Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane is exploring a run at State Treasurer. Lane spilled the beans a couple of months ago, and campaign mouthpiece Jason Rose (of the taxpayer-subsidized polo match) promptly told him to shut up.
Does anyone else find it ironic that Lane and the City Council have irritated the Scottsdale City Treasurer to the point that he decided to retire rather than continue spitting into the wind? Lane’s announcement comes a week before David Smith officially surrenders his post.
And in another bizarre twist, former Scottsdale city manager John Little has announced he may run for city council. You will recall (as AZCentral did yesterday) that Little was fired over the council’s HIRING of David Smith!
From AZCentral this morning:
By Beth Duckett, The Republic | Fri Jun 28, 2013 9:58 AM
Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane isn’t ruling out a possible bid for state treasurer in 2014.
Lane, a Republican and retired certified public accountant, told The Arizona Republic that supporters have asked him to explore a run. Lane has ties with state Treasurer Doug Ducey, who is considering a gubernatorial run for next year.
“We’ll have to see how things pan out,” Lane said. “I certainly would consider it.”
Seven months into his second mayoral term, Lane said his focus is still to concentrate on being mayor of Arizona’s sixth-largest city.
“It’s a position I have fought for,” he said, “and I was glad to have obtained.”
Ducey, a former CEO of Cold Stone Creamery, could join what likely will be a crowded field of GOP candidates seeking to replace Gov. Jan Brewer.
Former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and former Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman are in the race.
Sen. Al Melvin, R-Tucson, and Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett have formed exploratory committees, while Mesa Mayor Scott Smith is weighing a bid.
Meanwhile, Gov. Jan Brewer told The Republic this week that she has not ruled out a legal challenge to try to run for another term.
On the Democratic side, former Arizona Board of Regents President Fred DuVal has formally filed to run. Rep. Chad Campbell, D-Phoenix, told The Republic on Thursday that he could make an announcement regarding a potential gubernatorial bid next month.
Lane said he would like to see Ducey enter the race.
When asked about his affiliation with the treasurer, Lane said: “The last four years we have gotten more closely acquainted from a business standpoint and political standpoint.
“He’s a man who has been in the business world and has operated in that theater successfully for a number of years.
“That’s something I hold in high regard.”
A new law takes effect Sept. 13 which says an elected official doesn’t have to resign until he or she files nomination papers.
The existing law had said an official had to resign upon a “formal declaration” to run.
Under Scottsdale’s charter, council members must fill a vacancy on the council, including the mayor’s seat, within 31 days. The person is appointed to serve until voters choose a candidate by election.
Reporters Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Alia Beard Rau contributed to this article.