Steve Gaynor, a businessman and former candidate for Arizona Secretary of State, has launched a campaign to run for Governor of Arizona.
In a statement announcing his candidacy, Gaynor argued that he was the best candidate to tackle the problems facing Arizona, largely due to the fact he identified himself as an “outsider.”
“We all know the problems we face — they include securing our border, election integrity, our growing water shortage, public education, critical race theory, all intensified by a virus from China,” Gaynor said. “As your Governor, I will bring my outsider perspective, my business experience and my conservative principles to attack these problems. The Arizona Swamp can’t stop me because my only allegiance is to the people.”
In 2018, Gaynor barely lost a contentious election against Secretary of State Katie Hobbs (D). He poured approximately $2.6 million of his own money in a bid for the seat.
“I stepped up to run for Secretary of State. George Soros and his buddies gave Katie Hobbs $4 million to defeat me so they could defeat President Trump. As a Party, we failed to deal with the threat and now we are paying the price. We can’t let that happen again,” he said of his previous efforts.
After the election, Gaynor founded Fair Maps Arizona — an organization that focuses on the redistricting process throughout the state.
Gaynor joins a crowded Republican field that continues to grow. Four other candidates have announced their intentions to seek the top elected position in the state, including former TV anchor Kari Lake, former U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon, businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson and state Treasurer Kimberly Yee.
If successful in the GOP primary, Gaynor would likely endure a rematch against Hobbs. Earlier this month, she launched her campaign and is widely seen as the Democratic frontrunner.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for the Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Steve Gaynor” by Steve Gaynor.
