By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings
From the Arizona Republic, written by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez –
Gov. Jan Brewer announced Wednesday she will not seek another term in office, an effort that would have required a long-shot court challenge to the state’s term limits.
“There does come a time to pass the torch of leadership,” Arizona’s Republican governor said. “After completing this year in office, I will do just that.”
This has made national news, with even a friend of mine from New England commenting in a phone call that this seems like a big deal.
So I read the relevant clause in the Arizona Constitution to her.
From Article 5, Section 1 of that document –
No member of the executive department shall hold that office for more than two consecutive terms. This limitation on the number of terms of consecutive service shall apply to terms of office beginning on or after January 1, 1993. No member of the executive department after serving the maximum number of terms, which shall include any part of a term served, may serve in the same office until out of office for no less than one full term.
My friend’s response –
“Oh.”
I can honestly state that the announcement was no surprise – since she started making noises about running for another term, I’ve said it was about retaining some leverage with the legislature, not actually running again.
She was looking to stave off “lame duck” status as long as possible.
Her “official” announcement was today, but her practical announcement was her veto of the discrimination protection bill, SB1062.
The rationale she gave for the veto was all about the input of the “business community” and the harm that the bill would have caused to Arizona.
However, in 2010, she signed the nativist bill, SB1070, over similar objections from the same people.
The difference between then and now?
In 2010, she was a candidate in a crowded R field, and SB1070 cleared the field for her.
In 2014, she’s term-limited and has no self-interest to enhance by signing a bad bill.
AZBlueMeanie at Blog for Arizona offers his perspective on today’s announcement here.