Gov. Brewer has been reluctant to endorse the Republican nominee for state schools chief. Arizona Public Radio’s Howard Fischer reports.
Brewer has endorsed every statewide GOP candidate — with the exception of Diane Douglas. The governor told Arizona Public Radio she is not particularly anxious to explain that slight.
“You know, I just decided not to talk about it or participate in any dialogue in regards to it,” Brewer said.
The move is no surprise as Douglas has made repeal of the Common Core academic standards that Brewer implemented the centerpiece of her campaign. But, the governor is not going as far as the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which actually endorsed Democrat David Garcia. Chamber President Glenn Hamer said that was a logical move as Garcia, like his organization, endorses the kind of rigorous academic standards encapsulated in Arizona’s College and Career Ready Standards, the new name that Brewer gave to Common Core. And Douglas?
“It’s fair to say that Diane Douglas, on the issue of standards and the other issues provides a pretty stark contrast. That’s certainly a big part of it,” Hamer said.
The decision to back a Democrat for statewide office, while unusual for the chamber, is not unprecedented. The group supported Janet Napolitano’s 2006 reelection bid for governor over GOP challenger Len Munsil.
