Thursday, October 15th, 2009...1:48 pm
What, He Was Still Running?
The last “major” Democrat running against Terry Goddard has officially announced he is dropping his bid for the nomination. Neil Giuliano made noise over the summer about running after switching to the Democratic party. With other “anti-Goddards” dropping out of the race, you’d think that Giuliano would have been able to marshall some support, but his candidacy never caught fire. His statement (via Facebook) after the jump.
Many of you have offered wonderful words of encouragement for me to re-enter the world of public service as a candidate for Governor of Arizona. Some, about 600 of you, even joined the Neil Giuliano for Governor
Facebook page (thanks to Russ for that effort). I agree our state faces tremendous challenges that will require strong and seasoned leadership.With a great deal of support and collaboration, I enjoyed successful political campaigns and public policy
initiatives as a councilmember and mayor from 1990-2004. Creating the dream of Rio Salado and Town Lake,
implementing light rail, Tempe Neighborhoods Tomorrow, enhanced community-based public safety, creating the Human Relations Commission, and so much more. Especially as I look back now, we really did accomplish a great deal together.Serving as the president of GLAAD from 2005-2009 was a great honor as well, working more than full time in
the advocacy arena taught me even more about effective leadership in challenging times, sustained cultural
advancement and community empowerment. Running a large national not-for-profit advocacy organization is like leading a campaign that never ends!Since I stepped down from GLAAD in June after nearly four years, I have met with many people, listened a great deal, and given long thought to what I might seriously explore and consider in the future. The right life balance, personally and professionally, is important. I fell very fortunate to have options of opportunities, and have determined at this time to focus my search in the world of philanthropy. The consideration to re-enter the political waters was very real, but at this time in the final analysis, I believe I can do more, and have significant influence on finding solutions and fixing problems, without seeking or holding a political office.
The world of philanthropy is going to be called upon to be a collaborating partner for the sustained change that is needed to address the difficult challenges of our times. Challenges like improving education, protecting our environment, energy for our future, and so much more. I don’t yet know where I will end up, or what specific leadership role will be the right one. But I look forward to increasing my activity and focus in this regard in the coming weeks and months.
Thank you all so much for your friendship and encouragement. Knowing you would have been there for me, if I had undertaken a campaign for office in 2010, means the world to me and I am honored by your show of support.
12 Comments
October 15th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Terry Goddard has done his homework and has supporters all over Arizona. Nobody wants to run in a primary they know they can’t win.
October 15th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
“Especially as I look back now, we really did accomplish a great deal together.”
“I fell very fortunate to have options of opportunities…”
“The consideration to re-enter the political waters was very real, but at this time in the final analysis,…”
“The world of philanthropy is going to be called upon to be a collaborating partner”
While I do not know this person personally, after much introspective soul searching, I feel that he has an amazingly sustained grasp of the written English word. Or something.
October 15th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
A fondness is had by Mr. Guiliano for both the passive voice and the malapropism.
October 16th, 2009 at 7:00 am
Neil is a great person and he accomplished a lot at the local level as Mayor of Tempe, but his eventual defeat in a primary could have been embarrassing to an otherwise reputable political career. Think hard about some of the facts: party switching, president of GLAAD, and ultimately leaving it up to Arizona voters. Good call to stay out of this race, Neil. You can indeed do more good elsewhere.
October 16th, 2009 at 9:55 am
It would be a truly awful thing for True Progressives to allow Goddard to go unchallenged. I know nothing about Mr. Giuliani, and never heard him speak to the very pressing issue of Election Integrity, but I am certain that as a concerned, thinking individual he shares all my views on the subject.
Goddard is extremely unpopular with all the activists in Pima County. All of us are ready to support an independant or a republican if he is the nominee. His foot-dragging on the critical issue of Election Integrity has been a major disapointment and will assure that he will lose next November.
Isn’t it time that we look for a True Progressive to run?
October 16th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Give me a break! You don’t think Goddard is progressive enough? Think Ted Downing could beat Dean Martin or John Munger? I doubt it. Besides, the EI crowd spends so much time bitching and complaining instead of knocking on doors that I doubt you could get your candidate elected anyway, because that would actually take work and be an accomplishment.
October 16th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
What happened to Democrat state Rep. David Bradley from LD 28? Wasn’t he interested in the Governor’s job as well?
October 16th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
You go Aaron! Tell it like it is! : )
October 16th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Carolyn-
Bradley opted out of running for governor, and also abandoned later plans to run for secretary of state.
October 17th, 2009 at 10:13 am
“All of us” in Pima County? My, that’s a rather sweeping statement. I guess we can cancel all elections and just rely on psychic powers to say whom the voters want.
October 20th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Wow,
D4G,
Really? You honestly plan to vote for a Republican instead of Terry Goddard?
This year of Jan Brewer and the GOP legislature essentially getting a bad budget by default wasn’t enough for you, in fact you want a full term of it ?!??
I can understand if you would prefer another Democrat running but if you are really a progressive then voting for any Republican for Governor next year would be mind-numbingly STUPID!!!
October 21st, 2009 at 7:27 am
We know that AG Terry Goddard dragged his feet on doing that RTA recount but he finally did it last Spring. And I doubt it will cost him the Governor’s election, as he is clearly the front runner now. The polls all have him running way ahead.