Symington Elects Not to Run

May 5, 2005KPHO, Newssfdkjwnasdf74

On May 5, 2005, John Fife Symington III announced that he would not run for Governor of Arizona in 2006. Here’s the official announcement from KPHO-CBS 5 News:

Click here to watch the video segment.

Previously, in early February, Symington had expressed profound interest in competing against Janet Napolitano who, he said, failed to carry out promised tax reforms. He also faulted her all-day kindergarten plans as unrealistic and unaffordable.

Symington was “expected to release a statement this morning (May 5) that will say he will not rule out a future run for public office.” He said that after giving the race “tremendous thought over the last few months,” he chose to focus his attention on his consulting firm, the Symington Group.

There was a flurry of press activity after Symington’s original announcement of his intent to run.

‘The Governor’ definitely gets my vote – as dessert

February 24, 2005Mark Kimble, News, Tucson Citizensfdkjwnasdf74

“Symington said his thoughts to oppose Napolitano when she seeks re-election next year galvanized just six weeks ago when he was invited to Napolitano’s State of the State speech. Symington sat in the front row, barely 20 feet from Napolitano. I watched him hang on her every word.

‘I had not been to a speech like that before’

Symington said Tuesday. What really bedeviled him was Democrat Napolitano’s call for state-funded all-day kindergarten. Because parents would decide whether to send their children, Napolitano called it ‘school choice.’

As governor, Symington was a constant supporter of school vouchers.

‘She was being too cute and clever and trying to foist one over on the public’

Symington said of Napolitano’s speech. Napolitano also took a slap at Symington-pushed tax cuts.

His retort:

‘The tax cuts were one of the best thing to happen to this state.’

For the rest of the piece, click here.

Symington Ready for Battle, Says He Has the Answers to State Woes

February 20, 2005Arizona Republic, News, Pat Flannerysfdkjwnasdf74

“He says the state budget is growing too fast. He objects to the new system of financing public-school construction. He wants private-school vouchers for public-school students. He calls Arizona’s welfare programs ‘a runaway train.’ He chides Napolitano for not using the office as a bully pulpit.”

For the rest of the article, click here.

What’s One More Round in a Life of Comebacks?

February 13, 2005Arizona Republic, Newssfdkjwnasdf74

“Nevertheless, I won five statewide elections (the last of them from 28 points down) and was expected to lose four of them. I am one of very few people in history who have fought against the full weight of the federal government and in the end prevailed.

So it’s fair to say my entire public life was one long series of comebacks. What’s one more?”

For the rest of the article, click here.

Stirring the Pot

February 10, 2005Arizona Republic, Newssfdkjwnasdf74

“Ever since Symington’s interview with The Arizona Republic’s Chip Scutari last week, cellphones and talk-radio shows have been buzzing: What’s Fife cooking up? What does he mean by he’s “seriously considering” running for governor in 2006?”