Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona drew criticism from some fellow Republicans in November for what in different years would merely be routine: certifying
Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona drew criticism from some fellow Republicans in November for what in different years would merely be routine: certifying the state’s election. But it surely was solely the second time a Democratic presidential candidate had received the state in 50 years, and plenty of Republicans supported former President Donald J. Trump’s efforts to subvert the outcomes.
This weekend, the Arizona Republican Celebration is predicted to censure Mr. Ducey, who simply received re-election in 2018, Cindy McCain and former Senator Jeff Flake throughout a state get together assembly Saturday. Mr. Ducey, who stated he considers himself a conservative Republican, has principally tried to disregard the scolding and traveled to Washington to attend President Biden’s inauguration. We spoke with him in regards to the political environment in Arizona and nationally, and what the censure vote may imply for the G.O.P.’s future.
The interview has been frivolously edited and condensed for readability.
What stood out to you in regards to the president’s inauguration and your time there now?
It’s extremely particular to be at any inauguration. I believed the president hit all the fitting notes in his speech. And it’s a brand new starting for a brand new administration. It was unimaginable to me how locked down the town of Washington was, the quantity of safety that was there and armed troops on the streets together with the fencing and razor wire. And naturally, that was in response to what occurred a number of weeks earlier.
Simply two weeks after the riot on the Capitol, President Biden spent most of his inaugural speech speaking about unity. Do you assume it’s potential for the nation to unite on this second when there are such a lot of divisions?
After I noticed that President Biden’s theme was unity, I believed it may be a bridge too far. However I do assume his speech introduced all People with what is feasible. And I particularly preferred that he talked about how we will cease this ‘uncivil warfare.’
We have now the flexibility to proceed to disagree, to press our coverage considerations ahead. And I’m sure that we are going to have many disagreements. However I believed for an inauguration speech, it was becoming. We’re divided as a rustic proper now. We will have a extra applicable dialogue and debate than what we noticed a number of weeks prior on the nation’s capital.
Since 2016 Republicans in Arizona have misplaced each the Senate seats and misplaced the presidential race in 2020.
What do you assume the get together must do to win statewide in 2022?
The candidate goes to matter. And I additionally assume for Republicans throughout the nation, we should be pondering as well as and multiplication mode slightly than subtraction and division. And in each races that I’ve had as governor, that’s the posture that I’ve had. Getting out into rooms the place perhaps Republicans haven’t spoken to them earlier than is one thing I’ve embraced and revel in. I feel that our outcomes communicate for themselves, that’s the correct strategy to earn votes throughout the state.
You met with Senator Mitch McConnell when you had been in Washington. Are you open to working for the Senate in 2022, when you can be termed out of the governor’s workplace?
I’m not working for america Senate. I obtained to know Chief McConnell via the open seat with the passing of John McCain. The aim of the assembly was to speak in regards to the Covid-19 aid package deal.
Are you ruling out working for Senate?
I’m not working for america Senate. It’s a no. I’m 100 % centered on being the governor of the state of Arizona. I’ve accepted the function because the chairman of the R.G.A. So I’ve obtained a full-time job after which I’ve obtained a full-time job past that. And that’s what my focus is.
Is the Arizona G.O.P. hurting itself by taking this vote in opposition to you and Mrs. McCain and Senator Flake?
I’ve given little to no time to eager about that. I’ll stand by what I stated earlier than. I feel we’re higher and stronger as a celebration after we’re including individuals slightly than the choice.
What do you assume the political fallout could be? Does the get together danger turning into some type of political fringe group by voting in opposition to its personal two-term governor?
We’ve had any such conduct within the water earlier than within the state of Arizona, really, a number of occasions. So this fever will break as nicely. They usually’re going to do what they’re going to do.
Do you assume a splintered get together like this could win?
Many occasions it’s been splintered earlier than and the Republican Celebration’s received statewide. And I really am not going to provide it any extra consideration. The nationwide media appears to be giving it sufficient. It’s actually had nothing to do with our agenda right here, my election or re-election. I’m assured we’ll be capable to overcome no matter obstacles are in our manner.
While you consider Arizona Republicans, not simply the get together activists, is it a celebration of McCain’s or a celebration of Trump’s?
It’s a celebration of each. It’s a broad coalition. It must be a giant tent. There are many individuals on this get together which have nice affection and respect for John McCain, his service, heroism and legacy, and we’re additionally supportive of President Trump.
Let’s discuss in regards to the Republican Celebration nationally. How do you assume the get together strikes on from Trump with out alienating his supporters? Is there some type of reorientation that should occur?
I feel the get together is healthier off when it units an agenda and is definitely presenting good concepts and good insurance policies. It’s all additionally good when it’s stopping or advocating in opposition to concepts that we imagine harm individuals or might have good intentions however shouldn’t have good outcomes.
And after we’re centered on Election Day too early or reminiscing about what may have occurred on the final Election Day, it doesn’t at all times end in constructive subsequent steps. You’re speaking in regards to the subsequent race and these at the moment are two years away, the very best factor you possibly can have is an efficient file, an excellent candidate and an excellent marketing campaign.
I’ll ask you a bit of bit in regards to the governing half. Arizona is an epicenter of the pandemic proper now. What do you assume wants to vary for the charges to go down there?
Our charges are taking place right now. What we’ve simply skilled is our second wave. I don’t assume you possibly can ever anticipate what you recognize on this virus. It’s vicious and it’s unpredictable. And nobody stated there would simply be two waves. We’re seeing our hospital capability in I.C.U. capability lower, and we’re additionally seeing our discharge from the hospitals enhance. So these are all good indicators.
However the one time an answer has been introduced has been when there’s a vaccine out there. So our focus proper now’s to ensure we do all of the steps to gradual the unfold, to guard the lives of individuals contained in the state, whereas on the identical time working as rapidly as potential with an actual urgency and sense of objective to get this vaccine in individuals’s arms.
You’re the governor of a border state, who has talked quite a bit about border safety. Mr. Trump recognized himself so strongly with detentions and with the wall. With him gone, what do you assume occurs with border safety there?
I positive hope that the brand new administration has a priority for public security within the state of Arizona and our border states. I don’t assume that’s an excessive amount of to ask. So I’d be hopeful that they might wish to embrace the great issues which have occurred by way of safety across the border.
Mexico is Arizona’s primary commerce accomplice, however we additionally had very actual points on the border 4 years in the past round drug cartels, human trafficking and youngster intercourse trafficking and by any metric these have been dramatically diminished. And I’m hopeful that the administration will proceed to accomplice to guard the individuals, colleges and neighborhoods of the individuals of Arizona.
Have been you stunned that Trump supporters had been divided basically into a gaggle between individuals who stood with him when he wished to overturn the election after which individuals such as you who didn’t?
I take a look at it in another way. I couldn’t have been extra supportive of President Trump or his re-election up via Election Day. After Nov. 3, the job is to rely the votes, tabulate the quantity, audit the vote and ensure it’s correct. All 15 counties in Arizona licensed the vote. I took an oath to uphold the regulation and abide by the Structure. I did my responsibility. I’ve been outspoken that I feel the individuals which have been misinforming Arizonans are mistaken and so they shouldn’t be doing that and they need to be held accountable for that.
What ought to being held accountable appear to be? And the way do you counter that misinformation?
I countered it within the Oval Workplace with the president. I talked in regards to the accuracy of Arizona’s vote, how we put mail-in voting in place and reformed it, and improved it each two years since 1992. What we’re doing in Arizona is confirmed and it’s tried and true. And when the administration did take their swimsuit to the Supreme Court docket, Arizona wasn’t named in it.
When it comes to the individuals which have been mendacity and misinforming the general public, nicely, that’s as much as the voters. The voters have to carry them accountable. And it looks like they’ve additionally obtained some letters from personal sector firms wanting to carry them accountable for his or her language as nicely.
Do you assume Arizona congressmen Andy Biggs or Paul Gosar must be expelled from the Home for making an attempt to block certification of Arizona’s Electoral Faculty votes?
I feel individuals must be uncovered for what they’ve stated and be held accountable for the statements that they’ve made. In the end in these workplaces, you report back to the individuals and the individuals make the ultimate judgment. And in Congress, their friends could make a judgment.
Would you help primaries in opposition to them?
We’re two years away from any elections, so I’m not going to take that. I wish to let politics stand down.
How is that potential to let politics stand down a bit on this environment by being the governor?
By main with a coverage agenda that you simply wish to transfer ahead via your legislature.
Do you assume Trump is a weakened pressure with out Twitter? Do you anticipate he will probably be a powerful pressure in politics for a very long time to come back?
President Trump is a dominant voice in politics and, after all, within the Republican Celebration and social media was a manner that he was in a position to talk. So having him off social media has been distinctive as a result of we haven’t heard from him apart from the general public appearances and speeches that he’s given.
However this can be a man that has discovered a strategy to overcome obstacles up to now. And, after all, the venues and platforms aren’t the one venues and platforms which are on the market. And I’m somebody that believes that we should always have free speech and extra speech is healthier than much less speech. And I do imagine the principles must be utilized evenly and I don’t imagine they’ve been utilized evenhandedly.