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Gov. Brewer Won’t Seek Reelection

Capitol Media Services photo by Howard Fischer

Gov. Jan Brewer made it official this morning: She will not try to see a legally questionable third term. Arizona Public Radio’s Howard Fischer reports.

The Arizona Constitution limits elected officials to two terms. And, that includes any part of a term. Brewer insisted that her first two years did not count because she became governor automatically in 2009 after Janet Napolitano quit to take a job in the Obama administration. In a speech at the elementary school her children attended, Brewer said the work to put the state back on financial footing continues.

“However, there does come a time to pass the torch of leadership. So, after completing this term in office, I will be doing just that,” Brewer said.

But, Brewer made it clear she is not going to coast for the next 9-and-a-half months or be giving up on her goals of fixing the state’s child welfare system and improving public education.

“I can assure you I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. I will work until my final hours, completing the people’s business on behalf of the great state. Both my pen and my veto stamp have plenty of ink,” she said.

Her decision also means that Brewer, who developed an international reputation for signing the 2010 legislation aimed at illegal immigration, won’t enter what has become a crowded Republican primary to replace her.

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