Governor Mofford Endorses Lindsay Bell
Lindsay Bell 4 State Representative Campaign
Contact: Lindsay Bell For Immediate Release:
(928) 899-2997 Friday October 8, 2010
LindsayBell4LD1@gmail.com
www.electlindsaybell.com
Governor Rose Mofford Endorses Lindsay Bell:
Touts Public Service Record and Education Advocacy
The Lindsay Bell For State Representative campaign is proud to announce the endorsement of Governor Rose Mofford. In making the endorsement, Governor Mofford acknowledged Lindsay Bell’s emphasis on improving the State’s educational system, her advocacy against Proposition 302 and Ms. Bell’s years of public service. Governor Rose Mofford announced the endorsement last night and noted the positive implications of Lindsay Bell’s candidacy on the future of Arizona. The endorsement message was transmitted to Legislative District One early voters by phone call. LD1 includes Prescott and the Quad City area, the Verde Valley, Sedona, and parts of southern Coconino County. A second call will go out to additional election day voters on November 1st. Of the endorsement, candidate Lindsay Bell said, “It is a rare honor to be endorsed by an Arizona original who has diligently represented the citizens of Arizona for so many years. I would be honored to continue this tradition of public service as a member of the Arizona Legislature representing the constituency of Legislative District One and serving all of Arizona’s citizens.”
The impetus that drove former Prescott City Councilwoman Lindsay Bell to run for state representative was the $1.2 Billion in budget cuts that have been made to the State’s education system. After cutting K-12 programs and repealing all day kindergarten, the current legislature also referred Proposition 302 to the ballot with the intent of ending the First Things First early childhood program. In 2006 voters overwhelming approved a citizen’s initiative to create this popular early childhood program to address the health and educational needs of Arizona’s 0-5 year olds. Research indicates that providing early education and health services to young children enables them to be more successful in school and more successful as adults. The First Things First program is funded by a dedicated 80 cent per pack tax on cigarettes. The program receives no funding from Arizona’s general fund. Governor Mofford stands with Lindsay Bell and many citizens of Arizona in advocating a no vote on Proposition 302 to preserve the First Things First program as originally approved by Arizona voters.
Governor Rose Mofford is no stranger to the education battle here in Arizona. During her terms in Arizona elective office, as Secretary of State and Governor of Arizona, Mofford fought to advance education legislation. In retirement, Governor Mofford still fields questions from school age children and takes the time to help them with school reports. There is a scholarship fund established in the Governor’s name that donates $120,000 annually to aspiring college students each year. Governor Mofford also developed her own scholarship fund which has donated approximately $143,550 to Arizona students.
Like current Governor Jan Brewer, Rose Mofford was Secretary of State before being elevated to the Governor’s office following the impeachment of former Governor Evan Mecham. Her term as Governor ran from 1988 to 1991. According to the Arizona Republic, then Arizona Senate Party leader Alfredo Gutierrez said of Governor Mofford’s term, "what she did was reinvest the system with dignity and honor". Ms. Rose Perica Mofford also served the citizens of Arizona as Secretary of State from 1977 to 1988. She has been declared by many as a loved Arizona original and icon.
