campaign donors for each year in which a candidate or incumbent is running for election. The following table offers a breakdown of Ken Bennett's donors each year.[9] Click [show] for more information.


Personal

Ken Bennett currently resides in Prescott, Arizona with his wife, Jeanne, and their three children - Ryan, Dana, and Clif. He is a practicing member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Recent news

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Contact information

Arizona

Capitol Address:
1700 West Washington Street, 7th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2888

Phone: (602) 542-4285
Toll Phone: (602) 255-8683
Fax: (602) 542-1575

Department:
Arizona State Complex Building
400 West Congress, 2nd Floor, Room 252
Tucson, AZ 85701

Phone: 520-628-6583
Fax: 520-628-6938

See also

External links

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References


Political offices
Preceded by
Jan Brewer (R)
Arizona Secretary of State
2009–present
Succeeded by
NA
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