Wednesday, January 14th, 2009...8:54 am
Cummiskey Resigns
Y’all may have not heard of the Government Information Technology Agency, but it has been run for the last six years by former State Senator Chris Cummiskey. Yesterday, Cummiskey announced he is leaving as head of that office when Jan Brewer is sworn in as governor.
Brewer defeated Cummiskey for Secretary of State back in 2002, which isn’t so much ironic (although Alanis Morissette would think so) as it is an indicator that sometimes the most capable and intelligent don’t get rewarded in our politics. I sometimes wonder how far up the political ladder Cummiskey would be in a more just electoral world.
Cummiskey was, at least by title, my boss back in 2000. I was a party staffer assigned to work the campaign of Marsha Arzberger, First Lady of Kansas Settlement. I didn’t hear from him, there were other folks who were my minders. My first conversation with him during the campaign was on the last Saturday before the election. I had a blow out on the road between Dragoon and Pearce. I had finally gotten the first lug loose when my cell phone rings. As in all such situations, my first thought was “Who the hell is this?”
“Hi Ted, Chris Cummiskey. I just wanted to tell you that I’m hearing good things about the job your are doing. So, is there anything you need from us up here?”
I decided not to inform him of my situation (although one of those pneumatic lug removers would have been choice)and I took his good wishes in the spirit they were intended.
3 Comments
January 14th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Chris Cummiskey has been instrumental in vastly improving AZ’s IT profile through cutting-edge initiatives like az211.gov. He also had fabulous staff (including DJ Harper) who worked diligently to modernize our information systems. Best wishes to Director Cummiskey in his future endeavors.
January 14th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
He has served the state well – at GITA and in the legislature. Chris was very successful in working key issues with moderate Republicans (really just some Republicans). His leadership will be missed. I wish him the best.
January 14th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
I understand Chris is a smart guy–but as a politician he is as exciting as Stuart Starsky–you all remember Stuart from the 2004 run against McCain right? Of course you don’t…