The NRA candidate for governor?

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Accidental Governor, Jan Brewer, has been a friend of the National Rifle Association (NRA) her entire political career. She welcomed the NRA to Phoenix for their national convention this past summer, and she signed into law every wet dream fantasy on the NRA's legislative agenda this past session, including the right to display a weapon when one feels threatened, stowing guns in the trunk of one's car even when prohibited by an employer (screw private property rights!), and concealed weapon carry in bars and restaurants ("Waitress, mas cervezas. Was I supposed to tell you I am carrying a concealed weapon? – wink, wink, look the other way." What a fraud that is.)

So it comes as a bit of a surprise that a little-known board member of the NRA is exploring running for governor in the GOP primary against the Accidental Governor. The Arizona Guardian (subscription required) reports Another GOP candidate for governor; conflict with Symington Group:

“Buz” Mills owns the Gunsite Academy near Prescott where actors such as James Caan and Tom Selleck and King Abdullah of Jordan have reportedly attended.

Mills was elected last spring to the board of the National Rifle Association. But those who know him said Mills doesn’t plan to challenge the governor’s credentials when it comes to supporting the rights of gun owners.

Camilla Strongin, a longtime Arizona politico, said Mills has an extensive business background and will challenge Brewer on a wide range of issues.

At the top of his list, Strongin said, Mills opposes Brewer’s push to refer a sales tax increase to the ballot to help shore up billion-dollar budget deficits.

* * *

Mr. Mills doesn’t think this is what’s best for the state right now,” Strongin said, referring to the tax increase proposal.

Mills, she said, moved to the state more than 10 years ago, shortly before buying Gunsite. Strongin said Mills has had success in the communications industry.

Mills was unavailable for comment Monday. But Strongin’s involvement in his campaign has created an interesting conflict with her business partner and former governor of Arizona, Fife Symington.

Strongin said she’s taking a leave of absence during the campaign because Symington has endorsed and is working closely with John Munger, a Republican candidate for governor.

* * *

Symington said it was ironic that Chuck Coughlin and Doug Cole, who worked with him when he was governor, are working for Brewer, who Symington has sharply criticized.

“All friendships will be maintained,” he said. “I’m all for a big primary and afterward we can all come together in the general (election).”

* * *

Strongin said Mills will run as a traditional candidate, meaning he will not take public money to fund his campaign. Since he is a newcomer to Arizona politics, it’s unknown how much money he can raise.

But word within political circles was that Mills has built a private fortune and could easily fund a primary campaign himself.

* * *

According to paperwork filed with the Secretary of State’s office, Mills lives in Paulden, which is about 20 miles north of Prescott.

There was very little additional information about Mills on the document. In addition, many political insiders said they'd never heard of Mills.

* * *

During his campaign for the NRA board, Mills described Gunsite as the world’s oldest and largest privately run weapons training facility.

Each year, he said, his staff trains more than 1,500 gun owners, including special forces in the military.

In a video, Mills criticized President Barack Obama, whom he feared would curtail the rights of gun owners.

And there it is, another nut who thinks President Obama is coming for his guns & ammo, even though he's not. Haven't we had enough of paranoid delusional conspiracies from Joe Arpaio and Andrew Thomas? Does Arizona really need to add yet another nut to the mixed nuts of Arizona politics?