No, she's not running in the R primary, but I thought it would be best to lead off with a pic of the person that I think will be the next governor of Arizona.
Let's be clear - after Cheeto won the R primary in 2016, I am loathe to make predictions in an R primary, so I'm not counting anyone out there.
Having said that. my guess is that the R primary for governor of AZ will come down to state treasurer Kimberly Yee and developer Karrin Taylor Robson.
Former TV news anchor Kari Lake, and the others, have a chance, but most of their support seems to be of the "whistling past the graveyard" variety.
Plus, Fife Symington, convicted and pardoned former governor of AZ, and Joe Arpaio, convicted and pardoned former sheriff of Maricopa County AZ, will make their quadrennial flirtations with a run in efforts to garner some media attention.
Yup, it's going to be a crowded R primary, full of folks looking for a chance to replace Dougie.
While one or two big "names" may jump into the race later, right now, it appears that it will come down to Yee and Robson.
And in a race that close, it may come down to endorsements and support from R legislators and Ducey himself.
It would seem that Yee, a former legislator and current associate of Dougie, would seem to have an edge in that area, but don't underrate Robson's ties in this area.
In addition to being the daughter of Carl Kunasek, a long-time member of the legislature and Arizona Corporation Commission, and sister of Andy Kunasek, a former member and chair of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, before she was a Robson, she helped funnel money to some of the members of the legislature, building relationships there.
And as Republicans, while they may have friendships with Yee, their first loyalty, once and always, is to money.
Don't discount Ragan's presence as treasurer, both here and on Robson's gubernatorial committee.
She's a former staffer for former US Senator Jon Kyl, who was noted for being all about the money, and has ties to Kirk Adams, a former legislator and former chief of staff for Dougie, also noted for being all about the money.
In short, get your popcorn out. The R primary is going to be interesting, with a lot of back channel calling in of favors and public contortions as R legislators try to have it both ways.
Disclosure time: I assume that the Democratic primary will come down to Katie Hobbs, current Arizona Secretary of State, and someone else (I don't know who yet, but there always is one).
I used to live in her LD and was impressed by her work as a legislator and have been impressed with her work as AZSOS
I've already decided to support her in the primary and have already given a (small) donation to her campaign.
I recommend that readers do the same.
